Archive
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Events in East Lancs, Friday Dec 1
Winter Fair, Reedley Primary School. Refreshments, tombola, stalls and a visit by Santa. Christmas Fair, Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, 5.30pm. Games, Father Christmas, etc. Quiz Night, Downham Village Hall, 7.30pm. Disco, Alley Katz, Town Hall
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Yes vote gives estates new hope
THE residents who voted in favour of plans to transfer 10,000 Blackburn with Darwen council houses to a separate company took full advantage of the chance to have a say in their future. Many of the town's estates are in a terrible condition and it has
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Radio plans on-air marathon
RADIO Hospitals Blackburn is celebrating the fourth anniversary of moving into its new studio complex with a marathon broadcast. It will run from 7pm on Friday, December 15 to 9pm on Sunday, December 17. East Lancashire businesses have been invited to
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Low tax is Tory inheritance
I MUST take issue with Mr K Hargreaves (Letters, November 22) in his defence of the government. In 1997, they inherited a very strong economy from the previous government. To be fair to Gordon Brown, the economy is still quite healthy but that is only
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Gays treated differently
I MAKE no general criticism of the laws relating to sex in public, but I do question the even handedness of the police in their enforcement. It seems they will go to enormous lengths to pursue any alleged infringement by gay men while similar behaviour
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Swoop on fuel hoard
POLICE and council officials have seized a timebomb hoard of petrol discovered in dozens of plastic canisters in a wooden shed. Fire chiefs warned the illegally stored petrol could have caused a major explosion at the rear of Sough Road, Darwen. Officers
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Baby Emma: Health watchdog's grim warning
A WATCHDOG today warned that more tragedies like the death of baby Emma Dyson are waiting to happen because of a lack of funding for mental health services in the Burnley area. The claim was made as Burnley MP Peter Pike revealed that he is to quiz social
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Aussie tunes in to Hilton Park
IT'S been love at first byte for the Leigh Centurions' new Aussie recruit Jamie Gass! The 28-year-old prop, who has just completed a computer science degree, arrived in town on Saturday night, met his new teammates on Monday, and, but for a waterlogged
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Give us some answers
I WONDER if someone at the council could tell us just what is going on?. The planning committee and officers of St Helens Council have approved outline planning permission for a new special needs school next to the Scott Clinic in Rainhill. The Scott
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Trip top effort
A GROUP of three Preston friends has managed to raise £3,000 this year for St Catherine's Hospice by staging a number of coach trips all over the country. John Nickson, appeals manager at the hospice based at Lostock Hall said Nellie Rhodes, Mabel Greenwood
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Royal flush
SOUTH Ribble Borough Council is to auction a sacred throne which has helped out all Mayors of the borough since 1976 in their most desperate times - a loo seat! On December 1 1976 HRH Princess Alexandra opened the new civic centre in Leyland and a brand
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Mark takes his seat
LABOUR'S Mark Hendrick clinched victory in last Thursday's Preston by-election (November 23) despite a poor turnout. With only one in three voters making the trip to the polling stations, the overall turnout was just over 21,000 -- 29.7 per cent -- from
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Michael loses fight for life
BRAVE Michael Hughes, the youngster suffering from an ultra-rare disease, whose story touched the hearts of thousands of Star readers, has died. Seven years ago, Michael's parents were devastated when doctors at Alder Hey Hospital told them that their
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Roy and Hayley are inspiration
TRANSSEXUAL couples in Burnley and Rossendale are inquiring about adoption and fostering after being inspired by a Coronation Street storyline, it was revealed today On TV the Street's Roy and Hayley Cropper are going through the process of being approved
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Girl, 15, harassed by 'student'
POLICE want information about a youth who harassed a 15-year-old girl. She was walking along Belvedere Road, Burnley, at 8.45am on Friday November 10 when she was app- roached by a youth who made indecent remarks. He made off only to reappear and make
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Beer mat message on violence
THE fight against domestic violence is being taken into pubs and clubs in the police Pennine division which covers all Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. In a bid to encourage greater reporting of domestic violence and to raise the risk of offenders being
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Epileptic found hanged at home
AN epilepsy sufferer had his behaviour changed by a combination of medication and alcohol before he was found hanged at his home, an inquest was told. Michael Holt, 27, was described as "very, very happy" by his father Alan. He said: "He had a good house
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Epileptic was found hanged at his home
AN epilepsy sufferer had his behaviour changed by a combination of medication and alcohol before he was found hanged at his home, an inquest was told. Michael Holt, 27, was described as "very, very happy" by his father Alan. He said: "He had a good house
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Baby Emma: Why it could happen again
A WATCHDOG today warned that more tragedies like the death of baby Emma Dyson are waiting to happen because of a lack of funding for mental health services in the Burnley area. The claim was made as Burnley MP Peter Pike revealed that he is to quiz social
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Police drive home drinks message
LOCAL police have launched their crack down on Christmas drink driving. The force has joined together with road safety groups in a bid to stamp out drink-driving on the district's roads. This year the force is encouraging people to think about their travel
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Rhythm girls are Mali bound
THE jungle drums are beating a path to the heart of Africa for a lucky group of local women. Morecambe-based rhythm queens, Drumdance, have won a £9,000 grant to visit Mali in West Africa to learn more about drums and drumming. And they are now busy fundraising
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Schoolboys hit rivals for six
St Helens Schools U/13s 30 Warrington 10 THIS was another great performance from St Helens which helped stretch their unbeaten run to six games. Defences were on top in the first half but the home side cut loose after the break with some excellent rugby
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Muddy marvels book cup spot
Haydock 26 Wigan St Judes A 12 HAYDOCK overcame ankle-deep mud, a five-week lay-off and a spirited St Judes outfit to make their way into the semi-finals of the Lancashire Cup with this hard-fought success. Despite the conditions, both teams tried to
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Heath bounce back to topple Knights
Thatto Heath Crusaders 38 Normanton Knights 18 HEATH bounced back from a half-time deficit to register 24 points without reply in the second half to stay on top of Division Two of the National Conference League. Normanton opened the scoring with a penalty
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Voll and Vinty honoured
A SEASON of soaring success for Super League champions Saints enjoyed another tremendous fillip when two heroes from earlier days received Rugby League's ultimate accolade. For aces of the1950/60s winger Tom Van Vollenhoven and loose-forward Vint Karalius
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Moss Bank castle query
WAS there ever a castle within the historic boundaries of Moss Bank? An interested old-timer, who doesnt wish to be identified, poses the question after seeing reference to 'The Castle' on an old map of the area. Now he wants to know whether this was
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Joe tracks down mink man
FIRST out of the trap with a reply to our wild mink query (this page, November 9) is retired fireman Joe Hill. For Joe of Vincent Street, St Helens, tells us that he was once a blaze-battling colleague of the man who farmed the mink at Moss Bank, some
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Geoff puts first number in frame
I'VE received concrete proof that the first-ever vehicle registration number in St Helens was allotted not to some sleek pioneer limousine, but to a rather battered motorbike and sidecar. Regular customers of this column may recall my article (October
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Anyone recall the preaching 'stick rancher'?
THE old 'stick ranches' abounded when Lloyd James Roberts, the woodman of Hills Moss Road, peddled his firewood and lamp oil around the Sutton area mopre than half-a-century ago. And now reader Susan Wilkinson would like to know more about this hard-working
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Joys of the local hop
THE dance is over, but the memories linger on! My recent jottings about the golden era of strict-tempo dancing, before the sedate quickstep and waltz were blown away by American-influenced be-bop and jive, had Sutton reader Joe Ackers totting up an impressive
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Five years ago: Bobby meets Bill
A GREAT-HARWOOD born bobby rubbed shoulders with American President Bill Clinton. PC Laurie Mullin and his wife, Lorraine, were invited to join the president and Mrs Clinton at a cocktail reception at the US ambassador's house in London.
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Ten years ago: drunken abductor
POLICE were hunting a drunken man who abducted two boys at knifepoint as they made their way to school. The man threatened the boys, aged 11 and 12, and made them climb into a van before driving them to a town centre public toilet where the youngsters
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School raises £300
A CHRISTMAS shopping event at St Mary's School, Haslingden, raised around £300 for the school funds. Organised by the Friends of St Mary's, the event was successful and featured various stalls, including crafts and paintings, as well as an artist doing
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Conned couple: Store workers help
AN old couple who had their life savings stolen by con artists will have a little brighter Christmas thanks to a supermarket. Gladys and Harry Birch of Ribblesdale Avenue, Accrington, were tricked by a man and woman who got into their home by pretending
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Employee cleared of knocking out boss's teeth
A FACTORY worker said to have attacked his boss and knocked out his teeth with steel cutters was cleared by a jury in minutes yesterday afternoon. Part-time fireman Michael Bridges, 28, was found not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm after
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Obituary: Labour of love for Norman
A MUSEUM curator who helped to shed light on the world of Tiffany glass has died at the age of 72. For 18 years Norman Potter (pictured) was curator of the Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington where he looked after the world famous collection of Art Nouveau
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Sports centre lottery fury
A BATTLE of words has erupted after campaigners said they would try to block a Lottery grant for a multi-million pound sports development at a Hyndburn high school. Moorhead Residents Association, who have led a carefully-planned attack on the proposed
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Abominable showmen!
ACRONYMS. I love 'em, as does anyone involved in the web - why bother with all those lengthy words when a handful of letters will do? The latest to come into my scope of awareness is Yettie, which stands for young entrepreneurial technocrat. So now you
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£25million bid to kill bug
A MASSIVE cash injection to improve water treatment should help ensure fewer people are hit by outbreaks of a water-borne stomach bug that has struck more than 100 people in Lancashire this year. For more than a week in March, residents of around 10,000
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Freeserve flights of fancy
THE latest special offer from our chums at FS Auctions are cut price flights to some rather lovely European cities. The Freeserve online auction site, and official partners to our This is Lancashire website, has teamed up with British Midland to offer
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Countryside boost plans on right track
PLANS to give the countryside a boost have been greeted as "a step in the right direction" by council leaders in East Lancashire -- but condemned as "a complete damp squib" by a local MP. The white paper containing the government's proposals, A Fair Deal
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Celebrities get the needle
A WISE man once said the only difference between people with tattoos and people without tattoos was that people with tattoos don't care if you are tattooed or not. There are plenty of fine tattoo sites on the web, but one of the best, and most highly
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Divers royal it over the rest
IN Division A of the Rossall Monday Sixes, Blackpool Area Divers stay out in front following a 2-0 win over The Royals while second placed Fleetwood Flyers beat Boca Juniors 3-2. Third placed The Cellar had a comfortable 6-2 win over lowly Symbol Social
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Rally round up
SEVENTY TWO hours is all it will take the winners to get from Land's End to John O'Groats this weekend as the entrants in le Jog set off at 7.40 am on Saturday. Billed as the most challenging event in the British Historic calendar, the 1,500 mile route
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On their day City could reign supreme
With rain throwing Lancaster City's league schedule into chaos, Citizen sports editor Steve Dunthorne takes a look at the season so far for Tony Hesketh's Dolly Blues. Phil Horner has retired from football since Lancaster last took to the field in a league
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Sad end for 40ft beached whale
A 40FT whale washed up on Morecambe Bay is to be buried at Salt Ayre tip. Harbour staff had hoped to give the young female fin whale a dignified burial at sea but it was loaded onto a flat top truck and taken to Salt Ayre tip so an autopsy could take
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Boxing Day at Barnsley
THE Clarets have been allocated 6,000 tickets for the Boxing Day clash at Barnsley. Priority sales to season-ticket holders and Clarets Foundation members startes next Monday at 9.15am. Voucher L is required with one ticket per voucher with any remaining
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Clarets battle back from the brink
Bunrley reserves 3, Port Vale reserves 3 BURNLEY twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils in a fluctuating Avon Insurance League clash at Vale Park last night. The Clarets, who included Paul Smith in their line-up on his return from a shin
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Shrimps crash out of Van Trophy
Morecambe will go into their game with Hereford this weekend hoping that they have a little more luck than on Tuesday night, as the Shrimps crashed out of the LDV Vans Trophy against Third Division Lincoln City. Jim Harveys men certainly didn't deserve
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Important win for Prescot
Prescot RU 20 Manchester XV 7 PRESCOT gained an important league win with an impressive performance against a strong Manchester team. After a hard-fought first half, Prescot led 3-0 at the break with a penalty by Number Eight Chris Leigh. In the second
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Smith gets the green light
PAUL Smith has been given the green light to step up his bid for a first-team place at Turf Moor after putting another injury nightmare behind him. The Clarets winger helped the reserves to a 3-3 draw at Port Vale last night and felt no adverse reaction
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Carlo's new post
CONTRACT furnishing fabrics specialist Panaz has further strengthened its UK sales team by promoting Carlo Chiodo (pictured) to the new position of northern area sales manager. Mr Chiodo has been part of the team at the company, based in Fence, near Burnley
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Company bought in £18m link-up
HEALTHCARE giant Smith & Nephew has agreed to buy an American company in a cash deal worth £18 million. Smith & Nephew, which has a site in Brierfield, has reached an agreement to buy Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd (OBL), of Arizona. OBL is a rapidly
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Move reflects a growing outfit
AN INDUSTRIAL auctioneer is expanding its business into new premises in East Lancashire. Smith Hodgkinson is moving from its current site in Chorley to a new warehouse on the Knowsley Park Way Industrial Estate, Haslingden. The new site will be fully
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Insight into employment tribunals
CLIENTS of an East Lancashire accountancy firm were surprised to receive an invitation to attend as a "witness" when it organised an employment tribunal seminar. The seminar, which was conducted as a mock tribunal, aimed to show companies how unfair dismissal
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Festive clampdown on car crime
MERSEYSIDE Police are putting the brakes on car crime in the run-up to Christmas. Officers will be working to reduce the number of cars that are broken into during the next four weeks. The operation, called Pitstop2, was launched at the beginning of the
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SHAKERS: Preece rues Shakers' missed chances
SHAKERS boss Andy Preece believes his Bury side suffered a similar fate to other FA Cup victims Stoke City. Stoke got beaten by Nuneaton in the famous cup competition and Preece feels every sympathy for them. He is still desperately disappointed by his
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Birdman Alan is honoured
BIRD fancier Alan Haury has been honoured by being nominated to be a judge at the prestigious National Cage and Aviary Birds Exhibition to be staged at the Birmingham NEC next month. The 34-year-old from Hornbeam Close, Haydock, has owned and bred British
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Beacon for the homeless
ST HELENS Council is setting the standards with its stance on tackling homelessness. That's the word from SHELTER who described the council as "an example of good practice to other local authorities'." The national charity particularly singled out the
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Road death crash plea
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on the Liverpool-bound carriageway of the M62, close to Rainhill Stoops, at about 9.45pm on Tuesday, November 14. An 18-year-old woman was riding a 250cc motorcycle along
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It's what Brian would have wanted!
THE death of a young St Helens man in a tragic road accident is helping to improve the lives of youngsters in a Bangladeshi orphanage. Peter and Paula Byrnes, from Penryn Avenue, Laffak set up an appeal in aid of the Bottomley Home Orphanage in Dhaka,
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Council calls in sports consultants
ST HELENS Council has agreed to bring in consultants to advise them on the first steps towards improving the town's sports facilities. Following a major review of facilities, the council faces a £1.7million bill just to repair and maintain its centres
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Swoop on fuel hoard
POLICE and council officials have seized a timebomb hoard of petrol discovered in dozens of plastic canisters in a wooden shed. Fire chiefs warned the illegally stored petrol could have caused a major explosion at the rear of Sough Road, Darwen. Officers
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John's brush with a mighty prop
A TALENTED painter whose front door proudly proclaims that "an artist lives here" has delivered another masterpiece with a Rugby League ring, despite battling blindness! And, for stroke patient and Saints supporter, 67-year-old John Bickerstaffe, one
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Riverside project entered for award
AN eight-year-long project to reclaim and upgrade derelict land by the River Irwell at Stacksteads will be among the entries again in the latest round of Grimewatch awards. The scheme involves local schools and youth clubs, businesses, members of the
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Can you feel the force?
THIS week Citizen Smith believes it's his duty to warn the public about a gang who are masquerading as policemen and operating in the Lancaster area. Eyewitnesses have told Citizen Smith how they were enticed from an exciting episode of Who Wants to Be
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Weathering the winter
Food News, with Patricia Hall THE winter months are traditionally a period of lethargy, colds and infections. What you eat can play a large part in getting rid of those winter blues and this week we look at how you can help yourself keep vibrant when
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After rain, they built an ark!
CHILDREN and animals filed into Blackpool Zoo for a service with a difference recently. More than 500 children and their parents arrived for the Big Event for Little People -- a church service taking the theme of Noah's Ark. The event, organised by the
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The Recluse of Claughton Hall
TWELVE months after he walked to freedom from a prison cell, media tycoon Owen Oyston has still not been seen in public. Before Christmas The Citizen speculated that despite widespread public acceptance that he was probably innocent of a rape charge for
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Beer profits 'satisfactory'
BLACKBURN brewery Thwaites unveiled "satisfactory" profit figures for the first six months of this financial year. The company returned a pre-tax profit of £6.61 million in the six months to the end of September compared with £6.48 million in the same
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Straw to open new health care centre
A NEW £750,000 medical unit will be opened by Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw a week tomorrow. Mr Straw will unveil a plaque at the primary care centre at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn. Work began in July on the centre, which will house
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Paper mill shuts
WORKERS were made redundant from one of East Lancashire's oldest mills, which ceased production yesterday. About 30 staff are believed to have been told to go home when they arrived at the Roach Bridge Paper Mill, near Samlesbury, yesterday. David Appleby
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Suzanne leaves Irish ice smiling
TEEN skate ace Suzanne Jenkins' family were prepared to go to the ends of the earth to support her -- or to Lancashire at least. Parents John and Roberta and brother Andrew sold their house in Belfast, packed up their belongings, said goodbye to friends
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I'd rather have Joe put down
DEVOTED pet owner Mary Stanton, 73, has vowed to have her beloved Joe the capuchin monkey put down rather than lose him, saying: "He will die anyway if he is taken away". Mrs Stanton, pictured outside court after the verdict, of Harrison Street, Blackburn
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Baby Emma: Health watchdog's grim warning
A WATCHDOG today warned that more tragedies like the death of baby Emma Dyson are waiting to happen because of a lack of funding for mental health services in the Burnley area. The claim was made as Burnley MP Peter Pike revealed that he is to quiz social
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England women win
RUN-MACHINE Arran Taylor put on her fielding hat to help England to a 140-run win over Holland in the Women's Cricket World Cup. The 18-year-old, right, from Barnoldswick put in an impressive fielding display as the Dutch managed just 116 for nine in
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NOn league: Dale anger
ROSSENDALE United could be lining up a controversial claim for compensation from league rivals Mossley after the postponement of two games in four days. The club are angry that both Saturday's and Tuesday's North West Counties Division One games were
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Andrea's tabled her Commonwealth bid
Girl Power with Dany Robson IF table tennis was a widely publicised sport, Andrea Holt would be as much a household name as tennis star Tim Henman. The Ramsbottom player has been English number one, has a host of titles and medals to her name and is looking
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Ruskin fail to ground Eagle
Ruskin Park 2nds 0 Eagle 5 DUE to the cancellation of the 1st XV fixture, Ruskin found themselves up against a strengthened Eagle outfit, and although under pressure for long periods, managed to keep the margin of defeat to a single try. On several occasions
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Rocket grounded in JOL 'survivor'
ONLY one game survived in the St Helens McDonalds JOL as the wet weather continued to play havoc with the programme, with Blackleyhurst notching a 9-1 win away to Rocket in the under 14s section. RESULTS Under 14s: Rocket 1 Blackleyhurst 9. FIXTURES Sunday
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LSH feel the pace
Liverpool St Helens 14 Dudley Kingswinford 36 A FRANTIC first half, played at a fast, frenzied and frenetic pace all but settled this game in favour of the well-supported visitors from the Midlands. Despite putting the first points on the board with a
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Park retain top spot
West Park 12 Vale of Lune 7 PARK opened brightly in this top-of-the-table clash with a fine 80-yard passing movement only for the final scoring pass to go astray. Then Glen Fletcher crossed the try line but was recalled for a forward pass. However, Park
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Rain was the winner!
PRESTON North End's Reserves fixture against Oldham Athletic in the Avon Insurance League Premier Division at Stalybridge Celtic's ground on Tuesday (November 28) was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.
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We can do it again
PRESTON will be looking to do the double over Division One high-flyers Fulham this Saturday (December 2) as the side travel to Deepdale hoping to stretch their run of good form. But, it will be Preston with the point to prove following last Saturday's
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'We shall not be moved'
"WE will not be moved" is the message from defiant old folk at a Blackpool care home this week after being told that the establishment is to close. Social services have told residents they must move out of council-run Warren Manor on Warren Drive after
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Lock up your sheds!
POLICE in St Helens are warning residents of Sutton to make sure their homes, sheds and cars are secure following a spate of burglaries in the area. Inspector Martin Woosey said: "Residents should check that sheds, garages and vehicles are securely locked
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Santa does the rounds
THE Rotary Club of Newton-le-Willows will be accompanying Father Christmas on a tour through the streets of Newton next month on his sleigh to bring in the festive season. He can be seen at the following locations and dates: Wednesday, December 6 -- Fairbrother
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Stay cool kids say police
POLICE have produced a new 'Cool Card' for young people in a bid to try and reduce crime and the fear of crime across the age groups. The personal safety card, which has been issued to the Year Seven pupils at De La Salle School, Mill Brow, Eccleston,
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Their memories will be evergreen!
PRIMARY schoolchildren joined war veterans for a special assembly to remember all those who lost their lives during the first and second world wars. After the assembly at Whiston Willis Primary School, Weyman Avenue, the children buried a time capsule
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Parcels bring joy in a shoebox
A GROUP of kind-hearted Year Seven pupils at Haydock High School have been putting together shoeboxes of Christmas gifts to send to children in war-torn areas such as Kosovo and Eastern Europe. Operation Christmas Child, which is run by the charity Samaritans
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Sights set even higher
CORNING Cable Systems' Whiston plant has been presented with the North West Excellence Award, based on the European Foundation Quality Model. General Manager, Steve Ellis, who received the award with business improvement manager, Jim Collins at a ceremony
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Adam wins top award
A SIXTH former's achievements while on work placement with a St Helens company have won him a special award for technical innovation in international marketing. Adam Hughes, a pupil at St Edwards College Liverpool, was rewarded for his work in marketing
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Remploy hit by raiders
A LOCAL firm, which produces cleaning fluids, was left to mop up and count the costs after a break-in at its premises. Employees of Remploy in Knowsley Road, Newtown, were shocked to find that containers containing in excess of £50,000 worth of laundry
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'Easier to turn a blind eye'
HOME Secretary Jack Straw said Friday night pub fights are the result of years of scrapping in the school playground. And now he wants a national campaign to tackle the growing "yob culture." The Home Secretary told left-wing think tank the Institute
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Insular attitude is the last Straw
IF ever an island was insular, it has to Great Britain. Yet again our blinkered jingoism has surfaced through the medium of sport. Having recoiled in horror at the thought of a Johnny Foreigner bringing some sophistication to a wart of an England side
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Can you see the reindeer?
IN an attempt to encourage more people to Mill Hill shopping centre, Blackburn, organisers have introduced a "Hunt the Reindeer" competition. Now people will be busy searching for 10 pictures of the creatures which will be well hidden in various shop
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Advent loses its meaning
FOLLOWING the recent discussions on the 'Christmas' versus 'Xmas' debate, may I make a plea for people to consider buying only Advent calendars that have some religious content? It is becoming very difficult to find any, other than in church bookshops
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Hospital food is a tonic
RECENTLY, there have been several letters regarding hospital food, prompted by reports that TV presenter Loyd Grossman might be brought in. Personally, I don't think the NHS should waste any money in that direction. I have had six spells in Burnley General
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This is not democracy
IS it true that we are rapidly heading for a totalitarian state? Witness our Great Leader this week: "I will not allow . . ." In this instance, what he was saying was that "you cannot criticise my decision to have a European strike force." (He will not
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Robbie says thanks
I AM really pleased to have this chance to add my personal thanks to all readers of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph whose generous donations raised over £30,000 for UNICEF's emergency appeal for Mozambique's flood victims. You may know that in May this
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Rednapp calls fould
WEST Ham boss Harry Redknapp today called into question the Department of Employment's decision to grant Brad Friedel a work permit. Hammers boss Redknapp believes the whole system is 'crooked' after struggling to get a permit for 23-year-old Australian
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Rovers reserves
ROVERS' home FA Premier Reserve League clash against Liverpool at Morecambe has been brought forward 24 hours to next Monday night, kick-off 7.00. The official Supporters Club are again running a coach to the game which will leave Ewood at 5.30pm. Tickets
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Carsley is set for Coventry
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Lee Carsley was today mulling over a return to the Premiership with Coventry City. The Sky Blues have a made new enquiry about the Republic of Ireland international. And, as I understand it, a deal for the 26-year-old could
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A true professional
I WAS very saddened to hear of the death of Star Sports Editor, Rod Winstanley. I first met Rod when I had just embarked on a career in journalism at the Star back in the mid 1980s. Rod himself had then recently joined the Star from the Chester Chronicle
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Those were the days
WE were born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen food, Xerox, plastic contact lenses, videos, frisbees and the pill. We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ball point pens, before dishwashers, tumble dryers, electric
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Storing role!
STAFF eagerly awaited TV's Changing Rooms star Laurence Llewelyn Bowen as he made his way to Preston's Dunelm store in Walton-le-Dale. "All the staff were excited about his visit," explained store manager Barbara Crozier. "A number of members of staff
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Market parking flagged down
TOWN Hall bosses have decided to put the brakes on shoppers using Preston's historic Flag Market as a car park. The decision was made at a council meeting last Friday (November 24) where members voted to start maintenance work on the market in the new
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Biffa trash the rumours
OLD Kent Road might be the trashy end of town on the Monopoly board, but for a Preston waste removal firm it's right up their street! And bosses at Biffa, Walton Summit, Bamber Bridge, say they are glad to be dumped on the cheapest square on the board
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Parking bonus for shoppers
PRESTON is gearing up to be the number one centre for Christmas shopping in Lancashire this year after the council announced there will be free car parking on one of its sites. Visitors to the town will be able to take advantage of the offer on Lancashire
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Safety drive hits the road
LANCASHIRE police will launch their annual Christmas drink-driving crackdown next week with a range of measures lined up to stop festive drinking turning into death on the roads. The force is working in conjunction with Lancashire County Council's Road
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Leave us alone, plead lesbian couple
A LESBIAN couple forced to quit Preston after thugs wrecked their home are on the move again, claiming today: "We will never find somewhere safe." The couple, who have asked not be named for fear that the situation might get worse, today revealed they
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Green scheme comes to town
WHILE the world's politicians struggle to agree on how best to tackle global warming -- thousands of Preston households have decided to do their bit for the environment. More than 14,000 households throughout the borough are set to become the first in
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Stolen goods handler 'dragged into it'
A HANDLER of stolen goods had been "dragged into it," by her burgling boyfriend, Burnley Magistrates heard. The court was told how Louisa Jane Sanderson, 20, tried to dispose of some of the break-in proceeds and didn't really believe the story given to
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Town shops theft blitz
BURNLEY police officers today warned shoplifters that if they are caught they could face a 12 month ban from the town centre. During the last week the police, with help from the town's CCTV operators, have made 15 arrests for theft offences in the centre
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Problems flood in for pupils
PRIMARY school children at a Lancaster school have to abandon their classroom every time it rains because it floods! And worried parents are increasingly concerned that infants at St Joseph's school in Skerton have had to put up with the problem for the
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Raffle ticket scam
A RAFFLE tickets scam which claims to be raising funds for the homeless in Lancaster is operating in the area. But bosses at Lancaster's Homeless Action have warned the public to not to fall for the con and have made it clear that they are not selling
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Blaze wrecks redundant fairground ride
FIRE fighters fought a blaze at Frontierland on Sunday evening amid fears that it could spread to Morrison's supermarket. The Old Silver Mine ride at the former fun fair caught fire with the flames rapidly taking hold of the old timber structure. The
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Asbestos worker inquest
A NELSON man who suffered asbestosis after years of working in the Scottish shipbuilding industry, died in Burnley General Hospital two months' after being admitted with breathing difficulties. An inquest in Burnley heard John Cairns, 72, of Charles Street
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Wedding guests in street punch-up
WEDDING guests brawled in the street as drinks flowed at the reception just hours after the happy couple were hitched, a court heard. Four guests arrested when the large fight broke out in Brierfield in the summer have been bound over in the sum of £100
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Season ticket sales boost
SAINTS' encore Grand Final triumph has resulted in a massive demand for season tickets for Super League VI. Latest estimates are that sales have almost reached last year's total after just one week which, according to vice-chairman Malcolm Kay, is a huge
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Preston men slump
Preston 1, Plas Coch 3 PRESTON'S hockey squad played host to Wrexham's Plas Coch on Saturday afternoon which saw the home team slump to defeat. The town's first XI went 1-0 up thanks to an impressive first-half strike by Lee Wavill, but the team could
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Pilks end rivals' unbeaten run
Pilkingtons U/15s 24 Mayfield 10 THIS top-of-the-table clash saw previously unbeaten Mayfield lose the spoils to a never-say-die Pilks team performance. Pilks trailed 6-4 at half-time but hit back after the break to take the spoils, thanks largely to
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Portico youngsters show character
Portico U/15s 30 Hindley 6 IN difficult conditions, Portico showed character to overcome a strong Wigan outfit. Man-of-the-match was Danny Bannison who produced some excellent running with the ball. Once again Mike Astbury was in fine form and was rewarded
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Royals tame the Bears
Blackbrook Royals U/9s 18 Ashton Bears 6 ROYALS were in outstanding form as they became the first side to lower the Ashton colours, with a terrific defensive effort led by Alex Holland, Josh Owen, Liam Holland and top tackler Scott Conroy. Nathan Goodwin
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Workers' fear as jobs hang in balance
MORE than 40 jobs at a Colne wallpaper manufacturing mill could go by Christmas. Workers at Country Decor in Skipton Road, were called into a meeting by management to be told by bosses the future of the plant would be decided in 30 days. Marketing manager
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What does it mean?
WE'VE all used the expression at one time or another, but just what does 'Once in a blue moon' really mean? The query is posed by a group of bitter-garglers from Greenalls Club. ANYONE got an explanation? Then don't let us have to wait for the next blue
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School raises £300
A CHRISTMAS shopping event at St Mary's School, Haslingden, raised around £300 for the school funds. Organised by the Friends of St Mary's, the event was successful and featured various stalls, including crafts and paintings, as well as an artist doing
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Director barred for misconduct
A BUSINESSMAN has been disqualified from acting as a company director for three years. The order was made as a result of misconduct by Anthony Gilbert Thompson, of Beech Street, Accrington, when he was a director of P E T Engineering and Processing Services
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Appeal killer set to walk free
A CONVICTED killer who has always protested his innocence is expected to be released on bail tomorrow after 16 years in prison. Photographic salesman Peter Fell, of Great Harwood, expects to be a free man for the first time since 1984 after tomorrow's
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Fans can eat the authors' words
BOOK lovers will have the chance to meet three authors at two literary meals next Wednesday evening and Thursday lunchtime at the Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn. As well as enjoying a three-course meal, guests will be able to chat with Laurence Marks, Nigel
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Celebrities get the needle
A WISE man once said the only difference between people with tattoos and people without tattoos was that people with tattoos don't care if you are tattooed or not. There are plenty of fine tattoo sites on the web, but one of the best, and most highly
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Des signs for Seattle
IN my younger, more carefree days, I was captain of a pub quiz team. We had a regular team in the Monday night quiz and called ourselves the Desmond Lynam Fan Club, as the great man was on the TV presenting the football (Euro 88, to be precise). It was
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Gr-eightshow by Thornton
THORNTON CLEVELEYS U12s 8 FC RANGERS 1 IF Thornton needed reminding they were up against a side in form, they soon found out when keeper Chris Threlfall picked the ball out of the net from FC's first attack. TCFC responded but looked vulnerable to the
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Wins all the way for rampant Rangers
WYRE U9s 0 BLACKPOOL RANGERS 7 POOR conditions made the going tough, with an early goal from Jamie Silver who scored two more later on. Other goals from Jack Farrell, Jack Taylor and two more from Jordan Holmes completed a good performance. Man of the
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YMCA secure the points
OUR LADY A U9s 1 YMCA A 1 OUR LADY B U9s 0 YMCA B 5 YMCA ran out 6-1 aggregate winners but both teams showed great character in atrocious conditions. In heavy rain the A game finished all-square, Joe Van-Breemen notching the visitors' goal. In the B game
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Simpson sizzler seals win
Blackpool 2 Darlington 1 Scorers. Pool: Ormerod 37, Simpson 51. Darlington: Hjorth 80 Attendance: 3,683 THE SEVEN goal nightmare at Barnet can well and truly be forgotten as Pool built upon last week's cup win with an equally important league victory.
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Smith gets the green light
PAUL Smith has been given the green light to step up his bid for a first-team place at Turf Moor after putting another injury nightmare behind him. The Clarets winger helped the reserves to a 3-3 draw at Port Vale last night and felt no adverse reaction
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Briscoe gets stitches removed
CLARETS star Lee Briscoe has had a couple of the stitches removed from his knee wound, while Lennie Johnrose and Glen Little are also stepping up their rehabilitation work with physio Ian Liversedge. However, the trio still face a couple of weeks out
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Brett's big day
THE Home Nations may have fallen by the wayside but St Helens did have one representative on the pitch at the World Cup Final on Saturday. For 10-year-old Brett Lea from Eccleston was given the honour of leading out the mighty Australians at Old Trafford
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Carsley is set for Coventry
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Lee Carsley was today mulling over a return to the Premiership with Coventry City. The Sky Blues have a made new enquiry about the Republic of Ireland international. And, as I understand it, a deal for the 26-year-old could
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Derby set to be a cracker
THIS Saturday (December 2) the Grasshoppers have another local derby to contend with when they entertain Fylde. The stakes are high with both sides now aware that three sides will be relegated this season. Hoppers lie fifth from bottom with Fylde only
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You dirty rats...
A COUNCIL pest control programme is aiming to buck the national trend by reducing the number of rats which live and breed in the town's sewers. Complaints about rats have increased by 18 per cent throughout the country but St Helens Pest Control Officers
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Please think local urges Rose
A SCOUT group leader claims local charities could suffer following the launch of an appeal for used postage stamps by popular children's TV show, Blue Peter. Rose Jones, who runs the 8th St Helens Scout Group based in St Nicholas' Church, Sutton, told
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Jack, history buff and Harrier, dies
ALL who knew him -- and they were many -- will have greeted with great sadness the news that, aged 87, Jack Burke died on November 11, an appropriate date, since his RAF service in World War Two remained fresh in his mind. He would always pause at Cranwell
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Soccer player dies after collapse
A FOOTBALL fan has died suddenly at the age of 32 after collapsing while playing the sport. Father-of-one John Robert O'Shea suffered pains in his chest on Saturday while playing five-a-side football for a work team at the Trafford Park Sports Centre
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Cash just came storming in for fund
FUND raisers at a Blackpool nightclub had a stormy time raising thousands of pounds for the MacMillan Windmill Appeal this month. Revellers braved terrible weather conditions of high winds and driving rain to join DJ Pete Schofield at the Waterfront to
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Cherry on the cake
A TOP dog on the Fylde Coast has hung up her collar and lead and is now living a dog's life after retiring on a high note last week. Zagnahar Veeshnya -- Russian for Cherry -- and her owner, Derek Pye, of Thornton, walked off with first prize in the open
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Doctors' new deal starts this week
JUNIOR doctors at Blackpool Victoria Hospital will get a better working deal from December 1when Government measures come into force to ensure lower hours and better pay . Doctors will now work a weekly maximum of 56 hours and new doctors will receive
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That sinking feeling
A FULL investigation into the accident that left a trawler marooned on a sandbank in the channel of Fleetwood docks was under way this week. Docks owner, The Association of British Ports, and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, are conducting two
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Name, set and match
TIME at the bar please! We can no longer accept entries to The Citizen's Name the Pub competition. And thanks to you it has been one of our most popular competitions ever, with hundreds of bright ideas. In conjunction with JD Wetherspoons, The Citizen
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Flooding: Insurance worries
CONCERNED residents in flood-plagued Anchorsholme and Norbreck are investigating claims that people are being refused insurance. Reports that an insurance company has refused to upgrade insurance cover to include contents after a spate of flooding in
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Natalie's place mat in history
IT'S Big Mac and prize to go for a Blackpool schoolgirl as her artwork is set to be plastered across McDonald's restaurants throughout the country. Natalie Bather, a 15-year-old pupil from Palatine High School, was the regional winner in the burger bar's
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Casting a dark shadow
AN ELDERLY Blackpool couple say their lives have been blighted by a church building being constructed by the side of their home. David and Mollie Moreton, of Darley Avenue, say that the building -- a parish centre at St Christopher's Church, Hawes Side
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Post office audit probe
A SUB postmaster has been suspended following a probe in to the running of a Penwortham Post Office. Shafiq Patel was told to leave Cop Lane Post Office, Kingsfold, following an internal investigation by Post Office auditors. Mr Patel took over the post
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Aussie airline boost
AUSTRALIAN airline Qantas has given East Lancashire's aerospace industry a major boost. The airline was signed up to be a launch customer for the Airbus double-decker "super jumbo" A3XX whilst at the same time ordering A330s in a major fleet modernisation
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Your dough's safe with us!
BOSSES at a bakery company rushed to reassure worried shareholders, many of them workers, after its share price mysteriously dived 14 per cent in a matter of hours. Blackburn-based Inter Link Foods saw its price on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM
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Suzanne leaves Irish ice for Blackburn
TEEN skate ace Suzanne Jenkins' family were prepared to go to the ends of the earth to support her -- or to Lancashire at least. Parents John and Roberta and brother Andrew sold their house in Belfast, packed up their belongings, said goodbye to friends
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Residents say 'yes' to housing transfer
RESIDENTS have had their say on the future of council housing in Blackburn with Darwen borough and voted in favour of plans to transfer 10,000 houses to a separate company. The results of the ballot were announced yesterday afternoon, after 62 per cent
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CRICKET: England women win
RUN-MACHINE Arran Taylor put on her fielding hat to help England to a 140-run win over Holland in the Women's Cricket World Cup. The 18-year-old, (left), from Barnoldswick put in an impressive fielding display as the Dutch managed just 116 for nine in
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Atheltics: Assefa for yourself
THE cat is finally out of the bag. For the past six weeks, 19-year-old Getu Assefa has been training with Pendle Athletic Club, but had not entered any races. Coach Terry Wilkinson chose the Wesham 10K at Kirkham to be his first outing, a flat and fast
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Boys march on in National Cup
THE St Helens School under 15s football side moved into the fourth round of the National Cup, the town's best run in the comeptition for many seasons, with a superb 4-0 win over Barrow. Manager Tony Graves was delighted by the overall quality of the performance
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Bid to revive table tennis league
THE St Helens Table Tennis League played its final set last season due to shortage of players, but long-term steps are being taken towards its future revival. For former stalwart Brian Wearden has been instrumental in forming the St Helens Junior Table
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Cables go nap in Trophy
Prescot Cables 5 Castleton Gabriels 0 THE Prescot groundstaff defied the odds to get this Worthington Challenge Trophy clash played but the incessant rain over the past few weeks meant that the pitch was very heavy and there was an inconsistent run and
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Rainhill Junior League
WEEK Three of the under 10s Mini-Soccer once again provided most of the weekend action in the Rainhill Junior League with all but two of the Sunday games again falling victim to the miserable weather RESULTS Saturday, Under 10s Mini-Soccer: 9.30am Premier
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Easy meat for Town
Abbey Hey 0 St Helens Town 4 AN unexpected fleeting break in the near two-month deluge gave Town the rare opportunity of getting in a much-needed league game and they made the most of it by devouring the Mancunian opposition. Town should have been facing
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St Helens Combination round-up
THE Combination again suffered from the bad weather, with another devastated fixture programme. Only two games got underway in the Premiership, Joe Savage and Mark Welding were the goalscorers for East Sutton Labour, but unfortunately Shoe FC, pitch-sharers
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Time is running out for tickets
PNE season ticket holders have today (Thursday, November 30) to buy tickets for the Gillingham match before they are open to shareholders (Friday) and public (Monday). There are 16 wheelchair and helper tickets, priced £15 for the pair, which must be
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PNE star Willie dies
FULL-BACK Willie Cunningham, one of Preston North End's greatest post-war players, has died at the age of 75. Willie, a tough-tackling no nonsense player who also captained Scotland during his time at Deepdale, died in hospital after a short illness.
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Come on and enter Green awards
LOCAL groups and businesses in St Helens are being invited to enter for the latest batch of 'green' awards. Merseyside 21, which is sponsored by organisations including St Helens Council recognises those who have 'done their bit' for Agenda 21 -- a project
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On the right path
LOCAL residents are being given the chance to have a preview of the Pathways Action for Thatto Heath and Sutton (PATHS) Community Centre before its official opening. A special Open Day is being held on Friday, December 15, between 9am and 4pm when there
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Police in robbery plea
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a robbery at the Lloyds TSB Bank in Hardshaw Street, St Helens on Wednesday, November 22. A man, believed to be holding a firearm, entered the bank just after 3pm and threatened staff before walking out with a quantity
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Helping hands join the team
ST HELENS Coalition of Disabled People (CDP) have just appointed two new people to provide a free independent and confidential advocacy service for people with mental health problems. Service user development worker, Jackie Hill's main aim will be to
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Saintly salute for Duke youngsters
ALMOST 250 young people from across the Borough struck gold, silver and bronze in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. The award winners - 14 gold, 79 silver and 150 bronze - attended a presentation evening at St Helens Town Hall where St Helens Rugby
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Showing red card to crime
A PILOT scheme to give crime the red card has been put into play by Merseyside Police, St Helens Council and local sub-post offices. The joint scheme has been launched in Queens Park, Eccleston and Windle. The scheme is aimed at helping residents to safeguard
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Raider wore 'Lily' wig
POLICE in St Helens are on the lookout for a would-be robber, who may have disguised his appearance with a 'Lily Savage-style' blonde wig to make his getaway. The man had burst into Moss Bank Road post office at about 5pm on Wednesday, November 22, and
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Flats are checked for asbestos
HEALTH and safety officers from St Helens Council tested a number of flats for asbestos contamination following a fire in Parr. The tests proved negative but tenants have still not been allowed back into their homes following the fire which broke out
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Strikers staying says Macca
POOL manager Steve McMahon insists strikers Brett Ormerod and John Murphy are staying at Bloomfield Road. McMahon is angry at recent transfer speculation linking the players with Wigan Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers as he has not been contacted by either
