Archive
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Not be what doctor ordered?
THE government's forthcoming big shake-up of the NHS has been so well signalled already -- with the guarantee in the Budget of £20billion extra for health over the next four years and Tony Blair himself taking charge of the plan -- that health is bound
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Ban the cheat now
FEW areas of the murky match-fixing scandal infesting cricket are anything more than dark grey. There are, however, a couple of black and white points emerging from the Qayyum Report. One is that Blackburn Northern professional Ata-ur-Rehman (pictured
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Bring back the memories
TESTIMONY Films, an independent television production company, is making a BBC1 history programme looking at the childhood memories of Britain's oldest citizens. We want to know how children lived at the beginning of the 20th century at the height of
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A matter of priorities
WHAT has gone wrong with this country and why has the 'Great' gone out of Britain? We are living in perilous times -- schools closing, children in danger (even in schools), people afraid to walk the streets, unemployment, drug abuse, many established
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'Stranger's' invitation
SINCE moving to Blackburn from Bristol last August, I have found that the North-country reputation for friendliness and kindness is well-deserved. My West Country 'Wurzel-type' accent has identified me as a stranger in your midst, and has provoked kindness
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Celebrity no opposition
WHAT a clown the chairman of Blackburn Conservative party is when he asks for some local celebrity to stand for Parliament (LET, May 23) just because they got more votes than Labour in the local elections -- two per cent more, I believe. I bet you won't
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Widen divide
IT is time the seven million people in the North West of England secured direct control over the matters which most affect our region and our region alone. If I was not convinced of this before, I certainly am now, having just paid a visit to the new
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Life sentence for pick handle killer
A MAN was today starting a life sentence after being found guilty of bludgeoning his brother-in-law to death with a pick axe handle. Mohammed Meherban, 26, of Higher Antley Street, Accrington, murdered Mohammed Azam, 36, in a frenzied attack. Liverpool
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Life sentence for pick handle killer
A MAN was today starting a life sentence after being found guilty of bludgeoning his brother-in-law to death with a pick axe handle. Mohammed Meherban, 26, of Higher Antley Street, Accrington, murdered Mohammed Azam, 36, in a frenzied attack. Liverpool
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Duff ducks out of Republic squad
WINGER Damien Duff has been forced to pull out of the Republic of Ireland squad's tour to America. Rovers' wing wizard sustained a pelvic injury in Tuesday night's friendly against Scotland at Lansdowne Road which has forced him to withdraw from manager
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Warning: keep out of water
BOSSES at North West Water have repeated warnings that swimming in reservoirs can easily turn into a tragic accident. The arrival of summer means swimmers are still taking dips in the icy waters despite drownings in the north west last summer -- and accidents
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Police join Kosovo body hunt
TWO Preston Police support staff are to help identify bodies in Kosovo, as part of an international forensic operation. Senior scene of crime officer Dave Atkinson and Chris Hough from the imaging unit at Hutton will spend five weeks in the war-torn country
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What's your poison, kids?
IT'S the middle of summer... it's a burning hot day and you need refreshment now! What will you choose to quench your thirst? Well, if Preston lad James Cotton had his way, you'd be drinking a cool, refreshing glass of .... Toxic Tango! James, 14, a pupil
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Deepdale's £7.5m goal
PRESTON North End will float more shares in a bid to raise £7.5 million to complete the redevelopment of Deepdale, strengthen the first team and invest in the youth development programme. The exact amount raised will depend on the number of shares applied
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Cricket club fighting back
A CRICKET team has fought back against a seven-day eviction notice to quit its ground with the message that it will not be forced out. Hussania Cricket Club was told by Lancashire County Council to leave its St Andrew's ground, Burnley, by Monday May
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Chip shop couple attacked by robber
A CHIP shop owner and his wife were punched and kicked to the floor during a late night robbery. Wai Li and his wife Jenny were both working in the Chinese takeaway in Hurtley Street, Burnley, when they were attacked just before 11 last night. Jenny was
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Grand blaze forces shops to close
MORE than a dozen businesses have been closed and town hall work disrupted following a fire which left a Nelson town centre club in a dangerous condition, it was revealed today. The Auditorium nightclub, formerly the Grand Cinema in Market Street, will
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Local lads are on the marsh
A PRESTON 5-a-side team are off to London's Hackney Marshes after winning a tournament in Manchester. The under 15 OBC Deluxe side played six matches in the first round and won five, before beating an undefeated side in the quarter finals and going on
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Preston can't escape league bottom,
Preston ... 95 Fleetwood ... 98-2 SKIPPER John Wright led Fleetwood from the front in their Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League clash with Preston at Broadwater on Saturday. He won the toss, asked Preston to bat, orchestrated his bowling so that the visitors
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Can't find the stopcocks!
BEWILDERED Frenchwood residents now have to chip away at layers of tarmac every time there's a burst water pipe -- because a council worker has laid the stuff over their stopcocks! Preston council workers made the blunder when they completed repairs to
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Percy Peacock's perfect pad
FOR a peacock, it is the ideal new home. With six acres to roam around in, it can easily be called spacious, and with a river and forest, it's fair to say it has all the mod cons your upwardly mobile peacock could want. But Percy the peacock didn't expect
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Techno corner
WEBSITE developers from the keen amateur to the hardened professional can get tons of tips, help and news at the Zednet site. As well as downloands and online classes in improving your net skills, it also features news on new viruses and other web developments
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£50 reward to solve missing signs mystery
MARKET bosses have been left puzzled by thieves who apparently drove miles around the outskirts of Clitheroe -- stealing roadside advertisement signs as they went. And the company which runs the collectors' market and car boot sale at Clitheroe Auction
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Poach at your peril
A CRACKDOWN on poaching in the River Ribble has been launched by the police and the Environment Agency. The authorities say the problem of illegal fishing in the river has escalated in recent years and rewards are being offered to anyone who helps to
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Rib-tickling fun
WE all like a laugh, and one man who can guarantee plenty of them is Johnny Vegas, St Helens' greatest export and the funniest user of a potters wheel in history. Those of you who haven't seen him can catch the great man's act at Darwen Library Theatre
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Rugby competiton a great success
STANLEY Park was the location for the Blackpool Rugby League Sevens competition took place on Saturday (May 27). And it was Queensbury, who hail from Bradford, who ran away victors in the competition which saw 16 teams competing for honours. But it was
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Joy for Euro boy
WITH Euro 2000 approaching football fans everywhere will be glued to the television -- but one young fan from Lytham will be closer to the action. Eight-year-old Anthony Joy will be actually be walking out on the pitch with the teams in one of the quarter
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Swann on song at Fleetwood
FLEETWOOD'S interest in the Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League Nuffield Cup ended in the second round at Broadwater on Sunday (May 28) and the architect of their defeat was Leyland batsman Mark Swann whose unbeaten 49 helped his side to 167-9, in reply
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Store's results hit by rivals
PROFITS at Sainsbury supermarkets slumped 23 per cent over the last year. The group, which has stores in Darwen, Clitheroe, and Burnley, reported profits were down to £580 million, from £755 million last year. Sales and profits jumped at the group's Homebase
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Rising sales but food profits hit
NORTHERN Foods, parent firm of Hollands Pies of Baxenden, has served up rising sales but said that profits had been hit by a revamp across the business. Northern, which makes foods such as quiches, sushi and pizza, said sales to its five biggest customers
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Fylde's flag-flyers march on
FYLDE troops proved stiff competition for members of the European reserve forces at a recent military skills event. Privates Colin Nelson and Hayley Matthews, from St Annes, along with Private Jamie Darwin, from Blackpool, were runners-up in the competition
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It's a Grand hotel!
THE results of this year's United Utilities North West tourism awards are in -- and several institutions from the Fylde coast received recognition. The Grand Hotel in St Annes was chosen as best small hotel of the year. Judges were impressed by the blend
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They must be Loco!
BLACKPOOL bounced to the beat on the street as the town took its place in the BBC's Music Live weekend. And local band Poco Loco could well have set the record for the highest performance in the UK when the drumming troupe played at the top of the Tower
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Clinging on to the Tower
THERE could be a light at the end of the tunnel for a railway engine that once boosted Blackpool tourism. Diesel locomotive No. 37407 -- which carries the name Blackpool Tower -- was thought to have come to the end of the line after lying redundant at
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Missing girl
POLICE are concerned for the safety of a 15-year-old girl who has been missing from home since Monday. Christina Bugat left Dyke Nook Children's Home in Whalley Road, Accrington, at about 9pm. She is believed to have friends and relatives in the Burnley
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Lupus group's room appeal
VICTIMS of a mysterious illness need space to meet fellow sufferers. Blackburn's lupus support group began four years ago but organiser Pauline Bilsborough said the group can no longer afford to hire a room. They now meet at Blackburn Library's coffee
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North End: 'Passion and determination'
DETERMINATION, passion and a manager all players respect -- they are the tree qualities which ensured Bournemouth midfielder Steve Robinson became PNE's first summer signing. Speaking about his £375,000 move from the South coast side, the 25-year-old
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East Lancashire events for Friday, June 2
"Two" -- play, Little Theatre, River Street, Colne, 8pm. Musical Concert, St Peter's Church, Darwen, 7.45pm. Under 16s Disco, Ally Katz Dance Studio (Tony's), Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm-10pm. "Mikado," Charter Theatre, Preston, 7.30pm. Garden
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Motorists are fuming
WHETHER of not it is already-announced cash and initiatives dressed us as new, John Prescott's pledge of £140billion for transport is a recognition that motorists fuming at the fuel pumps and in traffic jams are ready to drive off with their votes unless
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Plea for a penfriend
I AM a Ghanaian boy, aged 15 and am seeking English penfriends. My hobbies are listening to music, especially 'gospel,' reading magazines and novels. I would like to hear from both boys and girls aged 15 to 20. All letters will be answered. KYEI-BAFFOUR
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Disgrace on the bus
WHILE travelling from Darwen town centre on Sunday, May 28, at 8.30pm on a Blackburn Transport 346 route bus to Accrington, I had the misfortune to experience a group of youths, both boys and girls, who thought it would be a huge giggle to urinate on
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Lords are indefensible
I AM flattered by your reference to me as 'ever perky' (LET, May 24), but dismayed that you took my suggestion seriously that the membership of the Upper House should be selected randomly, as with juries. I raised the issue to underline the absurdity
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Tories fail to remember
IT would appear that Blackburn Conservative Association is so short of members with the ability to represent the town in parliament that it has had to issue a desperate appeal for a potential candidate. One of the qualifications they should make sure
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Tourists hurt in Airtours bus crash
TWO people were thought to be in a serious condition after a holiday coach crashed in Minorca, Rossendale-based travel operators Airtours said today. The company said 24 passengers including five staff, plus the driver, were on board the vehicle, when
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Disabled club AGM
Blackburn Rovers Disabled Supporters Club are holding their AGM on Wednesday June 14. The event will take place in the Directors Guest Lounge at Ewood and is set to start between 7 and 7.30pm.
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Rovers sign Curtis
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has launched the first phase of his summer rebuilding programme by raiding Manchester United for defender John Curtis. Rovers have ended a two-month chase for the 21-year-old by agreeing to pay United £1.5m for the highly-rated
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Team targets youth crime
A TEAM of police officers have been given a mission to tackle youth crime in the St Matthew's area of Preston. The four constables -- PCs Mark Weardon, Brian Woods, Martin Walters and Tom McLoughlin -- have been given the a task of finding long-term solutions
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Second victim dies on track
POLICE have identified a Preston man who was killed when he was hit by a train just outside the town on Tuesday afternoon. The man's father contacted police after hearing a description of his son, 22. The rest of his family have now been informed about
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New job fits the bill
A TERRITORIAL Army officer who was made redundant from his civilian job has turned the situation around by offering his services to the army in Kosovo. Major John Kiely, of the Adjutant General's Corp, is attached to the Pristina-based 5th General Service
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The plot thickens
RESIDENTS and councillors in Walton-le-Dale have been left baffled and angry by a developer's approach to buy houses in the area. And one 78-year-old woman has revealed her meeting with one of the developer's agents has left her suffering sleepless nights
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Town is tourism hot spot
PRESTON'S Tourist Information Centre handles more than 163,000 enquiries each year -- second only to the Blackpool town centre office. The statistics, compiled by the North West Tourist Board on behalf of the Lancashire Tourism Partnership, put Preston
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Victim escapes attacker
PRESTON police are searching for a man who tried to rape an 18-year-old woman in a town centre alleyway in the early hours of Tuesday. Lowthian Street -- the scene of the brutal attack -- was cordoned off on Tuesday (pictured) while police and support
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Town centre plans on display
A DISPLAY in the Charter Walk shopping centre gives people the chance to see the environmental improvements planned for Burnley town centre. The scheme will improve the remaining non-pedestrianised stretch of St James Street from Marks and Spencer to
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The British Poo-seum!
A TOILET roll of honour featuring East Lancashire comic Jim Bowen is one of the more unusual exhibits at a mini museum set up to celebrate a century of sewage treatment. Yorkshire Water worker Geoff Dawson (pictured), 53, of Claremont Place, Todmorden
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Crash driver 'fed up'
CRASH victim John Driver was depressed at not being able to find suitable work, an inquest at Burnley was told. Mr Driver, 24, a landscape gardener of Essex Street, Barnoldswick, died when the Fiat Uno he was driving went out of control at a roundabout
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Our chance to shine, says Hesketh
BOTTOM of the table Preston travel to Windsor Park to play Chorley on Saturday -- and they reckon they have a good chance of pulling off a surprise win. Tony Hesketh says his team are looking forward to the challenge because Chorley have been dismissed
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Poor form continues
Preston ... 110 St Annes ... 111-3 PRESTON'S poor league form continued on Monday when they lost their second league match within 48 hours. Tony Hesketh won the toss and elected to bat, but it appeared unwise when Preston lost opener Asif Bukhari with
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Rail 'chicken' game
A BOY was seconds from death when he stumbled in front of a train playing a dangerous game of "chicken". The incident, between Darwen station and Sough Tunnel, happened on the same night as serious vandalism at both Huncoat and Darwen stations.
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10 YEARS AGO: Tory club rumours
THE future of Accrington Conservative Club -- the biggest in Britain -- was in the balance amid rumours that the Grade II listed building would be sold. Sky-high maintenance costs had troubled the club in Cannon Street for many years, and some Tories
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Life sentence for pick handle killer
A MAN was today starting a life sentence after being found guilty of bludgeoning his brother-in-law to death with a pick axe handle. Mohammed Meherban, 26, of Higher Antley Street, Accrington, murdered Mohammed Azam, 36, in a frenzied attack. Liverpool
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Hostel hits back over sex claim
PROBATION chiefs today denied that a convicted child sex offender was staying in Accrington -- after his wife distributed posters claiming he had moved into the area. Vera Venning, of Chorley, put up posters throughout the Scaitcliffe area of Accrington
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Brutal murder rips close family apart
THEY were a close-knit extended family -- but they have been torn apart by the brutal murder of one of their members. As Mohammed Meherban, 26, today started a life sentence for battering his brother-in-law Mohammed Azam to death, one of Mr Azam's nephews
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A taste of childhood
One of my boyhood favourites has now gone interactive. Soreen Malt Loaf has its own site, with nutritional information, serving suggestions and even a screen saver -- mind you, the screensaver is for Windoze machines only, so all us Mac users will have
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The Wonderful and Frightening World of the Web
THIS week's delve into the seamy underbelly of cyberspace takes us to the weird site, a portal if you will into some truly strange sites across the globe. It has plenty of links, daily news updates and a chance to email for some great stuff, such as a
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Brick by brick
BLACKBURN College students on their final year of HNC Housing Studies have just launched a new website that provides up-to-date information about housing in the area. The project is part of National Housing Week, and the site will be officially up and
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Kind of magic
FANS of junior wizard Harry Potter will have a magical time keeping up with the progress of the making of the first Harry Potter film. The publishing phenomenon is set to appear on the big screen this Christmas with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Fish4 widens its net
FISH4, our online consumer services, has become a key partner with two of the UK's leading ISPs, Virgin Net and LibertySurf. Fish4homes, the UK's most popular property website, will be hosted on the House & Garden Channel, and Fish4cars, the UK's
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Blackpool beaten in last ball thriller
BLACKPOOL fell to a dramatic last ball defeat at Leyland on Saturday (May 27) in the Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League match. After the home side set Leyland a target of 160, Blackpool's bowlers were set a difficult task, but had them reeling at 118 for
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Cue up for a great championship
POOL fans will go potty this week as the Embassy World Pool championship breaks off in Blackpool. The Hilton Hotel is host the 8-ball tournament which is in its eighth anniversary year and organisers promise it will be bigger and better than ever before
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Wright all right on the day
SKIPPER John Wright led Fleetwood from the front in their Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League clash with Preston at Broadwater on Saturday (May 27). He won the toss, asked Preston to bat, orchestrated his bowling so that the visitors were dismissed for a
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Transfer targets
BURNLEY are likely to need one or two additions to their squad for their First Division campaing. And while there has been no transfer market activity yet, names that have had an airing, along with Bury midfielder Nicky Daws, include Fulham's former Sunderland
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Reach for the stars says Cox
CLARETS defender Ian Cox believes Burnley must reach for the stars and try and follow the example of Watford and Manchester City when they launch their First Division campaign. Consolidation has been the watchword around Turf Moor since the Clarets clinched
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£1m + to spend, spend, spend!
THE arrival of Steve Robinson at North End was proof that David Moyes does have some sort of war-chest at his disposal. The announcement that the club intend to collect £7.5 million from a new shares issues, with a "considerable" amount of that going
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A mate for your timber!
A NEW product launched by a Haslingden firm has taken the knocks out of flooring. Duralay has developed a new underlay aimed at reducing noise from laminate and wood flooring. Timbermate Excel has also been designed to reduce problems with rising moisture
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Furniture firm in the frame
GOING green by looking at every part of the way it operates has helped a furniture firm achieve a top accolade. Timack, which employs around 50 people manufacturing furniture frames in Begonia Street, Darwen, has been awarded the ISO14001 environmental
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New group aims to boost exports
A NEW government-backed group aimed at helping Lancashire businesses exploit export markets has been launched. Trade Partners UK wants to ensure that firms with goods that could be sold abroad to boost Britain's wealth make the most of their opportunities
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Top marks for CD scheme
THE Bacup Rotary branch is taking part in a nationwide scheme to donate copies of the 'Coping With Life' CD series to local schools. The CD sets deal with essential childhood issues such as bullying, divorce, bereavement and crime. Bacup Rotary members
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Tourists hurt in Airtours bus crash
TWO people were thought to be in a serious condition after a holiday coach crashed in Minorca, Rossendale-based travel operators Airtours said today. The company said 24 passengers including five staff, plus the driver, were on board the vehicle, when
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Rise to souffl challenge
THIS week the dish I have chosen to share with you is souffl and is ideal as an appetiser when friends are invited for a special meal. It is not something to make for your tea or supper when you are famished as it is quite time-consuming dish to make
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Don't plunge into danger
BOSSES at North West Water have repeated warnings that swimming in reservoirs and lakes can easily turn into a tragic accident. The arrival of summer means swimmers could be taking dips despite tragedies in the North West last summer, some of which involved
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Loyalty card just the ticket
THE Macmillan Windmill Appeal is on the cards to receive a boost with the launch of a new scheme to reward Blackpool leisure seekers. Blackpool's Best Loyalty Card, launched this week by Leisure Parcs, offers discounts on all the top shows and attractions
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Cash for patrol project
AMBITIOUS new plans to turn job-seekers into the eyes and ears of Blackpool authorities could be in action within two months thanks to a massive cash boost. Eight long-term unemployed people aged between 18-24 could be patrolling streets as community
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Weekender is a smash hit
IT WAS sunshine, smiles and the hottest sounds around for Blackpool this Bank Holiday as the Wave Weekender burst into sound at Lawson's Showground. Music really came alive as top pop acts jetted in from around the country to entertain the crowds on Saturday
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Wheel support you ever more!
DISABLED Preston North End supporters can now attend away matches, thanks to a new club for wheelchair-bound fans. Until the independent PNE Disabled Supporters' Association was established, the newly-promoted club was unable to provide transport for
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Snooker: Morton's crown
ACCRINGTON'S Colin Morton retained his crown when defeating Liverpool's 19-year-old snooker star Jason Barton 5-2 in the final of the North West Individual Snooker Championships at Blackpool last night, collecting the winner's cheque of £400. Morton came
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Soccer: Moyes in new exit link
PRESTON manager David Moyes looks set to reject Sheffield Wednesday -- as there could be more money to spend at Deepdale, writes DANY ROBSON. The Scot, who recently signed a four-year deal at North End, has been linked with the vacancy at Hillsborough
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County Cricket: Martin on fire
PETER Martin is on course to break through the 500 wickets barrier this season. The 31-year-old paceman started the summer with 439 and yesterday's five wicket haul against Derbyshire at Old Trafford took his tally to 459. Martin would join an exclusive
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Gregan, Macken, Alexander in team of season
THREE Preston North End players have been voted into the top ten of Division Two last season in a national poll. The FourFourTwo magazine awards saw Sean Gregan and Jon Macken, pictured, in second and third place and Graham Alexander at number nine. Gregan
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The NHS could be better
THE Government launched its NHS census on Wednesday (May 31) in which the Health Minister Alan Milburn is asking everyone in the country what top three changes they think would make the service better. Mr Milburn wrote to the Editor of the Citizen --
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Strikers on way to Pool?
BLACKPOOL manager Steve McMahon's search for a striker has the Bloomfield Road rumour-mill working on overload. The latest name to be linked to the Seasiders is that of Darlington's top scorer last season Marco Gabbiadini, recently named Division Three
