Archive
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Lost aid must be restored
A BODY blow was delivered to East Lancashire this week as large parts of it were kicked off the new Assisted Area Status map that is the key to £3billion of EU job-creation aid. But now heading our way is Dick Caborn, the trade minister responsible for
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Time stands still under the floorboards!
THE 244 pupils at St Chads CE School, Poulton, have created a millennium time capsule which has been hidden under the floorboards. Headteacher at St Chads, Ian Woods, said the specially constructed brown box was filled to the brim with all manner of souvenirs
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Wiz along for magical show
HODGSON High School in Poulton will be performing a magical musical show called The Wiz each evening until Saturday (April 8). This year's Easter production is a rock musical version of The Wizard of Oz, but senior teacher Bill Allison said it will be
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Lunt keeps Boro in the hunt
Radcliffe Boro...1 Workington...0 WITH the promotion race building to an exciting climax, the three points were vital. And just when it seemed Boro were to be denied, up popped Ian Lunt with a clinical finish to calm the nerves. Boro found the sodden
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Lions maul slack Shakers
Millwall...3 Bury...0 BURY 'keeper Paddy Kenny could be forgiven for thinking he's upset some of his Gigg Lane teammates. How else could he possibly explain the lack of protection he's received in the last two games? Another grim first half defensive
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Today's the Day
AD73: 1,000 Jews committed suicide at the mountain fortress of Massada. After holding off a Roman siege for two years they decided to end it all. When the Romans entered the redoubt they found only bodies and two women who had hidden with their children
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This week in 1975 25 years ago
EEC: The Government was planning to send a booklet to every British household to explain the benefits of the Common Market The cost must have been staggering: when a later Government mailed everyone in the country with an AIDS leaflet, it set us taxpayers
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Teenage driver over limit
MARTIN John Paul Fish was ordered to do 150 hours community service after pleading guilty to driving while more than three times the legal alcohol limit. Fish, 18, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, was also disqualified for 30 months and ordered to pay £55 costs
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Getting in a fix
"HELLO! Is that Mr Bramwell? You do not know me. "But I know that you are playing in the Ramsbottom Cup final on Sunday," said the muffled voice of a stranger. The murky world of match-fixing was something I had previously only read about. But, all of
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Mini bugs have a ball!
A BLACKBURN nursery marked its first birthday by holding a ladybird party. Toddlers at Schoolhouse Nursery in Meins Road had real fun and games by taking part in a ladybird head dress competition. Even the baby unit took part and had its own little winner
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Tasting life on inside
A DEEP pan pizza tossed Mohammed Nassir Nassib from the frying pan into the fire. Blackburn magistrates heard that by stopping for his pizza, Nassib missed his midnight curfew and ended up simmering in police cells for the rest of the night. Nassib, 20
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Talking for victory
THREE pupils from a Blackburn high school have talked their way to a trophy. Victoria Murray, Emmeline Smith and Kathryn Bell, all 15, from Westholme High School, scooped the top prize at the Rotary Club of Blackburn's 21st School Public Speaking Contest
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Wonder women
I RAISE my glass to two lovely ladies I think are first class -- your correspondents Ada Gibson and Margaret McHugh. I feel so very proud of them -- Ada with her sponsored swimming that has raised hundreds of pounds for charities and Margaret, with her
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A loader on his mind
HAVING had three books published on the history of excavators, cranes and heavy plant, I am now researching an illustrated history of wheel-loaders. One of the UKs earliest manufacturers, Chaseside, had a factory in Blackburn. I would like to hear from
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Fighter lost in France
COULD any readers help a M Pascal Leschaeve, of Abbeville, France? He is writing a book about a young French Resistance fighter shot by German troops for helping Allied troops on and after 'D' Day? He is researching the history of Stalag Hospital, Rennes
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Hancock's lost half-hours
THE Tony Hancock Appreciation Society has been trying to find the 24 lost radio episodes of Hancock's Half Hour for the last 25 years. We have already recovered another 12 episodes and returned them to the BBC archives. However, we are still looking for
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Move quickly on pensions
UNLESS something is done quickly to address the situation, Widows' Pensions will be replaced from April 2001 by Bereavement Allowance. This will be paid at the same rate as Basic Pension, but there will be no SERPS element as there is at present. A further
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Poison pen threats to kill Mayor
TYLDESLEY-based Mayor of Wigan Evelyne Smith has received poison pen death threats (writes Malcolm RYDING) But Cllr Smith, who took over the civic mayoral role from her husband, Bill, after he died last year, has vowed to see her term of office through
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A real Rockney treat!
COCKNEY favourites Chas 'n' Dave are back and Blackpool Grand Theatre is the place to be for a right old knees up this month. Do you know all the words to Rabbit? Can you grimace along with Gertcha and can you sympathise with Ain't No Pleasing You? If
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Under their Godspell!
A PIERCING guitar riff set the scene followed by a casually dressed Jesus and his 12 colourfully attired disciples singing "Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord". Welcome to Keir Michael Ltd's version of Godspell, the musical based on the gospel according to
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She just loves to be wicked!
WHY is it that wicked women are always so much more fun to play? This was the question we asked Scottish actress Siobhan Redmond as she repares to squeeze into the tightest of corsets to play supervixen the Marquise de Merteuil in Les Liaisons Dangereuses
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Vicar ditches phone mast plan
A CLERGYMAN faced with scores of angry villagers ditched plans to put a mobile phone mast inside his church steeple to avoid "division, friction and unpleasantness". More than 300 people crammed into Mellor Village Hall last night and then heard the vicar
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Woman cut free from car
A BURY woman was recovering in hospital after a lorry crashed on to the top of her car. Mrs Kathryn Sandler had to be cut free from her wrecked VW Golf after the accident on the M62 on Wednesday afternoon i(April 12) nvolving two articulated lorries.
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Shopper chased armed raiders
A WINE shop customer was threatened with a handgun when he chased three masked robbers. The pursuit followed a raid on Whittaker Wines in Whittaker Lane, Prestwich, at 8.45pm on Thursday (April 6). Three men, all wearing balaclava face masks, burst into
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Police question man, 19
MURDER inquiry detectives are still interviewing a teenager in connection with the death of a Prestwich man. The badly decomposed boy of Mr Michael Cutler (43), was discovered over the weekend in a second floor apartment at Beech Croft in Sedgley Park
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Duo first when it comes to aid.
TWO Bury fire-fighters are hoping to blaze a winning trail in a life-saving competition. Firemen Andy Roberts (35), and Dave Lucas (25), both based at the town's station on The Rock, have eased their way into the national finals of the Fire Brigade's
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Community asked for views on new project
RESIDENTS in the Stacksteads area will have the chance to learn more about a new wood being created at a public meeting next week. A one hectare (three acre) site near Stacksteads has just been given to woodland conservation charity the Woodland Trust
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Partners no more
SOUTH Ribble Borough Council is formally dissolving its relationship with the Preston and South Ribble Partnership. At a meeting of the borough's full council last week, councillors unanimously agreed to withdraw from the partnership, creating instead
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Don't come back
THREE youths have been told not to step foot on Callon estate following a string of abusive behaviour stretching back ten months. The anti-social behaviour orders are the first to be imposed by the council in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour
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Housing projects revisited
PRESTON councillors have voted unanimously to support a government directive to regenerate brownfield sites before developing greenfield areas. A meeting of the borough's planning committee supported the new approach -- which will apply to areas such
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Book of love...
A BOOK charting the 25-year history of Preston College has been dedicated in memory of one of its students, who died in a car crash two years ago. 'Preston College 1974-1999, the first 25 years' has been written to mark its silver anniversary. It has
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Readers' Recollections: Happy days
STROLLING across the picturesque landscape of rural England, with its rolling hills and healthy fresh air, it is easy to see why so many people enjoy life in this area. Citizen reader Alf Troop, 88, of Langton Close, Leyland, can recall many happy days
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Bus shelter rain danger
AN Ingol pensioner is calling on county council chiefs to U-turn several bus shelters which, he claims, have been installed the wrong way round. Chris Cornwell, 78, of Dovedale Court, Whitby Avenue, Preston, says many elderly people -- who rely on public
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Housing boss 'out of order'
PENDLE housing boss John Kirk has been criticised over outspoken remarks about Burnley's housing stock transfer. He told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that massive pay awards to the newly-appointed bosses of Burnley and Padiham Housing were a betrayal
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Pupils dig in to celebrate millennium
TWELVE pupils from four Padiham schools joined Burnley FC mascot Bertie Bee to plant trees in the Memorial Park. Children from St Leonard's Primary, Padiham Green, St John's Primary and Whitegates Nursery took part in the event, part of the Burnley Woodland
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Girls beat boys to enterprise award
AN all-girl team from Walshaw High School lifted the Burnley Young Enterprise trophy. Laura Gledhill, managing director of the company, called 2K Nouveau, joined fellow pupils Christina Smith, Jameela Khan and Maria Sarwar for a formal business presentation
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Savage attack as girl walks home
A TEENAGE girl was punched to the ground and robbed in a savage attack in Burnley early today. The 19-year-old was walking home from a friend's house at 3.10am when she was attacked from behind. She was struck on the back of the head and punched in the
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MPs demand cash to aid East Lancs firms
MPs have demanded that millions of pounds of government cash to deal with the Rover car crisis should include aid to areas like East Lancashire hit by the fall out. The all party Commons Trade and Industry Party warned that the motor components industry
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Friends plan to save the vole
LANCASTER residents have backed plans to help save an endangered mammal which once flourished along the banks of the River Lune. The sad plight of the water vole - immortalised as "Ratty" in Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows - has been highlighted
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Health of the region
HEALTH chiefs have given the green light to a significant package of health improvement schemes in North West Lancashire. The far-reaching plans will touch every aspect of health for people in the Preston, Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre areas. The independence
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Drug addict thief armed with knife
A NEW dad who armed himself with a knife and went breaking into houses in the middle of the night, has started a three-year jail term. Burnley Crown Court heard how heroin addict Shabir Iqbal, 29, the father of a six-week-old daughter, raided a property
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Can't see the woods for the trees!
HAVE you seen the upside down trees yet? London-based artist Giles Kent says he is very pleased with his controversial £7,000 public artwork on the Halton to Caton cyclepath. But the opinions of local residents and cycle path users have ranged from "rubbish
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Give us a clue
YOUNG super sleuths are being encouraged to take part in a mall murder mystery at the Admiral shopping centre, Nelson. Children will be given a free magnifying glass by Sheerluck Holmes and his sidekick Dr Whatsup and told to search for clues hidden in
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Shop plan for ambulance hall
A FORMER ambulance hall in Pendle could be converted into a greengrocers shop if plans get the go ahead. A planning application to transform the Halifax Road, Brierfield, building, which has been used recently as a snooker hall, has been submitted to
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Jolly hockey sticks for Clarets star
BURNLEY soccer star Andy Payton swapped sports briefly to officially open a new £215,000 artificial turf pitch in Colne. The Clarets striker was joined at Pendle Leisure Centre yesterday by hockey squads from local high schools, who took part in a competition
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Detectors aimed at lifesaving
MORE than 1,700 council tenants in Pendle will be given free smoke alarms in a bid to cut fire tragedies. The detectors will be fitted to homes in the borough's five most deprived areas: Brierfield, Bradley and Whitefield in Nelson, and Waterside and
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Late rally foiled
Grasshoppers 10, Newbury 14 HOPPERS' late rally just failed to steal the points in this disappointing mid table battle between two under-strength sides. The penalty attempt was wide. Lough then collected his own chip kick in the Newbury 22, but possession
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Fever Pitch: King Kurt was embarrassed
SO we welcomed back King Kurt like no other player I can remember. He looked almost embarrassed by the rapturous applause he received and missed a good chance too. We also welcomed back jittery football which, after such a good win against Wigan, surprised
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Mark's message of thanks
YOU'RE the best - that's the message from a rising Rugby League star. St Cuthberts pupil Mark Costello was selected for the Great Britain Schools team that played in France earlier this month, but needed sponsorship to make the trip. And sure enough the
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Second-half blitz produces magnificent seven
Leeds Rhinos 14 Saints 42 IT'S early days yet. But Grand Final Trophy holders Saints are in no mood to let go the silverware if this magnificent performance at Headingley is the yardstick. For, in consigning Leeds to their second-heaviest Super League
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Bike boy injured
A 13-YEAR-OLD cyclist suffered a suspected broken ankle in a collision with a car today. Christopher Doyle, of Barnoldswick Road, Higherford, was taken to Burnley General Hospital following the accident in Barnoldswick Road at 7am. He was in collision
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Pair hurt
A MUM and her five-year-old daughter were injured when their car was involved in an accident. Police said a Ford Orion, driven by Susan Denmore, 29, of Thorn Grove, Colne, swerved to avoid a Peugeot 309 driven by 26-year-old Kerry Larkin, of Chatham Street
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Burger giant's sizzling plan
BURGER giant McDonald's has applied for planning permission to build a drive-through restaurant in Colne. The plan is part of the shops and business complex on the former Stonebridge Mill site off North Valley Road. Plans for the restaurant have been
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Bookworms go to finals
TEAMS from Christ Church Primary, Colne, and Barrow Primary, Whalley, came face to face in the divisional final of the Lancashire Schools' Book Quiz. They were asked questions on set books, specialist subjects and general knowledge over six rounds and
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Drinks man slung postbag in the bin
A MAN who was drunk, upset and angry, helped himself to a postbag from a Jobcentre letter box and slung it in the bin, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Clarence Atkinson, 39, who had been troubled by psychiatric problems since he was 16
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Belt up or pay penalty
IN the first seven days of a seatbelt road safety campaign, Preston police have issued 155 motorists with fixed penalty notices. Inspector Andrew Baxter, head of the road policing unit, said: "This is a very disappointing response from the people of Preston
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Driving refresher course
BRUSH up on your road skills and it could save your life. That's the message from Lancashire police, who are hosting a special "driving day" to refresh motorists' skills behind the wheel. "Drive to Survive 2000", organised by the Lancashire Partnership
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Train to be a counsellor
DO you have a sympathetic ear? The Preston Centre of Marriage Care is looking for suitable candidates to be selected and trained as marriage counsellors. Men and women can attend an information evening at 218a Tulketh Road, in Preston, from 8pm this evening
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Biggest ever exhibition
WORK has continued all week to prepare the Harris Museum and Art Gallery for its biggest ever exhibition. Give and Take will take up almost all of the top floor of the building, filling seven galleries with works of contemporary fine art. The exhibition
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Defending a good name
FORMER family business chief Richard Waring takes exception with a comment within the glossy literature publicising the splendid new World of Glass visitor attraction. This noted that "according to local folklore" a bankrupt pet shop owner had put his
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New uniform introduced by fire service
A new, improved uniform which offers more protection to firefighters including a special version for women has been introduced by the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. The restyled fire tunic and over-trousers are made of an fire-resistant fabric made
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Oh dear, what an omission!
OOPS! My ear has been bent so often and so vigorously that I'm currently suffering from cauliflower ear. And all because I failed to identify one of the most famous sons of St Helens on an old junior classroom picture taken at St Austin's, Thatto Heath
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The learning zone
A NEW education initiative in Preston has been given a kick-start by BNFL. BNFL's UK Fuel Operations, at Springfields, donated £5,000 to the Preston Education Action Zone, launched at the beginning of February. The zone consists of a group of schools
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Saved by bomb-proof coal-hole
THE old 'bomb-proof' coal-hole that saved a side-street family during an enemy air-raid in the second world war is recalled for us by a former Parrer now living in the Orrell area. And a Sutton customer of this column relates the unlikely tale of how
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Duty Chemist
CHEMISTS on duty for the coming weekend are: Lancaster: Sunday, 6-7pm, S Tanna, 8 Gordon Terrace, Bowerham. Morecambe: 12.30pm-1.30pm Westgate Chemists, 16 Glentworth Road West, Morecambe.
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Kicking clever
MEMBERS of Greens Dance Club, in Lostock Hall, Preston, have been toe-tapping their way to success after competing in a major contest. After taking a squad of 17 junior members to the British Isles Championships, held in Prestatyn, Wales, at the end of
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'Superpub' plan halted
OBJECTIONS from the police have halted plans for another 'superpub' in Preston town centre. Councillors deferred a decision on a proposal from Bass Leisure Retail -- which wanted to transform the old TSB bank in Church Street into the town's largest pub
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Rachel's fashion break
A WEEK'S work experience at a local department store might not be the most conventional route into modelling. But, for a Lostock Hall teenager, it was the first rung on the ladder to fame and fortune. Rachel Bitters, aged just 15, has been told she is
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Will we finally learn the truth?
A PENWORTHAM woman has described her relief at the opening of a new inquiry into the sinking of the MV Derbyshire. Margaret Noblett lost her husband James when the 169,000 ton bulk carrier MV Derbyshire sank off the coast of Japan in 1980. The original
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Jail sentence for conmen
TWO fraudsters who ripped off small firms across the North of England - including Tarleton and Chorley -- have been given custodial sentences at Teeside Crown court. Stephen Robert Seddon, 33, from Cheadle, and William Johnston Lavery, 49, from Salford
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Laying the foundations
PUPILS from North Cliffe School, in Great Harwood, took part in the bricklaying module of a vocational course, which is linked with Accrington and Rossendale College. Each module runs for about 10 weeks -- the first involved plumbing and the third will
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Voting by post
POSTAL voting papers will be hand delivered to residents in Bedford Astley ward next week. And they are warned not to throw away the distinctive envelope with the junk mail. This change from the usual method of voting in the local government elections
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Action call on death spot road
HIGHWAYS chiefs have been criticised for not taking enough action after a fatal car crash. An inquest heard a badly-sited traffic island played a significant part in the death of a mother knocked down by a car. Mother-of-two Aileen Wood, 55, of Haworth
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MP attacks RJB opencast scheme
WORSLEY MP Terry Lewis has made a Commons attack on the company planning to carry out a giant opencast mining scheme near Atherton and Tyldesley. He criticised RJB Mining for seeking millions of pounds in subsidies to keep its deep mine pits open while
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Nipa fined £10,000
AN acidic gas cloud was discharged over Oswaldtwistle after an electrical fault closed down a cleaning process at Nipa Laboratories. Blackburn magistrates heard that hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide spewed from the plant untreated for a total of
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Ex president Julie has youth on her side
JULIE Hilling has waged a 15 year campaign to bring hope for young unemployed people. She's already been working with Labour Government ministers in a bid to gain statutory funding for the youth service. Now she wants to be at the heart of government
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Terrier Tina saved after 4-day ordeal
RESCUE experts travelled miles to dig out a terrier trapped for days in a maze of drainage pipes at Pennington Country Park (writes Brian GOMM). Tina, a three and a half years old Patterdale, went missing last Thursday. The inquisitive bitch disappeared
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Opening time for the Bongs
ONE of Tyldesley's oldest pubs has reopened almost 176 years to the day after the first drinks were served there. The totally revamped Bongs Tavern threw open its Castle Street doors to customers on Friday. It began life as licensed premises when it opened
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School gets record Ofsted report
A LEIGH junior school given a bad report by government inspectors six months ago has been turned around in record time. Westleigh Methodist Primary has been taken off special measures - and a new Ofsted inspection report commends the school as having
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Chemists on Duty
Sunday, April 9 Blackburn: 12noon-1pm: Livesey Pharmacy, 238 Livesey Branch Road; 11am-2pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 11am-1pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. Darwen: 12noon-1pm: Boots Chemists, 8 Market Street. Accrington: 11am-1pm
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Chemists on Duty
Thursday, April 13 Blackburn: To 9pm: Peels, 4 Railway Road. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive; Healthbook Ltd, Audley Shopping Centre, Audley
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Wish to travel!
HOW I wish I was a traveller. I could come into town and with one of my fellow travellers and set up camp unheeded and unopposed from either council or police. I could place my caravan on one of the football pitches not caring that this is a facility
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Talking rubbish!
RUBBISH was talked at a meetiing of Friends of the Earth -- or rather, how we deal with it. Stuart Hammond, Blackburn with Darwen Council recycling officer, and Sue Proctor, Lancashire County Council waste management co-ordinator, were guests at a meeting
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Webring of fire?
FIND out what's happening with the original Man in Black, Johnny Cash, at his official website. http://www.johnnycash.com
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Cheque this out
A CHEQUE for £400 has been presented to the Hyndburn and District British Heart Foundation. The ladies' committee of the Royal Forest Masonic Lodge 401, based in Waddington, raised the cash throughout the past 12 months with social events including a
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Murder mystery online
MURDERFILE, a website for fans of murder mysteries, is offering would-be detectives the chance to win £1,000. The cash is the prize in the website's April competition, which asks web users to solve a mystery by looking through a detective's notes on a
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'Four clicks' guarantee
A NEW web directory aimed at the over-50s has been launched. Silversurfers. net has been set up by Ian Goodall to make using the net simpler for older people. Basically you choose a category and, the site promises, within four clicks of the mouse you
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Blind society website up and running
REGULAR Lancashire Evening Telegraph readers will have seen a story a couple of weeks ago about the Blackburn and District Blind Society's new website. The site is specially designed for people with visual impairments and is compatible with software which
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Great problem facing us all in the district
I FEEL I must voice my concerns through your column if I may, with regard to a great problem which faces us all in the district: 'illegal dumping'. The point is, the city council has in operation a weekly collection of household refuse, there is also
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Angry Kid gets quite animated
THE latest creation of animation company Aardman -- home of Wallace and Gromit and Morph -- will be launched exclusively on the internet next month. The first episodes of Angry Kid will only be available on Atom Films' website. Angry Kid might be from
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One down before 3 O'clock!
"I DON'T know if a point is enough. It could be a point well-earned at end of the season." That was the response from Blackpool manager Steve McMahon following the 1-1 draw with Colchester. But maybe Macca knew things weren't going to go his way when
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Combination football
Morecambe 1 Doncaster 0 A COMBINATION of good and bad performances saw the Shrimps take their unbeaten run to nine games in their away fixture at Doncaster at the weekend. Doncaster performed poorly as the home side ran out losers by the odd goal which
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Cabinet favour whistle-blowing
I WAS astonished and incensed to read the report in The Journal (March 30) entitled 'The Great Mole Hunt'. Surely my interpretation of the article must be incorrect? The council are going to use ratepayers money and resources yet again, in an attempt
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Days of thunder
HEYSHAM resident Mal Baird has set himself a real challenge in his first competitive event in motorcycle sport. For other entrants include eight times World Champion Jim Redman and nine times TT winner Charlie Williams. "Thundersprint 2000" is an international
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McGuinness bows out on second lap
DONINGTON proved to be almost as exciting as Aintree on Saturday. Defending 250cc Champion John McGuinness saw his chances of victory end when a bent gear selector caused him to crash out at the start of lap two of the seventeen lap race. McGuinness,
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A plumb job for charity
THE generosity of staff and customers at a Bury company has proved to be just the tonic for a hospital. For they have raised £1,700 for the Alder Hey Children's Hospital cancer appeal. The cash was raised by plumbing merchants Plumb Center by way of a
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Church staging concert
THE internationally renowned pianist Kathryn Stott will play at a charity concert for the NSPCC. The event, at St Peter's Church, Burnley, on Saturday, October 21, is being organised by the Burnley and Pendle Music Society. Tickets will go on sale in
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New complex is breath of fresh air
WHAT would you get if you combined Rossendale Ski Slope, Leisure Park 61 and the Mill Gate centre? The answer would be something like Xscape, a new retail and leisure complex in Milton Keynes for which Bury company Senior Hargreaves has provided heating
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Post men take fight to No.10
SUB-POST masters from across the Fylde travelled to Downing Street on Wednesday to protest against government proposals which they fear could put them out of business. They joined a national delegation to hand over a petition signed by thousands of post
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Cash bonus for schools
SCHOOLS across the whole of the Fylde were celebrating yesterday with the announcement they are to get not one, but two multi-million pound grants to help improve education facilities in the region. The money should not only see class sizes reduced, but
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Roof justice for scout hut
A TROUPE of lucky Lytham Scouts can meet safely with a new roof over their heads, thanks to the help of a local business man -- and The Citizen. Local building and engineering company Buxtons has agreed to pay for all the repairs, including materials
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Stardust memories for Taylor School
THE Taylor School of Dance and Theatre Arts are currently preparing for their annual show. This year it is "Stardust" which will be performed at The Dome in Morecambe. The show allows approximately 100 students to display their skills by performing a
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Getting it all mapped out
IN October 1996 Bolton-le-Sands parish council met with various organisations in the village to discuss ideas for celebrating the Millennium. Cath Byram offered an idea of making a parish map, and with the backing of Bolton-le-Sands Art Society, was accepted
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Salt Ayre running costs on the rise
THE council-run Salt Ayre sports centre is currently operating at an estimated loss of more than £220,000 - The Citizen can reveal. The budget deficit for running costs at the leisure complex is thought to be around 3,000 per cent higher than expected
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Five star Shrimps shoot down Northwich!
Morecambe 5, Northwich 0 MORECAMBE are finishing the season on a real high and last nights 5-0 thrashing of Northwich saw them creeping up the league table. Although Northwich got off to a flying start with Darren Vicary heading the ball into Andy Banks's
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Big plans for the city
TWO big developments in Lancaster will go before city planners on Monday. A Lancashire developer, Persimmon Homes, hopes to develop 11 three-storey town houses and 48 apartments with a private road and car parking close to the city centre. The ambitious
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Avenging angel
A NURSE from the Royal Lancaster Infirmary turned crimefighter last week and led police to a gang of thieves who had stole a cash box from the hospital. The 27-year-old staff nurse, who asked us to protect her identity, saw three youths trying to smash
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Teenager threatened with crowbar and robbed
TWO men with a Staffordshire bull terrier threatened a teenager on the cycletrack next to Trimpell Social Club in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The two, armed with a crowbar, robbed the 19-year-old of his jewellery, mobile phone and bank cards.
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MP in children's rights call
THE city's MP has called on local people to get behind moves to set up a Children's Rights Commissioner. Hilton Dawson is personally introducing a special Bill into Parliament backed by by UNICEF and the NSPCC. In a newsletter posted to constituents next
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Police target resort centre
POLICE are planning to crack down on trouble-making youngsters in Morecambe town centre. Their decision to target the youngsters has arisen after the latest crime figures show that there are more reported incidents of juvenile nuisance in the area. Of
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Mandela urges Mal to be strong
LANCASTER shopkeeper, Mal Hussain, was told to "be strong" by former South African President Nelson Mandela at a special anti-racism function in London last week. The anti-apartheid legend embraced Mal and listened to him as he described his experiences
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Stray dog attack sparks warden row
A MORECAMBE woman whose dog was attacked by a stray was amazed to discover that there are no local dog wardens on duty at the weekend. Karen Hayhurst of Bendjean Road contacted both the police and the council after the stray wondered up her drive and
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Athletic set for Anfield cracker
LEIGH ATHLETIC are hoping for better times ahead. They go into Sunday's Carlsberg Cup semi-final at Anfield on the back of a string of poor performances. In three games they have played like a team with their minds already on cup action. But manager Andy
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Collier class as Classic stumble
CLASSIC 1 found no joy in their first outing on the refurbished courts at Leigh Classic World of Fitness. Without regulars John Bulmer and Bob Morgan, they went down 4-1 to Martland Mill 3. Their deputies, Tod Bulmer and Jim Capon, found themselves up
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Game was not for faint hearts
LEIGH MINERS' second string ended the season beaten but with heads held high after pushing Pilkingtons close in a titanic struggle. They went down 21-17 -- and this was no match for faint hearts. Or the referee! He abandoned the game five minutes from
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Big four set for showdown
THE Big Four are set for the Davenport Cup. Higher Fold LC, Leigh Sportsmen, Leigh Phoenix and Church Inn made it to the semi-finals of the Leigh & District Amateur Football League competition on 17-goal Saturday. Steve Critchley, Steven Burns and
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Khalid set for Canada adventure
KHALID JHUGROO is set for some tough England training in Canada. The Tyldesley SC youngster will attend his third England training camp over Easter at Crystal Palace. He then jets out to Edmonton for a 10-day trip with the England Youth Squad. The climax
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RMI title dream back on track
LEIGH RMI are back with a bang. After a week of stumbling the title dream is again becoming clearer. They opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Unibond Premiership with a 4-1 victory over Bishop Auckland at Hilton Park on Tuesday. And on the same
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Church school praying for a move
PUPILS who are being taught the three Rs in a church are praying for a new school. They are hoping that some divine inspiration will help them find a new home to carry on in the new Millennium. Trustees of the school are trying to raise a £30,000 deposit
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Gang of ten stamped on boy's face
A TEENAGER came close to death after thugs stamped on his head, leaving footprints on his face. David Miller (17) from Breightment, was attacked on Friday night (April 7) in the Red Bank Road area of Radcliffe. Police have photographed the footprints
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Grandad Stanley is back on the market
AN apple a day keeps the doctor away. But but a lifetime of fruit and vegetables has certainly been a healthy recipe for former market trader Stanley Liptrott. The sprightly 92-year-old, known as "grandad" to his family, returned to his old trading ground
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Teenager killed in motorway tragedy.
THE heartbroken parents of a Bury schoolgirl, killed as she crossed the M66 on Friday (April 7), are mystified as to why their daughter was on the motorway. They paid tribute to Roxanne Lucy Nicholson describing her as "the best daughter in the world"
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Ombudsman in 999 call delay probe
AMBULANCE chiefs have introduced procedures for dealing with incidents and complaints that involve two different counties. The policies were brought in following a report by the Health Service Commissioner for England of the investigation into a complaint
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Leaving Bash for Stevie?
CLUB officials have denied rumours that struggling striker Steve Basham is all set to quit Deepdale after his girlfriend became homesick. Rumour mongers at North End say the 21-year-old's partner, Laura, is unhappy with the striker playing in Preston
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Trutex aims to be top of class
SCHOOL clothing firm Trutex has launched a new collection. The Connected range for autumn and winter will be aimed at fashion-conscious children and includes fleeces and combat shirts. The range is planned to be introduced to 80 major retail outlets across
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Driver squad seeks young recruits
AN advanced driving group for younger motorists is seeking to recruit new members from the local area. Alpha 5 is a subsidiary of the St Helens-based Institute of Advanced Motorists specifically aimed at drivers aged between 17 and 30. Unique to the North
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Bob back in town!
AN emphasis on community policing and more bobbies on the street are just two of the aims outlined by the newly-installed operations manager at St Helens Police, Chief Inspector Robert Harvey. Born and brought up in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Chief Insppector
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Bury won't be left behind
By PHIL THORP BURY FC won't allow themselves to be left behind in the race to join up with top clubs at youth development level. That's the message coming out loud and clear from Gigg Lane in the wake of Premiership club Leeds United's unprecedented link-up
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Honey I've won the lottery!
DAVID Smith's wife wasn't too pleased when she was woken by a phone call at 2am on Sunday. But her anger turned to delight when hubby David broke the news that his works syndicate had scooped more than £3 million on the National Lottery! Thirty-three-year-old
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Alf's family still seeking justice
FOLLOWING a verdict of unlawful killing regarding the death of pensioner Alf Sandford, his family have told the St Helens Star that they hope that one day justice will be done and the men who broke into the Sandford home on that fateful day will be charged
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Woman victim of psychic con
POLICE are urging people to beware of callers claiming to be clairvoyants. It follows an incident at the weekend when a pensioner let two women, claiming to have psychic powers, into her home and later discovered that £200 had been stolen from her handbag
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Jaw broken with mystery object
DARWEN police are appealing for help to track down the person who shattered the jaw of a 20-year-old man. The attack happened at about 11pm on Friday April 7. A group of about 30 youths were socialising at the top of Snape Street. The victim walked away
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Watchdog squad in denim fakes seizure
A NATIONAL operation to sell counterfeit jeans has been foiled by Trading Standards Officers. 'Ivor Male Boutique', trading as 'Stolen From Ivor' were selling counterfeit Levis and Calvin Klein jeans in their stores throughout England. On Thursday, April
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Little Voice lays into 'snob' stars
ACTRESS Jane Horrocks and film minister and Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson (pictured) have backed claims that the British film industry is plagued by class prejudice. Jane, the daughter of a door-to-door salesman from Rawtenstall, spoke out in
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Tories attack MP over 'no-profit' Lottery
TORIES have attacked government minister Janet Anderson for "dropping a clanger" over the national lottery. The culture, media and sports minister's Tory shadow Peter Ainsworth accused her of making an "ignorant and incompetent mistake" when she said
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2050 and all that with granny!
CHILDREN will have to think 50 years ahead for a new competition. The theme for this year's Royal Mail Young Writers' contest is Break Time 2050. Youngsters of all ages are being asked to imagine what their grandchildren will be doing with their spare
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Army cadet Tracey trades boots for ballet
YOUNGSTERS from the Army Cadet Force traded places with young people from a performing arts school -- all for the sake of a television programme. Tracey Clarke from Hindley Green was among those who swapped their combats and army boots for ballet slippers
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Elvis impresario Adam gives big stage view
DANCER Rachael Haywood attends top London theatre premieres -- thanks to her producer cousin, Adam Kenwright. Now, the nephew of the famous impresario Bill, is to speak to her young dance students and their parents at her Culcheth and Glazebury Academy
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'Two gallon beer belly' lout in canal pot shots
A GUN happy Leigh resident taking pot shots at anything that moves on the canal has been blasted by a Welch Mill worker. The gunman, described as short, in his late 30s and with a 'two gallon beer belly', is missing his prey and shattering windows in
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Avis has a hanging puzzle
A FORMER Leigh Girls' Grammar School teacher is seeking help to solve the mystery of an old school hanging. Mrs Avis Freeman is seeking information on the history of the long embroidered panel which was displayed in the hall. She wants to know who designed
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Minister wheels out new no-wait service
A NEW service for the disabled has wiped out the waiting list for wheelchairs. Wigan and Leigh Health services NHS Trust's new equipment centre has virtually cleared out a 32 week wait for its 7,000 patients. The Kirkhall Lane, Leigh, base was officially
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Learn to talk
I AM planning to organise an open day in the near future for people who suffer with a stammer. I am an ex-stammerer who has managed to overcome the problem by re-teaching myself to speak. The open day will be held in your area, but before I would like
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'Pennington paradise' blocked by planners
LOCALS, birdwatchers and anglers have won the battle of Taylor's Hole. Plans to build homes on 10 acres of land off Kirkham Road, Leigh have been turned-down by Wigan planning committee. Schemes for the Pennington paradise with a big pond in the middle
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Praise for parent support scheme
A UNIQUE scheme to support parents in Blackpool has been hailed a huge success -- by the people who use it. The Positive Parenting project was set up two years ago by Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Trust to help parents with young children
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Jayne writes a splash hit
A POULTON writer has just premiered her award-winning film, and is now packing her bags to fly to Cannes. Jayne Steel, pictured here, and writing partner Juliet McKoen's new film, "Mavis and the Mermaid," made its screen debut last Saturday (April 9)
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Improving the quality of life
A FLAGSHIP half-way house for pensioners being discharged from hospital has opened in Blackpool aimed at making their life at home easier. The Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre on Clifton Avenue, Marton, had its official opening on Friday (April 7)
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How Wyre is spending £34 million
WYRE Council have issued a booklet of promises for the coming year, but the chief executive warns that the public may be suffering from "consultation overload." The "Our Promises - Your Council" performance plan was launched on Tuesday (April 11) at the
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Vaughan sparks park clean-up
BLACKPOOL council has taken the lead with an anti-mess message for dog owners, inspired by an 11 year old boy. K9 Awareness Day took place on Tuesday (April 11) in Claremont Park in a bid to make irresponsible dog owners clean up after their pets, as
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Move to improve district
A BLACKBURN community has been given the chance to improve its surroundings. Groundwork Blackburn and the Roe Lee Area Residents' Association have joined forces on a project called PEACAP, to find out what could be done to improve the Roe Lee. PEACAP
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Budding musicians ready to raise roof
MUSICAL youngsters from around the region are being given the chance to play alongside professionals. As part of a multi-cultural world music education programme, school children in Blackburn and Darwen will join together with 'The Soloists' Ensemble'
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Charities go on supermarket sweep
CHARITIES in Blackburn and Darwen got involved in a "supermarket sweep", thanks to a superstore's offer. B&Q DIY and Garden Supercentre in Blakewater Road, Whitebirk, donated more than £3,000 of tiles, paint and paper to local charitable, voluntary
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Dead-end street fear for traders
BUSINESSES in Blackburn have voiced their fears over plans to close Church Street to through traffic. Blackburn Chamber of Trade, which represents more than 250 businesses, claims that the road closure would have "dire consequences" for the town centre
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Cabinet-style secrecy wrong, say MPs
EAST Lancashire MPs are backing a move to allow the press and public into new cabinet-style council meetings which will take vital decisions affecting the lives of local people. Gordon Prentice, Peter Pike and Nigel Evans are all supporting Labour MP
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Vicar ditches phone mast plan
A CLERGYMAN faced with scores of angry villagers ditched plans to put a mobile phone mast inside his church steeple to avoid "division, friction and unpleasantness". More than 300 people crammed into Mellor Village Hall last night and then heard the vicar
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SOCCER PREVIEW: Bury v Chesterfield
FOLLOWING a couple of consecutive defeats away from home, Bury will be anxious to get back to winning ways when they entertain bottom club Chesterfield at Gigg Lane. The Spireites have sacked long serving manager John Duncan since the Shakers' win at
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SOCCER PREVIEW: Bolton
Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion BO Hansen looks set to keep Dean Holdsworth on the subs' bench for Bolton's Division One encounter at West Brom tomorrow. The Danish striker repaid Sam Allardyce's faith in only his ninth league start of the season with
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NON LEAGUE SOCCER: Darwen appeal
DARWEN are to appeal against the length of the suspension handed out to Scott Derbyshire who has been banned for a total of 98 days from the middle of August. Derbyshire was dismissed in a bad tempered clash with Warrington last month which Darwen lost
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Weekend team news
ACCRINGTON STANLEY boss John Coleman believes it's win or bust as the Reds prepare for tomorrow's trip to Stocksbridge PS. With Witton Albion and Radcliffe Borough both winning in midweek, the pressure is now back on the Reds as the battle for promotion
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Mel's dream start to season
IMAGINE: It's the first golf competition of the year. You're one of people reponsible for its smooth running. Your nerves are jangling. You step up to the fifth tee -and what do you do? Hit a hole in one. That how Sherdley Park GC Ladies secretary Mel
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Ruskin slip in points spree
Aretians (Bristol) 43 Ruskin Park 29 BOTH teams delighted their fans with a feast of open running rugby. First on the board when Keogh broke through to send Bentham in at the corner, Ruskin were always struggling to counter the attacking skills of opposition
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Rainford ready for blast-off
WITH the start of the new season just around the corner, Rainford Cricket Club is moving full steam ahead to make sit its best ever. Last season's overseas player Andrew Robinson, a 19-year-old wicket keepr/batsman from Queensland has returned, while
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Park re-write record books
West Park 90 Ashton-on-Mersey 10 CHAMPIONS West Park re-wrote the record books against already-relegated Ashton. They registered their highest ever league victory while centre Paul Bailey's personal total of 35 points was also a club record for league
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The facts about parking charges
I AM responding to the letter from Mr Roscoe (Citizen, March 30). Firstly, he claims that it costs £10 to park a car in Blackpool. Mr Roscoe neglected to state the following facts: Car owners can park in Talbot Road car park for seven days (secured parking
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Let's discuss real issues
IT has been interesting to watch how our esteemed Conservative and Liberal Democrats have used the elephant issues at Blackpool Zoo as a political one. Nearly everyone within Blackpool will now have been bill-posted by the Tories with leaflets spouting
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Semi-final places settled
THE St Helens Combination's Tom Worrall Cup semi-finalists were decided at the weekend. College St Helens, with goals from Carl Bromilow and Jack Woodcroft (2), eliminated Green Dragon. Broad Oak (Rob Miller and Paul Hopwood, 2) just outstayed Bull and
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Leaving Bash for Stevie?
CLUB officials have denied rumours that struggling striker Steve Basham is all set to quit Deepdale after his girlfriend became homesick. Rumour mongers at North End say the 21-year-old's partner, Laura, is unhappy with the striker playing in Preston
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Don't miss out!
APRIL continues with some great entertainment that is simply too good to miss! IF you like unravelling a mystery, the St Helens Theatre Royal is the place for you. For The Unnamed Players are presenting the Agatha Christie classic, 'Murder at the Vicarage
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Forgotten victims of child abuse
THE family of rape victim Bernadette Rogers have pleaded with her to halt her campaign against child abuse -- claiming it is wrecking their lives. Since her father and step-brother were jailed for raping her, Bernadette has used her case to raise awareness
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Vandalised gravestones shocker
HEARTLESS youths vandalised gravestones causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and a lot of heartbreak for relatives. But then a local monumental masons firm stepped in and repaired the desecration in a matter of days. The incident happened on Sunday
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Budget boost for Bury families
THE recent Budget has given a much-needed boost to hard-working families throughout Bury. More than 2,950 families will benefit from the working families tax credit which guarantees a minimum income of £124 per week for full-time work. Along with the
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A chance for churches to unite
WALKING through Mill Gate today, I saw the banner being raised to announce: Open Good Friday. Every day, it seems, is now a trading day like all the rest. But Christian people know that this is the day that changed, and is still changing, the world. Once
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Snapshot of Britain today
THREE resounding and appreciative cheers to the anonymous yet courageous lady I witnessed publicly taking a surly teenager to task for dropping an ice-cream wrapper in Radcliffe town centre last week. This youth, a Year 10 or 11 pupil from a local high
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Teacher Ken had great lust for life
IS it a part of life's rich pattern that as you get older you start to read The Journal obituaries? As more and more people you know shuffle off this mortal coil, the pages seem to be gradually absorbed into weekly reading matter. I dismissed the reports
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You lucky lot!
LATEST £2,000 jackpot winner in the Willowbrook Hospice lottery is Mr D. Osborn of Huyton. Other big winners were Mrs E. Briscoe of Sutton Leach who won £200; Mrs L. Kennaway, (£125); Mrs J. Worsley, Eccleston (£75); and Mrs A. Groves, Huyton (£50). There
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Ordeal for girl
POLICE in St Helens are looking for witnesses to an attempted abduction at about 9.30am on Tuesday, April 11. A man in a car stopped near Hamilton Road in Garswood, and tried to drag a nine-year-old girl who was walking to school on her own into the vehicle
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Let's party
A PARTY time theme gave pupils in Nelson chance to turn entrepreneur for the day when they joined the world of business. Teams of pupils in year nine at Walton High School, led by visitors from local companies including NIE co-ordinator Rita Shaw, were
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Did you see raid at bookies?
POLICE are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed a robbery at a local bookmakers. Two men burst into Dones Bookmakers in Blackbrook Road, Blackbrook, at about 3.30pm on Monday, April 10. They jumped over the counter and forced the two female members
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Mast plan is topppled
A BID to erect a 15-metre high telecommunications mast has been blocked by St Helens Council's Planning Committee. As featured exclusively in the St Helens Star, the proposed mobile phone mast met with determined oppostion from people living near the
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Sit up and take notice
STAFF and students on the NCFE preparation for uniformed services advanced programme at St Helens College are holding a sponsored 'Abathon' to raise funds for the Alder Hey Hospital Rocking Horse Appeal. The Abathon -- a 24-hour sit-up marathon -- starts
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Match of the day!
IT'S the grudge match of the year down Haydock way. Staff at the giant Sainsbury depot are taking on the management in what promises to be a no-holds-barred rugby match. But all the bumps and bruises will all be worthwhile. For the game is one of the
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Ex-Leigh ace Gullick dies
FORMER Leigh RL player and coach Don Gullick has died at home in South Wales. Gullick, a former Wales international, joined St Helens from Pontypool. A powerful centre, he moved to Leigh in 1955 and played 45 first team games before being appointed coach
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Thug hurts 80-year-old woman
AN 80-year-old woman was left distressed and suffering from back and chest pains after being assaulted in her own home by an intruder demanding money. The incident happened at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, April 5, when the victim went back into her home
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More folks needed to foster
ST HELENS Council is stepping up its campaign to attract more foster carers with a special exhibition. As well as supplying useful information about fostering, it will give people an opportunity to win prizes including Marks and Spencer vouchers and a
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Run along please!
THE town's second Corporate Cup race will take place in the town centre on Wednesday, May 31. Teams of four runners/walkers are being sought to tackle the five-kilometre course to promote health and fitness and teamwork -- and to raise money for charity
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Events in the North West on Saturday, April 15th
Coffee Morning, Bentham Road Methodist Church, Mill Hill, Blackburn, 10am-noon. 50/50 Dancing with MC's Duncan and Margaret, Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm-11pm. Haslingden United reformed Church Spring Fair, Masonic Hall, Lower
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Actors stage family affair
THE brilliant yet brittle comedy by Noel Coward, Private Lives, is the next production to be performed by South Ribble's resident theatre company. The C'est Tous Theatre Company, which has just completed two sell-out runs with Shakespeare's Macbeth and
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Weavers celebrate 25 years
HOE down to Preston's Charter Theatre next weekend and join The Houghton Weavers as they celebrate a quarte of a century in the entertainment business. Since making their television debut 25 years ago on the BBC's television talent show We'll Call You
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Elsa is a prize mum
A BLACKPOOL school has grabbed a "PC" of the action after winning a computer in the Tesco Computers for Schools competition. The celebrate the ninth year of the competition, which is sponsored by the Daily Telegraph, they ran a free prize draw for readers
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Cleaning up our history
Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy APRIL is the month when Going for Green, British Waterways and the Mersey Basin Campaign are combining their efforts to try to prevent litter being thrown into the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It is right that we should
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Eagles will be test for Lions
By STEVE BOTT MIKE Gregory's Young Lions can test themselves against some big names from the world of Rugby League when Sheffield Eagles land at Gigg Lane on Sunday (kick-off 3pm). Swinton notched an encouraging 14-14 draw with high-flying Dewsbury last
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Shakers out to spike Spireites
ROCK-BOTTOM Chesterfield will be shown no mercy by Andy Preece and his goal-hungry Shakers tomorrow. Smarting from two 3-0 defeats at Cambridge and Millwall, Bury will be keen to get back amongst the goals and, as a result, winning ways against the seemingly
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Twin towers twaddle
AMONG talk of more delays to the rebuilding of Wembley Stadium comes the understatement of the year. Any fan who has struggled for hours to reach the national stadium to partake in the pleasure of being ripped-off for food, drink and programme prices
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Body on line
POLICE are investigating after the body of a man was found on a railway line yesterday. The body of the local man in his 40s was found at about 8am on the track leading to Barretts Farm, Heath Charnock, between Chorley and Adlington. The coroner has been
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Walker health 'scare'
JACK Walker is recovering at his Jersey home after a spell in hospital, it was announced today. The 70-year-old multi-millionaire owner of Blackburn Rovers was treated at an unnamed location. Manager Graeme Souness today said: "On behalf of the club,
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Staff trained even better
MORE than 100 health workers from Blackburn and Darwen met to plan a new training scheme for GP practices. The meeting agreed what should become the training priorities for the next year. During the next 12 months, regular training events will be held
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A-levels -- then Africa
ADVENTUROUS student Lara Hewitt (pictured) is planning to travel to Africa to teach for eight months when she finishes her A-level studies. Lara, an 18-year-old pupil at Westholme School, Blackburn, has been picked for a placement organised by the Anglican
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Sum raised, magnificent
ON behalf of Oxfam and the Disasters Emergency Committee, I would like to thank the people of Blackburn. For they raised a magnificent £1,186 for the devastated country of Mozambique in the Blackburn shop alone! The money has been used to help provide
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Shocked at houses plan
WE ARE annoyed and shocked at the proposal to build a further 25 houses in the field at the end of Milton Avenue, Clitheroe. The streets around this area are all full with cars at present. A further 25 houses would congest them even more. The town of
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Bank's rank bad decision
THE decision of Barclays Bank, which made profits of £1.9billion last year, to close 171 branches in the small, more-rural areas is another example of big business riding roughshod over the needs of the community. They say: "A big world needs a big bank
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Foul way to treat birds
I HAVE known for a long time of the cruelty involved in producing pt de foie gras. Ducks and geese having a funnel forced down their throats and grain then crammed down it, causing their livers to swell up to 10 times their natural size. Why? -- to produce
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Next train is a wreck
FIRST North Western have purchased 27 new super train units, and it is fair to assume most will be used on the stockbroker commuter belt lines into Manchester and Liverpool. Some may even be used on the Manchester Airport turns to Blackpool (North), Carlisle
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Fight to rescue jobs cash
EAST Lancashire MPs have won a last-ditch meeting with a government minister in a bid to rescue millions of pounds of job-creating cash aid. Rossendale and Darwen's Janet Anderson, Burnley's Peter Pike and Hyndburn's Greg Pope and were devastated when
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Millionaire to meet over Elms Precinct
ALBERT Gubay is to meet with the town centre businesses and groups he wants to make way for his plans to revamp the Elms Precinct at Whitefield. The millionaire owner of the shopping centre will be in town on Monday (April 17) for the meeting at the Whitefield
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Making history
THE name of Henry Wood, Tottington's most famous son lives on. This week a plaque commemorating his remarkable life was unveiled at his birthplace at Brookhouse Farm in Tottington. Quaker Henry Wood, born in 1603, fled the country to escape religious
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Hospice festival
HUNDREDS of red roses have been blossoming across the borough to help raise much-needed cash for Bury Hospice. Generous fund-raisers have been painting the town red with the flowers as part of the annual Red Rose Festival. The popular event has grown
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Millions to be spent on schools in need
A HUGE cash boost of almost £2.5 million will mean repairs and improvements can be made in Bury's most needy schools. The £2,452, 095 handout is part of the Government's New Deal for Schools programme and will benefit 49 local primary and secondary schools
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Health centre delayed
PLANS to open the borough's new ground-breaking centre for sick people this month have been put back. The walk-in centre, which will allow people to get medical advice from GPs and nurses without an appointment, was expected to open this month. But delays
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Moore aims to be merrier
Division One: Blackburn Rovers v Portsmouth: Peter White's match preview IN well over 250 senior appearances, Darren Moore has only played once against Blackburn Rovers -- but the six feet three inches and 15-stone-plus central defender left his calling
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It's hard going
MY letter is in support of 'Wheelchair' (April 6). Yes, I for one am aware of the discrimination against the disabled, it's been going on for years. We have pavements all around the town that have cars parked on them, but the council and other public
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What about the cut in grant?
IN reply to 'Disgruntled Yicker' (Dear Star, March 23) and in fairness to St Helens Council, I must point out that the revenue support grant from central government was £1.2 million less than last year. I am therefore puzzled at the deafening silence
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Spare a thought
I AM adisabled OAP, my pension, including SERPS, has increased by £1.19 per week. My council tax (75 per cent) Band D is up 75p per week, meals on wheels by 35p, home care for two visits by 20p and my alarm button by 6p a week. Total increase £1.38. I
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Post mortem
THE bleating of sub-postmasters around St Helens as they bemoan the fact that many sub-post offices may be forced to close due to new technology is, to my mind, laughable. For many years these self-same sub-post offices have closed for lunch everyday
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It's a small world
I WRITE as an exiled 'Sintelliner' living in the picturesque village of Brig O'Turk in the heart of the Trossachs. When recently visiting our local tearooms (its claim to fame is that it was used in the 1959 version of 'The 39 Steps') I got into conversation
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Carr Mill's the ideal spot
MR Pawley's curious argument (Dear Star) concerning traffic congestion at the proposed Carr Mill station site requires only the most basic of answers. St Helens Council is in step with Merseyside's other local authorities, Merseytravel and the Government
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Good acting stands out in 1920s farce
AN old chestnut about the acting profession concerns an actor who, describing A Streetcar Named Desire, said: "The play is about a woman who goes mad and is taken away by a doctor. I play the doctor." And if you asked Michael Kirk, now appearing in the
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It's never too late
THEY may not be love's young dream, but newlyweds Bill and Doreen Owen know that you're never too old to be hit by Cupid's arrow. Despite clocking up more than 140 years between them already, Bill and Doreen decided it was time for a new start -- getting
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Mobile calls to prayer
A PRESTON family has pioneered a hi-tech way of calling Muslims to prayer. Rather than the traditional Azaan approach in the East, where a Muezzin would climb to the top of a mosque's minaret and call people to pray, the Patel family has pioneered a text-messaging
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Walk this way...
SUPERMARKET manager Stuart Adlington has seen the future -- and it's free from queues! In fact he liked it so much that he has brought it back from the USA with him, in the form of a portable computer. He claims the gadget will make queuing in supermarkets
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In a hero's footsteps
JOINING the army cadets is more than just a past-time for Leyland lad Graham Kelsall. For him it's about carrying on a family tradition and following in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather -- Private William Young, Victoria Cross medal holder
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Father told to be more responsible
A FATHER-of-five with an eight-inch knife stuffed down his sock was 'carrying it for protection', Burnley magistrates heard. Jobless David Priestley, 21, whose youngest child is a few weeks old, was told by the bench to think about his family and be more
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Drivers in town centre road rage
ANGRY drivers have bombarded the St Helens Star this week with calls blasting the new traffic flow in St Helens town centre, branding the new system as "a confusing mess with no clear signs". Sharon Heyes, a mum of two from Sutton Manor, was being taken
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Ride royal day on bridleway
YOUNGSTERS standing in the rain got a glimpse of Princess Anne as she and her riding companions passed by just yards away yesterday. But pupils at Cliviger Holme Primary School, Burnley, who had lined the playground walls in the hope of being able to
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Councillors' rise while swim plans sink
A PROPOSAL floated at Burnley Council that money saved on members' allowances should be used to finance children's swimming lessons sank when it was discussed by the full council. The overall budget for members allowances has not been increased for eight
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Protesters travel to complain - post haste!
SUB post masters from across the district travelled to London to protest against the Government's post office plans this week. The sub post masters are worried that more post offices will be forced to close following the Government's announcement that
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New code for injury victims
A NEW Code of Best Practice for the UK's personal injury process is set to help personal injury victims get immediate rehabilitation benefits at no added cost to them. The new Code will encourage personal injury claimants to receive the immediate medical
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Fight to rescue jobs cash
EAST Lancashire MPs have won a last-ditch meeting with a government minister in a bid to rescue millions of pounds of job-creating cash aid. Rossendale and Darwen's Janet Anderson, Burnley's Peter Pike and Hyndburn's Greg Pope and were devastated when
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Road plans are blast from the past say campaigners
THREE local environmental groups are combining their efforts to persuade Lancashire County Council to look to the future. Councillors discussed which, if any, of four road schemes should be contained in the Local Transport Plan to be submitted to Government
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D-Day dawns for travellers
A WAGON trail of travellers have set up camp at the rear of Salt Ayre sports centre. More than 30 caravans formed a circle on sports pitches at the rear of the centre causing weekend football matches to be cancelled. Local residents claim they have been
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Man bailed after threat to firebomb policeman
A CONVICTED bomb hoaxer forgot to disguise his phone number when he threatened to firebomb a policeman's house. And he was arrested at his flat shortly after making two menacing calls. Partially-sighted Kevin Peel, who carries a white stick, later assaulted
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Joy as schools hit cash jackpot
TWO Lancaster schools have struck it lucky in the Government's latest education cash bonanza. Willow Lane Primary on the Marsh has been given £500,000 to build a new junior department so the whole school can be situated on one site. And Ripley St Thomas
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Parties deny stealth tax accusations
LABOUR finance chiefs have launched a broadside against the increase in the latest council tax bills which they claim is one of the highest in England. The Labour group's finance chief, Cllr Ian Barker, claims that figures released from the Department
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Human dimension to Government
THE CITY Council is bracing itself for the introduction of an important new law which could have a profound effects on our lives. The Human Rights Act sounds simple but its consequences are expected to create a seismic shift in the way we are governed
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Raider flees with rings haul
A THIEF escaped with two gents gold rings after being chased from a house by the owner. The raider got into the house in Smith Street, Nelson, at 5.25pm on Tuesday and took the rings, together valued at £300, from a table in the living room. He was disturbed
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'Taxi' pair jailed for beating up blues fan
TWO men have been jailed for beating up a drunken man to whom they had given a lift from the Colne Blues Festival. Burnley Crown Court heard how Wesley Holden -- who had told the jury he thought he had been getting into a taxi -- ended up with a smashed
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Speeding take hits well over £1 million
SPEEDING motorists in Lancashire shelled out almost £1.4m in fines and fixed penalties in just one year, an MP has revealed. Pendle Labour backbencher Gordon Prentice has unearthed figures which show that the cost to motorists of breaking speed limits
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SAINTS' scrum-half Darrall Trindall should now be back in Australia - after playing just two away ga
He has been dogged by an shoulder problem, and medical opinion was that 'Tricky' needed surgery so, after speaking with his agent, Saints released Darrall from his two-year contract. The player was due to jet back to Sydney on Tuesday night, a month after
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Champions - bully for them!
THESE jolly hockey-stick girls have got every reason to be happy they've just been crowned Britain's best college hockey team! The team, from Preston College, beat off stiff competition in the finals of the British College's Cup in Leicester. Playing
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A final insult for Brig
BRIG chairman Dennis Allen watched his players at both ends of 5-0 drubbings last week. The win against Leek Town gave Bamber Bridge 45 points in the league -- a figure which manager Tony Greenwood believes will keep his side in the UniBond Premiership
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When controversy raged over Sunday cinema vote
WITH turn-outs slumped below 20 per cent in some wards last time and town hall chiefs driven this year to set up shopping-centre polling stations on a Saturday to tempt the hugely-indifferent voters to participate in the municipal elections, it is hard
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Finch sign off in style
Dalton 22 Haresfinch 2 FINCH saved the best till last, turning in a superb performance in their final league encounter to hand Dalton a rare home defeat. Despite playing their first game for six weeks, Finch made a flying start. They raced into a 14-point
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Pilks claim play-off spot
Leigh Miners A 17 Pilkington Recs 21 VICTORY for Recs in this final league game of the season means they now have to meet Ulverston in a play-off for the Division One runners-up spot this Saturday. As the Star was going to press, however, the venue, had
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Heath fire burns folly
Thatto Heath Crusaders 47 Folly Lane 6 THATTO Heath scored an important victory over Swinton outfit Folly Lane in their final home league game of the season. They took the lead in the 11th minute with a stunning try for county wingman Mike Woods. Having
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Paul Barry and Clive Lawrence review the new releases
SINGLES CLINIC: The Return Of Evil Bill (Domino Recording Co) -- Whoever Evil Bill might be, he's inspired a gritty bit of lo-fi alternative rock which falls somewhere between the twisted angst of The Violent Femmes and the country-tinged alternative
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Chemists on duty
THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday,April 16, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): R. W. Barton Ltd., 65-67 Eccleston Street, Prescot; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); Lloyds
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Extra time for new house scheme
AN outline scheme to build a house on the car park of a former Pendleside village pub has been granted extra time by councillors to be completed. The controversial plan to erect a house in the former Lamb Inn car park, Newchurch-in-Pendle, was granted
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Henig appointed to Task Force
CHAIRMAN of Lancashire Police Authority, Dr Ruth Henig, has been appointed to the newly established Crime Reduction Task Force. The group is chaired by Home Office Minister Charles Clarke and its role is to provide a strategic focus and practical guidance
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Sporty poser arrows in
A SPORTY yedscratter has come arrowing in from Parr reader Wallace Storey, He explains that there's a little wager riding on whether any St Helens player ever won the News of the World championship, which was the real 'biggie' for all darts aces before
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Come for a cleanup
SPRING is in the air... and it's time to make a clean sweep, or so residents in Brookfield Housing Estate reckon. They're pulling on their wellies and getting their hands dirty by doing their bit for the national Spring Clean Campaign. More than sixty
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School is backing education message
IS it, or isn't it? Pupils at Balshaw High School had to get a closer look to check if it really was the Prime Minister himself. Tony Blair made a two-dimensional appearance at the Leyland high school, to give the Oxfam's Education Now! campaign a boost
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Maximum training grant given
BNFL Springfields is one of the first companies in the country to benefit from a government-funded scheme aimed at developing partnerships between employers and unions. Springfields will receive the maximum £50,000 grant, to be matched by BNFL, to provide
