Archive
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Rare loco boost
IT'S full steam ahead for the East Lancashire Railway who are on track to restore a rare locomotive after netting £78,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The money will be used to get the Leander back on the rails: the Jubilee class locomotive was introduced
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Edith memories of work and play
JOURNAL reader Edith Martin produced this 1930s photograph of halcyon days when work and sport went hand in hand. The picture, taken around 1933, shows the opening of a bowling green at the North Road factory of Atherton popmakers Stotherts. Doing the
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Dog injured on Metro
THE Met got the vet when a dog was injured on the line. The 12-month-old alsatian was hit by a Metrolink tram travelling towards Radcliffe station. The dog, which was running down the track, sustained considerable injuries and immediate attention was
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Business guru talks on trade
BURY-based businesses wishing to get ahead in international trade can take advantage of an opportunity to lunch with an export "guru." For Sir David Wright, chief executive of British Trade International, will be at Bolton's Reebok Stadium next Thursday
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Fancy a wizard job?
THE World of Glass, the town's newest visitor attraction, has a vacancy for a wizard to keep kids entertained when it opens its doors next month. The successful applicant will be provided with all the trappings of wizardry, including a long flowing cloak
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Martyn decision rocks Leigh
TOMMY MARTYN will not be joining Leigh. And, in a double blow, neither will his St Helens team-mate Paul Davidson. Stand-off Martyn, 28, has decided to stay and fight for his place at Knowsley Road while prop Davidson has joined London Broncos. While
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Wheel help needed
THE borough's busy "Meals on Wheels" service is hoping to dish up even more food this year, with the help of some fresh recruits. The WRVS, which already delivers more than 65,000 meals annually to households throughout the area, is desperately looking
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Acquisition bolsters paper firm's future
A RADCLIFFE company has bucked the downturn in the paper industry by acquiring a former Bury business for an undisclosed sum. And bosses at paper, board and converting machinery firm Warburton Holgate are confident the move will boost their annual turnover
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108 jobs lost in closure
A BURY clothing company is to close with the loss of more than 100 jobs. Staff at Bentwood Brothers were given the shock news at an emergency meeting late on Thursday (Feb 24). The 108 strong workforce have been given 90 days before the Bond Street factory
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Owls get Lottery hand-out
BURY'S Fairfield Owl Club has swooped to claim a vital grant worth £5,850. And the money will be used to create a series of places for its after-school project. The cash award has been given by the National Lottery board's New Opportunities Fund, and
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Council loses hotel battle
BURY Council has lost its fight to prevent a luxury hotel from being built on its doorstep. Local planning chiefs objected to a multi-million pound 98-bedroom hotel and conference centre at Heap Bridge. The land is on the Bury side of the M66 but is in
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New plea in horror attack
POLICE have renewed an appeal for witnesses to a vicious attack on a 22-year-old student. The victim, who wishes to be identified only as Mel, was left needing plastic surgery after being attacked at about 1.10am on Saturday, February 5, by a man who
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New home for Hurdles
AN old community centre is to be demolished to make way for a special centre for children with disabilities. Plans have been given the go-ahead to flatten the outdated Herbert Coates Community Centre in Morley Street, Bury, and create a purpose-built
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Lads' bike challenge
FIVE teenagers are revving up for a special challenge: designing and assembling their own motorbike! The five, Scott Towler, Matthew Birtles, Dean Smyth, Andrew Gregory and Lee Cliffe, all Year 11 pupils at Newton High School, heard about the challenge
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Warning for cat lovers
A MAN has warned cat lovers to be on their guard following attacks on his two pets. Daniel Murphy (20) from Lancaster Close, Earlestown contacted the Star after finding one of his pet cats badly injured and the other being tossed in the air by a gang
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Lynne's fury over lost trade
A BUSINESSWOMAN says she is losing trade because customers can't get near to her shop because of parked cars. And she claims St Helens Council are to blame. For yellow lines, which were removed during re-surfacing work, have still not been replaced -three
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Dave has high hopes
HIGH flier Dave McGauley is attempting what he believes could be a new record. He is setting off becoming the first Briton to fly a microlight, solo and unsupported, around the USA. And it's all in aid of cancer research. Former policeman Dave (51), an
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Soldier drove while banned
A DARWEN soldier promoted to the high profile reconnaissance platoon of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment was caught driving while disqualified - on a moped. Blackburn magistrates heard Barry Paul Devitt ran off when he saw the police but was arrested after
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Boss has fun with away form
STEVE McMahon is contemplating making Blackpool's home games away matches, following the Tangerine's victory at Cambridge on Saturday (February 19), writes Chris Dixon. Macca joked about sending his players up the M6 for a few hours travelling before
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Man found in pool of vomit
GLEN Philip Reid refused to co-operate with hospital staff trying to treat him after he was found lying in a pool of his own vomit. He removed his shirt and shouted abuse at paramedics and nursing staff and when challenged by police said: "I am 18. I
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Bid to crack down on youth disorder
RAINFORD Civic Hall was packed to the rafters when more than 500 villagers turned up to discuss youth disorder in the area. And many present identified lack of youth facilities in the community as the root of the problem. Also attending were police, councillors
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'Prolific' benefits cheat jailed
A WOMAN at the centre of a "prolific dishonesty operation" in doctored benefit books has been jailed for six months. Wendy Evans used a sharp knife and printing equipment to alter payment dates on the slips. Preston Crown Court heard that after her arrest
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East bounce back from soft start
LEIGH EAST overcame a dithery first half to defeat East Leeds 16-8. They missed too many tackles and created too few chances as Leeds edged six points clear; prospects for the second half looked bleak. But, despite falling another penalty down, East then
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Crackdown on young gangs
POLICE have enforced an order under the Criminal Justice and Disorder Act in a bid to stop "rampaging" youths from running wild in Rainhill Village. This was the first time such an order has been issued in the borough and in just two hours officers from
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Killer crash closes m-way
POLICE were forced to close a section of the M6 in Lancashire for more than six hours after a crash which left one person dead. The accident involved a van, a car, a tanker and a lorry carrying two tractors and happened shortly after 6pm last night. It
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Jones wins world gold
A PRESTON runner has beaten the world to win the World Biathlon Championships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Civil servant Rachel Jones beat off tough competition to grab gold medal. She was up against competitors from South Africa, Australia and Southern
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Roll over Rovers
ATHERTON LR "deserved what we got" in damaging 4-1 defeat at Salford City. The words came from disappointed boss Steve Plant, who said: "It was a poor performance. "Only Paul Meredith, Scott Dowds and Mike Read played anything like and we got what we
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Theatre fund-raiser shows team spirit
THE dancing girls have joined the team which has pledged to help bring a new theatre to Blackburn. Club owner Margo Grimshaw and her C'Est La Vie nightclub staff will be putting on a show on Saturday - performing on a float driving from Blackburn town
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Today's the Day!
A look back at events in hsitory on February 25 with Miek Badham 1723: Sir Christopher Wren died. His greatest achievement was St Paul's Cathedral. Over the door it says: If you seek his monument, look around you in Latin. 1873: The great Caruso was born
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Woman cut from car wreck
A WOMAN was trapped in her car after a head-on collision in Whalley Old Road near Shepherd's Brow, Blackburn, today. The woman was cut free by paramedics and firefighters and lifted through the rear of her Honda Civic after it collided with an Astra,
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Tyldesley Sister Act swoop for gold
SISTERS Kelly and Kimberley Banner are the 100% girls at Tyldesley SC. They picked up half a dozen golds in superb performances at the Central Lancashire Age Groups. Kelly was senior and junior champ in the Ladies 100 backstroke, an event in which she
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This week in 1975 25 years ago
RATES: Lucky Bury householders would have a rate rise of no more than six per cent , and some might get away with less, revealed the BT. Staffing economies and streamlined management methods helped cut the budget, it was reported. Later it emerged that
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Soccer thieves better work on their defence!
THIEVES stole property worth hundreds of pounds from a group of footballing solicitors - while a team of detectives had a kick-about just yards away. The crooks smashed their way into a changing room block at Blackburn's Witton Park and stole personal
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Flintoff'S race for fitness
CRICKET ace Andy Flintoff faces a race against the clock to be fit for Lancashire's pre-season tour of South Africa. All-rounder Flintoff, whose winter tour with England was wrecked when he broke his foot during the fourth test against South Africa, is
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Hud's good for treble
LEIGH took their chances. TYLDESLEY did not. And that swung the weekend's big Rugby Union derby Leigh's way, the Sean Grainey Memorial Trophy returning to Hand Lane after a convincing 29-3 victory. That scoreline could have been so different had Tyldesley
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Death of former Guide editor
FORMER reporter and editor of the Prestwich and Whitefield Guide, Derek Walter Butterworth, has died aged 51. Derek, who lived in Sale with his wife of 13 years Dianne, died in Manchester's Wythenshawe Hospital earlier this month. He was the grandson
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Kind thoughts
BROWNIES, guides and rainbows from across East Lancashire travelled to Blackburn Rovers Ewood Park ground to celebrate Thinking Day. More than 300 girls took part in the movement's annual event on Tuesday and each brought books which are to be given to
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A bike without a track
THE brakes could be put on a Leyland lad's dream of follow in Carl Fogarty's footsteps after he was told to find somewhere else to practise his motorbike racing. The news that the Trough of Bowland's Pilling Beach is no longer available has taken the
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Seven groups benefit from lottery cash
SEVEN community organisations throughout the borough are to benefit from lottery grants totalling more than £24,000. Local sports clubs and the Bury Metro Deaf Society are to receive funding for various projects after making successful bids to the National
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The Wright road show
Division Two: Colchester United v Burnley - Andy Neild's match preview FORMER Arsenal legend Ian Wright is set for a real taste of life in the Second Division as Burnley's promotion bandwagon rolls into Colchester tomorrow. But inspirational midfielder
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Computer friendly store is high-tech swap shop
SCHOOLGIRLS manned the tills at Tesco superstore, Blackburn, when staff dressed up to promote this year's computer voucher scheme. About 90 schools in East Lancashire are taking part in the scheme to collect Tesco's coupons until April and exchange them
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Parr's night of terror
THE terrifying night when a stick of German bombs hit the tightly-clustered terraced streets of Parr is recalled for us by Alan Miller of Ashurst Drive, Blackbrook. And he names two men killed as being named Burke and Green, neighbours from Morgan Street
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Saved from the slums
A WIDOWER who "adopted" a child living more than 4,000 miles away has met his new "daughter" for the first time. George Gray flew to one of the poorest areas of Brazil to be united with Jessica Augusto Maia, a nine-year-old he has been sponsoring since
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Pit death puzzle
THIS is a long shot but I thought I'd try anyway. I am after some information about a mining accident in 1925 at Sherdley Mine, St Helens in which my grandfather was killed. My Grandfather's name was John Montgomery, Born 1874 I believe in Ireland. His
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Court binds man over
IAN Thomas Moss, 38, of Bargee Close, Blackburn, was bound over in £50 to be of good behaviour for six months when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates. A charge of being drunk and disorderly was withdrawn. The court heard that police on duty in Chapel
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Mystery of the missing landlord
MYSTERY today surrounded the whereabouts of a pub landlord after regulars and a group of pensioners were left high and dry when the premises closed. The Cabin End (pictured), on Windsor Road, Knuzden, has been shut since Sunday, February 13 and regulars
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Mystery of Prescot's secret tunnel
DOES anyone know the secret of the brick-lined tunnel which once ran below Prescot? That's the odd query from Anthony Eden of Kitchener Street, St Helens, who explains: "When I worked at the St Helens Salvation Army hostel in 1990, one of the long-term
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Rovers can return to the top, says Parkes
JACK Walker can take Blackburn Rovers back to the summit of English football, claims Ewood boss Tony Parkes (pictured). But he also warns fans they would need patience as it would take time to turn round the situation which had developed since the title
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Blackpool's hero Sir Stan is dead
SIR Stanley Matthews, Blackpool's greatest sporting hero, died on Wednesday night (February 23) at the age of 85. Sir Stan, the Wizard of the Dribble and the hero of the 1953 FA Cup final win over Bolton, died in hospital in North Staffordshire after
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In a spin
SINCE being elected as MP for St Helens North, it appears that Dave Watts, (along with his government) think that the public believe everything they say. Liberal Democrats and staff at nearly every Post Office in St Helens are collecting signatures, against
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Mystery of dem bones!
CREEPY little query from Janet Fenney of Crawford Street, Clock Face. She writes: "When the old Congregational church was demolished in St Helens town centre, I believe that human bones were dug up (also some by the parish church when the square was pedestrianised
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FACT is - we've raised £10,000!
A GROUP of kind-hearted Lancashire people has raised £10,000 for the Christie Hospital in Manchester. The group, known as FACT - Fighting Against Cancer Together - has members from Chorley and Preston and is led by chairman Joe Smith from Clayton-le-Woods
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Old pit village with Celtic links
THE placename puzzler, concerning Haydock, has trawled in a scholarly answer from Bill Blinkhorn, secretary of Whiston Historical Society. And it scuttles earlier suggestions (February 10) that Haydock was a corruption of 'hedge of oak'. Instead, Bill
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Rebellion over rent rise
FURIOUS Bury Labour rebels have accused party leaders of "shafting" tenants with an inflation-busting rent rise. They say the service is a "shambles" and demand that tenants be spared a 4.9 per cent rent hike while homes are crying out for improvement
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Skate park scheme scoops award
YOUNGSTERS who set up the innovative Clitheroe Skate Park have received a national award. The park, in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle, was set up by young people who wanted to tackle the social problems caused by young people riding bikes, in-line skating
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Hero clue to granny quest
PEOPLE who write in for clues about their family origins usually provide lists of long-gone forebears. But, just for a change, a Suffolk correspondent now hopes to recruit help in finding a live twig on her family tree. Having somehow got wind of the
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Demolition plan gets a mixed reaction
PROPOSALS to demolish three buildings to make way for a multi-million pound development in Whitefield have been greeted with mixed emotions from community leaders. North Western Properties proprietor Mr Albert Gubay has revealed plans to build a health
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Muggers paradise
I WRITE in response to your article headed "MP hits at post scare" and wish to refute some of the comments made by Dave Watts in that article. He suggests that post offices are used far less than they were 20 years ago. Is he aware that some 28 million
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Chance of a top prize for youth project
A RIBBLE Valley project which aims to get youngsters off the streets and into sports has reached the final of a national competition. Tony Rodia, manager of the Roefield Leisure Centre, Clitheroe, masterminded weekly sports sessions for youngsters aged
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Gateway to disaster
I WROTE to the Citizen recently to express my concerns about the effects of the Millennium Bridge on the residents of Lune Street. I explained that the street would effectively become a 'gateway' into the city with considerable pedestrian, cycling and
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Anger over tree felling
FURIOUS residents claim they have been "kept in the dark" about a major housing development in Radcliffe. The developers, Woodford Industries, have started to clear the former Radcliffe Paper Mill site, off Stand Lane, to make way for 300 Barratt houses
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Walking on water
PATHFINDERS have promised to get to the bottom of a flooded track. For months a footpath leading through Leigh Business Park and a well-used link between the Dakins Road and Bonnywell Road estates has been under water. Relocation of the Volex factory
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Perks of the job for our politicians
RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans (pictured) still gets in for free at top London night spot Stringfellows - and has the biggest local entry in the House of Commons register of members' interests. The Conservative Party vice chairman has also earned cash from
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Get on the bus
MAY I start by saying that I wish to use my car as much as everyone else does. I remember the council clearing the route for the Eastern Bypass (I guess this was in Mr Hand's time). This space is now used mainly for car parking. With good public transport
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Trading estate lorry danger
AS a resident of Tottington Road, I feel I must complain about the lorries that daily visit the Woolfold Trading Estate. Two weeks ago a car was damaged and last week a metal fence and bollard were knocked down. This has happened several times in the
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Enough is enough
I REFER to KJ Thomson's letter on Citizen, February 10 concerning more recreation facilities for Ryelands Estate. I grew up and lived on that estate for many years so I know a great deal about the area. KJ Thomson feels the estate needs a purpose-built
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Curling action
PRESTON Curling Club returned to action at the Lockerbie Ice Rink earlier this month. Philip Atherton won the AJ Atherton Memorial for the second year running. He and his rink of Patrick Brown, Frank Kershaw and Don Haining won both their games for maximum
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Making life brighter
SCHOOLS, Scouts and Santa will benefit from the latest round of Brighter Borough money for Atherton. Schools will mark the new century with extra books in their libraries, Scouts from a camp and young children from a Christmas party. A presentation will
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Messages were a great comfort
THE past two weeks have been painful ones following the death of Azhar Ahmed who was tragically killed in a motorbike accident on Feb 12. However, our pain and suffering has been eased thanks to the help and support given by our friends, customers and
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Wheelchair will aid disabled swimmers
PRESTON Disabled Sports Forum (PDSF) is £500 better off thanks to staff at West View Leisure Centre. The centre won £1,000 in the BT Gold Pools Awards, including £500 for new equipment and £500 to a local charity of the pool's choice. West View now boasts
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School uniform cash help facing axe
LESS well off parents could lose financial help to buy their children school uniforms. Wigan Council education chiefs are set to axe a clothing allowance available for low income parents, claiming these families are now better off because of the Working
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Tone deaf with two left feet?
A LEIGH group is making a song and dance about International Women's Day. The Well Women Centre is inviting ladies to join them at the Derby Rooms, Leigh Library, for a fun day. This year's theme is based on unlocking talents and will provide an opportunity
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Random tribute for Leigh writer
HOLLYWOOD writer James Hilton is one of Leigh's most famous sons. Born and bred 100 years ago just off the town centre in a Wilkinson Street terraced, he quickly found fame in the burgeoning film industry. His novel "Goodbye Mr Chips" was in 1939 turned
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On the buses for bobbies
BOBBIES are being invited back on to the buses in a bid to reassure passengers that public transport is safe. Bosses at Preston Bus want policemen to feel free to jump on to their buses if they need to travel round town. Their suggestion comes after bus
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Euro opponents don't need to lie
CHRIS Davies MEP accuses those opposed to the Single Currency of feeding the public a daily diet of lies, and complains that the Government has not carried out a sensible debate (Your Letters, Feb 4). I totally agree with his comments about the sensible
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Juggler 'having a ball'
A PRESTON teenager has realised his childhood dream of running away to join the circus. Paul Berbarel, pictured, from Eldon Street, is currently touring Ireland with the American Three Ring Circus, after impressing circus owner Kevin John. He is touring
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Benefits drive
SOUTH Ribble MP David Borrow has launched a campaign to ensure pensioners claim the new benefits due in April. The minimum income guarantee for pensioners will be increased in line with earnings from April to more than £78 per week for single pensioners
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Chips, chips and. . . more chips
CHIPS with everything! That's the prospect in store for take-away fans in Penwortham as a local chippy embarks on an unusual charity stunt. Staff at Ollie's Fish and Chip Shop, in Leyland Road, Lower Penwortham, are planning a 48-hour 'chipathon' in aid
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Website a hit on net
PROUD Prestonian Robert O'Gara is entering cyberspace in an attempt to tell the whole world how great Preston is. Robert, of Lane Ends, Preston, has created a lavish website dedicated to his home town. And it has become such a hit on the worldwide web
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Maths exam threatens her future
I AM writing as a worried parent of a 22-year-old daughter, on a subject that will affect all trainee teachers though about which little is known. After two years at college and three at university, where she obtained a 2:1 degree with honours in music
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Prized textile collection
LANCASHIRE'S has got an award, and the chance to share in a £15 million pot of cash, all sewn up. The county museum service's Textile Industry Collections have been recognised as having national and international important by the Museums and Galleries
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Safety will improve
A MOTHER'S vision to improve safety on the street where her daughter died is a step closer to reality after a cash pledge from Lancashire County Council. The £12,300 towards implementing safety measures in the Trafford Street area, where little Hannah
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Zeashan needs your help
A PENWORTHAM teenager has issued an urgent plea: to help him find a bone marrow donor before he develops leukaemia. Zeashan Nawaz, 18, has been diagnosed with rare condition Fanconi anaemia, which doctors say is a forerunner to deadly leukaemia. The normally
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Caught in love's web
IT was a case of love at first byte for newly-weds Graham Peacock and Jelena Pasic, who tied the knot after falling in love over the 'Net. Romance blossomed when Graham, from Fulwood, starting to chat to Serbian Jelena via the worldwide web during the
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TEN YEARS AGO: Power lines down
THOUSANDS of East Lancashire homes and businesses were without electricity after overhead lines were brought down. Norweb staff warned that there could be delays in restoring supplies because the high winds. People were also asked to report any overhead
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Watch where you park: police
DRIVERS have been warned to stop parking in front of dropped kerbs following complaints from local disabled people. Police say traffic wardens are being deluged with grumbles from disabled people, who have had to struggle down a dropped kerb obstructed
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Hallo Dandy!
BRITAIN'S oldest Grand National winner is alive and well and living in a horse rehabilitation centre, near Preston. Hallo Dandy was last seen on the small screen crossing the winning line at Aintree in 1984. Punters across the country will remember Dan's
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FIVE YEARS AGO: Protesters on the move
MOTORWAY protesters evicted from a row of terraced houses in Darwen moved in to a boarded-up pub to step up their campaign against the M65 extension. And the squatters were told by the owner of the Park Hotel, in Preston Old Road, they could stay "if
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Call for talks on £300m deal
COUNCIL leaders have defended their dealings with Grosvenor Estate Holdings following the formation of a pressure group opposing the £300 million deal. The Radical Preston Alliance has blasted "secret talks" between the council and Grosvenor and the group
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SOCCER: Preston preview
PRESTON boss David Moyes could give debuts to two loan signings as his side go into a tricky home tie with Gillingham. Winger Ian Anderson is likely to be involved after signing last weekend until the end of the season, he will be hoping to force Michael
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Firebug strikes three times
AN arsonist started three fires at separate premises in Ardwick Street, Burnley. The firebug started one fire in a back yard, another in the kitchen of an empty house and the third in an outhouse of an occupied property. Station officer Paul Harvey said
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Smoke effects exaggerated
A REPORT by a team from Warwick University, published in the British Medical Journal, reveals that the risk of developing lung cancer from so-called passive smoking has been exaggerated. According to new research, previous levels of risk (based on 37
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Students taste success
CATERING trainees were congratulated after achieving the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health certificate in basic food hygiene. They took part in a bi-lingual course run by Burnley Training and Employment Access Point in Brougham Street and received
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SOCCER: Bury preview
BURY boss Andy Preece was very angry after Bury's midweek home defeat to lowly Cambridge, and he suggested that as many as 10 outfield players could be dropped for the trip to Wycombe. The truth is that Preece will find that he does not have the strength
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On the 'chain gang' for 22 years
MAYORS and mayoresses who had served Burnley for more than 20 years gathered at the town hall for a millennium get-together. The reunion of civic leaders ranged from Coun Albert Pickup, mayor in 1978, to present-day incumbent Coun Eddie Fisk, who hosted
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Students get a taste for awards
UP-AND-COMING chefs at Blackpool and the Fylde College have picked up awards at one of the UK's most prestigious student catering events. John Jackson, in his final year of a Culinary Arts HND, won a silver medal in the Nestle Toque D'Or Competition's
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Hands off post offices
IT was obvious that Tony Blair and New Labour Party are completely out of touch with the problems rural communities are having when he commented that they are well off compared with urban areas. Farms are closing because they cannot make ends meet and
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Past masters
KING Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham received a "blast from the past" recently, after staging its annual history knowledge competition. Nearly 100 pupils took part in the Young Historian of the Year quiz, which posed taxing questions about
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How your new stadium will look
HERE'S a preview of how the new Bloomfield Road will look. Should Blackpool Football Club recieve permission from the town's council, Bloomfield Road's transformation into a 15,000 capacity all-seater stadium could begin in the close season. Plans for
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Hold up costs tycoon a date with Queen
JEANS tycoon Shami Ahmed (pictured) cancelled a very special lunch date - with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The designer-label multi-millionaire - who began in the industry when he was schoolboy in Burnley - was said to be "grounded in the States"
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Bridge prove too good
THE Scorpions conceded a try in the opening minutes before they had even touched the ball against Bamber Bridge who ran out 32-18 winners. They kicked off to Bamber Bridge then gave away an unnecessary penalty on the last tackle. From the resulting field
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Hockey men claim final spot
ST HELENS Hockey Club reached the final of the Lancashire Trophy with a gritty 2-1 victory over Rossendale on Sunday. The local lads showed a greater will to win than a team who are three divisions higher than them. The back four provided a formidable
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People 'hoodwinked' over town council promise
A COUNCILLOR has said he will hire the town hall and stage his own meeting in his fight for a Town Council for Padiham. Coun Granville Lord told Burnley Council it was a total disgrace that six years after a referendum in which Padiham people voted for
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Bars awards for not selling booze
ROAD safety "Oscars" have been awarded to publicans in Blackpool and Fleetwood who helped reduce drinking and driving over Christmas and New Year. Blackpool Council's anti-drink-drive message encouraged one person in every group to be DES, a DESignated
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Gloves, me and footie
ANNOYED MU fan Michael Fairhurst, of Atherton, has written: I note that once again Lesley Richards feels it necessary to have a dig at someone connected with Manchester United Football Club, namely David Beckham for wearing gloves. Correct me if I'm wrong
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Kipper nets drug dealer
A MAN caught dealing in heroin in an undercover police operation has been jailed for three years. Christopher Cumpsty provided two drug wraps of an unusually high purity. Preston Crown Court heard how he was arrested as part of an operation called Kipper
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Scheme award
A HEALTH project based in Preston, designed to tackle health inequality and social exclusion was singled out for praise at an award ceremony. The Navajo Project: Lesbian and Gay Health Strategy, was singled out in the 'excellent' category at the NHS Health
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Pilks stage late show
A LAST-minute goal gave Pilkington a 2-1 victory over Whiston in the under 16s section of the St Helens McDonalds JOL. In the under 14s division Oak went nap at Bleak Hill, while Rainhill stay top of the under 12s section thanks to a 5-1 win against Pilkington
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Still a teenager at 60
APPEARANCES can be deceptive, and readers will agree that this is certainly the case for this Blackpool woman who, on Tuesday, celebrates her 15th birthday! Jacqueline Dodgson, from Reads Avenue in Blackpool, was born on February 29 in the leap year of
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Looking after needs of all the community
WITH reference to John Vickers' letter (Journal Mailbox, February 17), regarding my record as newly elected councillor for the ward of Hindley Green/Westleigh. Mr Vickers accuses me of a lack of commitment to the area I am proud to represent and have
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Gun man targets filling station
A MASKED robber pulled a semi-automatic pistol on a petrol sales attendant before running off with £300 this week. He strolled into the Save Service Station on Owen Road in Lancaster, produced the silver semi-automatic pistol and pointed it at the 28-
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St Annes 'home' in blaze drama
A DERELICT orphanage in St Annes was gutted in a suspected arson attack the very night before its future was to be decided by council planning bosses. Firefighters from across the Fylde, two of which are pictured here, were called to the site of the Blackburn
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Carnforth thrash Latics
CARNFORTH recorded their biggest win of the season when they demolished a strong Wigan side. Centre Phil Metcalfe created 42 of the 47 points scored no fewer than four tries before being taken to hospital with a nasty cut. And Iain Parkinson emulated
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A case of adultery
WITH reference to the article dated February 3 by Marion Ainge, regarding the long lost sister, I quote: "Mother had a love affair." Mother did not have a love affair, she committed adultery and, worse than that, her husband was overseas in the Royal
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Rhinos flatten Finch
Shaw Rhinos 24, Haresfinch 6 FINCH produced a spirited effort against the Iestyn Harris-coached promotion favourites Shaw in a game that was much closer than the final scoreline indicates. The visitors started well with young prop Robbie Broughton to
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Ruskin young guns on top
Ruskin Park 43, West Park XV 0 DUE to both sides losing their regular fixture this match was arranged at the 11th hour, and proved a triumph for the young Ruskin side. Ruskin were first on the board, when Garvey kicked a penalty. Their forwards, with
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Puzzle of the points
CAN you tell me what has happened to Centre Point? They issued a card giving points for money spent at Centre Point registered shops which could then be exchanged for vouchers, 1,000 points for a £10 voucher to be used for paying certain bills, and 2,000
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Watchdog to oversee complaints
A WHISTLE-BLOWING network for employees is set to be unveiled by Blackpool Borough Council. The new ethics watchdog will have the task of maintaining the highest levels of integrity by the authority's workforce and elected members. An independent cross-party
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Stone Me
BLACKPOOL is never shy of proving itself a heavyweight in the tourism industry, and a new exhibit should help tip the scales even further. Ripley's Believe It or Not have unveiled a life size replica of the world's heaviest man at their Pleasure Beach
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Pilks chances go begging
Langworthy 15, Pilkington Recs 12 TWO precious league points were lost for promotion chasing Recs against fellow contenders Langworthy, in a contest they dominated for long periods. But they were unable to turn territory into points. After withstanding
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Angela's a shopper in 15 million
IMAGINE the surprise - there you are, going quietly about your shopping and wishing away the endless queues when, suddenly, ear-splitting alarm bells ring, bright lights begin flashing and jazz music fills the air around you! No, it's not a weird dream
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Fine and dandy!
BRITAIN'S oldest Grand National winner is alive and well and living in a horse rehabilitation centre, near Lancaster. Hallo Dandy was last seen on the small screen crossing the winning line at Aintree in 1984. Punters across the country will remember
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Weather takes its toll
ONLY four of 19 fixtures were completed in the St Helens Combination on Saturday. The St Helens Star Premier Division completely washed out, but one game got off the ground in Division One. This resulted in a 3-5 home defeat for Billinge at the hands
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A real boost for Poulton pub
"ALL hail the ale!" was the cry of landlord and locals when a Poulton pub won a prestigious award. The Thatched House was given the Pub of the Season Award by the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde branch of the Campaign for Real Ale at a special presentation
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Jobs boost as new store opens
MORE than 100 jobs could be created in Blackpool when discount retail firm Wilkinson open a new town centre store. The company is planning to move into the former Kwik Save store in Dickson Road, creating around 130 new jobs. Doors to the new premises
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Thieves break Noryne's heart
ONLY one photograph survived of Noryne Gill before she was scarred forever in a house fire when she was just four-years-old. This week that last picture was stolen during a heartless burglary. The thieves raided Noryne's Lancaster home and took the picture
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Play and impress: Moyes challenge to Angell
PRESTON North End boss David Moyes has told new striker Brett Angell he can stay for good - but he has to prove himself first. Moyes was speaking after the club confirmed that Stockport County had agreed to release Angell until the end of the season.
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Haydock clue to National
GRAND National favourite Young Kenny heads a high class field of nine horses in the £100,000 De Vere Gold Cup at Haydock Park this Saturday (February 26) at today's confirmation stage. All but one, the bottom weight Choisty, are also engaged in the National
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Uproar as council approves goads
ELECTRIC goads will continue to be used at Blackpool Zoo after a motion to ban them was defeated by councillors amid scenes of uproar at the Town Hall. In what one councillor described as a "sad, sad day for the town", Blackpool Council voted to allow
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Songs of praise for choir
BLACKPOOL Victoria Hospital has given a chorus of approval to a choir who are donating vital medical equipment. Blackpool Male Voice Choir has raised money for much needed monitoring equipment for outpatient cancer sufferers. The six oncology pumps regulate
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Christley inquiry gets under way
The long-awaited independent inquiry into the wrongful sacking of former tourism chief David Christley is finally under way. The council has appointed an arbitrator, Terence Sullivan from ACAS, to supervise the investigation who will look at all aspects
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Rainhill grab cup place
A YOUNG football squad clinched a semi-final place in emphatic style. Rainhill under 13s beat Blackleyhurst 8-0 and now need to win one more game to reach the final of the Rainhill Junior League Cup. RESULTS Saturday Under 10s mini soccer: Rocket Rangers
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Rainbow rising!
THEY danced with the rainbow then turned to look at the moon. Rows of elderly Morecambe ladies gracefully moving their arms and legs in a special sequence of steps and moves. The ancient Chinese art of tai chi, a series of gentle, flowing exercises with
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Police's sad quest
POLICE are appealing for help in tracing any relatives, or friends, of Thomas Callinan of Juddfield Street, Haydock, who died suddenly on Wednesday, February 16. It is believed that Mr Callinan may have had a relative living in the Wigan area. Anyone
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Angell wings his way to Deepdale
SUPER-scorer Brett Angell has put pen to paper and agreed to join Preston North End until the end of the season. Angell's arrival from Stockport County heralds the end of David Moyes' hunt for a new striker, which appears to have been his main concern
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Rugby Union: Sedgley pass their Orrell levels
Orrell 34, Sedgley Park 34 WITH no league fixtures scheduled for an international Saturday, Sedgley were pleased to travel to near neighbours Orrell for a friendly fixture. Orrell, now in Allied Dunbar Two, are no longer quite the force they were a few
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Garswood stage comeback
GARSWOOD staged a great comeback to clinch a 2-1 victory at Whitchurch on Saturday. They trailed 1-0 at the break, but they hit back in the second half when Stephen Nugent headed home Stevn Starr's cross. And the winner came when a header by the impressive
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Did you see raid?
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an armed robbery on Saturday, February 19. The incident happened at Eccleston Hill Stores, Prescot Road, at about 8.40pm, when a man, armed with a knife, entered the store and threatened staff before escaping with
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Boxing: Lewis set for Commonwealth bid
BURY'S former British flyweight boxing champion Ady Lewis is back on the title trail next month. The Mighty Atom is set to take on London-based Ghanaian Francis Ampofo on Monday, March 20 for the vacant Commonwealth bantamweight title given up by Ellesmere
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Clarets defender out for two weeks
BURNLEY defender Gordon Armstrong (pictured) has been ruled out of tomorrow's clash with Colchester United at Layer Road. And the former Sunderland man is now a major doubt for next weekend's top-of--the-table clash with Preston North End after revealing
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Takano heads south!
CROWD favourite Kenny Takano has joined rivals Southport. The 23-year-old left sided player made his debut for Southport at the weekend. Meanwhile the Shrimps, now 12 games without a win, face Altrincham at home on Saturday. For Harvey it's back to the
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Sport's tragic loss
A FORMER table tennis stalwart who played in the local league when it was founded in 1928, and later became a vice-president, has died aged 83. Mr James Greenall, of North Road, passed away in St. Helens Hospital on Tuesday after being ill for several
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Book scheme in its infancy
IF you thought that policemen looked younger, you should have gone along to Bispham Library for the launch of a new book scheme. There they're getting books at the aged of NINE MONTHS! The BookStart reading scheme aims to feed the minds of toddlers using
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It all adds up to success
FORMER Carmel College student Dr Tony Yates has been awarded a PhD degree in Biomathematics from the University of Salford. Tony already has a BSc and Msc degree in Mathematics from the University of Liverpool and a PgC degree in Mathematics from the
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Return of the Gills
HATED Gillingham return to Deepdale on Saturday facing a North End side who have a point to prove. Under Tony Pulis, Gillingham ruined North End's promotion dreams in the most agonising way possible as they dumped PNE out of the play-offs last May. This
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Radcliffe Boro: Shooting for the top!
THE top of the table beckons for Radcliffe Borough as they prepare to take on Burscough at Stainton Park on Saturday (3pm). Boro are shooting for a third win in a week and remained very much on course for end-of-season glory with a solid three-point performance
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Officer held on drugs charge
LANCASHIRE police chiefs have launched an investigation following the arrest of a former Blackpool policeman in India for drug smuggling. PC Shabir Rehman Abdul Mubarak, now based at Leyland, was arrested with four other men at Bombay Airport on Saturday
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Council accused of 'gagging'
AN independent councillor elected after campaigning against traffic calming in Hyndburn claimed he was being "gagged" at a committee meeting to discuss the issue. Coun Adrian Shurmer launched a verbal attack on Lancashire police, the fire service and
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Bury FC: Shakers must bounce back
NOTHING less than a 100 per cent improvement will do for Bury player boss Andy Preece at Wycombe Wanderers wtomorrow. After Tuesday evening's miserable home defeat at the hands of struggling Cambridge United Preece is keen for his charges to get back
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Nora's the governor
MRS Nora Giubertoni is the new chairman of St Helens and Knowsley Health Authority after serving as chair of St Helens and Knowsley Community Trust for the past year. Nora, who previously served on the Board of the Hospitals Trust for two years, was head
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Here to stay!
HIGHLY-rated Ian Anderson landed in Preston this week, and wants to stay for as long as possible. The 22-year-old winger has arrived on loan from Toulouse until the end of the season, and has high hopes of making his debut for Preston against Gillingham
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Rumpus over plans to remove seats of worship
WORSHIPPERS are upset over plans to remove pews from an historic parish church. The parochial church council (PCC) at St John The Baptist CE Church, Manchester Road, Baxenden, wants to remove the church's pews and replace them with chairs so that the
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Bury FC: Proud Preston are affronted
Preston North End 1, Bury 1 THEY call them Proud Preston, but it was Andy Preece and his young guns from Bury who had every right to be bursting with pride after this one. Bury save their best performances for the big games, and this was no exception
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Are you ready for this, AuctionHunters?
www.thisislancashire.co.uk is joining forces with fsauctions from Freeserve, the No 1 Internet service, to create a bigger and better marketplace for your auctions online. You may already be a fan of the auction room that opened on this website in January
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More 'spies' join car crime war
MORE car parks in Blackpool are to be covered by watchful electronic eyes in a new plan to deter thieves. New CCTV cameras are to be installed to watch over the town's peripheral car parks after a grant of £558,950 was awarded to Blackpool Council from
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Guiding lights
STAFF from tourist attractions across Lancashire have brushed up on their skills. Representatives from venues including Hoghton Tower took part in an NVQ level three course in tour guiding. The course was part funded by the Lancashire Tourism Partnership
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Tower decision turned over
MOBILE phone company Mercury One to One is to be allowed to build a 75-feet high telecommunications mast at Dentons Green. A Government planning inspector has allowed an appeal against the refusal of St Helens Council to grant planning permission for
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Sweet dreams with 'breathe easier' bedding
A REVOLUTIONARY new bedding system is set to give allergy sufferers a good night's sleep. Pillow and duvet manufacturer Northern Textiles has launched a new range of products aimed at sufferers. The Burnley firm joined forces with specialist fibre producer
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Arabian Night a fez-tive occasion
TWO Lytham Hall Park primary school pupils have arranged a night with a difference in aid of the Macmillan Windmill Appeal. James, 11, and Matthew Edgar, seven, have organised an "Arabian Night" to raise money for the appeal. As well as dressing in Arab
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Police curb on speedsters
THE police are to stage random speed tests at accident blackspots in Newton, Haydock and Parr in a bid to make them safer. As well as targeting speeding motorists, officers will be looking at inconsiderate drivers who cause obstructions when they park
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Refugees' last resort
A SURREY businessman this week bought a Morecambe hotel which he intends to fill with asylum seekers, the Citizen can exclusively reveal. Mr John Chafer, of Woking, says he also plans to spend another £300,000 buying other empty properties in the resort
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Bubbly? Not yet
BRIG manager Tony Greenwood is not breaking out the champagne after his side's two wins this week just yet. Greenwood believes his side played some of their best football this season, but has revealed he won't be celebrating the change of form. He said
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Bakers win tea-room gold
A LOCAL bakery has won a Roy Castle Good Air Gold Award. Waterfields, with shops across Journal-land, received the award after it stubbed out smoking at its tea rooms in Market Street, Atherton. Shop manageress Wendy McAllin and Waterfields director Richard
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Bogus policeman gets 5 years
A LEIGH couple in their 80s were subjected to a terrifying ordeal at the hands of a bogus policeman, Bolton Crown Court was told. Posing as a police officer, Mark Stock, 22, of Tennyson Avenue, Leigh, tricked his way in to the home of Dr and Mrs William
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Windfalls for 'green' projects
GRANTS from Pendle Community Action Network have helped five environmental projects get off the ground. Trawden Brownies secured a grant for £126 for their Millennium Mega Recycle, which aims to encourage children to re-use or recycle. Nelson Walton Lane
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Warning over bogus builders
ST HELENS Council is warning people to beware of bogus builders posing as authority workmen and selling 'drop crossing' entrances into driveways. Complaints have been received from Haydock and Newton-le-Willows about the workmen who are charging £130
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Business chiefs quiz MP
GOVERNMENT plans for the future of businesses in the north west came under the spotlight at a special lunch hosted by Bury College. Bury South MP Ivan Lewis addressed around 50 local companies, each of which were presented with college "training and development
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Fears for future of sub-post offices
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice today hit out at government plans to change the way benefits and pensions are paid and said it could almost halve the income of East Lancashire's sub-post office staff. Mr Prentice reassured local sub-postmasters and postmistresses
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Town's big day out is scrapped
THIS year's Newton and District Town Show has been scrapped. And the group who run it have disbanded. They blame a lack of public support. The decision was taken by the seven remaining members of the Town Show Committee after the resignation of chairman
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Biathlon Josh off to Africa
PRESTON teenager Josh Tompkins will take on the world in the World Biathlon Championships in South Africa. Josh, 16, from Fulwood, was picked to take part in the event after winning the 1999 National Biathlon at Bath University. He is optimistic about
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Super Church slam sorry Angels
GOAL ace Mark Spencer went on the rampage on Saturday. He struck SIX for Church Inn as Angel were handed an 8-0 thumping in Division One of the Leigh & District Football League. Terry Connolly and Jason Musel added the extras. Limelight scored a 1
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Football US-style
SOCCER players from Preston are aiming to make the town proud once again, by scooping a top American trophy. Two teams of footballers from Preston College are taking on America's finest college teams in the country at the President's Day Tournament in
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Hotshot Jones on the rampage
STEVE JONES went goal crazy in Leigh's RMI's 5-0 thrashing of Frickley. The winger had scored his first, and Leigh's second, five minutes before the break. He completed the scoring in the 73th minute with his second. But he should have had a hat-trick
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An exotic taste to cricket
YOUNG cricketers from Farington are experiencing a taste of the Caribbean. Four junior teams from Farington BTR Cricket Club have jetted out to the West Indies to take part in the Tobago inter-school tournament. They were invited out after Windies coach
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Protesters step up campaign pressure
RESIDENTS of Guide are bombarding the government with protest letters in a last ditch bid to stop a large commercial development on their doorsteps. Guide Residents' Campaign has printed hundreds of letters for people in the area to sign and post to government
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Mayor won't be talking balls!
SOUTH Ribble's sportsmen will be talking balls next Thursday as part of the mayor's annual fund-raising drive. But the Mayor, Councillor Margaret Smith, will be nowhere to be seen, because she's not allowed to come to a SPORTSMAN'S dinner! Instead her
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Motorway chase after burglaries
A BURGLAR attracted the eye of police when he used a stolen van as his getaway vehicle. Police chased John Welsh through Blackburn, along the M6 to West Lancashire. The 28-year-old was sentenced to a total of two and a half years jail by Preston Crown
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Soccer trophy dedicated to Ranger
A HALF century of service by one of its members has been marked by Bury Rotary Club with the handing over of a soccer trophy. The handsome silver cup will be competed for annually by the town's schoolboy soccer team and will be awarded to the team's player
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Man lost cool in cab office
IAN Roberts lost his cool with three youths waiting for a cab in a Blackburn taxi office. Blackburn magistrates heard he made a derogatory comment about them being from Burnley and said that when they had gone he would get a taxi. Roberts, 37, of Full
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Race panel duo in clear
TWO councillors who resigned from a Racial Equality Council after being at the centre of an appointments controversy have been told they can re-join the organisation. But bosses have admitted they need to review their selection procedures after the saga
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What's in a name?
CARR Mill station stood in Woodlands Road at Laffak. The entrance was on the left as you approached the railway bridge. Of course, Laffak was a thriving community in those days with its own school. By the way, could anyone explain why the new station
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Women lack finishing touch
PNE U16 1, HArtford Moss Farm 3 THIS fixture had third-placed Preston at home to second in the women's league Hartford Moss Farm and it proved to be a tough encounter with few chances to either team. The game, on a heavy pitch, proved to be a mid-field
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Patient denied vital heart op
A MAN who was told he needed a heart bypass more than two years ago is demanding to know why he never had the vital operation now that he is too ill for surgery. Thomas Daly, from Clayton Brook, told the Citizen that instead of giving him a bypass, surgeons
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Closure fears over Kumon maths club
A QUESTION mark was today hanging over the future of an East Lancashire after-school club which tutors more than 170 pupils after parents received letters saying it was to close. The Kumon Blackburn Maths Club, which is believed to be the biggest of its
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Little takes the blame
Division One: Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion - Peter White's match preview THERE'S not much point having a red-hot striker like curry-loving Lee Hughes if you are shipping goals in defence at the rate West Bromwich Albion did at Bramall Lane
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Good performance in even contest
U12: Hindley Giants 22, Leyland Warriors 14 ANOTHER good performance from the Warriors in a close and evenly contested game. The lead had changed hands throughout, but Hindley snatched a win with a score in the dying moments. Good efforts were shown by
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Armstrong out for two weeks
BURNLEY defender Gordon Armstrong (pictured) has been ruled out of tomorrow's clash with Colchester United at Layer Road. And the former Sunderland man is now a major doubt for next weekend's top-of--the-table clash with Preston North End after revealing
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Town history soon to be unveiled
BURY'S foremost archaeological treasure, which has given the clearest insight into the town's medieval past, is to go public next month. While local authority bosses put the final touches to a day of celebration marking the opening of Bury's Castle ruins
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Bubbly? Not yet
BRIG manager Tony Greenwood is not breaking out the champagne after his side's two wins this week just yet. Greenwood believes his side played some of their best football this season, but has revealed he won't be celebrating the change of form. He said
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Have a say on hospitals
STAFF are being given the chance to have a say in how hospitals are run. From Monday March 6 Wigan and Leigh NHS trust executives, including chairman Andrew Foster, will visit Leigh Infirmary and others seeking for improvement suggestions. Information
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Drink driver hid in ditch
DRINK-driver Stuart Pearson was found hiding in a ditch by a dog brought in to help search after he fled when stopped by police. Blackburn magistrates heard that Pearson and his passenger ran off through gardens in the early hours of the morning. Pearson
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All sports
RIBBLE Valley youngsters have been making the most of half term at the Roefield Leisure Centre. More than 25 children, aged between eight and 13, have been trying out lots of different sports, arts and crafts at the centre's school holiday play scheme
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Mud larks anger Bury pensioner
A BURY pensioner claims she has been driven out of her home by housing developers. Mrs Marie McKenzie (68) has decided to move out of her country cottage, where she has lived for the past 36 years, because she feels it is impossible to live there any
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Where were they?
I HAVE recently received a pamphlet entitled 'Focus' from the Liberals of the Moss Bank ward. In this they claim that their campaign has resulted in the council looking at road safety on the East Lancashire Road. As the father of Brian, who was killed
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Getting set for village day
NEWCHURCH WI will produce a jarbola stall for Culcheth Community Day on May 1. This is just one of many events planned by members, whose diary includes a trip to Oswaldtwistle Mill on April 5, and visits to the Royal Exchange Theatre on June 21, Manchester
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Events in East/Central Lancashire on Saturday, February 26th
Coffee Morning, AB and D Centre, Bacup, 10am-noon. Proceeds for the Rossendale Hospice. Vicky Paige - female volcalist, King Street WMC, Accrington, 8pm. Janet Anderson MP Surgery, Darwen Library Theatre, 10am-11am. Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy Sale
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Dyslexia group lottery bid
RIBBLE Valley Dyslexia Support group is considering putting together a lottery bid to enable it to set up workshops and a resource library. Members have also agreed to search for a dyslexic celebrity to support their work. During their monthly meeting
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Off the track
I WRITE in response to your article on February 10 regarding a railway station at Carr Mill, and your reader's query in last week's issue. The area now occupied by the vehicle service station and United Footwear on Carr Mill Road was, more than 40 years
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Take Hart!
AT last someone with an inspired suggestion for regenerating Morecambe. Well done, Chris Hart! (Citizen letters, February 17). There must be many more people like me who welcome his suggestions. Along with other lovers of sea and lakes I retired here
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Traders chip in for town cameras
SPY in the sky camera packages costing more than £0.5million are focused on Tyldesley and Hindley. The Home Office has passed the Hindley scheme and will give the go-ahead after minor adjustments to proposals for Tyldesley. Next week Wigan's finance chiefs
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Ray scores with soccer puzzler
THE ball has come bouncing back after a lapse of more than half a century! And it all began when reader Ray Williams of Friar Street, St Helens, kicked off with an interesting old-time soccer theme (January 27). He'd inquired if anyone could say which
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MP leads call for a clean-up
TRANSPORT bosses are trying to get £3 million of Government cash to upgrade Metrolink's "Cinderella" stations. Tram passengers have been promised action following a summit meeting this week when local MP Ivan Lewis handed over his personal dossier into
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Post office row
I HAVE just read with disbelief the article in your newspaper by Dave Watts about the campaign currently underway against the Government's proposals to introduce compulsory payment of benefits to bank accounts. He states that from 2003, consumers will
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£1m enterprise launch
WORK has started on Atherton's £1m enterprise projects. Seen here launching the first at the Ena Mill is Atherton Building Communities chairman and ribbon-cutter Cllr Sue Loudon watched by regeneration teamsters including local businessman Les Yates (
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Chief's thanks to the ladies
A CHARITY chief is planning to say a personal thank you to the members of an East Lancashire club who have raised more than £50,000 in 18 months. Professor Gordon McVie, director general of the Cancer Research Campaign, will meet the ladies of the Ribble
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Let's tackle bullying together
THE recent shocking story of a Nottingham girl whose school seems unable to tackle the bullies that have made her life a misery must have hit home painfully hard in several Lancaster households. It is exactly the story that is being heard locally time
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Post Office row
I HAVE just read with disbelief the article in your newspaper by Dave Watts about the campaign currently underway against the Government's proposals to introduce compulsory payment of benefits to bank accounts. He states that from 2003, consumers will
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£150,000 to sports club
SPORT England has given Tarleton Rugby Union and Football Club more than £150,000 towards building new facilities. The £154,082 lottery grant will help pay for two new rugby pitches and a flood-lit training area, which costs almost £240,000. Everyone
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Pets feature in new £1.5m store
A NEW £1.5 million superstore is being built in Tyldesley. Focus Do It All is on the Richmond House site, Tyldesley Road, and will be complete in May. Focus Do It All is the largest independent DIY chain in the UK with 209 stores. Operation and sales
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Names needed for new parish
THE former parishes of Atherton and Hindsford have now been merged into one completely new parish. Since the order of the Queen in Council on November 1 last year the old electoral rolls of both parishes are no longer valid. As names of parishioners are
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Where is the new crime initiative?
RISING crime, coupled with falling police numbers, is reflected in the recent reports of child lawlessness, firstly in the St Andrew's area and now in nearby Lever Street, both in Radcliffe. I cannot help but ask the questions of all parents: do you know
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Europe: he won't use the F-word
EUROTWADDLE! Chris Davies's letter (Feb 4) on behalf of the Euro, claims that we poor voters are all suffering from a diet of lies, fed to us by the press. Strangely, he fails to tell us what these lies might be. We, the taxpayers, are paying for Mr Davies's
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Exclusions are wrong
"EDUCATION should be universal" says a Government still presiding over about 12,000 permanent school exclusions and 130,000 temporary ones each year. Parents and pupils should be aware that permanent exclusion is now permissible only as a last resort
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Police to investigate alleged smuggler
LANCASHIRE Police have launched an investigation following the arrest of one of their officers in India. PC Shabir Rehman Abdul Mubarak, who lives in Lostock Hall and works at Leyland Police Station, was arrested with four other men at Bombay Airport
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Ossie exhibition extended
A FASHION exhibition by a Leigh woman's top designer uncle has been extended. Over 17,000 visitors have viewed Ossie Clark - Fashion Designer 1942-96 A Retrospective, which has run for three months at his home town Warrington Museum and Art Gallery. Sixties
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Road just shifted the traffic queues
JUST how long will it be before some action is taken to end the traffic chaos around Radcliffe centre? The relief road, Pilkington Way, has been open almost ten years. All it has succeeded in achieving is to shift the traffic queues from one location
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£1.3 million saving plan
TODAY'S (Thursday's) budget meeting will hear how Preston Borough Council can save more than £1.3 million in the next financial year. The authority's finance boss Councillor Ian Hall will announce details of the Labour Pary's cost-cutting plans, which
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Support would be welcome
COUNCILLOR Gunther's remarkable ability to be over indulgent and misleading with her comments (Your Letters, Feb 18) shows her to be a tiresome party-political hack, the sort that tenants have had enough of. You can tell the local elections are coming
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Bike rider left for dead
MOTORCYCLIST Gary Wall was left for dead when a van driver knocked him off his bike in heavy traffic in Leyland. As he lay dazed on the ground after being hit by the van, Euxton man Gary claims he looked up to see the vehicle speeding off, and the driver
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Brothers beating double tragedies
FATE has dealt a cruel blow to brothers John and James Prince. But the duo's determination and devotion is helping their recovery from horrific injuries. Tragedy struck former Rugby League player and coach John first. His life hung by a thread after he
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Re-byte my fire
LANCASHIRE firefighters are now able to train for any emergency incident in a virtual world. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is instructing commanders on the fireground as usual, and with the aid of a VectorCommand training simulator to help prepare
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Argument sacrificed to hysteria
YOU can always rely on Councillor Dorothy Gunther to get over-excited if she thinks she can score a political point (Your Letters, Feb 18). Common sense and logic are discarded and near hysteria takes over. No one denies that in Bury, as elsewhere, there
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Safe surgery
IN response to an alleged attack on a Liberal Democrat MP, South Ribble's David Borrow believes he has found the key to remaining safe but stay in contact with his constituents . . . with his mobile surgery. Unlike Lib Dem MP Nigel Jones, who was allegedly
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Water pistols are no game
A GROUP of pensioners waiting in Preston's bus station were drenched by teenagers wielding powerful water blaster guns. The six young thugs terrorised the elderly folk as they waited for the bus a night out playing bingo. But what's worse is the waiting
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Did you see bookie's raid?
POLICE are hunting a couple who launched an arm raid on two Leyland betting shops within five minutes of each other on Friday afternoon. The first was carried out at the Hough Lane branch of Ladbrokes at 5.30pm. A man grabbed a female member of staff
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Goin' down to South Park
OH dear, there are a lot of South Park fans out there, but I'm afraid those who own PlayStations might not be too impressed with the crazy gang's latest outing on the little grey wonder box. South Park Rally doesn't so much come screeching onto the gaming
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A bitter pill to swallow
RESIDENTS living in the Farington area of Leyland have been dealt a bitter blow after plans to create a local pharmacy were refused. South Lancashire Health Authority has blocked an application to open the pharmacy on a site near the post office, in Stanifield
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Somebody help us
AN Asian couple who survived on arson attack on their Frenchwood home has appealed for help to find the attackers. Azan and Frieda Bodi say they were lucky to escape the blaze which engulfed their home in Frenchwood Avenue, pictured, in the early hours
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ICE HOCKEY: Hawks to bow out on a high
BOBBY Haig prepares his side for their final two games of the season this weekend looking to go out on a high on home ice. Blackburn Hawks player-coach takes his side to Altrincham for a friendly challenge match on Saturday night before Hawks round off
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Government should stop banks' greedy grab
MOST of us use those hole-in-the-wall cashpoints to get money, but it turns out the greedy banks are using them to take money off us. For today it is revealed that, though each transaction costs just 29p, some banks charge customers a 'disloyalty fee'
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Smells like...
I HEAR that our vapid clique of Labour councillors of Gormenghastly with Royston Vasey voted for the repeal of Section 28. No surprises there then, but at least I now know what the 'whiff of corruption' smells of. BRIAN LEAVER, Kentmere Drive, Cherry
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Soldier turned to crime
A FORMER soldier unable to cope with life outside the army turned to crime to solve his debt problem. Damian Clarke called at the homes of pensioners, purporting to be a British Gas workman. And, after pretending to carry out work, he demanded payment
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Rail safety is Prescott's worst bungle
THOUGH the report into the 1997 Southall rail crash, in which seven people died, lays much of the blame on the driver of the express involved, privatisation and fragmentation of the rail network are also cited as culprits. But with the verdict yet to
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Relatives contacted
THANK you for printing my search for relatives (Letters, February 9) I had an enormous response from family members and those who recognised the names. I have contacted many of them and my brother and I are coming to Darwen at the end of March for a reunion
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SOCCER: Bolton preview
BOLTON boss Sam Allardyce is hoping his side can continue their recent good form tomorrow as Wanderers travel to high-flying Barnsley. But they will have to do it without £10-rate top scorer Eidur Gudjohnsen who starts a three-match suspension. Allardyce
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Jessica's a little miracle
WHEN baby Jessica Roscoe first saw the light of day four months premature and weighing in at less than 1lb, doctors didn't hold out much hope for her survival. But the brave little battler has proved them wrong and proud parents Ian and Sandra were finally
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Chickens are home to roost
WITH the landing in Britain of the hijacked Afghan plane, it would appear that some chickens were trying to come home to roost. With the departure of the British Raj from the Indian sub-continent, the people of Afghanistan were trying to pull themselves
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SOCCER: Non-League preview
CHORLEY manager Ken Wright will welcome back defender Simon Kay from suspension for tomorrow's home game against Eastwood Town. Kay has been sorely missed after sitting out the last four games following his controversial sending off against Clitheroe
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Death of former mayoress
A FORMER mayoress of Burnley, who had a long association with St Stephen's Church, has died aged 72. Mrs Elizabeth Bailey, always known as Betty, was the wife of the late Coun Frank Bailey, mayor in 1979-80. Mrs Bailey of Todmorden Road, Burnley, died
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Free speech in jeopardy
REGARDING your interview with Baroness Massey and her declared support of gays (LET, February 10), I regret she was subjected to threats from two thugs, and can only deplore such conduct. Possibly, it may have escaped her notice that these gentlemen were
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A taste of the Orient
YOUNGSTERS from St Bernadette's Pre-school Playgroup in Bispham have been experiencing their own view from the East. The children donned dragon masks and hats to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and learn about its origin, such as how ancient legend says
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1,000-day nightmare
AS the first days of this new century and millennium tick by one cannot help but notice that the first 1,000 days of this New Labour government read like a nightmare from hell. Europe: Tony Blair is trying to lead us into a euro-dominated "United States
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Six years but still no council!
A COUNCILLOR has said he will hire the town hall and stage his own meeting in his fight for a Town Council for Padiham. Coun Granville Lord told Burnley Council it was a total disgrace that six years after a referendum in which Padiham people voted for
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Edward eyes England spot
A BLACKPOOL pupil narrowly missed out on victory at the weekend after the North of England under 16s rugby team lost to their southern counterparts. But Edward Kearney, a pupil at Arnold School, is still smiling after finding out he could soon be playing
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Eunice seeing red over crossing
LEIGH campaigner, Eunice Gray, was fuming this week after narrowly escaping injury on one of the two badly placed crossings near her Firs Lane home. Eunice, who now walks with the aid of two crutches, said a red "crossing not in use" sign had been left
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Head lice treatment 'could cause liver problems'
A CHEMIST from Walton-le-Dale has condemned the use of toxic synthetic pesticides in head lice treatment for children. Instead, Roger Dawson, of the family-run Pomfrets Chemists is recommending a citrus fruit-based product called Follicel. "In my opinion
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Owens march on
OWENS Corning have stolen a march on their rivals at the top of the Warrington and District League Premier Division. While many games were postponed Owens defeated Moorfield 5-4 to extend their lead. Vulcan Newton maintained their Division One title chase
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Counterfeit discs found in raid
MORE than 400 counterfeit compact discs with a retail value of almost £13,000 were seized during a raid by Trading Standards officers and police, a court heard. Paul Moore, of Thursby Square, Burnley, pleaded guilty at Reedley magistrates court to manufacturing
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Rally round
ONE of the area's major rally teams will lead the cars off the start ramp on next weekend's Malcolm Wilson Rally. Team Penguin will start the prestigious rally at Cockermouth which is in its 25th year. Running at the front of the field, in a Teng Tools-backed
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Gas escape shuts airport runway
A RUNWAY at Blackpool Airport had be closed this week after a gas cylinder ignited at a Lytham welding factory. The incident happened at CPK Welding, Snowdon Road on Monday (February 21) afternoon when a faulty regulator resulted in gas escaping. Factory
