Archive

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Events in East Lancashire on Saturday, February 17

Second Hand Book Fair, Accrington Town Hall, 10am-4.30pm. 50/50 Dancing with MCs Duncan and Margaret, Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm-11pm. Last Night of the Proms in Brass, Guild Hall, Preston, 7.30pm. Choral Evensong, Blackburn

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This week in 1976 25 years ago

AT THE MOVIES: Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood were starring in the war-time thriller Where Eagles Dare at Bury's Classic 1. Meanwhile, over at the Mayfair Cinema in Whitefield: The Queer, The Erotic and Do You Want to Remain a Virgin Forever? SHUTTLE

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Sports club break-in is admitted

A 20-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man was remanded in custody by Blackburn magistrates after pleading guilty to breaking in Blackburn Northern Sports Club last Friday and stealing £98 from the squash court cash boxes. Stephen Gregson, of Wareham Street, also pleaded

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Care excellent

AFTER spending two weeks in Blackburn Infirmary's Ward 19, I would like to thank all the nurses and the doctors in the operating theatre and everyone else involved. They are all doing a great job. M W RUSHTON (Mrs), Oswaldtwistle.

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Councillors you should be ashamed

AS an ex-Blackburn person I was amazed at the council's decision to shut Church Street (LET, January 26). The reason I was in Blackburn that day was because Wigan, where I now live, has done all this with its town centre and now we have not got one proper

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Boy, 15 robbed

TWO thugs stopped and searched a 15-year-old boy before stealing his mobile phone. The robbery happened at 7.45pm on Tuesday (Feb 13) in Bury New Road, Prestwich. Both thieves were white and aged 17. One was wearing a white jacket. Any witnesses should

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Boy injured in racist attack

A 13-year-old Asian boy was punched in the face and knocked off his chair during a racist attack in the classroom. The youngster suffered racial abuse from a similarly aged white thug who then launched into the terrified pupil with his fists. The incident

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Former pupils plan reunion

AROUND 40 ex-pupils of Elton Secondary Modern School have expressed an interest in a reunion planned for April. Two former students Phil Mahon and Wayne Entwistle appealed in last week's Bury Times for anyone who attended the school, during any of the

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Wielded machete during shop raid

A THIEF vaulted over a shop counter to steal cash while his machete wielding accomplice stood guard at the door during a robbery on Tuesday (Feb 13) night. The men stormed into the Late Shop in Ainsworth Road, Bury at 9.10pm as a 49-year-old female store

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Mum Paola helps launch tax cuts campaign

MUM was the word when Cabinet office minister Graham Stringer launched the North West campaign to publicise the Children's Tax Credit. For Whitefield mother and Customs and Excise worker Paola Wheeldon joined Mr Stringer at the launch and brought along

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It's surprise, surprise for Marion!

A DEDICATED charity fund-raiser had a surprise 90th birthday celebration sprung on her. Mrs Marion Walker has helped raise almost £20,000 for Bury Hospice in the nine years that she has been running the weekly raffle for lady swimmers at Radcliffe Pool

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Treadmill will aid patients' recovery

AN unwanted treadmill will play a key role in the rehabilitation of brain injury patients in Bury. The equipment has been donated to the town's Highbank Rehabilitation Centre by the Bury Lions Club. Earlier, the organisation had been given the treadmill

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Drivers take heed or you will pay the price

BURY Council's efforts to reduce traffic through the town centre could leave motorists counting the cost. That is the warning from traffic officers who have been given the task of policing the pedestrian-friendly stretch between Bolton Street and Broad

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Petrol bomb menace

POLICE warned today that somone could be killed by teenage thugs who hurl petrol bombs and rocks at rush hour traffic. The warning comes after a large rock landed on a Vauxhall Astra van, cracking the windscreen and sending glass splinters over the driver

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Pensioners are the "write" stuff

PENSIONER power is coming to Bury. Age Concern is asking them to put pen to paper and lobby Bury North MP David Chaytor about the level of their pension. They are invited to drop into Age Concern's Mosley Street-based Jubilee Centre's campaign cafe anytime

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A £500,000 refit for the "Nelson"

THE new bosses of a Stoneclough pub hit on an idea to retain some of its history, despite the building having undergone a half-million pound facelift. Managers Stuart Price and Pat Atkins discovered an old photograph of a former landlord of the Lord Nelson

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Mobile phone mast appeal fails

RESIDENTS have emerged victorious in their opposition to the siting of a mobile phone mast in Brandlesholme, following a Government ruling against the plan. BT Cellnet, who want to install a mast at Garside Hey Road Garage, have failed in their appeal

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Clare desires trail help

CALLING all Summerseat residents. Have you heard of Brox's Brow and know its history? If the answer is yes, you could be in a position to help artist Clare Negus who is creating another piece for the Irwell Sculpture Trail. The Prestwich-based "interactive

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Joanne's our special bride

VALENTINE'S Day came early for Radcliffe's Joanne Turner who was named the Bury Times Bride of the Year. Joanne (25) of Clyde Road was cheered on by her fiance Craig Davenport, the couples' 18-month-old daughter, Hannah, and Joanne's proud parents. She

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Race chief meets family of murderered cabby

A NORTHERN race relations chief has visited Bury in the wake of last November's murder of local cabbie Tariq Javed. Mr Mohammad Amran, a high ranking official with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), met local ethnic leaders and visited Mr Javed's

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Safety blitz in danger zone

A PARTNERSHIP between councils and the police has been formed to improve road safety in the north east of Preston. The area of St Mathews, which is bounded by New Hall Lane, Blackpool Road and Ribbleton Lane, is currently being looked at with the aim

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'Invisible' Lib Dem kicked off council

A COUNCILLOR elected to serve the Larches and Savick ward in Preston has been disqualified from office after failing to attend meetings. Liberal Democrat councillor John Willacy was kicked off the council last week after he failed to attend regular meetings

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Cadets are prize collectors

TWO kind-hearted Preston teenagers have collected again -- this time a special award. Cadets Nicola Tarjanyi and Stephanie Kitt raised more money than any other sea cadets in the county during last year's Poppy Appeal. And to give them some encouragement

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Mark of approval

FOOTBALL pundit and ex-PNE and Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson was in town to officially open an exhibition chronicling the life and times of the 'beautiful game' -- and announced it a success! The National Football Museum exhibition, at Preston's St George's

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Sick of all the taunts

LOOKING at Tracey Green (pictured) it is hard to understand how people could be so cruel. She is a bright, bubbly woman with an amazing zest for life despite suffering from a severe brain disorder which will probably claim her life. Tracey, of Yarrow

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Murder charge man remanded

A MAN has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of a 74-year-old caretaker. Gavin Cox, 24, of Park Road, Waterfoot, will next face a preliminary hearing at Preston Crown Court on February 21. He was also charged with handling stolen goods.

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Liquid's hours cut by licence chiefs

BOSSES at Lancaster's biggest and newest nightclub have been stunned by a city council decision to reduce their opening hours. After two and a half days hearing damning evidence from the police, councillors decided to grant Liquid Nightclub a public entertainment

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Brain drain on campus!

STUDENTS and the authorities at Lancaster University are locked in a row over an ornamental pond. The £50,000 pond at Fylde College was built from funds donated by university staff so that they could have somewhere pleasant to eat outdoors in the summer

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Squaring up for a budget bun fight!

IT looks like there's going to be one hell of a bun fight in council chambers on February 28 as the various political parties sit down to set this year's budget. But the early signs suggest that council tax payers across the district are likely to face

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County honour for young Ian

IF you're looking for a rising star in the world of rugby then 'try' Ian Morgan! For the talented youngster is about to get first taste of county championships at the ripe old age of 15. Ian, from Penwortham's Priory Technical College, has been selected

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Hoppers linger close to danger zone

Preston Grasshoppers 15 Camberley 21 HOPPERS are staring relegation in the face following a dismal display at Camberley. The Surrey club closed the gap on Hoppers to three points leaving them perilously close to the drop from National League Two. Things

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Servet's move

SOCCER: Accrington Stanley's Turkish striker Servet Tasdemir has moved to UniBond Premier rivals Bamber Bridge. The 27-year-old Turkish professional came over to Blackburn last May and moved in with his father-in-law Peter Shuttleworth. He played a few

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Ailse always be here for you

LOVE was in the air yesterday (Wednesday, February 14) -- especially for these happy couples who decided Valentine's Day would be the best day to tie the knot. Lisa and Andrew Wood, from Marofield Close, Ingol, both thought it would be an excellent day

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Tribute to dedicated worker

A BUDDING Leyland poet is to launch an award ceremony with a poem in memory of a community worker who died last year. Sarah McLoughlin, 19, of Manor House Close, in Moss Side, has written the ode about the late South Ribble Borough Council employee, Vaughan

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General Election beckons

A FORMER councillor who resigned after accusing council colleagues of malpractice is considering standing in the next general election on an anti-corruption ticket. Adrian Shurmer, a former councillor in the Netherton ward of Great Harwood for 12 months

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Two hurt as fans brawl

Victory marred by pub violence THUGS called up reinforcements on mobile phones as violence erupted in Leigh town centre between rugby fans following the historic Challenge Cup win by Leigh over Salford. Two rugby supporters were taken to hospital when

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Petrol bomb menace

POLICE warned today that somone could be killed by teenage thugs who hurl petrol bombs and rocks at rush hour traffic. The warning comes after a large rock landed on a Vauxhall Astra van, cracking the windscreen and sending glass splinters over the driver

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Save £1m and you can leave earlier

Council tells union it won't reduce services to pay for shorter week WIGAN Metro will be happy to negotiate a 36 hour working week by 2003. But the outcome depends on an agreement over how to find nearly £1m. of savings needed to pay for the cost of bringing

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Gentle giant Neko is saved by firemen

HINDLEY firefighters were called out to grapple with a Japanese heavyweight for half an hour -- when Neko, a huge fighting dog, got his choke-chain twisted around his neck. Neko's owner Diane Potts, of Chatteris Close, Hindley, called out the brigade

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The rugby mad crane driver who oiled the voice of superstar Tom

FOR most of his life Roy Pennington has worked with a ball and crane. But he also waited on for singers such as superstar Tom Jones. The rugby mad fan, who has drawers stuffed full of rugby shirts, retired this week after 37 years as a crane driver --

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Neil unmasks Steven's killer after 34 years

FORMER Hindley schoolboy Neil Marr never forgot the tragic story of Steven Shepherd - Britain's first recorded bullycide. It was 1967 when the sad and broken 11-year-old boy walked 10 miles from his home in nearby Higher Ince to strawberry fields that

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£100 Council tax rise

BLACKPOOL residents could be paying around £100 extra per year in council tax as the cash-strapped council look to increase it by more than 15 per cent. But in nearby Wyre and Fylde Boroughs, early indications show very little change in council tax at

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Message from the head and heart

LAST week's letter by Paddy Shannon was well reasoned but what he and others involved in the religious debate ignore is that they are discussing two different categories of belief. One is of the head - adhered to by socialist - and one is of the heart

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Cemfuel case put to judge

CONTROVERSY over the burning of an alternative liquid fuel at the Ribblesdale Cement Works, Clitheroe, culminated in a full blown test case at London's High Court. The burning of Cemfuel -- made from waste solvents and oils -- has inflamed some local

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Inquest opens into guardsman's death

AN INQUEST into the death of a guardsman found dead at barracks near Buckingham Palace, has been opened and adjourned at Westminster Coroners Court in London. Martin James Rimmer, 22, of Clitheroe, was discovered in a communal area of Wellington Barracks

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Dawson's desperate stunt

I AM amazed that Hilton Dawson MP should hold a public meeting, write to local newspapers and upset so many people by making wild accusations ie. that the MBIs intended to close Lancaster Museum. As a member of the Indepedent group I have not at any time

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A £2,200 aid boost

GENEROUS pupils at an East Lancashire high school and their parents have donated £2,200 to the Indian Earthquake Appeal. Students at St Augustine's RC High, Billington, Whalley, staged a series of fund-raising events at the school to help people in the

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Is it a bird? No it's an MP!

LIFE has been really exciting in Lancaster and Morecambe over the last year or so, at least for the readers of another local paper. For those not privileged to read the journal in question, I should explain that we have been subjected to dramatic crises

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A bridge too far fetched?

A SPACE-age bridge set to be flown in to place by a Chinook helicopter has come under fire -- for looking like something from Star Wars. The £500,000 structure will to span the Ribble-Calder confluence near Little Mitton, in the Ribble Valley. Since the

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Everything's open to question

I AM a little 'put out' as I write this. Yet again (Trevor Jordan's letter last week) I am dragged into an argument I have no part in starting or perpetuating, i.e. the ongoing 'debate' between the SPGB and the massed ranks of the local advocates of the

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YMCA book place in quarters

YMCA A U10s 4 WYRE VILLA A 0, YMCA B U10s 3 WYRE VILLA B 1 YMCA booked a place in the Coulton Cup quarter finals with this aggregate 7-1 win. In the A game they always had the edge and a double-strike by Jordan Holden plus a goal apiece from Ben Fishwick

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Gr-eight performance by Lytham

LSA 1st XI 8 Norton 0 LYTHAM took the opportunity of 'blooding' a couple of their up and coming youngsters against a side struggling at the bottom of the league. Both Graham Shaw and Sam Ashworth came through their test well to help Lytham make it eight

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Brave Scorpions exit national cup

York Acorn 30 Scorpions 8 : League Express BARLA National Cup Third Round. THE Scorpions travelled to National Conference outfit York Acorn for this third Round cup tie without five regular first teamers. York took the lead with an unconverted try after

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Standpoint -- race for promotion wide open

BLACKPOOL just wouldn't be Blackpool if they didn't have one or two glitches along the road to success. On the back of a momentous 6-0 thrashing at home against promotion race rivals Scunthorpe, we let ourselves down with a defeat away at Hartlepool.

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WHY CHANGE JENNY'S NAME?

I WAS appalled to read in last week's edition that Bass Brewers are about to change the name of the Spinning Jenny pub. The name is part of our heritage and would be one more thing lost to the town. Come on people of Leigh, let's have some support for

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Let's back our club!

WELL done Neil Wilcock (Journal, February 9) for successfully rallying the troops for the Salford cup tie. A proud Leyther, I wish some of his pride would spread to some of his fellow townsfolk, not just regarding Leigh Centurions, important though that

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Ward bags brace as City superiority shines through

THE Blues' in-form striker Chris Ward once again gave notice to League scouts by bragging a brace against an Altrincham side who were just one position higher in the division. City's fine run of form has coincided with Ward's goal poaching abilities as

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A READER rang this week asking me to warn people who have any old £20 notes, those featuring scient

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A DAD asked his little boy to behave himself at dinner in a hotel. But when asked if he wanted carro

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Surf the net

BURY businessmen and women can learn how to surf the net in confidence and become a global player. "Finding your way around the Internet" is one of the topics to be covered at the next meeting of the thriving BURYBUSINESS.Network to be staged at the Bolholt

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Mixing breakfast with business

EARLY birds were out in force for the inaugural meeting of the newly-launched Bury Breakfast Club. And when fully established, the independent organisation will be a prime source of networking for members of Bury's thriving business community. Around

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Bubbly batter

FISH and chips were the new food of love at one Lytham chip shop on Valentine's Day after they put some fizz in the batter. Whelan's in Clifton Street laced their famous mixture with champagne to really get into the spirit of romance. Sarah Whelan, who

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Champions of the universe

THE recent news that the mighty Manchester United have signed a deal with the New York Yankees (apparently they play a game similar to rounders, but which goes on for several weeks) will open the gates to a new era of sport. The European Cup Champions

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THE Mariners record buy is former Huddersfield, Halifax and West Brom midfielder Kevin Donovan, boug

LAST SIX RESULTS Wycombe (FAC a) drew 1-1 Neilson Crewe (h) lost 3-1 Donovan Wycombe (FAC h) lost 3-1 Jeffrey Stockport (a) drew 1-1 Donovan Portsmouth (h) won 2-1 Donovan, Livingstone Gillingham (a) lost 1-0 SEASON SO FAR GRIMSBY had an indifferent start

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Cherries need to drop Howe asking price

BOURNEMOUTH will have to drop their asking price for Clarets transfer target Eddie Howe if the central defender is to complete a move to Turf Moor. Burnley tabled a bid for the 23-year-old earlier this week but the Second Division club asked for more

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As good as it's ever been: Weller

HE may not be 26 until next month but Paul Weller has been around long enough to have charted the fall and rise of Burnley. Weller was a young professional at Turf Moor when the Clarets last played in the First Division for one season under Jimmy Mullen

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Doctor survives surgery axe attack

A BLACKPOOL doctor was saved by two plucky nurses after a woman attacked him with an axe on Tuesday morning (February 13). The nurses, who have not been named, rushed in and restrained the 41 year-old woman when she burst into Dr Mark Saunders' surgery

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Leigh RU slump to another defeat

LEIGH RU's dismal form continued as they went down 8-6 at home to Northwich. True to form, Leigh conceded an early penalty and although the forwards set up several chances, the failed to finish. Parker was an early substitute for Wright and Leigh were

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Hill making progress

LAST week's 1-0 defeat at potential champions Squires Gate shows just how far the young Daisy Hill side has come in a short space of time. Assistant manager Brian Smith says: "Even though we lost to Squires Gate the feedback that we got from everyone

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LR are the 'Real' thing

"IT was almost like watching Real Madrid," beamed Atherton LR manager Alan Lord after his side registered a stunning midweek 5-3 Division Two win at title chasers Squires Gate. "What a game. What a performance! Squires Gate are a very strong side and

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Miners stung by Hornets' late winner

Wath Brow Hornets 17 Leigh Miners Rangers 11 A TRY deep into injury time sent Leigh Miners Rangers slithering out of the League Express National Cup. On an horrendous day and on bog of a pitch, open rugby was at a premium as both sides slogged it out.

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Boston stranglers!

Boston United 0 Leigh RMI 1 LEIGH RMI took the intimidating atmosphere of York Street into their stride, and in rampant fashion, steamrollered Lincolnshire outfit Boston United to extend their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions. It was a sensational

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It's wizard in Oz!

A TEAM of adventurous professionals from Bury have jetted out to Tasmania for a busman's holiday. The group, sponsored by Rotary clubs from across the North West, are gleaning an insight into how organisations go about their business Down Under and will

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Look, we're on the telly!

LIGHTS, cameras and action came to a Victorian terrace in Whitefield this week when film crews arrived to shoot a TV drama. Dramatic scenes were filmed at the house in Hamilton Road, featuring Grimleys actress Amanda Holden and Eastenders star Joe Absolom

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Promise on consultation

CONCERNED residents were given a firm assurance from council leader Derek Boden that proper consultation would take place over Tesco's controversial proposals for Prestwich. In an impromptu speech to Prestwich Area Board on Tuesday (Feb 13) night, Coun

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Rubbish dump "looks like Beirut".

BLACKFORD Bridge residents awoke to find a former pub site had become the target for fly-tippers. Debris covered the cleared ground where the Bridge Inn stood before it was blown apart in an explosion. And as our picture illustrates, the weight of rubbish

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Pupils fly off for African adventure

EIGHT intrepid school pupils have packed their trunks to visit an adopted elephant and rhino in Kenya. And during the two-week trip of a lifetime, the teenagers from Bury C of E High School will also climb Mount Kenya as well as visiting many landmarks

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"Grope" doctor denies claims

BURY health chiefs, who sacked a doctor after he was accused of assaulting four patients, are now facing legal action from one of the victims. A mother-of-two, who complained she was groped by Dr Alexander Clubb, is to seek compensation from Bury Healthcare

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Cherries need to drop asking price for Howe

BOURNEMOUTH will have to drop their asking price for Clarets transfer target Eddie Howe if the central defender is to complete a move to Turf Moor. Burnley tabled a bid for the 23-year-old earlier this week but the Second Division club asked for more

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Rally returns to town

ALL the thrills and spills of motor sport return to Preston this weekend for the Activ-Air Conditioning North West stages. More than 70 rally cars will take to the start, at 8.30am on February 17 at Bamber Bridge's Novotel, to compete over 70 miles of

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Brass date

LEIGH Music Society play brass at their March 4 meeting when they present Besses' Boys' Band at Leigh Library. Admission £4, children and students £2.

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Flats 'Yes'

A DETACHED Atherton house, once earmarked as a children's home, can be converted in to self-contained flats for the elderly. An application at Oaklea, a Victorian home on Leigh Road, by Mr J Farrell to convert the building to five flats for people over

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Fellowship group invite

HINDLEY Green St John's Church men's fellowship, fresh from this week's enjoyable visit to Waterfield's bakery will hear Bert Heald's life story at their February 20 meeting which will also feature a games session. The fellowship extend an open invitation

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Huge jackpot for patients

BOSSES at Wigan and Bolton Health Authority are to receive an extra £37 million to spend on patient services. The authority will receive an increase of total of £37.252 million - nearly 10 per cent more than last year. Health authorities throughout the

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Back to the Victorian age

A LITTLE bit of Manchester turned up in Tyldesley when some marvellous Victorian scenes were highlighted in John Aldred's talk to Tyldesley Probus Club. Hidden camera shots of Salford and Shudehill markets taken between 1890-95 by a little known amateur

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Judge blasts court's closure

RETIRING judge Peter Urquhart used a speech at the Leigh Law Society annual dinner to criticise the closure of the local courts in the town. Judge Urquhart called the decision to shut the magistrates' court in Leigh "very sad". He told the audience of

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Row led to panel being smashed

ANDREA McFarlane smashed a glass door panel at the flat she had shared with a former boyfriend after going round to collect her mail. Blackburn magistrates heard that the couple started to argue and, after the door had been shut in her face, McFarlane

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Romantic ride to raise cash

A ROMANTIC but challenging bike ride could prove the experience of a lifetime and raise vital funds for the British Lung Foundation. Adventurous volunteers are sought for the April 20-27 ride between Vienna and Prague -- two of the most romantic European

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Kids could get their skates on

A COMPANY is hoping it can get children off the streets with a new £20,000 skateboard and BMX indoor arena. And one of the men behind the idea has revealed how it was his own son and grandson's moans about the lack of facilities that spurred his company

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Murder charge man remanded

A MAN has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of a 74-year-old caretaker. Gavin Cox, 24, of Park Road, Waterfoot, will next face a preliminary hearing at Preston Crown Court on February 21. He was also charged with handling stolen goods.

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Workman injured in 20ft plunge

A WORKMAN was airlifted to hospital after plunging 20ft from a first floor window while putting in double glazing at an old people's home. Steven Sumner, 36, lost his balance and fell from the second storey onto grass. He suffered head and spinal injuries

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Nine made redundant from 12-month-old Simplaclaim

NINE people have been made redundant from Rossendale business Simplaclaim. The firm, based in Newhallhey Road, Rawtenstall, has suffered backlash from bad publicity surrounding 'no win, no fee' litigation. The company was set up a year ago and became

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Stage call for play

BUDDING actors who have yet to realise their ambition of treading the boards are invited to audition for Ayesha 2000. The play, written by local writer June Jackson, follows the story of three middle aged women who grow bored of hosting dinner parties

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Secret wedding hitch

A FIVE pence piece almost put paid Kathleen Pendlebury and David Bradley's plans for a secret romantic St Valentine's Day wedding. David, who works on Shadsworth industrial estate, Blackburn, and his new wife have both been married before and didn't want

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Secret wedding hitch

A FIVE pence piece almost put paid Kathleen Pendlebury and David Bradley's plans for a secret romantic St Valentine's Day wedding. David, who works on Shadsworth industrial estate, Blackburn, and his new wife have both been married before and didn't want

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School fights back against bullies

LEIGH area schools are committed to beating the bully in the playground. And at Bedford High their innovative anti-bullying scheme has won rare recognition. Last year the school's peer mentoring programme, introduced in 1999, won the top Diana Princess

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Sound off and win a £50 prize

COUNCIL tenants who voice their opinions about the authority's housing department have the chance of winning a £50 prize. A survey throughout almost 27,000 homes is being carried out by the department which is anxious to learn how it is viewed in the

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Sick wait longer

WAITING lists for NHS patients in Wigan and Leigh increased over Christmas - but health chiefs insist they are still on course to achieve end of year targets. Figures show there was a 2.9 per cent waiting list increase for Wigan and Leigh Health Services

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Valentine's Day couple Click after wedding!

VALENTINE'S Day wedding bells rang for one happy couple who took a moment from the big day to play our fabulous 20 Clicks internet game. True romantics Malcolm Fusoli, 30, and Andrea Jones, 28, of Douglas Road finally tied the knot on the most romantic

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Pupils play out role of government

PUPILS from a Leigh High School have had lessons in council chambers to help them discover how local government works. Young voters of the future from Bedford High School were the first secondary school-age pupils to make use of the curriculum centre

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Where's the logic?

REGARDING the article about the mosaic and natural stone seating that has been installed on Starch House Square (Citizen, January 16) I wonder if you have tried sitting on the natural stone seating? Stone is extremely cold and the seating needs wooden

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Troubled estate's recovery package

RESIDENTS on a troubled Atherton estate are being invited to take part in an exciting community-based "green" jobs initiative. The scheme to improve the environment in Hag Fold, called Enterprise in Atherton, aims to help the long-term jobless to return

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Heart was not time bomb

I AM writing regarding your article on the death of Karla Selley (Citizen, Feb 8). You quote that Dr Alun Williams quoted Karla's heart was a "ticking time bomb". That quote came from the defence council who were trying to get Dr Williams to agree with

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Closer eye on dentists

IT was very sad to read about the five-year-old girl from Leyland who died having a tooth out at a local dental surgery. I believe that a stricter eye needs to be kept on dentists as such deaths have occurred before. No procedure should be taken lightly

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Not all plain sailing

HAS the wind been taken out of the sails of St Annes Square regeneration? It was supposed to take a few months, but all-round, St Annes Square redevelopment has taken more than one year. The first sod was cut on Valentine's Day 2000 where scores of school

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Cigs smuggler is just 14!

A YOUNG Blackpool girl is at the centre of a smuggling investigation this week after she was discovered trying to illegally bring thousands of cigarettes into the country in the early hours of Tuesday morning (February 13). The 14-year-old, who cannot

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Encore joy for youngsters

YOUNGSTERS in a Fylde theatre group were bitterly disappointed when gremlins struck as they performed their 21st annual revue. Video equipment broke down which meant that the show by Sue Turner's Fylde Theatre Group at the Pavilion Theatre was not recorded

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Union claims 'strike' victory

BLACKPOOL'S social service workers are claiming a victory after voting to cancel a series of one-day strikes planned for this month (February). UNISON members voted on Monday night not to strike on the following day, February 13, or on two more proposed

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Blitz on car tax dodgers

CAR tax dodgers and unroadworthy vehicles were targeted this week (February 15) during a special roadside blitz launched by Blackpool and St Annes police. The ambitious two-day exercise was set up outside Pontins on Clifton Drive and opposite Trebaron

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Saved from the sharks

THE dramatic increase in the numbers of people joining Blackpool's biggest credit union has led to a call for people to become involved in helping to run it. Tower View Credit Union has gone from strength to strength over the last few months and is gaining

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Show must go on despite cost

VOLUNTEERS aiming to raise cash for a severely handicapped eight-year-old boy have been told they must pay more than £1,000 to use Preston's Charter Theatre. Disappointed dance teacher Melanie Bodman, of Cadley Avenue, Fulwood, Preston, will have to find

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Sexual health advice in pubs and clubs

A STICKER campaign has been launched to make young people think about protecting themselves when they are out on the town. The Information Shop for Young People is putting stickers on the back of toilet doors in town centre pubs and clubs, giving information

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Cash for 6,000 extra childcare places

TODDLERS across East Lancashire will benefit from a share of an £8million cash boost to provide new nursery places. The government cash and lottery funding will mean that an extra 6,170 nursery school and out-of-school childcare places could be available

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Extra cash to tackle drug problem

EAST Lancashire is to get an extra £94,000 a year to tackle drug addiction and stop drug-related deaths. The cash for East Lancashire Health Authority is part of £12million funding nationwide for more treatment programmes, to prevent prescription drugs

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Tutor 'stole office gear'

A STRESSED-OUT tutor went missing from a training agency and took with him office equipment worth more than £4,500, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard that Bernard McWilliams, 34, who had sent his boss two letters saying he was emotionally unstable

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Face of callous mugger

THIS is the man police want to interview about two callous robberies on pensioners. Detectives have issued the artist's impression in a bid to trace the attacker who posed as a council worker to get into the pensioners' homes before mugging one of them

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Linda says adieu to the animals

EVERY single day of her life Linda Dickinson has walked with the animals and talked with the animals. But finally East Lancashire's very own Dr Doolittle has decided to say goodbye to her menagerie of pets -- marking the end of a family tradition spanning

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Full squad for Underwood

GREAT HARWOOD: Denis Underwood has a full squad to choose from for the visit of mid-table Curzon Ashton. The Showground side are looking to build on their 1-1 draw against Abbey Hey on Tuesday to get them away from the foot of the table. Assistant boss

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Chorley's promotion hopes

CHORLEY entertain Eastwood Town on Saturday knowing that the a win will keep their slim hopes of promotion alive. Michael Wallace serves the last of his two match ban while Damion Corcoran and Adam Critchell are both injured. However, Paul Fleming and

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Queally okay

OLYMPIC gold and silver medallist Jason Queally is out of hospital after coming off his bike in America. The Chorley cyclist was warm-weather training in Florida when he hit a rut on the road, suffering stitches above his eye and slight concussion. Queally

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Peter's on Trophy hunt

BACUP: Brent Peters' side are at home to Castleton Gabriels in the first round of the Second Division Trophy, a competition the manager believes his team have a good chance of winning this season. Peters said: "It is a big game for us because there are

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Influential duo out for Colne

STRUGGLING Colne will be without the influential Glen Keeley and player/manager John Lister for their basement battle against Holker Old Boys. Keeley picked up ankle ligament damage in Wednesday's 5-1 derby defeat against Nelson while Lister fractured

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Burgess quietly confident

CLITHEROE boss Dave Burgess is quietly confident ahead of the re-arranged FA Vase fifth round tie against Rushall Olympic. The Blues' staff have been working hard all week to get the pitch fit and a dry spell has meant the game is almost definitely on

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Overson set for suprise return for Storks

BIG Vince Overson could be coaxed out of retirement to make a surprise return for Padiham in the Worthington Challenge trophy clash against Kidsgrove. Arbories boss Graham Howarth sees the former Burnley hard man as a short term solution to the injury

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Hawks ready for Roses clashes

BLACKBURN Hawks are gearing up for a 'War of the Roses' weekend with back to back league and cup action against Bradford Bulldogs and Sheffield Scimitars. After last weekend's woes -- the league game at Grimsby was abandoned due to the condition of the

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Smith signs up to Stanley's cause

JONATHAN Smith is 'chuffed to bits' about his new contract at Accrington Stanley. The 24-year-old centre half, who made headlines three years ago when he whipped his shorts off in a bizarre goal celebration, has signed a two-year extension to his current

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Stop moaning about the Square

WHY do we always have the ungrateful moaners? I think Fylde council have done an excellent job on the square in St Annes. What we now need the council to do is dish out large fines to the litter louts and dog owners who seem to take a delight in fouling

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Principles abandoned

ON the Today programme (Radio Four, February 1) Neil Kinnock MEP argued the case for Britain's continued membership of the EU. It ought to be remembered that until he was elected to the European Parliament, Neil was a virulent Eurosceptic. Now he knows

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Disturbed at cut-backs

I FULLY support the staff of Social Services in their proposed strike on February 7. It is the only avenue left open to them to demonstrate to the public the intransigent and incompetent type of councillors and officials we have in power. There have been

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Hero Healey!

BIRMINGHAM City head for Deepdale next Tuesday (February 20) to face Preston's three-pronged strike force in what will be a fiercely contested promotion clash. City, who dealt PNE a 'Brum' deal by beating them 3-1 at St Andrews in September, will look

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Three out of three for David

Stockport County 0 Preston North End 1 A GOAL from David Healy, his third in three games, pushes Preston just three points from the play-off area. This Tuesday night clash (February 13) was never a classic match, more a typical North West local derby

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Show must go on despite cost

VOLUNTEERS aiming to raise cash for a severely handicapped eight-year-old boy have been told they must pay more than £1,000 to use Preston's Charter Theatre. Disappointed dance teacher Melanie Bodman, of Cadley Avenue, Fulwood, Preston, will have to find

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Volunteers

WE need to increase our income quite substantially and urgently need more voluntary fund-raisers, collectors and adoptees. Could anyone interested please telephone the sanctuary on 01254-235559 at any time? MRS OLIVE LOMAS, "Only Foals and Horses".

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Just another union-basher

IN his letter (Jan 26) T. R. Miles falls back on the old excuse of blaming the trade unions for everything. If we had no trade unions, working conditions in industry would still be in the Dark Ages, with children and women in the pits working a 12-hour

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It won't go away

SO the subject of asylum seekers is back in the news. It just won't go away, will it? With a massive 100,000 people coming to the United Kingdom last year it is hardly surprising that there is so much fuss. The cost of this is more than £600 million.

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I REALLY admire Ellen MacArthur who this week became the youngest woman to sail round the world sing

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CHILDREN under the age of four are fatter than they've ever been according to research at Liverpool

A study of 50,000 toddlers showed that one in 10 are obese and 20 per cent are overweight. Babies aged one have weight problems and the number of fat children has doubled in 10 years. How times have changed. Chubby sheeks used to be looked upon as a sign

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Standing up for ounces

POUNDS and ounces have been reprieved for another decade. Hurrah. Still, they've never really vanished in our area. Stallholders will be allowed to use imperial measure scales alongside metric -- just like they have since they were supposedly made illegal

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It's amazing what you find in books

LIBRARIANS found a book containing a rasher of bacon left in as a bookmark. It has gone on display as part of a collection of 100 unusual markers returned in the past five years -- including toast, travellers' cheques, a passport and a £10 note. At Leigh

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How wrong I was about 'Nasty' Nigel

HOW wrong can you be? Well I was about Popstars' supremo Nasty Nick not welcoming the news that local girl Kym Marsh is a mum. After a solicitor revealed Kym's big secret to him -- that she was a mother of two -- the devastated programme leader told her

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To read or not to read...

GCSE English students may no longer have to study Shakespeare. That must be a big relief. I've detested the bard since I spent years studying "The Tempest" foisted on pupils at LGGS. Our year even went to see a top class production in Manchester -- but

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Speed cameras are just a pain in the backside

SPEED cameras may help cut the number of accidents on the roads, but you have to admit they're a pain in the backside. Under a pilot scheme eight police forces have used money from speeding fines to fund extra cameras instead of passing it on to the Treasury

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Give your backing to Comic Relief

RED Nose Day is back on March 16. What a hoot. The eighth big day was launched by Robbie Williams who will be auctioning his bed for the cause. And heaven help us . . . Billy Connolly could also be shown in the altogether if viewers pledge a million.

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Hospices shouldn't have to rely on donations

I'M delighted to hear that hospices will be receiving as much in NHS cash as they get from charity fund raising within three to four years -- according to Health Secretary Alan Milburn. Why wait so long? They play a crucial part in the lives of terminally

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Leigh expect ticket rush

LEIGH Centurions expect to take a massive following of almost 4000 to Warrington for next week's Silk Cut Challenge Cup fifth round tie. Although the match is not all-ticket, Leigh have been sent an allocation of 3500 tickets by the Wolves. Leigh's Commercial

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£200,000 for cancer blunder

THE family of a cancer patient who died after treatment he did not need is to get a £200,000 payout from Christie Hospital. An out-of-court deal was accepted by Mr Brian Richardson's widow, Amanda, on Monday (Feb 12). Their son Thomas was only 10-months-old

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Back on track!

Blackpool 1 Cardiff 0, Scorer: Ormerod 59 IF there ever was a game that would test Pool's promotion bid, this was it. After a run of victories over moderate sides, Pool faced the money men of the division, Cardiff City. The prospects were not good as

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Too much good money after bad

FRUSTRATING as it must be for councils as landlords to have to give up the struggle to turn around problem housing estates, it is something, surely, that has to be accepted when renting the houses becomes impossible because no-one wants to live there.

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American beauty! Village steeped in history from both sides of Atlantic

Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy WITHIN an hour of East Lancashire is Carnforth and too few people realise that there is to be found a splendid balance between history and natural history. In my opinion the village of Warton is one of the most neglected

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Today's the day

1568: The death sentence was passed on an entire country when the whole population of the Netherlands was condemned for heresy by the Spanish Inquisition. 1955: Soviet surveyors surprised the world when they announced that they had overlooked something

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Thanks for fall help

MAY I thank the two security officers and the gentleman who came to my aid when I fell outside the Post Office in Blackburn on February 9. They helped me to my feet, found a chair, or phoned for an ambulance, which arrived so quickly to take me to Casualty

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Shelter is a disgrace

I COMPLAINED (Letters, February 1, 2000) about the Accrington Road area of Blackburn being an utter disgrace but the back streets and the front have gone worse. Nothing has been done. Why haven't the public health people or someone from the council been

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Blunder the biggest yet

COMMON sense tells us that the closure of Church Street in Blackburn, without the provision of a proper road service, heralds not the start of regeneration, but the rapid decline of trade in the town centre. The new routes proposed so far are a complete

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Views are not official

AS the newly-elected president of the Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, I feel that I must comment on Councillor Ashley Whalley's remarks regarding Mr Jeffrey Stone's views on regeneration (Letters, February 9). Although Mr Stone is a member of

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No telling the power source

I WAS pleased to see your newspaper carrying an article about Lancashire County Council's decision to buy green electricity from Yorkshire Electricity (LET, January 17). I was disappointed however to see the tongue-in-cheek piece by Eric Leaver that followed

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Robbed in his own home

HOODED knife-wielding burglars stole cash from a disabled man's pocket as he lay helpless in bed. Wheelchair-bound stroke and heart attack victim Alan Proudlove, 56, (right) who lives alone, has only limited use of his right limbs and speaks with difficulty

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Cheers to pub regulars who help out hospice

PUB regulars are the toast of Bury Hospice. Customers and staff at the popular Help Me Thro', Brandlesholme Road, Bury have raised £600 through raffles, donations and other activities. Landlady, Mrs Rene Dearden said: "We are fund-raising for Bury Hospice

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Trade and industry boss attends fund-raiser

AROUND 300 Labour party members gave a warm welcome to trade and industry secretary Stephen Byers. Mr Byers was in Prestwich to attend a fund-raising dinner at the Longfield Suite attended by party loyalists from both Bury North and South. He is pictured

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Grant remedy for drug users

DRUG users in the borough are to receive a grant of nearly £100,000 to help cure them of their habit. The Government grant is part of a £25 million hand out to the National Health Service to help reduce drug-related deaths and to improve services for

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Car parks fears

RESIDENTS fighting against plans to build new car parking areas in Heaton Park demanded a special meeting of Prestwich Area Board to discuss their concerns. Householders on St Margaret's Road and Sheepfoot Lane, Prestwich, have objected to parking proposals

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An icy blast from couple

A DISABLED couple claim they have been without heat and hot water for a month. Graham Bailey (37) and his partner Janet McGlashon (49) wear gloves indoors and sleep with coats on their bed to keep warm in their Seddon Close flat. "We are in pain because

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Delight as council's scheme goes global

BURY'S Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has suddenly begun to attract global attention. Delegates from Asia, Africa and Europe found themselves mingling with local people at a regional conference. For some years Carolyn Taylor, from Bury Council's lifelong

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Gunman rapist gets 9 years

A WOMAN who was raped as a gun was put in her mouth was praised for her bravery today as her attacker started nine years behind bars. Detectives investigating the case said the victim showed courage in giving vital evidence in the witness box as father-of-three

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Nurses will go walkabout to advise on health

TOWN centre shoppers can help themselves to free health advice on Friday (Feb16). Nurses from the Bury NHS Walk In Centre will be in the Mill Gate Shopping Centre to explain what the facility offers and give information and advice about health concerns

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Teacher fights for his job

A TEACHER who has been suspended on full pay for nearly six years despite being cleared of child abuse allegations went to the Court of Appeal this week to win back his job. Woodhey High School teacher Anthony McNally is appealing against an earlier court

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All change for Rovers

PAUL Terzis isn't afraid to change a winning team as the Centurions head into Yorkshire for the first time this season. But who's in and who's out remains a closely guarded secret as Leigh's head coach plays mind games with his opposite number at Featherstone

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FINAL

WORD BIG MONEY MAN: Dean Holdsworth: Holdsworth arrived from Wimbledon for £3.5m in 1997. He has missed the last two matches after slipping on ice outside his house. Point to prove after missing sitter in last season's FA Cup semi-final LAST SIX RESULTS

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Souness wants Mahon

GRAEME Souness is in talks with Sporting Lisbon over a million-pound move for Alan Mahon. The Rovers boss goes into tomorrow's FA Cup tie against Bolton and the crucial league fixture between the two clubs on Friday wanting to strengthen is squad on more

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Robbed at gunpoint

DETECTIVES in Bamber Bridge are hunting two men who robbed a couple in their fifties at gunpoint. The terrifying ordeal started around 9.45pm on Monday evening (February 12) as the two men knocked at the couple's home on Schoolfield, Bamber Bridge. The

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Sadness at vicar's death

THE Rt Rev Alan Chesters, Bishop of Blackburn, led tributes to the Rev John Powell, vicar of St Andrew's, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, who died suddenly last week. Bishop Chesters said: "It was with immense sadness that I learned of the sudden death of

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Love is in the air

HOW romantic are you? That is the question we put to people in Preston to discover if romance is dead or in full bloom after Valentine's Day. Are there any Rudolph Valentino's left on the planet or are we all as miserable as Victor Meldrew when it comes

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Lots of choice items

A LOT of rare items are set to go under the hammer in a grand auction to raise cash for a Penwortham charity. The sale will be held at St Mary's Church Hall, in Cop Lane, Penwortham, next month, in aid of Galloway's Society for the Blind, in Howick Park

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Watch out for bogus worker

POLICE are warning Preston residents to be on their guard for a bogus council workman who conned an elderly lady out of £105. On Wednesday February 7, at 1.45pm, the man, who had a false identity card, gained entry into the home of a 68-year-old woman

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Cellar burglar was caught napping

A BURGLAR needed a rest after lifting heavy flagstones from a cellar -- and was caught red-handed when he went back to collect the haul. Burnley Magistrates heard how Brian Thompson, 24, was arrested with an accomplice after helping himself to stones

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Streets safer for pedestrians

A DRIVE to reduce the number of road accidents across East Lancashire has led to safer streets for motorists and pedestrians. The number of road casualties across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, have been cut by 17 per cent over the past eight months

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Gunman rapist gets 9 years

A WOMAN who was raped as a gun was put in her mouth was praised for her bravery today as her attacker started nine years behind bars. Detectives investigating the case said the victim showed courage in giving vital evidence in the witness box as father-of-three

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Cricket battle 'no-ball' claim

RESIDENTS fighting the sale of a recreation ground near their homes to Burnley Cricket Club have stepped up their campaign on the eve of a major clear-the-air public meeting. Scores of supporters and opponents are expected at the meeting in the Thompson

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Cabbies angry over fees rise

A DECISION to increase taxi licence fees in Burnley rather than cutting them has been slammed by the group representing local private hire operators. Councillors last night opted to put up fees for hackney carriage and private hire operators and use the

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Move over...Darling's on his way

COULD a general election be looming? Government big guns David Blunkett and Alisdair Darling will be visiting the district in March. Education Secretary Mr Blunkett will be meeting head teachers in Morecambe on March 8 before visiting Lancaster and Morecambe

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Let's roll

THE ceremony to open Lancaster's Millennium Bridge will go ahead despite Jason Queally pulling out at the last minute because of an injury. The launch itself will take place at 11.15am when the gold medallist's father, accompanied by fireworks and live

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Under the hammer

A NUMBER of significant buildings in Lancaster and Morecambe will go under the hammer at a major auction to be held at Manchester Airport next month. The properties which will go to the highest bidder include council-owned buildings in Lancaster plus

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Rodent found on baby

A LANCASTER family who reported a rat infestation at their council house were devastated this week when they discovered a rodent in their living room crawling over their baby daughter. Grandmother Bernadette Jackson says the incident has shocked her family

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Martin nets top award

PRESTON'S Martin Springfield has received a prestigious accolade at the first ever annual English Hockey Network Volunteer Awards. The awards acknowledge the many volunteers who serve the game and were presented by England internationals Danny Hill and

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Calling all women

THE Women's Football Association will hold a Junior Team Managers Course at the County ground, Thurston Road, Leyland on March 13. The course will run over three sessions starting with emergency first aid sessions. For more information call the Lancashire

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Team end long wait

PRESTON'S water polo team tasted success recently after becoming the under 18 Northern Counties champions in a thrilling final in Manchester. It was the first time the trophy has returned back to Preston where it was first won in 1950. If you are interested

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Teams wanted for leagues

PRESTON Sports Arena Adult five-a-side leagues have vacancies for their Spring leagues which start soon. Teams can play on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings with all games played on the latest high-quality Astroturf surface. Leagues give teams one

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Wallace back

RAMSBOTTOM: Ken Bridge's side are looking to bounce back from the disappointment of going out of the Worthington Challenge Trophy to Newcastle in midweek. They are at home to Flixton in NWCL Division One tomorrow. Centre half Neil Wallace, who missed

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Dale aim to get back on track

ROSSENDALE: Jim McCluskie's side are looking to get back on the winning track after a draw against Prescot Cables in midweek. Dale won the previous four and have lost just once in the last 22 games and are hoping to make a late charge for the Division

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Helpers raise a cheer for scheme

NEEDY people in Pendle are being given a helping hand to get back on their feet through a new furniture scheme. The Open Door Projects furniture recycling scheme in Colne was officially launched by the Chairman of Pendle Partnership, Dennis Mendoros.

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False claim doctor faces GMC

A COLNE GP who falsely claimed cash for patient health checks he never carried out will face a disciplinary hearing of the General Medical Council in London next week. Dr Shiv Prasad Dey, convicted at Burnley Crown Court in October to 14 counts of furnishing

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Music is the food of love

'IF music be the food of love, play on.' Shakespeare's famous words from Twelfth Night rang true for two Preston students this week. While lovestruck sweethearts woke up to chocolate, flowers and Valentine's cards, one couple celebrated February 14 in

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10 YEARS AGO: Children rescued

A QUICK-THINKING babysitter rescued three children from a burning house in Corwen Close, Blackburn, after one of them set fire to a bedroom. When babysitter Carole Rigby realised what was happening she snatched the three boys from the house to safety.

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5 YEARS AGO: Paedophiles prey

THE NSPCC revealed that paedophiles operating organised sex abuse rings were preying on East Lancashire children and the charity was urging parents to join the battle to weed out the abusers. Videos of the East Lancashire boys being sexually abused were

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Mum saved from blaze after mobile call traced

A HINDLEY mother was pulled unconscious from her blazing house after a 999 operator traced an emergency call to her mobile phone. Deborah Smith, 26, of Lincoln Road, who is in intensive care at Wigan Infirmary, had phoned the emergency services when a

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Where no one wants to live

A COUNCIL has given up trying to rent out empty houses on a rundown estate -- because nobody wants to move there. Now Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe is calling on people to stop knocking Huncoat's Within Grove estate and give it another chance

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Walkers benefit from massive 'cover-up'

BETTER footpaths are being created to give walkers a happier passage along the country path network around Howe Bridge. Resurfacing the pathways is part of a £2m project to reinstate a huge 40 kilometre-long "scar" created by the installation of a 42-

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Matt'll be back in school soon

SCHOOL pupils who said prayers for the return of their classmate struck down with meningitis are waiting to welcome him back after he made a recovery just two weeks after falling ill. Staff and pupils at St John's Primary School in Great Harwood say they

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A return to wild for the butterfly who can predict the weather forecast!

WILDLIFE experts are releasing a butterfly back into the wild on mossland near Leigh -- and it possesses a special power to predict the weather! The Large Heath butterfly is being reintroduced to Astley Moss by the Wildlife Trust -- 90 years after it

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Mum keeps children inside, away from speeding traffic

Locked up MOTHER of six Elena Hampson says she has to keep her five youngest children locked up because speeding vehicles have turned a sleepy Lowton backwater into a trackside nightmare. Mrs Hampson and her next door neighbour and mother-of-two Den Makin

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Mayors double up at school opening

A NEW £1.2 million school has been opened in Tyldesley for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The mayor of Salford Councillor Barry Warner was invited to help unveil a plaque at Highlea School with the mayor of Wigan Cllr Joan Hurst

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Insider dealing

FOLLOWING some inflammatory (not defamatory!) articles in the local Labour party's weekly news sheet we have witnessed a remarkable series of events. At one fell swoop Labour have saved us all from a fate worse than death... Hilton Dawson and his colleagues

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Completely ignoring the historical facts

I CANNOT say that I am greatly surprised by the content of Paddy Shannon's supposed reply to my letter. He completely ignored the facts that he was presented with and which blew his pseudo-intellectual argument out of the water, concentrating instead

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BJFF dominate Spirit

BJFF U9s A 8 SPIRIT OF YOUTH B 0 WITHIN 10 minutes BJFF were leading 3-0 with goals from Ryan Farmer, Scott Ralston and an own goal. BJFF then played some good football and dominated the game. Scott Ralston (3), Ryan Farmer (2), Thomas Lloyd (1), Joe

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Woodsmen bowlers finding their mark

THE Whitegate Woodsmen bowls team, whose members each have disabilities, played an enthralling match against the LMS Loco Club recently for the Ray Banks Memorial Trophy. Two triples and one double were played over three hours or 21 ends. The doubles

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Mixed week for Rangers

BLACKPOOL RANGERS U11s 2 FOXHALL 3 FROM the start Foxhall had some nice passing moves catching Rangers on the break. Rangers then came into the game with some great runs from Asley Yates linking well up front with Michael Crossland. After more pressure

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Lytham through to quarter finals

LYTHAM JUNIORS U10s 3 THORNTON 3 -- COULTON CUP Lytham won 3-2 on penalties. A brace of goals from Stephen Ryan gave Juniors the lead in game one. In the second a perfectly executed lob from Alec Foulds achieved the aggregate draw. The tie was decided

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'We can win promotion' says Macca

POOL manager Steve McMahon (pictured) is convinced his players have the character the win promotion following their brilliant win over high flying Cardiff on Tuesday. McMahon called the performance "absolutely great" and was impressed with way his players

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Lytham Ladies perform well at Lancaster

Lytham Ladies 1st XI 4 Preston 0 : Lancashire Womens Central League (Premier Division) THIS was another very good performance by Lytham against a side who had already beaten them before at Preston. And although they missed the opportunity before half

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Rossall Reports

IN Division A of the Rossall Monday Sixes Blackpool Area Divers started the new league well after beating Thompson Tornados a convincing 6-0 with their winning goals coming from Roberts (4) and Whip (2) while Fleetwood Flyers also have a good start, they

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Thornton battle through

THORNTON CLEVELEYS U11s 1 BJFF 2 (HOGAN CUP) AFTER going 2-0 down, Thornton fought back to 2-1 with a beautiful goal from Nathan Cowgill, but BJFF proceeded to the second round. THORNTON CLEVELEYS U12s 9 SPIRIT OF YOUTH 2 THORNTON struck first through

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Good to see police sorting these yobs

I RECENTLY went out with friends for a night in Hindley town centre, after a period of avoiding the place like the plague. The reason I have refrained from all invitations to spend an evening in the the town is because of a hooligan element who seem to

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ARE they running out of ideas for exhibitions? The British Museum is putting on a display on the his

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PAY US TO GO AWAY!

A SMALL group of travellers caused mayhem on a Lancaster trading estate this week by setting up camp on the forecourts of local businesses. Bosses and workers on the White Lund Estate were powerless to stop the group dropping litter and depositing human

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Good run sinks in the mud

Hartlepool 3 Blackpool 1 Scorers: Hartlepool: Henderson (2), Miller Blackpool: Wellens WELL the brilliant spell had to end sooner or later and Blackpool met their match in the terrible conditions. The Seasiders came to Victoria Park looking to leapfrog

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Skills shortage

THE North West is facing a growing skills shortage, according to a new survey by Lloyds TSB Commercial. A total of 42 per cent of companies taking part in the bank's twice-yearly business in Britain survey reported increasing difficulties in recruiting

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From humble beginnings...

WHEN the Great Northern Railway Company warehouse in Manchester's Deansgate was in its heyday, Henry Hargreaves in Bury was just starting his business selling tins baths and bicycles. Therefore, it's only fitting that Hargreaves' modern day successors

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Andrew is a telecom troubleshooter

A BURY-based 'telecoms troubleshooter' is ringing in the changes to help companies slash the costs of their phone bills. And business bosses will certainly welcome the soothing tones of Andrew Croft, who guarantees to reduce corporate spending on telephones

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Not all plain sailing

HAS the wind been taken out of the sails of St Annes Square regeneration? It was supposed to take a few months, but all-round, St Annes Square redevelopment has taken more than one year. The first sod was cut on Valentine's Day 2000 where scores of school

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Double dismay for Morecambe

Chester City 1 Morecambe 0 IF there is one thing Morecambe hate more than being beaten, it's being beaten by Lancaster. And that's just what happened on Saturday when Chester youngster Martyn Lancaster gave his side victory at the Deva stadium. Morecambe

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Victory

would give everybody a lift: Thomas MITCHELL Thomas is looking forward to locking horns again with former boss Lennie Lawrence when he seeks a return to the Clarets defence at Grimsby Town tomorrow. Thomas missed only his second game of the season as

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Lennie plans Great Escape

LEGENDARY escapologist Lennie Lawrence is looking for three points against Burnley tomorrow to help him pull off another successful fight against the drop. Lawrence established a Houdini-like reputation during his managerial days at Charlton before taking

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Carry on the good work, Stan

BURNLEY'S recent run of results under Stan Ternent has provoked plenty of reaction from the supporters. In the final part of our series on what's next for the Clarets, fans from three of Burnley's biggest supporters' clubs have their say. BURNLEY are

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Norman the conqueror!

BOTTOM club Kettering were crushed by a rampant Morecambe side on Saturday afternoon with hot-shot John Norman netting his third hat-trick in four games. It's the Shrimps first league win of 2001 and helps ease them up the table away from the drop zone

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From Lytham - with compassion

PUPILS at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham, have been sending help to earthquake victims after being moved by the plight of the children in Gujarat, India. The pupils have been filling special Aquaboxes boxes with aid for the people of the

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Lottery Fund boost is Grand news

DOUBLE celebrations were on the programme at Blackpool Grand Theatre this week as news that their Heritage Lottery Fund bid has been successful coincided with the lively launch of the Spring 2001 brochure . And this cash injection of nearly a quarter

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Bubbly batter

FISH and chips were the new food of love at one Lytham chip shop on Valentine's Day after they put some fizz in the batter. Whelan's in Clifton Street laced their famous mixture with champagne to really get into the spirit of romance. Sarah Whelan, who

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Champion rower ready to take on the world

TYLDESLEY'S champion indoor rower, Herbert Leah, is all set to go for gold at the World Championships in Boston, USA, at the end of the month. Herbert, 72, a member of the PPP healthcare Great Britain team, will be aiming to maintain his winning streak

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Boss promises improvements

LEIGH RMI chairman Chris Healey has vowed to dramatically improve the infrastructure of the Nationwide Conference club. He made the promise during the Annual General Meeting at Hilton Park on Monday evening. However, re-iterating the clubs' status as

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Harriers win top honours

THE South East Lancashire Cross-Country League presentation night saw Leigh Harriers' outstanding young athletes get their awards. The Leigh team collected three individual titles, three team awards and a number of second and third placings. Anne Powell

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Healthy future for hospice

BURY Hospice can look forward to a healthier financial future after a "historic" government promise of more cash. Every penny that hospice bosses bring in themselves will be matched by the NHS by 2004, says Health Secretary Alan Milburn. The boost is

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A forward fillip for Fernhill

A QUEST to improve life for people living in Fernhill, Bury, has taken a step forward. Bury Community Enterprise Company (BCE), launched two years ago, has been given a £21,000 grant to help achieve its aim of "making a difference". The cash, from the

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Craig says he will live with loss of finger

A SOCCER-MAD teenager has spoken about the moment his finger was ripped off in a horror accident. Craig Pendlebury (15), captain of Bury's Woodbank FC, has chosen to live with the loss after telling doctors he did not want it re-attached to his hand.

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Jussy's a real knockout

FIGHTING fit Jussy Lowe has been a striking a blow for Britain with her rapid rise up the ranks of the Thai boxing world. The dedicated 26-year-old champion will act as an ambassador for the sport when she takes part in an international title fight in

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Concert date

TYLDESLEY'S RAOB Club stages a grand charity concert on Thursday, February 22 (8pm). Artists appearing at the Castle Street venue include Brian Johnson, Charlie Roberts and Pamela Jaymes. Tickets £1 or pay at the door. Proceeds to Christie Hospital, Derian

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Helping hand

A GOLBORNE store's charity champions collected loose change on the cigarette kiosk - and put the proceeds to good use. The Asda girls bought a television set-video player and CD player along with videos and CDs and delivered them to the children's ward

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Dame's Oscar bid

DAME Judi Dench, daughter of a former Tyldesley doctor, has been nominated for another Oscar. Dame Judi, 66, who lived for a time as a young girl in Wareing Street, is nominated for her role in Chocolat. One of the actors she will be pitted against at

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We'll meet again

THE class of 1990 at Tyldesley Fred Longworth High are to meet up again for the first time since they left school. A reunion has been organised at the Atherton Sailors' Soldiers and Airmen's Club on February 24, 7pm til late. Tickets at £3 are available

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Fashion at a snip

A LEIGH charity shop will be launching its designer wear promotion next week. Help The Aged staff in Bradshawgate have been saving donated design label garments for the one week event which starts on the 22nd. General manger Angela Carter said: "Everyone

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Crewe striker signs

BURY signed Crewe striker Colin Cramb today and he could step straight into the team for tomorrow's Oxford clash. The Shakers snapped up the highly-rated 25-year-old on a month's loan this morning after long negotiations with Dario Gradi. And he looks

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Day of prayer

HUNDREDS of Christians from 21 churches in Leigh will gather in unity to celebrate the World Day of Prayer next month. The event at St Mary's Parish Church on Friday March 2 will be held as millions around the world also take part in a service of prayer

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Popular club steward dies

ATHERTON'S longest serving club steward Malc Atkinson has died, aged 54. Malc, host at the Botanical Gardens Club since December 1988, lost his battle with cancer last Saturday at the Christie Hospital. He had been taken ill before Christmas and gone

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Get some dough for children

BIG-HEARTED baker Waterfields urged local customers to help raise dough for needy children. As part of National Doughnut Week the independent bakery chain took part in a nationwide charity extravaganza to generate funds for Save the Children. Waterfields

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60s 'desk jobs' for sale

ALL those in search of authentic 1960s furniture need look not further than St Cuthbert's Primary School! For members of the St Cuthbert's Amateur Dramatic Society have discovered a large quantity of desks and chairs from that period while they were working

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Plumber's plan for a meal backfired

UNEMPLOYED plumber Andrew Bell intended to put a little warmth back into his marriage by taking his wife out for a meal. But his method of raising the necessary funds landed him before the courts. Blackburn magistrates heard that Bell went into a Darwen

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Jazz session with stars

TWO internationally renowned American jazz musicians will host a workshop at Freddies next month. Professor Phil DeGreg of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and Professor Mike Tracy of Louisville University, on piano and sax respectively, and accompanied

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Young need a guiding hand

VOLUNTEERS are needed to mentor young people in Leigh. Tasks would involve passing on experience of working life to teenagers and young adults to help them get into work. The Government's New Deal Mentoring Service is looking for people of any age to

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£1,000 up for grabs

VOLUNTARY groups for young people from villages and towns around Leigh could be entitled for grants of up to a thousand pounds. Cash is available for children and young people's groups which provide skills training or personal social education programmes

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Street boozers quizzed

STREET boozers in Leigh town centre are being interviewed by charity workers as the bye-law booze ban takes another step forward. Alcohol abusers are being talked to as part of the process of bringing in the bye-law to stop anti-social drinking in public

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Candidate search is called off after wrangles

BEHIND the scenes wrangling has again halted Labour's search for its Leigh constituency parliamentary candidate for the next general election -- expected to be held in May. On Tuesday night the selection process, which has been on and off for the past

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Drive to improve streets

A POSTMAN is hoping start a group to secure lottery funding to get something done about the state of unadopted roads in Bacup and Stacksteads. Father-of-three Dale Conneam, who lives on Bankfield Street in Stacksteads, has issued a plea to all residents