Archive
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Indecent assault - police hunt man
POLICE are looking for a man who indecently assaulted a teenage girl in Lancaster city centre just before Christmas. The 17-year-old walked into the Blue Anchor pub looking for friends and, unable to find them, left the premises and walked off down a
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Listen to us! - Health fears ignored claim protest group
RESIDENTS fighting tallow burning at Nightingale Hall Farms have slated their local councillors for failing to support them. The Freehold Community Association (FCA) say they are dismayed that their ward councillors have backed the tallow burning plans
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Takeover bid for soccer club
A CONSORTIUM hoping to take over Blackpool Football Club is expected to make a new announcement tomorrow (Friday, January 9). The group, led by club vice-president David Haythornthwaite, has been reconsidering its position since presenting club chairman
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'97 - how was it for you review by Paul Wilkinson
IN a year which witnessed the death of a Princess, a Labour election victory and the dawning of 'girl power' and the Teletubbies - here in Lancaster and Morecambe we had our fair share of both comedy and controversy. Reporter Paul Wilkinson looks back
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Goodnight nurse!
THE Fylde's own Florence Nightingale is retiring after 40 years of caring for elderly patients. Nan Johnson has worked nights at Wesham Hospital since 1958, making her the Fylde Community Health Trust's longest-serving member of staff, but from Friday
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Man of the match and comment
PRESTON'S man of the match on January 3 Lee Ashcroft was disappointed and said: "We played some great footballand could have had two goals early on. "We gave away a goal and then it was difficult." Ashcroft went on: "If we play like that we will have
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Oyston tunes in for hearing
Jailed tycoon Owen Oyston could face another blow this week as radio bosses meet to decide whether his companies can hold on to control of licenses for his radio interests which include the local Bay Radio station. Oyston's suitability to run the stations
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Shops change likely
SEVERAL East Lancashire shops could be set to change hands. Sketchley has announced it was in talks to hive off its retail business, including 599 dry cleaners and the SupaSnaps photo-processing shops. The firm operates outlets in Rawtenstall and Blackburn
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Last bus for Howe Bridge depot
BUS bosses have rung the bell on Howe Bridge depot. On Tuesday Greater Manchester Buses North management confirmed the worst fears of the depot's 245 employees. They were told their last run will be on Saturday, February 7. "Drivers will be transferred
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Textile group's new thread
A NEW trade association for the textile industry in Lancashire has been launched. The Blackburn District Textile Manufacturers' Association and the North East Lancashire Textile Manufacturers' Association have combined to form the Lancashire Textile Manufacturers
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Hoppers' Christmas results
HOPPERS had a happy Christmas with two valuable wins that can only help their bid to climb the table. In their first game of the festive season they came through a scrappy game 15-8 at home against lowly Hinckley. Try scorers were Barry Greenwood and
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Wayne bids for World glory
ST HELENS snooker wizard Wayne Brown begins his challenge for World Championship glory on Monday, January 12. His first-round opponent at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, is former world number three Dean Reynolds. Victory would see Wayne play again
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Help elderly get through cold spell
THE Doctor Patient Partnership (DPP) is part of the national Good Neighbour campaign to promote positive relations between elderly people living close to each other. It offers advice on how you can help your fellow residents and how a few minutes of your
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Jail for £44,000 theft bank boss
A LEIGH bank manager, who admitted stealing £44,000 from his own bank, was sent to prison for two years at Bolton Crown Court. Kenneth Darcy, 26, of The Anchorage, Liverpool, former manager of the HFC Bank branch at Leigh, pleaded guilty to the theft
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Peters holds on to PNE job
UNDER-PRESSURE Preston manager Gary Peters has held on to his job with the backing of North End bosses. A section of the Deepdale faithful called for the troubled boss to be sacked but at a crisis meeting he was backed by chairman Bryan Gray. He felt
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Hoppers climb in the league
GRASSHOPPERS 20 NUNEATON 10 (January 3) WITH a 17-point lead at the interval, Hoppers looked to have Saturday's fixture well under control. Nuneaton had other ideas - and despite losing hooker Owen with an ankle injury fought back and kept the outcome
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Residents oppose coal waste plan
RESIDENTS are protesting against proposals to transfer a huge slag heap in Atherton to a nearby disused open cast mine. The plan involves filling Bag Lane open cast mine with hundreds of thousands of tonnes of coal waste from the Gib Field Tip, off Schofield
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Police track terror gangs
VICIOUS thugs are terrorising the area. On Monday evening three masked thugs robbed a female steward at Golborne Working Men's Club. And that followed a Friday attack by pickaxe-wielding hoodlums at a shop in Tyldesley. Detectives are urgently seeking
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More wind damage hits Preston
STRONG winds and heavy storms struck the North West again this week wreaking more havoc. Preston train station suffered again as part of the roof was almost blown off. The main entrance off Butler Street had to be closed and four platforms were shut down
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Chaos threat on local roads
TRAFFIC tailbacks are threatening to turn Journal-land into a no-go area. Now tormented locals fear worse chaos is just around the corner. Campaigners are calling for traffic signals at an Astley blackspot. In Atherton a heavy goods vehicle ban is being
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Volunteer's 80th birthday surprise
SPRIGHTLY octogenarian Florence Windle is one of the oldest faces at Surikha House in Darwen - but she's not a resident. In fact the residents love the fiesty volunteer so much they treated her to a surprise party to mark her 80th birthday. Florence,
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New Elvis club in Preston
ARE you lonesome tonight? Are you all shook up after Christmas? Then why not check out Preston's new Elvis Presley Fan Club which has its first meeting this month. Bamber Bridge man Paul Turner has been mad about The King since he was nine. Now aged 30
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Wind farms threat to birds
MIGRATING birds could meet an unfortunate end if plans to build a wind farm on Darwen Moor get the thumbs-up. Mavis Smith, a journalist on Bird Watching magazine, fears many of the 750,000 birds which migrate over the moor could be injured or killed if
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Referee is made an MBE
TOM Finney was not the only football star to be hailed a hero in the New Year honours list. Leyland referee Eric Hart has been awarded an MBE for his 'commitment to the Lancashire community and concern for his fellow employees' welfare'. Eric, of Cumberland
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Cat left in Christmas parcel
LOCAL animal welfare workers are trying to trace the owners of a tabby cat found tied up in a "Christmas parcel". The "present", wrapped in festive paper, was found at a block of flats with a label attached, saying: "To Paul, Merry Christmas, from all
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Bad news for bad drivers
IRRESPONSIBLE drivers could be forced to dig out their 'L' plates in a bid to improve the county's skills behind the wheel. Motorists who have committed an offence of driving without due care and attention will have the option of taking a half-day driving
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Frozen out over Festive season
A YOUNG mother is considering legal action after she was left without heating over the New Year in a Whitefield blight home. Miss Lorraine Richards (21) and her four young children were left in the cold from Boxing Day until Sunday, January 4 - and is
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Pensioners hit out at vandals
DEFIANT bosses at a Preston pensioners' social centre have vowed not to let heartless vandals close their meeting place down. The stand comes after a spate of break-ins at The Haven in Walton-le-Dale - four in the past six months - leaving many of its
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Big cash boost for housing
MILLIONS of pounds of government money is to be spent on improving local housing. The cash - from the Housing Investment Programme (HIP) - will be used to upgrade existing houses, provide private sector grants and boost disabled facilities in homes. Blackburn
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PNE flashback
THE Saturday before Christmas 1937 brought together the two teams who had contested the FA Cup Final the previous May, Preston North End and Sunderland. For the first time since that emotional May day Sunderland were able to field the same 11 players
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Foiled thieves torch garage
A CAR repair business has been devastated by arsonists who set fire to the building when they failed to crack the office safe. This week as company bosses counted the cost the business was still closed down. Police believe the firebugs deliberately torched
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Parcel appeal brings cheer to elderly
AGE Concern brought bucketfuls of Christmas cheer to local pensioners when it dished out treats galore in its yearly parcel appeal. Local companies rallied round to support the campaign to make sure elderly people in the area enjoyed a festive feast.
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Citizen talks to new PNE secretary
EXPERIENCED former Preston player Mick Wearmouth has been in football all his life so his appointment as North End secretary was no surprise. The 52-year-old was born and bred in Barrow and went straight into football after school signing professional
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MPs may get the TV treatment
MP JANET Anderson could follow in the footsteps of local chef Dave Smith - of Hotel TV fame - by starring in a fly-on-the-wall documentary! If plans being discussed by the Commons Administration Committee are given the go-ahead, a camera crew could soon
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PNE hic-cup
North End 1 Stockport 2 (January 3) THEY rolled out the red carpet in a tribute to Sir Tom Finney's knighthood in the New Year Honours list - and with better finishing North End could have made it a double celebration in this FA Cup third round clash.
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Drink-drive figures down
DRINK driving figures for the Christmas and New Year period fell in Bury and elsewhere in Greater Manchester. But, even though the overall number of arrests was down on the previous year, police chiefs stress the latest figures are still too high. Throughout
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It's going to be tough: Hendry
COLIN HENDRY believes Rovers must pick up the points at Derby County in front of the Sky TV cameras on Sunday to keep the pressure on Manchester United - and give a glimmer of hope to the rest of the chasing pack. For the giant Scot knows that the likes
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Gilly and Carter's words of wisdom
AS you know, on the Breakfast Show we always feature a weather picture every day, drawn, coloured or painted by one of our younger listeners. This week we've received a smashing calendar of weather pictures drawn by the 78 pupils of the John Cross CE
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Bury leads the nation in literacy targets
LOCAL schools will lead the nation to literacy - by order of the Government. The borough has been set the country's highest target for reading standards among 11-year-olds. By the year 2002 90 per cent of that age group in the borough will have to achieve
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18) died after drink and drug binge
A BARMAID whose body was found in a Bury pub had taken a fatal overdose of a heroin substitute. Karen Dwerryhouse died after a late night drinking binge at the Peel Hotel, but a post-mortem revealed the 18-year-old had consumed two-and-a-half times the
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TEN YEARS AGO: County in the red
BIG-spending Lancashire County Council was set to end the year £6 million in the red. WIth only two months left of the financial year, county treasurer Douglas Morgan warned county councillors they could overspend their £650 million budget by £5 million
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Workers' £10,000 windfall
HUNDREDS of workers who made a paper fortune when their company floated on the stock market have seen it shoot up by more than half as much again in a matter of weeks. Employees who hung on to their average shareholding of £20,000 when Ultraframe went
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A colourful life captured on canvas
THE abstract paintings of June Houlding are as colourful as her life... As a young woman she cooked for celebrities at a top London restaurant, shared a Kensington flat with actress Charlotte Rampling and became a globe-trotter. Now, at the age of 65,
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Just give me no-bell peace, sighs pensioner
A WOMAN is threatening to make nuisance telephone calls to a school unless they change their number after being plagued by a spate of wrong-number callers. Gusta Green's number is one digit different from that of Darwen's Moorland High School. And she
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CRICKET: Rishton hit by £6,000 loss
RISHTON CC suffered a loss of £6,330 last season reflecting their poor performances on the field after two successive Lancashire League championships. With a deficit of £2,696 in the Social Club - after a £5,800 donation to cricket - the total loss topped
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Families put into guest houses in caravan heartbreak
THREE families have been put in guest houses after they were forced to move out of their caravan homes in a planning tangle. Strict rules governing Harwood Bar Caravan Park, Great Harwood, mean residents have to up sticks and find themselves temporary
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School grants backward step
WHILE having no objection to the recently-granted funding to schools for the followers of Islam, I feel it is a retrograde step for racial harmony. Children of different cultural backgrounds should be actively encouraged to come together as much as possible
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BARLA on the move
BARLA may be hot-footing out of Leigh. And it's all down to the cold reality of Xanadu. The British Amateur Rugby League Association's Centre of Excellence in Etherstone Street has spawned some of the country's best young talent. But plans for the multi-million
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Justice must be seen to be done
HOME Secretary Jack Straw is handed a thorny task as a Commons select committee passes on recommendations calling for a radical overhaul and the police complaints and discipline system. And it is true that shaken public confidence in the police service
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Leigh set for Wembley challenge
LEIGH should have a comfortable passage into round four of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup after being paired with Yorkshire amateur side Hunslet Warriors. They will start as clear favourites at Hilton Park against the Yorkshire League Premier Division side
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Storming show from panto gang
STORMY weather has brought a new meaning to raising the roof at the Theatre Royal after those gale force winds caused up to £4,000 worth of damage. The first bout of bad weather took off part of the theatre's roof, leaving a gaping hole which resulted
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Postie's special delivery just the job
GRATEFUL Gemma Jones has been reunited with the 'mystery postman' who helped her to get a new job - thanks to the Star. Gemma, who originally comes from Yorkshire, issued a plea through our columns in a bid to track down the postie who went out of his
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Globetrotting Gareth heads for Africa
GARETH Dooling doesn't believe in doing things by halves. For while most school-leavers are already getting their first taste of university or working life, the 18-year-old is preparing to take seven months out to travel to Tanzania where he will teach
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Shameful echoes of the slave trade
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD THE dark shadow of the slave trade once hung heavily over the St Helens area, with two local factories turning out combs and bangles with which to barter for human misery in Africa. This comes to light following a query from David
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Shunted onto the right tracks
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD WE'VE been shunted along the right tracks regarding a double railway puzzler (this page December 11) set by pro rugby player John Riley. He'd wanted to know when the old level-crossing at the foot of Moss Bank Road shut its gates
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Double trouble bubbles up in two water bursts
HOMES and businesses in Burnley have been hit by a double water burst. Leakages had already caused flooding in the Middlesex Avenue area of the town when a 12-inch mains burst at 11pm causing 2,000 properties in the Rosegrove and Wellfield areas to be
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Cupboard love: Way to a man's heart is through his fridge!
Food News, with Christine Rutter FORGET dress sense, good looks or witty chat. If you ladies want to discover the perfect partner, look no further than his fridge. Celebrity psychologist Donna Dawson believes the contents of your larder reveal more about
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Illegal parkers brought to book
GET tough Council chiefs in Bury have brought their first prosecutions against illegal car parkers. Car parking charges have applied in the town since 1993 but the local authority had not, until now, taken legal action against those who failed to pay
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'The Who' star in a blast from the past
BURNLEY folk who held influence in the town in their generation are featured in a new exhibition at Towneley Hall. Who Was Who in Burnley spotlights the life and times of more than 20 former notables of the 19th and early 20th century - industrialists
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Council tax threat in ELR wrangle
COUNCIL tax payers in Bury could be hit with part of a £250,000 legal bill - unless a dispute can be settled over 500 metres of railway track. East Lancashire Light Railway Company bosses want to extend the line to Heywood but say they are at their wits
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Top marks for school where quality counts
THERE are high marks for Heasandford School following an Ofsted inspection of the Burnley county primary. A glowing report by the standards squad spotlights the high level of education provision, high quality of teaching, pupils' good progress and concludes
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Cables head for home
AMBITIOUS Prescot Cables have every reason to face the new year with optimism as they will probably be playing their home fixtures at Hope Street in a matter of weeks. Work is proceeding on the pitch, stands, dressing rooms and social centre as chairman
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Bargain deal for traders
OUTDOOR Market traders are being offered a New Year bargain deal. Starting this week traders who take on an outdoor stall for three consecutive days or weeks can claim a fourth day or week free. The offer funds for the first 12 weeks of this year. Wigan
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Legion's record appeal
BURY'S Royal British Legion collected a record £22,700 from its annual Poppy Appeal. This compared to an impressive £16,950 in the previous year. With more money expected to come in before the end of April, local appeal organisers this week heaped praise
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Sanctuary in Christmas crisis
AN animal sanctuary in Edenfield is at bursting point after the Christmas rush of unwanted cats and dogs. Staff at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary say their kennels are "bursting at the seams" - with even more unwanted and abandoned animals waiting to be taken
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High-speed Cas ace wings in
WITH Paul Sculthorpe arriving at Knowsley Road a fortnight ago, Saints put the finishing touch to their Christmas shopping list when flying winger Chris Smith jetted in from Castleford on Monday to become the club's sixth close-season capture. Leeds-based
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Check mate for Nigel
ATHERTON-born chess ace Nigel Short is £115,000 richer after reaching the semi-finals of the World Chess Championships. Nigel, who was a pupil at St Philip's in Atherton and later a student at Leigh College, narrowly missed becoming world champion almost
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Finch in a stormer
Haresfinch 9 Roose Pioneers 10 FINCH were left to reflect on what might have been as they missed out on a place in the last 16 of the North West Counties Challenge Cup by the narrowest of margins against Division Two title contenders Roose. That the game
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LSH throw victory away
Liverpool St Helens 14 Nottingham 25 LSH suffered their third home defeat of the season against a Nottingham team on a winning streak. A changed home back division allowed the visitors an early try, when defensive slackness and lack of concentration contributed
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Firecrews tackle blaze at rugby club
FIREFIGHTERS were called out to Liverpool St Helens Rugby Football Club in Moss Lane over the weekend when the roof of the clubhouse caught fire. The blaze was reported at about 3.45pm on Sunday, January 4 and five per cent of the roofing timber was destroyed
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John sets up farmyard museum
FARMER John Kirkham doesn't believe in throwing anything away. Which is just as well for history buffs with an interest in local engineering products. Ploughs, straw choppers, potato harvesters and ancient tractors are all part of the Astley farmer's
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Rowdy warning for youngsters
A JOINT operation between police and council officers has cut the amount of anti-social behaviour in Westleigh. The success story follows a number of arrests and rowdy youngsters being warned about their conduct. Parents have also been visited and warned
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Late show sinks Brook
St Judes 28 Blackbrook 12 TWO late tries sealed Brook's fate in a hard-fought encounter on Saturday. Conditions were far from ideal as heavy rain had made the pitch very heavy. And a near-gale force wind blowing straight down the pitch didn't make it
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Seven years for knifepoint robber
A MAN who held a 77-year-old woman at knifepoint before stealing her handbag and car has been jailed for seven years and three months. Steven Joyce (26) of Hillside Avenue, Windelhurst, was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of robbery and burglary
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Pontin's facelift ahead of schedule
PONTIN'S is aiming to make holidays even happier with completion of a multi-million pound improvement project this spring - a year ahead of schedule. The Blackpool Pontin's Family Centre on Clifton Drive North will have a new 1,000-seater cabaret bar,
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£40,000 robbery at discount store
GOODS valued at about £40,000 were stolen from Reginalds discount superstore some time between 3pm on Christmas Eve and 10am on Saturday, December 27. Police believe that the thieves may have sneaked in to the building in Reginald Road, Sutton, before
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CLARETS: Takeover to take weeks
THE Burnley board expect a takeover decision to take weeks rather than days. Clarets chairman Frank Teasdale has already received firm proposals from some of the three interested parties. But the board has still not even formally agreed to the principle
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Letter:Heads must roll after this latest debacle...
AS the Mr Blobby fiasco bounces about between pantomime farce and a major local government scandal, it is now time that Lancaster City Council's shocking record of appalling and massively costly blunders is placed under official public scrutiny. There
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Tyne is right for King Kenny to abdicate again
Neil Bramwell speaks out NEWCASTLE United chiefs should prepare for yet another abdication. For, regardless of the fact that Newcastle fans are already calling for his head, King Kenny's crown is starting to slip. And some may feel he is losing his head
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Kicking their way to success
THEY'VE kicked and chopped their way to glory. Congratulations to award-winning Karate-fighters Alf Hanwright (student of the year), Jordon Turner (most promising fighter), Vicki Anderson (best attendance). The trio, all from the area, won the awards
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A turn for the verse!
IF you've ever been touched by a verse in a greeting card you may have Morecambe's Iris Hesselden to thank. The local grandmother has been writing all her life and has recently published a book packed with poetic thoughts and reflections. Iris moved to
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The big gong!
THERE was a special surprise in the New Year's honours list for Blackpool Pleasure Beach boss Geoffrey Thompson - in the shape of an OBE. The managing director of Britain's top fun park has earned the accolade for his services to the tourism industry
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Forgotten men of FA Cup?
FORGET Stevenage who are quoted at 5000-1 to win the FA Cup, it is Bury who are the no-hopers in this season's competition. But before anyone leaps to the Shakers' defence and angrily phones the Bury Times sports desk, that isn't a local assessment of
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Carnforth 24 Millom 9
Carnforth gained two league points on Saturday in what was literally a game of two halves. The home pack had an encouraging afternoon despite again being up against a larger eight. The youthful front row of Michael Blanchard, Darren King and Ian Poole
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Stan furious at elbow clash.
STAN Ternent has accused Sheffield United skipper David Holdsworth of deliberately smashing Paul Dalglish's nose. The Bury boss remains incensed over an off-the-ball incident in last Saturday's FA Cup third round draw at Bramall Lane which left Dalglish
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Shakers cling to cup dreams
FA Cup Third Round: Sheffield United 1, Bury 1 GOAL hero Andy Gray paid tribute to his teammates after this superb draw at Bramall Lane in the third round of the FA Cup. The 33-year-old, whose spectacular long range strike had given the Shakers a shock
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Toby to the rescue in post office raid
A FAITHFUL dog saved his master and foiled two robbers at Heysham Village Post office on Tuesday. Toby the dog kept the two assailants, who were wearing theatrical masks, at bay when they tried to attack Brian Kirkham, the sub post-master as he started
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Femme de la crM- me
HONOR Blackman, still sensational at 70, makes a long-overdue return to Blackpool's Grand Theatre for one night only this Sunday, January 11. Honor, who has played countless femmes fatale including the Avengers' leather-clad Cathy Gale and the devastating
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Shakers set for battle Royal
BURY old boy Phil Parkinson predicted a nightmare on Elm Park for the faint-hearted tomorrow. The former Shakers favourite, who misses the First Division clash through suspension, warns that the battle-hungry Shakers will lock horns with a team out of
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Woman killed in early morning pile up
A LANCASTER woman died in a major crash on the M6 south of the city on Wednesday morning. Eyewitnesses say the woman, who has not been named, left her car at the scene of the accident only to be hit by an oncoming vehicle. At least four other people were
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Filter success
A FILTER firm has cleaned up at one of the country's most famous venues. Interfilta, of Burnley. has supplied a range of air filters to Earls Court Arena. The filters will be used in the arena's air conditioning system. Previous news story Converted for
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MP visits jailed anarchist
LANCASTER MP Hilton Dawson is supporting a local activist jailed for three years for expressing his views. Stephen Booth, who comes from the city, was sent to Lancaster Castle prison for three years for 'conspiracy to incite others to commit criminal
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Scanner appeal team
MAKING a success of Victoria Hospital's MRI Scanner Appeal has taken a lot of hard work and motivation. From organising fundraising events through to looking at the different types of scanners on the market, everyone involved has a major role to play
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Cheers to new deal
A BREWER is toasting a new deal struck with a pub chain. The Whitbread Beer Company, which includes the Samlesbury brewery, has signed a supply agreement with Avebury Taverns which has 200 pubs in the North and Midlands. Under the deal Avebury Taverns
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Greens want Open House
LEIGH Green Party has called on the council to throw open the doors to its empty houses and flats to the homeless. The party says it wants the season of goodwill to extend to getting those thrown out of Christmas refuges to be given the chance to have
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Claims flow over sewer delays
COMPENSATION claims worth hundreds of thousands of pounds could be on their way to North West Water as a sewer-replacement scheme enters its fifth month. Hotels and businesses in Clifton Drive North, St Annes, say they have suffered not only disruption
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Brookfield dominate five-a-side league
BROOKFIELD Lions continue to dominate the Preston 5-a-side League with a comfortable 2-0 win over second from bottom Eldon FC (weekend of January 3/4). After three weeks of league action, only the Lions remain unbeaten and have scored an impressive haul
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Letter:No sense in the sentence
Your edition dated Jan 1 enabled me to compare the prison sentence of three years awarded to Stephen Booth for editing a 'radical' magazine with that of only six months awarded to Gavin Cameron for actual bodily harm. Admittedly in the latter story there
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Family haunted by tragedy
THE death of teenager Christopher Hartley, whose headless corpse was found in a Blackpool dustbin, is the third tragedy to strike his family, a friend has revealed. Chopped-up remains of the 17-year-old were discovered in a Puma sports bag behind the
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Pendle homes boost
TWO leading estate agents have joined forces to give house-hunters either side of Pendle Hill a second bite of the cherry. The Clitheroe office of Mortimer, Gorse and Ross and the Burnley and Nelson offices of H W Petty and Co are to combine their marketing
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Brothers to play rugby for Lancashire
TWO young brothers are doing their family proud after both being picked to play rugby for Lancashire. James Keany, 15, of Bleasdale Road, Beacon Fell, was picked to play for his county six months ago and represents the Under 16s. And this week his 13-
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Tough draw for Haydock
HAYDOCK have been given a stiff task in the third round of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup. They must travel to professional outfit Workington Town on Sunday, February 1. Haydock defeated neighbours Blackbrook and Oldham side Waterhead in the previous two
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Awards for Lynda and baker Albert
LEIGH-BORN journalist Lynda Lee-Potter has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List. The Daily Mail columnist - sometimes known as "The First lady of Fleet Street" - is recognised for her work in journalism and charities. Lynda, whose
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Gone with the wind
A GALE-LASHED Fylde Coast has been left counting the cost of repairs after being bombarded by the strongest winds for a decade. Flooding, falling masonry and power cuts were the norm as storms lashed the region at the weekend following an earlier spell
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John sets up hi-tech appeal
JOHN RYAN has gone hi-tech in his appeal for help in providing cash for Derian House Children's Hospice. His 21-months-old daughter Katie died in April 1995 of cancer. Now, to get his urgent message across, he has created a web site on the Internet for
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Parker praises Sir Tom
CITIZEN football correspondent and Red Rose 999 commentator Tom Parker has led the tributes to Preston's newest knight - football legend Sir Tom Finney. In an article in this week's North Ender programme (Sat Jan 10) he talks of the day Finney walked
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Treasure trove for time travellers
A TIME capsule treasure trove emerged when the bulldozers moved in to flatten a Hindfsord school. A copy of The Tyldesley Weekly Journal & Atherton News dated September 21 1888 was among the finds stowed under a memorial stone by Victorian catholics
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Last orders at Brewery
A CENTURY-old part of Leigh is to disappear forever. The massive Leigh Brewery, built by George Shaw & Co in Brewery Lane, has received the death sentence from council planning chiefs. They have given permission for the Grade Two listed building to
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Motorway crashes kill two
A MAN died and four people were injured when a car left a busy motorway, overturned and crashed. A police spokesman said the driver may have become ill before losing control of the vehicle on the M6 at Leyland, near Preston. Paramedics rushed to the accident
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Miracle moggy and herd of cows rescued
A MIRACLE moggy lived up to it's name when it was rescued by firefighters from a huge farm fire. Ginger and white tabby Lucky used up one of it's lives when it was trapped for three hours in a blazing barn in Higher Bartle near Preston. Farmer Andy Duckett
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Family joy and tragedy starts 1998
NEW Year's Day brought a haunting mixture of elation and grief for a Ribbleton family. For as Shaun Conlon celebrated the birth of his baby daughter with wife Susan at Sharoe Green Hospital, yards away at Royal Preston, his dying sister Caren was saying
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Reservoir for sale
WHAT will £10,000 buy you? Nestled in the Hyndburn countryside, Oswaldtwistle's Stanhill Reservoir could yours for the price of a new car. And although the history of the reservoir remains a mystery, the future could be bright for a buyer with conservation
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PNE festive match round-up
SANTA wasn't too kind to North End this Christmas giving them just one point out of a maximum nine in his sack. But if only the Deepdale outfit could blame Father Christmas. Instead they only have themselves to blame after a trio of poor performances.
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Running forthe cause
A FORMER Age Concern worker will take on the gruelling London Marathon to raise cash for his favourite charity. Craig Nixon, of Ribbleton Lane, Preston, is running his first ever marathon in April and is aiming for a time under three hours. Craig finished
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Head quits after disappointing OFSTED report
A CRISIS school whose headteacher resigned after a 'disappointing' OFSTED report faces a fight for its future as inspectors plan a second visit. Former head of St Wilfrid's RC Primary School in Preston Stephen Winders quit in December a month after OFSTED
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Commuters angry over tram station 'eyesore'
THE state of a Metrolink station is getting rush-hour commuters all steamed up. Regular users of the tram network claim the Radcliffe station is an "eyesore". Despite a number of complaints to transport bosses over the last two years, local people say
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Gymnasts aim for own centre
BUDDING gymnasts could soon benefit from a state-of-the-art centre of excellence if a Leyland club's dreams come true. Central Lancashire Gymnastics Club is looking for sponsors and lottery cash for the ambitious project which would be unique to the area
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Canada here we come
LANCASHIRE Kestrels were given an official send off from the Mayor of Blackburn as they prepare to embark on a 10-day tour of Canada. The young hockey side, who are currently soaring high in the junior league, presented Councillor Peter Greenwood with
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Keep warm and well this winter
CHRISTMAS is over but the cold weather is still with us and elderly people can have a bit of winter warmth by following a few simple rules. Age Concern Preston and South Ribble has put forward the message that Cold Can Kill in a booklet containing advice
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Tourism staff are tops!
TOP marks have been awarded to staff at Blackburn Tourist Information Centre. A visitor from the English Tourist Board posed as a tourist at the centre in King George's Hall in Northgate and awarded the staff 91 per cent for their efforts. Staff were
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Volunteers care for neighbours
NEIGHBOURS can become good friends and Age Concern volunteers have proved this over and over again. For its Caring Neighbourhood Scheme simply puts people in touch with the town's elderly residents for regular chats over the phone or house visits. It
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Refuge group's happy new year
WARM-hearted staff at Daniel Thwaites collected sackfuls of useful goods to give the Darwen branch of Women's Aid a happy New Year. The donated items - which will go to abused women and children - were gathered by Thwaites sports and social club members
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Public meet the police
LOCAL people will soon have the chance to air their views about policing in a series of meetings with the police. The Police and Community Forum consultation sessions will be attended by police chiefs, local authority representatives and other interested
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Smallest library given extra shelf-life by people power
PEOPLE power has stopped the book being closed on Britain's smallest library. Thanks to community-minded volunteers, Ainsworth Library has escaped the axe. The library, which stocks just 2,000 books, was condemned to closure last year when Bury Council
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Drink drive message gets through
POLICE have praised drivers for their sensible approach to drink driving over the festive period. But the message is still clear - have None for the Road, because those breaking the law will still be targeted by police. During Operation High Profile more
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Hepatitis danger for addicts
DRUG addicts in Blackburn face a viral epidemic unless they start following the advice being offered to them by experts, according to a Lancashire drugs worker. Kath Talboys, of the Lancashire Drugline, believes HIV and AIDS is on the decline, but now
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Tributes flood in for Sir Tom
DELIGHTED soccer legend Tom Finney has talked of his pride at being knighted in Tony Blair's first ever New Year Honours List. The 75-year-old former Preston North End and England ace was surprised but over-the-moon when the long overdue announcement
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Father's anguish as thief takes car with sons on board
A FATHER'S worst nightmare came true when a thief stole his car with his two terrified sons inside. Ben and Jake Berry were driven at least a mile before Ben was told to get out by the thief. The brave 14-year-old chased the car, and his ten-year-old
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Listed buildings may get new lease of life
SECRET talks have been taking place with a national company in a bid to settle the future of three historic buildings in Blackburn town centre. A leisure company is keen to transform the Pavilion buildings into a top restaurant and leisure complex. The
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Kiddies' short cuts a potential killer, claim
CHILDREN taking short-cuts across a busy motorway are dicing with death, a worried Hyndburn councillor has claimed. Coun Bill Goldsmith believes it is only a matter of time before a youngster is killed on the M65 near Knuzden and he is now urging parents
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Spy cameras put crimestoppers in the picture
THE ring of steel around Bury town centre has been tightened as a bold crimefighting initiative well and truly comes into focus. Now shoppers and workers, together with commuters using the nearby Bury Interchange, have 74 reasons to feel safe. That is
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Straw rebuts Tory snipe at wife's Littlewood post
THE Home Office today hit back at claims that Jack Straw's civil servant wife's directorship with pools giant Littlewoods, which is regulated by his department, created a conflict of interest. His Tory Shadow Brian Mawhinney has claimed that the Home
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Unsolved murder is a living nightmare
THE son and daughter of murdered Bury widow Shirley Leach made an emotional visit to her graveside on the fourth anniversary of her death this week. And as her killer remains at large, Gary Leach and sister Mrs Beryl Linton still bear the physical and
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Stadium go-ahead
BLACKBURN Rovers got the official go-ahead for their £12 million new stadium at Ewood Park, despite protests about the demolition of houses near the ground. The amended scheme would raise the capacity of the ground to 30,000, but Coun Mike Higginson said
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Elderly warned after brutal attack
ELDERLY people in Burnley have been warned to be on the alert after the third brutal attack on an old person in the same area of town. The latest victim is a woman aged 87, who suffered a broken shoulder when she was thrown to the floor as her shopping
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Residents in battle to stop quarry extending
COUNCILLORS are being urged to join forces with residents and conservationists to prevent extra quarrying in an area considered a natural heritage site. Marshalls, owners of Scout Moor Quarry, Ramsbottom, want permission to extract an extra 5.6 million
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Call to extend relief
LOCAL Government Minister Hilary Armstrong is taking a step in the right direction in announcing up to 100 per cent rate relief for sole post offices and general stores, though only in communities with fewer than 3,000 residents. (LET, January 7) This
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Support beyond our wildest dreams
ONCE again, the people of Darwen have helped us achieve results beyond our wildest dreams as the £16,500 raised in 1997 for cancer research exceeded the previous year's total. This marvellous support is down to a team effort And those who deserve a special
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SWIMMING: Elite squad blow
THE formation of an elite East Lancashire swimming squad was dealt a blow when councillors refused to "splash out" £1,000. The Amateur Swimming Association had approached all six borough councils asking for £1,000 each for research into the plan. But
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Building society chief found hanged
THE CHIEF executive of the Marsden Building Society, Eddie Shapland, was today found hanged in a storeroom at his home. Friends and work colleagues immediately expressed shock at the death and the tragic circumstances. Mr Shapland's body was found at
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Were you a flutter fan?
DD you enjoy a regular flutter before the 1960s? Were you passionate about bingo? Channel 4 is making a documentary about gambling in Britain between the 1920s and 1960s, when bingo became the most popular leisure time activity. In post-war Britain, with
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CRICKET: Lee cost Enfield over £25,000
THE cost of Aussie star Shane Lee resulted in a financial loss for Enfield Cricket and Social Club. But new pro, Shane's brother Brett, will not cost as much next year and the club are confident of turning the deficit around. The cricket section lost
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Lottery smash and grab
EVERY week, while I watch people buying lottery tickets, I wonder how many of them know where their cash is going. Quite apart from the 13 per cent or so which is creamed off by the Government in tax, Tony Blair and company are now beginning to siphon
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Folk need to understand
I WAS saddened to read (LET, January 7) of Grane residents in Haslingden protesting at the building of eight flats in their area by West Pennine Housing Association to house people with mental health problems. In your photograph of the worried residents
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Tonic for Tyldesley
TYLDESLEY RU beat much-improved Dukinfield 21-13. Dukinfield, coached by Castleford's Mike Ford, had former Leigh star John Henderson and two Oldham RL players in their ranks - and it showed. Playing against the elements in the first half, Tyldesley worked
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Refuse to be pressured!
IF YOU thought that the era of the high-pressure doorstep sales technique had come to an end with the demise this week of the encyclopaedia salesman, think again. For, it seems, the "hard sell" is alive and well in East Lancashire as rival companies vie
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Labour's no example
LIKE many, I saw New Labour as a welcome, alternative to a tired, compromised and corrupt Conservative government. The example set by the Foreign Secretary Robin Cook is hardly admirable. To hear Tony Blair publicly support Mr Cook defies belief. It certainly
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Boxers ring the changes
ON the move are Pool of Life ABC. They are switching from the Kings Park Centre, their Leigh Road home for three years, to the Community Centre on Dorset Road, Atherton. To help promote their new Hag Fold home, the club is staging a boxing night tomorrow
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Help Geoff trace his family
A FATHER who wants to contact his long-lost son and daughter has appealed to the St Helens Star to help him via a request on the Internet. Geoff Davis, who now lives in New Zealand, is trying to contact Andrew or Karen Davis. In his letter on the Internet
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Tyldesley find champion style
TYLDESLEY Water Polo are champions at all levels. The Northern Counties Finals proved an outstanding success for the youth, junior and senior teams. The youth final saw Tyldesley matched with favourites Chester for a close-fought battle, Tyldesley - coached
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Police alert on stolen drugs
POLICE have issued a warning following the theft of several dangerous drugs from a chemists shop. Thieves broke into McDougalls chemists on Market Street, Newton-le-Willows, shortly after 3am on New Year's Day and stole 500 10mg Diazepam tablets (blue
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Easing fears about foster kids
ST HELENS Council has been quick to respond to nationwide public concern about the safety of children in foster care. A report outlining the minimum standards expected of all St Helens foster carers was approved by the Social Services Committee. The standards
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Andy caps a belter!
LEIGH MR kick-started their New Year with an 18-6 win at Beverley. Playing into the wind in the first half MR had to defend well and they did just that, loose forward Andy Collier leading the pack brilliantly. They took the lead with a Mick Warburton
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Khalid's the tops in Olympian Gala
THREE victories earned Tyldesley SC youngster Khalid Jhugroo the 'Top Boy' award at the City of Salford Potential Olympians Gala. And it helped his club to overall fourth spot from five golds. There was little, however, to match Jhugroo in the 12-Year
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Paul and Paul in double shaker
PACKMAN Paul Daniel and emerging teenage centre Paul Blackburn may have played their last games for Leigh. Daniel is considering retiring because of increased work commitments while Blackburn has been advised to quit due to a seriously-damaged shoulder
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Eric Ashton stunner rocks Saints
In an exclusive interview with Denis Whittle, ERIC ASHTON (pictured) tells the fans why he has resigned as chairman WITH the new season just a month away, Saints have been rocked this week by the shock resignation of chairman Eric Ashton. The 62-year-old
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It's solitary for hamsters
Wonder of Pets with Wally Ashcroft I HOPE you have all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year festivities. I certainly have. One of the most pleasing aspects has been the generosity of everyone who has contributed to our 'Give a Stray a Christmas Dinner'
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Clothes buyers' car park bursting at seams
A BOOMING mill store is considering pulling down nearby industrial units to make way for extra car parking spaces. Boundary Mill Shop, Colne, wants to create the car park on land bordered by Corporation Street, Burnley Road, Whitewalls Drive and Regent
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Rape charges follow press appeal
TWO men charged with raping a 14-year-old school girl were arrested following a "high profile press campaign", a court at Bury was told. Thomas Petch, 24, of Hoyle Street, Radcliffe and 35-year-old Barry Forbes from Warwick Close, Bury are accused of
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Residents in pay-as-you-park plan to clear streets
RESIDENTS in Clitheroe town centre are getting into gear over a plan to stop motorists parking in their streets. They are fighting to clear their streets of cars left by motorists dodging charges on nearby car parks. Ribble Valley councillors recently
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Reviving the magic of Whistle down the Wind
THE classic Sixties film Whistle Down The Wind ensured that two Ribble Valley children were captured on celluloid forever. Freckle-faced Alan Barnes, then just seven, and Diane Holgate, 10, were plucked from the playground of Chatburn School to star alongside
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Girls spice up cinema attendances
SPICE fever has helped bring a very busy New Year for staff at the Warner Village cinema at Pilsworth. Spiceworld, the Spice Girls movie, has proved a major attraction, but by no means the only one at the 12-screen multiplex, which has seen 60,000 paying
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Government caps council rent rise
COUNCIL house rents in Pendle will rise by an average of 72p a week from April. The two per cent increase will raise £154,000 to help deal with a £269,000 deficit in Pendle Council's housing revenue account. A three per cent rise in council garage rents
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Fancy a game?
OFFICIALS of a succesful amateur rugby league club have launched a recruitment drive. West Sutton, who are bidding for their third successive championship, are on the lookout for more players to boost their squad. Under the guidance of former professional
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Police warn of stranger danger after Boy (10) foils abduction
A MAN claiming to be a family friend tried to entice a ten-year-old boy into his car in the Ramsbottom area. And now, police chiefs are warning parents to be on their guard following the incident which happened on Tuesday, January 6. The youngster had
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Angry MP Janet blasts Sir Desmond over £1,229 bill
ROSSENDALE and Darwen MP Janet Anderson is in dispute with North West Water over a "ridiculous" £1,229 bill to supply her constituency office for six months. She cannot believe that two small rooms used three mornings and the odd evening each week could
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Park march to cup glory . . .
West Park 32 Camp Hill 13 PARK carried on where they had left off against Widnes the previous week as they dismissed Midlands Division One Camp Hill from the NPI Cup to reach the last 16 of this national competition. Playing with the wind behind them
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Inner Wheel's Nora dies
WELL-known Atherton woman Nora Wilson, 85, died on New Year's Day. She was the widow of the late Guy S Wilson, an Atherton insurance broker and former England Rugby Union international who played for Tyldesley and Manchester. A founder member of Atherton
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Saints and the derby debacle
LOYAL Saints' fans understandably furious by the fielding of an under-strength team at Wigan on Boxing Day have been given an explanation by chief executive David Howes. "Their disappointment is fully understood,' said Mr Howes, " but no attempt was made
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The way we were
ATHERTON Heritage Society have announced their programme for 1998. It begins on Monday when Mrs P Madden will talk about 'The Way We Were' - a look back at life in a small corner of Lancashire in 1900. Mrs F Greenhalgh will give a talk entitled 'Around
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Not guilty verdict on Youth in 'Internet' rape case
A BURY teenager was yesterday (January 8) cleared by a jury of raping a 14-year-old girl he met through the Internet. The 17-year-old from Brandlesholme, who denied the charge, was found not guilty after a four-day trial at Sheffield Crown Court. The
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'Blight' homes residents' bid for cash help
HUNDREDS of Radcliffe residents will be seeking compensation for their "blighted" homes. If the Radcliffe residents battle is successful they could be awarded thousands of pounds to make up for the suffering they claim has been caused, and will in future
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Mary in top gear for Indian adventure
FORMER schoolteacher Mary Ashurst has decided she is content to let life pass her by - so long as it's from a bicycle seat! Mary, 57, who recently retired after 30 years at St Richard's in Atherton, is to take a bike trek this month in Northern India,
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Storms leave Town high and dry
THE atrocious weather over the festive period means St Helens Town have not kicked a ball for three weeks. But, hopefully, the elements will relent for them to let in the New Year with an attractive home fixture against Mossley which kicks off at 3pm
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Woman and baby in firebug terror
AN 18-year-old woman and her eight-week-old baby were treated for smoke inhalation in Whiston Hospital following a suspected arson attack at their home in Blackbrook. The blaze was reported at about 2.25am on New Year's Eve at the house in Parbold Avenue
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£1 million spectacle
BLACKPOOL Pleasure Beach has invested more than £1 million in a new live entertainment venue. The Globe theatre will have seating for an audience of more than 1,000 and will feature a state of the art sound and light system with multi-dimensional effects
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Bobbie to switch codes?
SAINTS' are remaining tight-lippped over rumours that Test scrum-half Bobbie Goulding is considering offers to play Rugby Union for a top club in the winter. The speculation was fuelled by recent media reports that Goulding's name had been circulated
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Internet Express roars into town
THE 'Internet Express' is returning to St Helens in the New Year with a special exhibition show at the council's Chester Lane Centre running from January 7 to 27. The Internet Centre for Merseyside Businesses, based at Liverpool University (Connect) is
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University challenged
PROSPECTIVE university students are being put off applying to Lancaster University after a patronising review in a widely-read handbook. The Push Guide to Universities, published by McGraw Hill, provides independent reports on universities across the
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Sticky situation!
RESIDENTS on the Marsh estate are hoping that planners throw out a scheme to develop a glue factory on their doorstep. Ultramark, an adhesives producer, wants to extend its factory on to land behind Coronation Field. The City Council will decide whether
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Letter:Big Brother is watching you!
I DO not know Stephen Booth and I would probably disagree with much of his political dictum but as Lafayette (was it?) once said: "I would fight to the death for his right to say it." I served in the Canadian Armed Forces, joining in the belief that we
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CLARETS: Striker swap in the balance
CHRIS Waddle was still hoping to hear this afternoon that Huddersfield Town had paved the way for the swap deal involving their striker Andy Payton and Turf Moor's Paul Barnes to be completed. But the transfer remained on a knife edge, with Payton's agent
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ROVERS: Calf injury blow for Bohinen
LARS Bohinen could miss the most crucial stage of the season for Blackburn Rovers after pulling a calf muscle in training at Brockhall yesterday, writes PETER WHITE. The Norwegian was on crutches last night and, given his history with calf injuries, he
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Hit and run
A DRIVER knocked-down a six-year-old girl and drove on without stopping in Lancaster on Monday afternoon. The girl was hit and left with facial injuries on Barley Cop Lane. The driver then sped off towards Slyne Road. The girl's injuries were described
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Shrimps meet purple Hayes - Morecambe 0 Hayes 2
IT'S a shame that Morecambe have been denied the chance to sign Japanese maestro Keisuke Takano - on this evidence they could do with some oriental arts. Their home form continued to suffer on Saturday when they failed to take charge of the game and fell
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Just the business
A STATE-OF-THE-ART £2 million business and technology centre is to be built in the heart of Blackpool. It is hoped that the centre will create up to 100 permanent jobs - particularly for unemployed residents - and attract at least 40 hi-tech businesses
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Lancaster city were on the verge of signing two players yesterday.
Wide midfield player Stuart Gelling, who helped the club gain promotion to the Unibond League, looks certain to return on a free transfer from Accrington. And he could be joined by striker Tony McDonald from strugglers Radcliffe Borough who was in negotiations
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No seventh heaven for Blues - Barrow 1 Lancaster City 0
CITY players must have heard rumours about new manager Alan Tinsley's plans to re-build his squad - they played their hearts out in this game. The team were desperately unlucky to get no rewards out of this game that they clearly dominated through and
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Armed police raid shocks estate
ARMED police sealed off parts of Skerton on this week in a massive operation that left a number of local residents shocked and shaken. Stunned onlookers watched as police wearing body armour and carrying shields raided a flat in Skerton House as a helicopter
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Back on the right track
RAIL users can look forward to better, more efficient train services on the Fylde thanks to the development of a regional rail strategy. The plan, which has taken two years to formulate, recommends putting in a new passing loop between Kirkham and Blackpool
