Archive
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Letter:This arrogance is breathtaking
RATTLED by public criticism of the council's controversial record of involvement in a series of failed commercial ventures, Susan Clark, chairman of the Labour Party Local Government Committee, hits back, arrogantly dismissing the growing clamour for
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Plan to beat social crisis
BLACKPOOL town centre suffers some of the worst urban deprivation in the North West. A survey, carried out for a Blackpool Council-headed consortium of agencies, found social disadvantage in the six poorest wards only exceeded by Manchester and Salford
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Jemson signs for Shakers
BURY boss Stan Ternent has swooped to solve his goalscoring problems by snapping up Nigel Jemson from fellow First Division strugglers Oxford United. The much-travelled striker signed on the dotted line at Gigg Lane yesterday for a £100,000 fee and goes
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Mystery hero found by the Citizen
THE mystery hero, who saved a 19-year-old man who had a glass smashed on his face, has talked to the Citizen. Ian Parker from Bowerham was modest about his heroic deed at a pub in Lancaster last weekend. Speaking after friend tipped off the Citizen, he
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Service reward
LONG-serving Ruby Steward will have to find more space on her mantelpiece after reaching a 25 year milestone working for her firm. Bosses at Peter Scott Printers of Burnley presented Ruby, who works in the company's finishing and binding department, with
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Grasshoppers win at home
from weekend of January 31/February 1 Preston Grasshoppers 28 Sedgley Park 17 FIFTH placed Hoppers completed the double over their Manchester rivals who currently are one place higher in the league. With Hoppers forwards completely outplaying their opposite
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Citizen Smith rejoins fight!
MORECAMBE'S MP Geraldine Smith has severely criticised Lancaster City Council over its handling of the Altham Road meadow dispute. She is demanding to know why the council has advertised the meadow as open space having allowed a housing development to
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Boxers pack a punch
A ST HELENS-based professional boxing squad have had a knockout week. The Ringwise stable notched up four wins out of four. Best performance came from light-middleweight prospect Craig Winter, who scored his 14th win in 15 contests with a hard-earned
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Runaway robber's PO raid foiled
AN attempted robbery at Westleigh Lane Post Office in Leigh was foiled after a customer challenged the would-be thief. At about 12.30pm on Tuesday a male wearing a balaclava, green jacket, white Nike track suit bottom and gloves burst into the post office
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The fight for progress or tradition
Already as many as 600 Fylde folk have already flocked to a public exhibition showing plans by Safeway to expand in St Annes town centre. Many who opposed the proposals have been won over, while some remain adamant that all of Ashton Gardens should be
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'Painless' way forward
FIRMS can find out how to market their business 'on a shoestring' at a seminar next month. The breakfast seminar on March 4 organised by Business Link East Lancashire is aimed at directors and owners of firms who want to implement a marketing programme
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Jail for drunken attack
A HEYSHAM man who launched a drunken, unprovoked attack on a pub customer has been jailed for three years. Joseph Harkin "descended to animal behaviour" when he set upon his victim outside Maggie's Bar in Morecambe. Preston Crown Court heard that Michael
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Breakfast date will explain the New Deal
JOBCENTRES are inviting employers to join them for breakfast - and an update on the Government's New Deal employment initiative. Centres across East Lancashire are hosting the breakfasts later this month and next month. "The breakfast briefings will give
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Councillor calls for bus charter
A POLITICIAN has launched a radical passenger charter in a bid to clean up the image of Preston's town centre bus station. The unique ideas are the idea of Councillor Bill Chadwick who also wants to hear public views on the building and quality of services
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Titanic film worth all the hype
Nicola Jolly (pictured) reviews Titanic AFTER the tidal wave of publicity surrounding the release of the film Titanic died down, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I'd booked a ticket in advance which was just as well as people were being turned
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Carers praised for rescuing pensioners
A GROUP of Leyland pensioners have paid tribute to carers who turned heroes when a hotel roof crashed down on them. Tragedy almost struck when the ceiling gave in and fell on the 20 unsuspecting holidaymakers who were eating in a Great Yarmouth dining
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Party-goer says 'Hulse could have killed me'
STUNNED Lowton mum Dorothy Atherton shared a taxi with killer Stuart Hulse just before he murdered Shirley Brown. "It could have been me," mother-of-two Mrs Atherton told The Journal. Speaking after contacting The Journal, Mrs Atherton told us: "I now
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Hindu priest to attract crowds to Preston
PRESTON'S Hindu population has enlisted the help of a world famous priest to raise cash for a local community centre. Morari Bapu will be guest of honour at a fund-raising festival on Moor Park, from July 18-26. The event is part of a project to rebuild
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When the boat comes in!
SOUTHPORT'S Lifeboat, a rescue service with a proud and ancient history, is even further away from the sea than usual! It's 30 miles inland, high and dry, having docked inJournal-land for a major operation. Mosley Common folk gazed in wonder when the
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Stalker hiding in attic
A TERRIFIED mum has moved out of her Leyland house after a strange prowler started coming through the attic into her house and stealing her clothes. Worried Tracy Cayton is living at her parents after a series of weird discoveries at her Norfolk Close
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Sign up, says Army chief
Army aims for AN Army chief has appealed directly to school-leavers in Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn to consider signing-up. It is part of a bid to fill more than 3,000 vacancies within the Regular and Territorial forces. Brigadier David Shaw, of the
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Lynx set to move again?
NO sooner had Lancashire Lynx celebrated a great cup win on Sunday when the news spread that they were to leave Deepdale. The pitch looks set to be dug up during the summer months meaning Rugby League in Preston could soon be back in Chorley. Director
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Innocence killed by porn video
I WRITE regarding your report on the life sentence for the killer of Lowton mum Shirley Brown. One of the most appalling aspects of that murder is that it appears to have been triggered by the watching of a violent, pornographic video. In my opinion,
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Hackney cab drivers to strike
PRESTON'S hackney cab drivers are going on strike on one of the busiest nights of the year. The fed-up taxi-men are taking their vehicles off the road on Valentine's night in a bid to highlight a problem they say is costing them their livelihoods. And
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Cemetery staff doing 'grand job'
IN reply to Ex-Leyther, I have walked round Leigh Cemetery about three times a week for a number of years. I have found the place clean and well-maintained with a staff of seven who are very courteous. Years ago the staff was 14 strong and the area was
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Accident victim's double delight
A WOMAN who lost her unborn baby after a hit-and-run accident says she's put the trauma behind her - thanks to the birth of her twins. Kelly Smith was struck down with devastating injuries and a string of health problems after she was rammed into a wall
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Kath serves up a treat
KATH Baron always likes to have a lot on her plate - and now she is set to revolutionise dinners at schools throughout the borough. For Kath has been appointed catering services manager with Blackburn with Darwen Council. And one of her main tasks is
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Help me get in touch
I AM writing in the hope that you me be able to help me get in touch with some of my former friends from the Boothstown and Tyldesley areas. I used to live at 54 Chaddock Lane, Boothstown, but emigrated to Australia in 1958. Since that time, due to marriage
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Cancer links to phone masts?
WORRIED parents are demanding to know more about health risks linked to mobile phone masts being put up on Preston schools. A Sunday Mirror report claimed radiation could cause cancer, leukaemia and asthma, and some education authorities won't allow the
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'Stay calm' plea to motorists
STRESSED road users are being urged to stay calm while a £1 million North West Water project is carried out in Bury. The scheme will improve the security of water supplies to 27,000 customers and work began on Monday. Several Bury roads will be excavated
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Plank Lane doesn't deserve this!
FOR more than two years I have tried to sell my house which is situated in Dale Grove, opposite the Plank Lane estate, Leigh. Although I have made substantial reductions below the market price, I have had very little interest. The main reason seems to
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Win One Fine Day on video
BLOCKBUSTER Video is set to open a new superstore in Preston town centre, and you can join the celebrations by winning one of five new release films. The store will open on February 20 at its new site near Poundstretcher on Corporation Street, Preston
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Celebrities to become town mayors?
AMUSING plans to entice celebrities to become town mayors have been unveiled, according to a national newspaper. The Sunday Times claims the Labour government is encouraging showbiz personalities and sports stars to take more interest in the towns to
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Warriors results: Jan 31/Feb 1
Hindley Giants 26 Warriors U10s 24 A CERTIFICATE of Distinction was awarded to the whole Warriors team for their hard work. They were unlucky to loose this game with wingers Michael Shingleston and Jamie Glover scoring a goal each with Mark Quinn scoring
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Driver's seventh ban
ANGRY Alan East will have to learn how to keep his temper after magistrates banned him from driving for the SEVENTH time. East, who was in court after nearly running down his girlfriend, was ordered to attend a course in "anger management". Magistrates
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MP backs Lottery bid
DARWEN MP Janet Anderson has given her support to a £70,000 lottery bid aimed at helping Darwen's elderly folk. If the bid is successful, the cash will be spent on a new roof and modernised kitchens at Derwent Hall in George Street. Mrs Anderson has written
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A sporting extravaganza!
A FIRST-ever netball 'extravaganza' is to be held in Accrington, pitting the talents of the borough's finest ladies team against the men's national side. The unlikely showdown is the highlight of the event organisers are hoping will become an annual tournament
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Coping after a stroke
STROKE is the country's third biggest killer and the largest single cause of severe disability. At worst it can leave sufferers completely dependent on others, they often lose many of their faculties including their power of speech. The biggest risk factor
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Permit solution to parking problems
BURY residents forced to pay to park outside their homes will not even be guaranteed a parking space. Householders in Irwell Street, Phoenix Street, Belle Vue Terrace and Manchester Road have slammed traffic chiefs who decided on Monday to charge £15
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Shop in cyber space
Surfing Newsquest's web-site with Spiderman Kristian Jack (pictured) THIS week saw Newsquest top the five million mark for the number of pages looked at since we began in September 1995. It's a great milestone for us and endorses the popularity of our
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Last minute boost for council services
TAX payers and local services have received a last-minute cash boost. Lower bills and less cuts than feared are on the way after Bury Council was given a better financial deal than expected. It means that the cuts needed this year should be between two
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Late night survey nets Government cash
HELP is on its way for the borough's rough sleepers after a late-night survey established the area had a problem to solve. Volunteers joined councillors and town hall officers on a late-night survey of rough sleepers across the borough last month, and
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Pull the market down!
A BID to transform Accrington Market with the help of Lottery cash has been given the thumbs down. Now disappointed traders are calling for urgent action from Hyndburn Council to secure the future of the 128-year-old market which has 110 outside stalls
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Praise for racial harmony at Bury school
RACIAL tolerance and harmony at a Bury school has drawn praise from Government inspectors. Holy Trinity CE School was praised for its work in the area by a team of inspectors from Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education. More than half the children
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£1m extra for schools
MORE than £1 million in extra grants to keep almost 10,000 children out of classes of 30 or more is to be given to Blackburn and Lancashire. Schools in Blackburn and Darwen alone are to get £100,000 to help ease the problem of cramped classrooms. Around
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Green schemes share £22,000
Grotspots benefit from bank cash THREE schemes aimed at driving dereliction from East Lancs shared a £22,000 payout. The projects, in Rishton, Darwen and Haslingden, have been awarded the cash through Barclays SiteSavers, a partnership between the bank
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Mill takeover deal
THE takeover of an East Lancashire textiles firm by supermarket and manufacturing giant John Lewis was revealed. J.H. Birtwistle and Co, whose mill is in Grane Road, Haslingden, was founded in 1892. The directors of the company agreed to sell their 52
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Publicans told to keep their house in order
BURY'S senior policeman has warned pub landlords not to put profit before their public duty. This week Senior Superintendent Paul Blewitt praised Bury's licensed trade for its co-operation in creating a more attractive and safer town centre drinking environment
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Getting their skates on
TEENAGERS have got their skates on to counter criticism of their ambitious scheme to create an in-line skating arena in a small park. Youngsters from Earby have gathered £12,000 in the past year to help finance the skating area at Sough Park, Earby, which
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Leyland jobs axed
A JOBS bombshell hit Lancashire as 900 jobs were axed by receivers at trouble-hit Leyland DAF. The company announced 762 redundancies at its Leyland headquarters, with a further 130 jobs going at the Chorley parts operation. More than half the jobs hit
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Councillor refuses to face inquiry panel
A COUNCILLOR accused of helping residents queue-jump the official house waiting list will refuse to appear before the standards panel investigating the allegations. Jack Alston, who quit the Labour Party over the issue, said there was no way he could
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Mayor's words turn up the heat
OPPOSITION leaders are calling for the doors of Blackburn town hall to be thrown open to the public in a bid to make the council more democratic. The calls come after mayor Peter Greenwood claimed a small group is running Blackburn with Darwen Council
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Mum's council tax threat in wrangle over home
A MUM forced to live in a 300-year-old house being held up by metal struts is refusing to pay her council tax until her nightmare is brought to an end. Ruth Chadwick and her five-year-old daughter Emma cannot use their main downstairs room and main bedroom
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Show some compassion
AFTER reading (LET, February 6) of residents objecting to a care home for people with learning difficulties being opened in Clitheroe, it saddened me that these people have no compassion for others less fortunate than they are. How would they feel if
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Witness haunted by horror of seeing hanging body
A YOUNG man was praised by a coroner for his "public-spirited" actions in breaking into a house to try and rescue a man who had hanged himself. Mr Colm Wilson described to the inquest in Blackburn seeing a man's body hanging from a rope through the lighted
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Lesson learned
WHAT with the old Tories accusing New Labour of being uncaring and too right wing and Paddy Ashdown so popular with Tony Blair he may offer him a job, I wonder where the average working man is supposed to go? I can't tell my Cooks from my Gummers. Human
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SUPERBIKES: Foggy Slightly off the pace!
AARON Slight today smashed the lap record and beat his 1997 pole position time as he ended three days of World Superbike tests at the top of the leaderboard at the Phillip Island track in Australia. But Blackburn's Carl Fogarty was hot on his tail, Wednesday's
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Centre is a must
JEAN France (Letters, February 9) speaks of her concern about rumours that Blackburn's Shadsworth Leisure Centre might close. I agree it would be a loss to the area and should not even be considered for closure. That said, may I inform her that at her
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Shawcross spur for Colls
ATHERTON COLLS gave NWCL Division One leaders Newcastle Town one of the frights of the season. Newcastle, heading towards UniBond status, were unbeaten in 27 league games - the last eight without conceding a goal. But after 20 minutes Colls had the Town
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Spot-on Jolley at the double
HINDSFORD brushed aside title pretenders Kersal Vale 3-2 in a bruising encounter. They were two up in the first 20 minutes via a Chris Jolley penalty and a rare effort from Nick Molyneaux. But the Salford side hit back with two goals in a shock five-minute
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Responses negative
COUNCILLORS Eileen Entwistle and John Fairless (Letters, February 6) appear to have only negative propositions for the cultural and arts services they are responsible for. Earlier a local society expressed their dismay that they could no longer use the
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Lee locks up Police
LEIGH RU kept their best to last as they comfortably beat Mersey Police 36-16. Down at the break, with only a couple of Chris Lee penalties to show for their efforts, they bounced back with a power pack show backed by elusive backs. Chris Marsh wriggled
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Teenager punched by purse thief
A 15-year-old girl had her purse stolen after being attacked by a man who had asked her for a light at St Helens bus station. The teenager had gone to the bus station at about 10.30pm on Friday, January 30, to meet some friends but they weren't there
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Police say bouncers must register
ST HELENS police are calling on local pubs and clubs to help them reduce the likelihood of street disorder and incidents of violence in the evening time... and they are also urging people to report bouncers who are not registered with the council. Detective
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Stick ranchers from homespun era
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD ANYBODY remember Johnny Jump and Black Lucy? Their halcyon days were spread over pre-war times when they worked together, bundling firewood on what was known as the old Bonk at Sutton, and later delivering this door-to-door from a
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Robbiew set for record
BRITS Awards star Robbie Williams is expected to cause a stampede on the box office at King George's Hall, Blackburn. The former Take That heart throb - who sang alongside Tom Jones at the awards show - is currently riding high with his latest single
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Cliff rolls in with answer
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD WELL would'ya believe it! Response has whizzed in to a plea for details about a roller-skating ace of more than six decades ago. Old-timer Reg Chadwick of Legh Street, Newton, had enquired (this page, January 15) if anyone, besides
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Fines to double for fare dodgers
FARE dodgers on Metrolink face bigger fines in future. The standard fine - the payment for passengers caught without a valid ticket - is being doubled from £10 to £20 from this month. The crackdown is intended to be a stronger deterrent to fare-dodgers
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Now it's the big match time
EWOOD Park and Turf Moor will both play host to an important match soon - matching East Lancashire's young people with job opportunities. The two grounds have been chosen as the venues for the Jobs '98 events, where young people can find out about job
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Leaders survive real tingler
THE title path looks a comfortable one for Higher Fold Village Inn. They lead Division One of the Leigh & District Amateur Football League by a massive NINE points. But they needed to survive a nerve-tingler on Saturday, winning 3-2 at Lion Inn -
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Neighbours protest against waste silo plan
LOCAL residents are campaigning to stop the construction of 26 silos approximately 150 yards away from their homes. The planning application submitted by Linpac Plastics Limited includes the building of twenty four 40ft silos and two 60ft silos, which
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Middle aged drivers more likely to drink/drive
MIDDLE aged motorists are more likely to be caught drinking and driving in Bury than teenagers. More than half the 316 drivers with drink drive convictions last year were aged between 30 and 59, according to figures revealed at the annual licensing session
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Peace of mind boost for the elderly
ELDERLY residents in the Ribble Valley and Pendle areas can have their homes secured for free, thanks to a Help the Aged scheme. The organisation's HandyVan service has been out and about securing 600 homes with security equipment since its launch 16
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Mother wants answers on youngster's death
PICTURED: Broken-hearted Debbie Deakin clings to her memories of blue-eyed Lee. THE distraught mum of a 17-month-old boy who died suddenly is taking legal advice over the death of her "little man". Lee Deakin, a cheeky faced, blue-eyed blond, first became
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Win this smash hit from Usher
STARBEAT with Radio City's Darren Proctor I MENTIONED a couple of weeks ago that the Brit Awards are up and coming. Well the big night is on Monday and hopefully, you've called in and voted for your favourite song in the Brits Single Of The Year. On my
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MP backs £23m school book cash
BURY South MP Ivan Lewis has backed the £23 million boost for school books which should give each school at least £1,000 extra to spend. Education Minister Estelle Morris told him in the Commons this week that the Government was to spend the cash on top
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Pony will keep memories of daughter alive
THE pet pony of a teenager killed in a car crash has been presented to a centre which helps youngsters with special needs. Champ, a 14-year-old bay gelding, has become a valuable member of the team at Lords House Farm Riding Therapy Centre, Rishton. He
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Enjoying a memory waltz with Rita
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD DEVOTEES of ballroom dancing who tripped the light fantastic during the fabulous 'fifties have bulged my postbag to bursting point following mention on this page (January 15) of the famed West Park Dance Academy. Letters and postcards
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GPs to get tough on asthma
GPs are being encouraged to use the latest treatment methods to help the area's estimated 21,000 asthma sufferers breathe more easily. Bury and Rochdale Health Authority spend more than £5 million a year treating the potentially fatal condition and it
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Call for tougher action on fake makers
THE Government has been urged to bring in tough penalties to tackle the growing North West industry of counterfeiters. Pendle MP Gordon Prentice claimed new figures showed there were "nests" of criminals making fake goods in the region. He said their
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Post office raid draws a blank
A GUNMAN fired a blank cartridge before fleeing empty-handed from a local post office. Now detectives are anxious to speak to anyone who witnessed the thug leave the premises at Bury New Road, Sedgley Park, after the failed raid. The man entered the post
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Pensioner lands £50,000 bingo jackpot
A St Helens pensioner has scooped a £50,000 bingo jackpot. The 70-year-old former glass worker, who prefers to remain anonymous, landed his big win at the Apollo Club in Widnes. He and his wife have four daughters, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild
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Chocs away! Diets forgotten in sweet lover's paradise
Food News, with Christine Rutter I FELT like I'd died and gone to chocolate heaven. This sweet-toothed traveller had arrived in a paradise of pralines, truffles, peppermints and fudge behind the veil of The Chocolate House, in Blackburn. Here was a sumptuous
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Green light for road safety scheme
A £100,000 road safety scheme will be introduced in the Fishpool area of Bury. Traffic bosses have at last decided to tackle the notorious blackspot which has seen 50 accidents - including one fatality - in just three years. Road humps, speed cushions
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Boy injured on way to school
A TEENAGER on his way to school had to be rushed to hospital after being in collision with a car as he crossed a road. The 14-year-old Haydock High pupil had just got off the school bus opposite the school in Clipsley Lane at about 8.40am on Thursday,
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Wests on title trail
West Sutton 24 Hindley 8 WEST Sutton continued from where they had left off before Christmas with a powerful performance against a strong Hindley side. Hindley opened the scoring with a penalty goal after five minutes. West Sutton responded by putting
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Farmers face ruin without help says MP
AN MP has joined the row over plummeting farm incomes in East Lancashire. Figures released by the National Farmers' Union have revealed that the incomes have fallen by up to a half. Now Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has called on the Government to bail
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Cash challenge to RL fans
AN insurance wizard and lifelong Saints' supporter is set to dangle a £-million carrot before Rugby League fans who fancy their forecasting skills. For Dentons Green-based broker Joseph Coy has devised a fascinating competition in which the supporter
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Leisure complex proposal
NEW proposals are on the way for a multi-purpose leisure complex, including a cinema, in Accrington town centre. Hyndburn Council has confirmed it is expecting to receive a new planning application within the next few weeks for the Moreton Street site
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Sport loses a true friend
THE world of local sport was this week mourning the death of a well-known personality whose name was a byword on the amateur Rugby League scene, Bill Chester, aged 70, suffered a heart attack at his home in Hardshaw Street on Thursday after battling against
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Feet fundraiser to beat the pain
A TYLDESLEY teenager has channelled his energies into collecting money for Wigan and Leigh Hospice just months after his mum died of cancer. Mark Lyon, 13, the eldest of five children of Agnes Travis, who died in July, aged 33, started fund-raising after
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Recs pay tribute to Bill
Pilkington Recs 16 Rose Bridge 22 BEFORE this game both sides stood in a minute's silence in memory of a great Recs stalwart who died recently, Bill Chester. Bill had a long association with the club as both coach and chairman. And once the game had begun
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Praise for Chapel End team
BILLINGE Chapel End Primary School is "popular and outstanding" according to a recent report carried out by OFSTED, the government education watchdog. Inspectors described the school as "deservedly popular with some outstanding characteristics and many
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Topsy-turvy LSH
Liverpool St Helens 21 Wharfedale 9 LSH'S topsy turvy season continued when a much improved performance resulted in a convincing win, following the abject display against lowly Harrogate the previous week. The return of former Sale number eight Charlie
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Thief threatened man with scissors
POLICE are hunting a vicious intruder who forced his way into the home of a 68-year-old man and threatened him with a pair of scissors. The incident occurred at about 9am on Saturday, January 24 when the offender called at the victim's house in Queens
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Hi there it's Canada calling!
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD IN sending greetings from Canada, the descendant of a St Helens couple wonders if customers of this column can help put a twig on her family tree. Catherine Sturgeon from British Columbia explains: "I am searching for information
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G'day - after 36 years!
A FORMER Blackpool chef wants to cook up a reunion with old friends on his return to the Fylde after 36 years down under. Ian Thacker, who now lives in the Whitsundays on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, is planning a three-week visit with his wife in
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Yvonne gets the 3rd degree
YVONNE Wilkinson gave up her night job and went back to school. The former factory worker, who worked the night shift at Leigh Spinners, has graduated from Central Lancashire University with a 2.1 BA Honours degree in three dimensional design. You could
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Panthers pounce on Finch
Haresfinch 12 Portico Panthers 38 PANTHERS underlined their promotion challenge with this seven-try defeat of local rivals Haresfinch in a hard-fought local derby that was much closer than the final scoreline suggests. There was little to choose between
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Police hunt five in sex attack
COME and talk to us before we come knocking on your door! That was the message to five men being hunted by Fleetwood police for sexual assault. Two 17-year-old Scottish girls got into a dark five-door Ford Escort which they thought was a taxi, with a
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Fev provide first hurdle for Saints
CHALLENGE Cup holders Saints will parade their new away strip when they take the first step to a third successive Wembley appearance at Featherstone on Sunday, February 15, kick-off 1.45. The tricky trip to Post Office Road was the last tie out of the
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Town pass test
St Helens Town 1 Bootle 0 Darwen 1 St Helens Town 1 WITH Town boss Jimmy McBride's squad virtually down to the bone due to injuries and suspensions last week's two games in four days were a stiff test. But they battled through to the semi-finals of the
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Man tries to abduct schoolgirl
POLICE are warning children not to talk to strangers following the attempted abduction of a 15-year-old girl as she made her way to school. The incident happened at about 8.40am on Monday, January19, as the girl walked towards Sutton High School along
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Did you see post raiders?
POLICE are appealing for information following a robbery at a post office. The raid took place at about 5.30pm on Tuesday, January 27, at Lugsmore Lane post office, Thatto Heath. The post master was locking up for the night when he was overpowered by
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Art breakers!
A HEYSHAM field, immortalised by one of England's greatest painters, may have houses built on it. But villagers are divided about whether or not to fight the plan at Rayner's Field off Knowlys Road, which was painted by Turner in the 19th century. Some
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Gregan wins a hat-trick
COMMANDING captain Sean Gregan will keep the Citizen golden boot after scooping our award for the third month in a row. He was voted January's player of the month by readers despite not playing in two games because of suspension. But dominant performances
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ROVERS: Hodgson waits on injured pair
TIM Flowers and Kevin Gallacher are Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson's prime concerns for Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie at West Ham. And Hodgson admitted it was looking as though it could be touch and go for the duo's chances of playing in the cup
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Tourism officer's new start
A Morecambe tourism officer at the centre of 'misconduct' allegations has resigned his post to start a new job at Frontierland. Mr Trevor White, who was due to appear before a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday, will start his new job at the resort's theme
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PNE match comment
GAFFER David Moyes was understandably disappointed not to have come away from Walsall with all three points. North End are improving and performances like this will keep them in the division and could, if other results go their way, land them a play-off
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Pat's life!
WHEN St Annes hotel director Pat Young came to Blackpool as a starry-eyed 19-year-old looking for work and excitement, little did she know that it would be the start of a lifetime's career. She had even less idea would mean the chance to get to meet celebrities
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Lynx announces new players
A PUSH to win promotion! That was the message at Lancashire Lynx's press conference. Director of Rugby Kevin Tamati announced the arrival of two new experienced players with completely different backgrounds. Centre Darren Abram arrives from the disbanded
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Who'd eat all these pies?
IT'S not just in the Nationwide First Division that Bury are struggling! The Shakers are languishing at the foot of another table too - the dining table, according to mustard-making company Colman's. Its team of undercover investigators have compiled
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Bus victim's double disaster
ONE of the victims of the Torrisholme Road bus crash was run over and crippled by a bus exactly a year ago to the day. The man was left with severe injuries to his leg from the first accident. But now the mental scars have been re-opened after the devoted
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Letter:Make us proud
AS much as I appreciate all the efforts being afforded in the regeneration of Morecambe, many areas of the resort are still very much a sight for sore eyes. For my part, take the full plethora of tattiness before your very eyes when you venture down Poulton
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Bury's Mighty Atom is back!
BURY'S British flyweight boxing champion Ady Lewis is back in business. The man they call 'The Mighty Atom' has been on a two month sabbatical following his unsuccessful European title bid against classy Frenchman David Guerault in November. But his rejuvenating
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Letter:Knee jerk reaction
IN response to Susan Clark's somewhat knee jerk reaction to my letter, I do assure her and your readers that my letter was written in knowledge of facts taken from press cuttings and council minutes. Any charges of factual inaccuracy will need to be laid
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Too close for comfort
Morecambe 3 Bamber Bridge 1 MORECAMBE came dangerously close, on Tuesday night to being humbled by Unibond Premiership opponents for for the second time in just four days. Since being beaten 2-0 by Altincham on Saturday, Jim Harveys' side could have seen
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Junior's big night out
BLACKPOOL at home on Tuesday night (Feb 3) to promotion-seeking Bristol City was never going to be a pretty sight after the Seasiders had lost two of their last three matches. But how wrong can you be. The match, sponsored by the Citizen, was one of the
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Woodcarver revives old craft
AN ARTIST is urging Preston folk to help him revive the age-old craft of woodcarving. John Adamson from the Lancashire branch of the British Woodcarvers Association, wants beginners and those with experience of the craft to swap ideas and chat with fellow
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Same time, same place love?
THERE are other ways of celebrating your wedding anniversary but for Bernard and Phyllis Buxton, seeing Blackpool's newest ride being built was the perfect treat. Settled into their special vantage point and with hot drinks at the ready, the pair spent
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Soldiers prepare for Bosnia trip
MEDICAL soldiers from Preston and South Ribble are preparing for a six month tour-of-duty in war-torn Bosnia. Nearly 200 Doctors, nurses and combat medics from Fulwood based 5 Field Ambulance fly out to the trouble-torn former Yugoslavia next month. The
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Hilton's caring crusade
LANCASTER'S MP Hilton Dawson is leading a crusade in the Houses of Parliament to improve the lot of children in care. The former children's social worker has won a House of Commons ballot to hold an adjournment debate. And Hilton has chosen to discuss
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Amateurs have their say
AMATEUR Rugby League clubs are being given the chance to have their say in the future of their sport. It follows the publication of the new plan for the future of Rugby League, "The Development Strategy." And a regional forum to discuss the document will
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More bobbies on the beat
BOBBIES are getting back on the beat in Blackpool as the police get down to grass roots. The move is part of a county-wide scheme to put police in closer touch with the communities they serve, eliminating problems like vandalism by finding the root cause
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Win the Titanic soundtrack
THE film Titanic has been pulling in crowds at the cinema who marvel at the amazing special effects and action sequences. But throughout the film there is a haunting, moving and passionate soundtrack providing the perfect backdrop for this story of many
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Ruskin Park go down fighting
Ruskin Park 8 Warrington 21 WARRINGTON completed their third victory of the season over the home side, but what a fight Ruskin made of it! They can take great pride in this performance. Throughout the match the visitors were put off their normal free
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Church's Lottery cash luck
TAKING pot luck with hundreds of other organisations looking for cash has paid dividends for a Howe Bridge church which has been given a £92,000 Lottery grant. St Michael and All Angels, which is celebrating its 121st birthday this week with a visit on
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Cut-throat attack on kids
A DISTRAUGHT mother is keeping vigil by her children's bedside after their father slashed their throats then killed himself on Tuesday evening (Feb 3). Mathew McKay, 6, and his sister Jamie, 4, are lucky to be alive after being locked inside their Fleetwood
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Win tickets to see ice stars
TO celebrate the fifth anniversary tour, Wild Rose International presents a spectacular new production of The Sleeping Beauty on Ice. The show, starring the Russian Ice Stars, is coming to Blackpool's Grand Theatre from February 17-21 as part of a 24-
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Haydock's finest hour
Workington Town 12 Haydock 8 THIS third round Silk Cut Challenge Cup tie will live long in the memories of those associated with Haydock ARLFC. And for as long as it is, one vital turning point will stick in the mind. It came on the stroke of full time
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Come on and celebrate
CENTENARY and Millenium celebrations will whisk Leigh singing and dancing into the 21st century. Leigh Borough charter centenary is being commemorated in August 1999 and will carry on through to Millenium festivities. The Leigh 100 and 2000 Group are
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What a worry for the disabled
EACH month Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble brings Citizen readers up to date with her Westminster Diary. This month, she highlights constituents' worries about disability benefits and measures to control puppy farms as well as a visit to
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Ideas from workers are a nice little earner
MORE than £100,000 found its way into employees' pay packets - thanks to their own bright ideas. British Aerospace paid out the cash to workers at its Samlesbury site last year after they submitted more than 700 ideas for the firm's suggestion sceheme
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Police clamp down on dangerous trucks
DANGEROUS trucks were taken off the road and drivers arrested in the latest police crackdown on 'accidents waiting to happen'. Operation Mermaid targeted unfit lorries and drivers who had worked too many hours, in a bid to make the roads safer for all
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Phil leads Park rampage
West Park 84 Ashton on Mersey 10 DESPITE a runaway victory, Park could not reduce the six-point gap at the top of Thwaites North West One as leaders Chester had an impressive win over Vagabonds in the Isle of Man. The match at Chester in two week time
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Bill-enium Man!
BILL Smith will lead Wigan into the Millenium. The Hindsford councillor was this week chosen as next Deputy Mayor. And the next Mayor will be another Tyldesleyite, Cllr Sam Little, the first time Mayor and Deputy have come from the same ward. Ex-magistrate
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Opener for £3.2m leading lorry firm
WORLDWIDE demand for its lorry parts has led to VBG Limited opening a new £3.2 million factory at Lowton. This week sales, engineering and administrative staff moved into the purpose-built plant which was designed in consultation with university boffins
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Pub licence landlord in window plunge
A PUB landlord plunged through a first floor window as his helpless wife and baby son watched. Dino Lewington, who runs the Railway Tavern on Westleigh Lane, Leigh, crashed through the glass only minutes after receiving official notice that police were
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Dawn's balloons go around the world!
DOWN-to-earth Dawn Michelle is flying high. The 29 year-old Culcheth artist has set up her own licensing agency to work with a London lawyer to market her unusual paintings and designs which are taking the world by storm. She has had her latest design
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Students prepare for summer Sahara trek
RIDING camels, trekking around the Sahara and working with local Berber inhabitants are just some of the tasks facing Antoni Squires this summer. Antoni, aged 16 of Inkerman Street, Ashton, Preston, will jet off to Morocco in mid July and spend the six-week
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BUSES: The Big Red Bus
THE new century dawned to momentous excitement...that grand old lady Queen Victoria reigned supreme, Paris hosted the second celebration of the modern Olympic Games, the Boxer Rebellion began in China, Mafeking was relieved. And in Atherton the talk was
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PNE grub among the best
PERFORMANCES on the football field at Deepdale may not cut much mustard these days but at least fans can rest assured the food is good. Preston North End are gearing towards the Premiership but a food guide published this week reckons their food is already
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Memorial service for council leader
THERE is an open invitation for a special service in memory of a former Blackburn council leader. Clifford Singleton OBE, who died on Christmas Day, was chief executive of the former Blackburn County Borough and Borough Councils between 1973 and 1985.
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Hoppers results
from weekend of January 31/February 1 Grasshoppers U10s 10 - Tarleton Terriers 10 PRESTON and Tarleton fought an exciting entree before Saturday's main course at Lightfoot Green, the Jewson League encounter between 1st XV and Sedgley Park. Hoppers plied
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New association for former PNE stars
SOCCER legends from Preston North End's history have teamed up to get the ball rolling on an exciting new project. Great ex-players including George Ross, Tommy Thompson and Alex Bruce joined to form the Preston North End Former Players Association. They
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Pensioners in 'battle of tables'
DARWEN'S "battle of the tables" took a new twist this week when a group of determined pensioners entered the fray. Two weeks ago, the Citizen reported how trader Geoff Hindle had given up his fight with Blackburn with Darwen Council to provide tables
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Pooches lead in fashion stakes
THEY are the latest in designer wear, but don't expect to see too many being paraded on the catwalk. Instead, the world's fashion gurus are turning their attention to dog walks in Accrington, where trendsetting hounds are strutting their stuff in super
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PNE lookback to 1937/38
PRESTON North End, on a high after beating West Ham in the FA Cup easily dealt with the challenge of Leeds United in their league encounter at Deepdale (15/1/1938). North End apparently overwhelmed their Yorkshire opponents by an exhibition of artistry
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MP calls for road tax to be scrapped
ROAD tax should be scrapped and motorists made to pay more for their petrol instead. Local MP David Chaytor told the House of Commons that such a major change was necessary to save the environment and tackle gridlock. Mr Chaytor was speaking during a
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Mum blasts Christmas job-loss
MUCH has been printed in The Journal concerning Sainsbury's in Leigh from the manager, Mr Davey. My daughter is one of the 'Christmas staff' to lose her job. Her contract was never 'Christmas only'. These employees were on temporary, six-month contracts
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Pavement drives them crazy
THE lives of pedestrians walking along a pavement in Blackburn should become a lot smoother. For a stretch of "crazy paving" is to be lifted and replaced with Tarmac. The "accident blackspot" is on Cherryclough Way, Livesey, where five people are known
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Background on PNE publications boss
AVID horse racing fan John Booth is the man responsible for putting Preston North End's matchday programme firmly on the football map. In just 18 months the Publications Manager, with a wealth of publishing experience, has turned a flagging product in
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Wallace and Gromit to the rescue
HOLLYWOOD superstars Wallace and Gromit have raced to the rescue of a church which faces a £70,000 building bill. Preston creator Nick Park came up with a unique and colourful sketch of his popular characters after his parents Roger and Celia told him
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Family's rush hour nightmare
A DARWEN family claim motorway madness has made their lives a misery, putting their home in the middle of a rush hour nightmare. Lisa Rewaj, who lives opposite the Darwen M65 access road at Craven's Brow in Blackburn Road, said that the new traffic system
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Bus drivers rescue poorly tot
THIS is the moment four-year-old Tanya Mulley said thank-you to a bus driver who rushed her to hospital when she fell ill with a mystery virus. Caring Steve Eccles and colleagues got into gear after picking up Tanya and her mum Tina amid fears the little
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Prayer waves over Blackburn
NATIONAL radio is set to examine multi-faith society in Blackburn. This Sunday BBC Radio 4 is examining how the town's melting pot of religions can continue to thrive as the Millennium approaches. Presenter of the half-hour long programme called The People's
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DJs' words of wisdom
Have you noticed that when you push a trolley round the supermarket, it always goes out of control and you can't push is straight? Then, when you take it back to the trolley park, the man who looks after them can push 30 in one go, and keep them in a
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Penalty means draw for PNE
from January 31 WALSALL 1 PNE 1 AS the match went into the final minute, the scoreline was locked at 0-0 and no one inside the stadium could possible have envisaged the drama that was about the unfold. Preston, having squandered several goal scoring chances
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A steam come true
WITH full order books, a soaring turnover and a nationwide reputation for quality, a Bury company is taking full advantage of our affection for steam railways. And a tour around the bustling base of Ian V. Riley Engineering Services would gladden the
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Council homes sales talks delay
A PROPOSED council house sell-off in Hyndburn faces an uncertain few weeks after the Government delayed backing formal talks with tenants on the plans. Ministers at the Department of Environment have to agree on which authorities can enter into a consultation
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Contract parking scrapped at ELR
TRAFFIC chiefs have controversially scrapped contract parking at the East Lancashire Railway Station. But while the decision has delighted traders on nearby Bolton Street who believe their businesses will benefit, permit-holding office workers are furious
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A hole lot of rock in
BLACKBURN'S rock and roll heritage has been put on the map by a new publication highlighting places of pilgrimage for music fans in Britain. A club where Oasis were talent-spotted and the spot where Elvis Presley took his only steps on British soil are
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CRICKET: Katich targeted
RAWTENSTALL will be hoping that it is the year of the Kat in their bid to improve on last season's EW Cartons Lancashire League wooden spoon. The Bacup Road club look set to appoint Western Australia batsman Simon Katich as their professional. The 22-
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A PROMISING young golfer is appealing for sponsorship to help realise his dream of turning professio
Mark Young, of Hurst Green, is an apprentice at Longridge Golf Club. But the 16-year-old Longridge High School pupil's is on just £60 per week. And the Professional Golf Association exams at The Belfry cost £900 per year for four years. Mark has been
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Remove Press gag
REGARDING Lord Irvine's ideas on gagging the press (LET, February 5), in my opinion newspapers should be given more freedom. The public has a right to know what the people they put into power are up to. We gave them a responsible job, therefore they should
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CRICKET: Bax to the future
BAXENDEN CC are looking to turn financial success into results on the field. The Ribblesdale League club recorded a profit of £2,300, compared to £900 the previous year. That rise was due to a leap in bar profits from £5,900 to £9,800. But the cost of
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CRICKET: Jordaan slammed
READ CC chairman Wilf Woodhouse today lashed out at new Rishton professional Corrie Jordaan for backing out of an agreement to join the Ribblesdale League Club as professional. The club today announced the signing of promising Pakistani all-rounder Kashif
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Drugs masterplan goes to Hellawell
A BATTLE plan to combat drug abuse in East Lancashire is to be sent to the Government's new drugs czar Keith Hellawell. Lancashire's Assistant Chief Constable (Operations) John Vine said he hoped it would form part of the national plan to tackle the menace
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CRICKET: Queasy does it
YOUNG Lancashire star Chris Schofield was sent into dreamland after helping England under 19s pull off their stunning world cup triumph. But it was not the kind of fantasy he expected! The Rochdale born leg spinner fell ill as England cruised past New
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Chris is a man of bronze
AJ LEIGH judoka Chris Milward has had a great start to the new year. In his first ranking event (the North West Open at St Helens) he earned valuable ranking points at 66kg. In six fights he lost just one to earn bronze. At the weekend he took part in
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Medicines may harm
MOST people know that sugar is the main cause of tooth decay. However, many people, particularly children, use liquid medicines such as pain relievers, cough suppressants and vitamins, not realising that over half the spoonful is sugar. Children who are
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Redress the balance
UK taxpayers pay the European Union £10,000 million a year, but only get £6,000 million in return - in other words, part of our own money which is then cynically called 'Euro money' as if it were a gift. The £4,000 million balance is redistributed to
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The drugs war can be won
IT MIGHT concern some people that the fight against the menace of drugs in our community is based not on out-and-out prevention, but to some extent on actual tolerance of abuse. For as we see from the top-level "reporting back" conference of professionals
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Patel faces keyhole surgery
RISING star Sfraz Patel goes into hospital for keyhole surgery on his shoulder this week with his fingers firmly crossed. The 21-year-old Leigh scrum-half hopes the exploratory operation will confirm his damaged joint is not as serious as first feared
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Community care overhaul long overdue
WE HAVE already had the overture from the government for the shake-up of Care in the Community for the mentally ill. Now we get a glimpse of the bill - £50million a year over the next decade. That is what is estimated it will take to provide a more effective
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Payments are a gas
THERE seems to be a lot of confusion regarding gas prices. In a few weeks, people in the North West will be able to choose who to buy their gas from. At present, they are being bombarded with a mass of price claims by salesmen at their door and in shopping
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Prize-winning pupils in the spotlight
PUPILS stepped back in time to take part in a series of Newspapers in Education competitions. The competitions, in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's NIE supplement Spotlight on the Century, focused on life in East Lancashire and Britain over the past
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Miners stung in late burst
FOUR tries in the final 13 minutes finally put the nail in Leigh MR's Challenge Cup coffin. But they were never really in the running against the First Division might of 44-4 winners Rochdale Hornets. Dogged defence kept Hornets out for 30 minutes before
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Eric keeps cool as RMI hit back
LEIGH RMI left it late to salvage a point at Marine and extend their unbeaten league run to 10 games. It needed a penalty from Eric Rostron three minutes from time to ensure a share of the spoils at 1-1 in a game where chances were at a premium. Rostron
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Khalid in a silver swoop
KHALID JHUGROO raced to a trio of silvers as Tyldesley SC youngsters featured in the City of Liverpool Open Meet. His seconds, all PBs in the 12/13-Year group, came in the 200 individual medley (NQT), 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle. He also finished
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Bury to Rawtenstall - for £1,500!
A ROUND trip on the East Lancashire Railway from Bury to Rawtenstall is costing an Oldham man more than a journey to the other side of the world! But Mr Frank Rothwell is more than happy to pay £1,500 for the privilege of riding on the footplate of the
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Firm's window on the world
COUNCIL officials from all over the UK visited a Burnley firm to find out how they can do more business. Veka has 10 factories across Europe, Asia and North America and already sells its products widely to local authorities and commercial outlets. The
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Latham tribute to amateur Warriors
ONE of the first people into Hunslet Warriors dressing room just after 4.30pm on Sunday was Leigh coach Keith Latham. He wanted to add his personal congratulations to the standing ovation the brave Warriors had received out on the pitch from both sets
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Mum hopes for help with playroom
LITTLE Curtis Prior is locked in his own private world. But his devoted mum Nicola is determined to find the key which will allow her son to live like any other child. Last year Curtis (three) was diagnosed as having autism, something which 29-year-old
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Arsonists strike twice at Bury firm
POLICE are investigating an arson attack on a joiners in Bury, which has been targeted twice in a week. Thirty double-glazing units were damaged when fire broke out at in the workshop of Excell Joinery on Back Regent Street at 9pm on Wednesday, February
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Teaching a cat the rules of the house
THE WONDER OF PETS with WALLY ASHCROFT OWNING a kitten brings with it responsibilities and pleasure but this pleasure can soon disappear if your kitten is not trained to obey the rules of the house. Particularly in the early stages, these rules must be
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Hockey stars go down a storm!
STARS of ice-hockey were a storming success with pupils of St Andrew's CE primary school in Ramsbottom. Manchester Storm's coach Kurt Kleinedorst and team player Jeff Tomlinson, who both live in Ramsbottom, took time out to visit the children of Years
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Free of charge bill deal at post offices
HOUSEHOLDERS will be able to pay water, gas and electricity bills free of charge at any post office in East Lancashire from this weekend. In the past customers of North West Water and Norweb could only settle bills at certain post offices and had to pay
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Mark makes the right choice to fly high!
FORMER head boy Mark Holden left school with 9 GCSEs, but opted not to go on to college and instead to become a paid apprentice with British Aerospace. Mark, a former pupil of Townley High School, Burnley, joined the company after leaving school through
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Mum's play is a Going concerned
TEENAGE drama student Madelaine Solazzo turned to her mother when she needed a play to produce! Madelaine had discarded several before asking mum Carole for help. Back came the suggestion: Why don't I write one specially for the occasion? And Carole's
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Students join fees demo
AROUND 20 students from Bury joined colleagues from across the North West at a demonstration in Manchester this week. Students from Holy Cross and Bury College joined around 150 people on the march to express their opposition to tuition fees being charged
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Council waits for judgement in bin row
COUNCIL leaders are on tenterhooks over a multi-million pound battle of the bins. Five million pounds of taxpayers' money could be lost if town hall bosses lose their High Court case. As the Bury Times went to press last night (February 5), judges announced
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Demand for booze ban in street
COUNCILLORS have given their backing for a booze ban on Burnley's streets. They have declared war on yobs who drink alcohol in the centre and other parts of town, often shouting abuse at passers-by. All Burnley Council parties gave in-principle backing
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Ian's ambition is sky high
IAN Tabern is on cloud nine after successfully completing the tough cabin crew course for Britannia Airlines. The 31-year-old from Prescot Road, St Helens, passed the intensive four-and-a-half-week course with flying colours and is now set for take-off
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Everybody salsa!
Feeling hot, hot, hot? Reporter THERESA ROBSON brings a little wildabandon into her life trying the latest dance craze to sweep the country IF you have ever wondered how to put the "dirty" back into dancing, then salsa is your thing. Or so I was to discover
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Wet rescue! Moggy Amber plucked from rising river
SOGGY moggy Amber is back in the lap of luxury after being rescued from a ledge above a rising river. Amber, a two-year-old tomcat, almost lost all his nine lives after he became trapped on a narrow grass bank above Pendle Water, behind his home in Barrowford
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Police warn licensees over after hours drinks sessions
'Private parties' plea wears thin POLICE have fired a warning shot at pub licensees in Hyndburn over 'private parties' after hours. On several visits in recent months people have been found on licensed premises well after the end of permitted hours, Superintendent
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Competition means cash joy for shoppers
A BATTLE for business has left shoppers who drive into Bury in the money. Competition from the privately managed Mill Gate car park, free parking at the new Woodfield retail park and the 10,000 free car parking spaces at the soon-to-be completed Trafford
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Martin comes up spades
BBC television and radio presenter Martin Henfield made the news rather than read it when he performed a turf-cutting ceremony at Bury Hospice. Mr Henfield was the guest of honour at the official launch of the £270,000 new extension and refurbishment
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Victim jostled by purse snatcher
AN elderly woman had her purse stolen from her handbag as she walked through the Hardshaw Centre, St Helens, on Saturday, January 31. The unsuspecting 80-year-old was walking through a shop in the centre at about 1.15pm when she was suddenly jostled by
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Girls rescued from lift ordeal
SIX Radcliffe girls were freed by firemen after becoming trapped in a service lift at the town's Constellation Mill. And, after their ordeal, each girl was given a stern talking-to by police officers before being returned home to their parents. The drama
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Lorry driver has miracle escape
THE driver of a lorry travelling along the East Lancs Road miraculously escaped injury when vandals dropped a brick onto its windscreen from an overhead bridge. The incident happened at about 8pm on Wednesday, Jan 28, as the Volvo lorry passed under Windle
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Couple caught in a worldwide web of love
WEB-surfer Mike Cohen certainly netted more than he bargained for when he logged on to the Internet last October. The sports and music journalist from Sunnybank met his ideal woman Ruth Bradbury during a series of midnight 'chats' on the the worldwide
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New store all set to open
BRITISH Home Stores are gearing up for the launch of their latest store, which is due to be opened in St Helens on Thursday, February 19. And the manager of the new store Anne Smith, who has worked for the group for eight years, has been busy preparing
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BUSES: Victor's sad journey
DRIVER Victor Webster will be proud but sad to drive the last bus to Howe Bridge depot. On Saturday night he'll head there for the last time at the wheel of the number 35 out of Manchester at 23.20. About an hour later he'll switch-off to mark the end
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Support grows for deportation family
LOCALS have flocked to support a family who are living under the threat of deportation. This week more than 2,000 people signed a petition in the town centre in support of Javed Iqbal, his wife Samia and their four young children, who face being sent
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Heath sink strugglers
Higginshaw nil Thatto Heath 28 BOTTOM-of-the-table Higginshaw were no match for a well drilled and stronger Heath side. Heath were on the score sheet as early as the sixth minute when second-rower Darren Blanchfield and centre Wayne Jackman combined to
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Walk on the wild side
ADVENTURE seekers from around Leigh can take a walk on the wild side and help raise cash for the NSPCC at the same time. For the NSPCC is offering 50 people around the country the chance to take part in one of two wilderness treks in Tanzania, East Africa
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Runner plunged to his death
A WELL-KNOWN local fell-runner has been found dead on the icy slopes of Britain's highest mountain. The body of Bury-born Peter Brooks was discovered on Ben Nevis after he failed to make a check-in call to police during an 85-mile run over high mountains
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Protection of child workers
BLACKPOOL South's MP is backing moves to protect the resort's child workers. Gordon Marsden will vote to support the Employment of Children Bill on February 13, aimed at modernising laws framed during the 1930s Great Depression. "The aim of this Bill
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Busway 'not a cheap option'
BUSWAY moves don't rule out future rail links to Leigh. And passenger transport experts say a bus route along the defunct Leigh-Tyldesley rail route is the right track to take. Pro-railway link campaigner Dennis Sweeney speaking at a meeting of Wigan
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Blackbrook's shock troops
Blackbrook 19 Leigh East 18 BLACKBROOK pulled off arguably the major shock of the Conference League fixture programme on Saturday. The second half saw Blackbrook, faced with a 2-17 half time deficit, restrict their rivals to a solitary drop goal before
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Welcome for nun turns sour
A NUN on a tour of North West churches returned from a visit to St Anne's in Sutton to find her car had been broken into and a number of personal belongings stolen. Sister Maria Natella, a Dominican nun belonging to an Order in Southampton is currently
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Train hope update
AN update on plans to reopen Golborne Railway Station will be given at the Annual General Meeting of the town's Risk Management Group next Thursday (February 12). Deputy Leader of the council Cllr Tom Sherratt will speak about the plans, one of the most
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Mike heads Euro cash quest
FOLLOWING a cash-lobbying mission to Brussels, St Helens Council leader Mike Doyle is confident that more Euro funding will be forthcoming. Mike, chair of the Merseyside Co-ordinating Committee, led the delegation of Euro MPs, councillors, representatives
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Simply the best!
A POULTON school has been named in a list of England's top education centres. Baines secondary school on Highcross Road, came up trumps in the annual OFSTED report on quality and standards in education which praised 159 schools. Some 7,000 centres, from
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Letter:Labouring the point for posterity...
NO wonder the author of the letter signed 'Nemesis' didn't want to reveal his/her identity. The letter is either written in amazing ignorance or is a tissue of lies. Labour became the largest group on a 'hung' city council in 1991 and took overall control
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Nursing student is accident hero
A TEENAGE hero applied first aid to the injured and then made his fellow victims laugh after last Friday's bus crash in Lancaster. Liam Altham, 16, of Keswick Road, Lancaster, was on the top deck of the bus with friends when it hit the low railway bridge
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New cricket skipper
PRESTON Cricket Club have appointed their popular professional as their new captain. Manoj Parekh, who has been the club's pro for three years, will be the new skipper when the season starts in April. Previous news story Converted for the new archive
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BRAMWELL SPEAKS OUT: This isn't time for England to experiment
THIS was a Green Flag international but Glenn Hoddle showed the white flag of surrender. And the logic behind his disruptive tinkering is simply baffling. The England boss believes this was a good time to lose a game. With that attitude we might as well
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Traffic trauma
LANCASTER is bracing itself for a possible 'traffic nightmare.' Major construction works lasting twelve weeks are being carried out on the city centre's one-way system at Rosemary Lane and even optimistic commentators expect the congestion to be "difficult
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CLARETS: Clarets sweat on goal ace Andy
THE ON-SONG Burnley strikeforce's bid to extend their remarkable goalscoring record will depend on a late fitness check on the senior partner, writes PETE OLIVER. Andy Payton and Andy Cooke have notched 12 goals between them in the past seven games, despite
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Show jumper cooks up a treat
PRESTON show jumper Sarah Bowen swapped her jodhpurs and whip for an apron and rolling pin when she took part in the TV programme Ready Steady Cook. The 23-year-old, from Out Rawcliffe, competed against fellow rider Trevor Coyle for the BBC 2 show in
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Gunman on motorway
A gun-toting motorist was chased by armed police on the M6 past Lancaster on Monday. The 30 police involved eventually tracked the 29-year-old from Huddersfield down near Kendal after they had used a 'stinger' device which burst his tyres. The motorway
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Dismay as trees are felled
TWO mature trees were felled in a Lancaster church yard this week upsetting local residents. The 70ft sycamore trees at the rear of Christ Church in Wyresdale Road were chopped down on Wednesday morning to the dismay of local people. They claim they were
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Church gets cash windfall
A CHURCH which was closed two years ago has been given almost £200,000 Lottery cash. St Mary's Church in Preston will be turned into an exhibition centre thanks to the Heritage Fund money. The church borders with the Museum of Lancashire who want to extend
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Late call! Lancaster City 1 Chorley 1 (aet)
HOW can a referee justify adding nine minutes on the end of a football match for stoppages? This is the question that everyone was asking and was made and this issue was made much more serious when a Chorley goal eight minutes into stoppage time robbed
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£1 land deal angers mayor
WYRE'S mayor has condemned the sale of Thornton council land for just £1 as "ludicrous." Two sites - a quarter-acre in Briar Road and 1.2 acres in Heys Street - are set to be sold to Wyre Housing Association to provide low-cost housing. The housing association
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Visitor beaten on trip
A DAD was beaten up in front of his children before an off-duty nurse came to his aid in Lancaster last week. The 42-year-old man from the Sunderland area stopped off on his way home to grab a bite to eat for himself and his children on their journey.
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We want Stan on the buses!
YOU wait an hour for a bus and then 15 turn up! At least they do close to Council Leader Stanley Henig's house according to Lancaster's Greens. With the council encouraging employees to 'go green' the council leader last week explained that he would use
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Time to stand up and be counted
I AM writing to express my deep concern at the publishing of letters in the January 22 edition of your paper signed by 'Nemesis' and 'T. Inkywinky' (no address supplied) That I do not happen to agree with the accusations and the way in which they have
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Stephen's a tuff act to follow
WHEN Moliere's Comic Tale of Tartuffe plays at the Grand, it will bring with it one of the Fylde's biggest acting talents. Stephen Tompkinson, star of Ballykissangel, Drop the Dead Donkey and Brassed Off, will play the title role with support from Isla
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Council keeps OAP bus passes
PRESTON Borough Council has announced it will keep free bus fares for the over-70s. The scheme costs the council £1.4 million a year which means OAPs have free travel if they buy an annual bus pass. Each pensioner makes an average 280 bus trips every
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Crunch time in big cat battle
IT'S crunch time at Gigg Lane on Sunday as Swinton Lions Rugby League Club open their First Division campaign at home to title favourites Keighley Cougars. The Yorkshire side are the bookies' favourites to lift the 1998 title and so the clash should offer
