Archive

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Events in East Lancashire, Sunday March 18

Craft Fair, Whalley Village Hall, 10am-4pm. 'Goods from the Woods!' Groundwork Countryside Centre, New Hall Hey Road, Rawtenstall, 1pm-4.30pm. Burnley Municipal Choir and Orchestra Concert, The Mechanics, Burnley, 7.30pm. Bolton Art Circle's Art Fair,

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My first...

ADA GIBSON, 86 on April 6, of Grange Street, Clayton-le- Moors, charity swimmer : MY FIRST MEMORY: My dad was a bad 'un and used to hit my mother. I used to think 'Why was my dad like that and other dads weren't?' It's stayed with me all through my life

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Castle guards a wealth of history

Drive and stroll with Ron Freethy... ALMOST every guide book to Lancashire points out that Clitheroe is the second oldest town in the county -- with Wigan being the first. Most, however, miss the point that this age is based on the granting of a market

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Defence is tops

LEIGH East Under 10s produced another top defensive display as they beat Folly Lane 22-6. The East half-backs and forwards dominated and it was only in the final minute that Folly Lane grabbed a consolation try. Tries came from Thomasson (2), Rozman and

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Defence the key

LEIGH East Tigers Under 11s needed some strong tackling to lay the platform for a 28-12 win over Wigan St Cuthbert's. After falling behind to an early try, the Tigers hit back through Ben Taylor. A flowing move from the backs ended with Iain Jolley going

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Big is not best

THE Leigh Under 11s Town Team overcame poor conditions and big Oldham side to run out 38-6 winners. Strong tackling from Daniel Weaving, Lyndon Robertson and Jonathan Fletcher softened up the opposition and Leigh scored three times in the first half through

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Three in a row for Miners

LEIGH Miners Rangers youngsters chalked up their third successive victory with a 30-22 away success at much-fancied Portico. Rangers drew first blood when Andy Thomasson burst through at pace to score a good try. Pemberton added the goal. Jack Kenny scored

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Leigh RU Mini and Junior

LEIGH Under 7s won their hard-fought derby match with Tyldesley by 30-10. Tries came from James Wilkinson 2, James Hatton 2, Josh Gannon and Peter Readwin. Man of the match was Thomas Lloyd for his outstanding defence with other good efforts from Charlotte

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Late points flourish keeps East's promotion dream alive

Leigh East 26 Askam 6 LEIGH East moved a step closer to their promotion dream but struggled to assert their authority over Conference Division One strugglers Askam until late on. Askam were probably the poorest opposition East have faced this season.

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Spinning Jenny to be slightly Goosed!

LEIGH's Spinning Jenny is set to reopen, creating 15 new jobs. Giant brewers Bass have reached a compromise with heritage watchdogs who feared an important part of the Leigh's industrial history would disappear with a name change. The result is the Spinning

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By Andy Neild

Egil wants City switch EWOOD exile Egil Ostenstad has revealed he wants to join Premiership strugglers Manchester City on a permanent basis. The Norwegian international striker is currently at Maine Road on a two-month loan deal after slipping down the

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BLACKBURN Rovers plan to keep tabs on Scarborough sweeper Romain Faure after the Frenchman impressed

Faure and Boro team-mate Ashley Lyth spent a week at Brockhall training with both the Academy and Graeme Souness's first team squad. And the club are keen to take another look at the 18-year-old before the end of the season after he slotted in well. Rovers

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Children set to miss out on chosen schools

ALMOST 150 primary school pupils will not attend their preferred choice of secondary school in Burnley because popular schools are again oversubscribed. At Habergham High School 266 parents placed the school as their first preference for their child's

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Burglars 'scouring town' for plunder

TWO house breakers who were thwarted by their victim and then caught by the police are both behind bars for two years. Burnley Crown Court heard claims how Simon Barras, 27, and Kieran Myers, 26, had been "up to no good," scouring around Padiham looking

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Moves to foil any future Doctor Death

BURNLEY health chiefs are to meet with coroners in a bid to prevent future Dr Shipman-type tragedies. The East Lancs' coroner's officer has already been asked by detectives on the Harold Shipman killing inquiry to check old records of deaths which may

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Sufferers of MS may get powerful new drug

GORDON Prentice today told a North West meeting of the Multiple Sclerosis Society that he expected powerful new drugs to be made available to sufferers. The Pendle Labour back bencher is convinced that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will

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Three hurt in house blaze

THREE people including a child were taken to hospital today suffering from smoke inhalation after a fire at their home. The kitchen of the house on Southcliffe, Great Harwood was badly damaged by the fire which broke out shortly before 1.15am. The three

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Man quizzed after mum tied up

A MAN arrested after a woman was tied up in her own home is being questioned. The 39-year-old was arrested in the Bradshaw area of Bolton after Joanne Trickett was tied up and petrol poured all over her home on Stanhill Lane, Oswaldtwistle. Joanne, 33

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Woman, aged 80, died after successful operation

PENSIONER Vera Antczak died days after a successful operation to remove a stomach cancer. An inquest heard that the fit-as-a-fiddle ex-weaver was taken ill in September with what she at first put down as no more than a stomach bug. She was eventually

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Pregnant thief left in debt by addict partner

A 29-YEAR-OLD Baxenden woman was left "holding the baby" after her heroin addict partner left her six months pregnant and being pressured by his drug creditors. Blackburn magistrates heard that Deanne Lisa Moore had tried to steal from a town centre shop

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999 rookie is a life-saver

AN AMBULANCE operator from Leigh helped save a woman's life by giving instructions down the phone -- just two weeks after qualifying. Rookie operator Caroline Hurst, 21, of Bond Street, managed to calm a Bolton barmaid who stemmed a massive flow of blood

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Farm sealed off as 'plague' spreads

A FARMER is preparing to lose his livestock after his farm became the latest victim of the foot and mouth epidemic. Hyndburn Council confirmed yesterday afternoon that it had received instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that

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Teen yobs run riot through town centre

ROWDY gangs of school age youngsters are making life a misery for residents and drivers passing through Tyldesley town centre. Traders' leader Mike Norris, who runs a main street diner and take-away, called for curbs after a gang of up to 50 youngsters

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Complaints as heritage park is used as dumping ground

A HERITAGE park created as a reminder of a town's industrial past is suffering from neglect and abuse. In two years Chanters Valley at Atherton -- a pleasant oasis where locals could reflect on engineering glory -- has slipped from paradise to purgatory

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Colls to put price on heads of thieves

THIEVING vandals are forcing fed-up footballers away from their home with a ceaseless vendetta against an 85-year-old club. Now hard-up Atherton Collieries FC members are prepared to stump up a reward to finally nail the yobs. After the second break-in

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Truants' parents to face prison

AN AMAZING 90 school pupils were stopped and questioned on the first day of a truancy clampdown. Police and education welfare officers spoke to school age youngsters in Leigh, Tyldesley, Atherton, Hindley and Golborne town centres on Tuesday as warnings

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How green is your village?

VILLAGERS will be aiming for blooming marvellous comments from judges in Lancashire's Best Kept Village competition. Clitheroe Town Council has written to community organisations and parish councils inviting them to enter . Village halls, institutes or

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Valley tops the table of knowledge

RIBBLE Valley has been identified as the joint most skilled place in Britain with the city of London. A new survey of the qualifications of skills of the national workforce has identified the two local authorities as the top of the tree. Both have just

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Congratulations Cliff

lI'M glad to see that Sir Cliff doesn't find himself too highfaluting to appear on Ready Steady Cook. His green pepper recipe wiped the floor with Jane MacDonald's red tomato production. Well it would wouldn't it? Congratulations...

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lTHE Arriva bus company has taken out an ad to encourage passengers to have a bit of slap and tickle

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lEATING cheese is more effective than brushing with toothpaste to fight tooth decay.

According to a top dentist at a Canadian University, cheese produces huge amounts of saliva which washes away cavity-causing sugars. One great problem I can see is that instead of minty freshness, breath would smell like sweaty socks. I'll stick to Signal

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Earn your crust

PS...A LEIGH pensioner has slammed a planned experiment that will see thousands of youngsters drop buttered toast on the floor - to test Murphy's Law. Clifford Lee, writing in a national newspaper, says Robert Matthews, who wants them to carry out the

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Hunt is on for best neighbour

THE search is on for Britain's Best Neighbour Now in its seventh year the Kleeneze Award for Britain's Best Neighbour is again looking for that special person living near you. If you know someone who deserves to be recognised, contact Kleeneze on 0117

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Fears for man, 69

A MISSING pensioner has spent a fourth night in freezing temperatures. Jack Hawthornthwaite, 69, has not been seen since walking out of Highfield Residential Home on Sudell Road, Darwen, at 1am on Tuesday. A spokesman for Darwen Police said: "Jack has

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Streets gets a sponsor

LEIGH's Streets Ahead Festival will now go ahead after securing a sponsor. The Coalfield Challenge has come to the rescue with £10,000. The May Dayze Streets Ahead Festival is part of the Greater Manchester Streets Ahead Festival, which will be put on

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Damage incidents are on the rise

CRIMINAL damage incidents are on the rise in Darwen with four taking place on the same night. The door of a green Volkswagen Polo was damaged on Birch Hall Avenue, causing £50 worth of damage and £1,000 worth of damage was caused in two separate incidents

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Testing air quality

PEOPLE from Leigh will soon be able to find out just how good the air is they are breathing. An air quality monitoring device on Leigh police station has been chosen as one of the sites in a national survey to be viewed on Teletext. The monitoring station

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Joanne's top job

AN INTERNATIONAL company has promoted a Leigh girl to a top position. Joanne Hambleton has been made human resources officer at 4imprint in Manchester -- Britain's largest supplier of branded promotional merchandise with offices all over the world including

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Youth disco may extend

A YOUTH disco at Haslingden Public Hall has proved so popular it could be extended. Since January 12 the disco has been held at there, in conjunction with the police, youth and community service and JJ Entertainments. The Friday night disco for 11 to

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The Avenue, Leigh Road: quiz night Tuesdays from 9.30pm with a guaranteed £25 to winner, plus weekl

Boar's Head, Market Place: rock night Thursday with live band. Karaoke disco Saturday (9pm) and quiz nights Wednesday and Sunday (9pm). Bowling Green, Manchester Road: quiz night Thursday from 9.30pm, with possible £250 jackpot. Free pool Tuesday with

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Students to pump up volume

A GROUP of music students from Leigh are pumping up the volume for Comic Relief. The students on a GNVQ courses at Wigan and Leigh College are performing a gig at Leigh Rugby Club next Thursday. The students say they will present music that will appeal

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Scout troop scoops top prize in first aid contest

THE 5th St Peter's Scouts won the first prize in a first aid competition. The event was held at Union Street headquarters and the competition from the other three Leigh district scout groups was very high. The scouts were assessed on eight different categories

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Telegraph's foot in mouth

THE FOOT and mouth epidemic reached fever pitch locally at the weekend, but fortunately it proved to be a fuss about nothing. Anxious farmers, eagle-eyed health watchdogs and concerned country lovers from Journal-land almost choked on their tea and toast

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Councillors' surgeries

FRIDAY, March 16: Siddow Community Centre, Hope Carr Road, Leigh (6-6.30) K Anderson, M Hale, Mrs L Liptrot; Howe Bridge Sports Centre (6-7) Mrs S Loudon; The Sanctuary Church at Bethel, Hindley Green (6-7) S Murphy, S Simmons, P Turner; Tyldesley Town

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These yobs must have a screw loose

HISTORY means a lot to many people, but is of little interest to others like the misplaced section of our community which has turned on a heritage park created as a reminder of industrial greatness. Let us hope descendants of the skilled workforce which

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Nappy days down at the station!

A POLICEWOMAN'S lot is a nappy one for Sgt Debbie Barlow. The Leigh area officer can be forgiven for taking the weight off her feet -- because she is six months pregnant and part of an amazing baby boom at Wigan police. An unbelievable 27 staff or their

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SIgns slammed after crash

FOUR wheel drive owner Dawn Gardner (pictured) was this week counting the cost of an unplanned off-road excursion. Dawn, a customer services assistant at Tesco's Atherton superstore, was driving her Suzuki Vitara along Astley Street on Sunday night when

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United heroes 'down to earth'

A BLACKBURN newsagent found himself in the news when he was invited to the launch of Manchester United youth team manager's book "The View from the Dugout". Solly Khonat, who has a shop in Johnston Street, met many of the stars of United and England at

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Tot's squad run out with Rovers

A FIRST team of youngsters from Shadsworth Infant School were due to run out with Blackburn Rovers when the club met Wimbledon at Ewood Park today. The lucky 11 made the starting line-up when they won a competition run by McDonalds to design a new strip

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Town goes football crazy

CUP fever is sweeping Clitheroe as the town's football club aims for the final of the coveted Carlsberg FA Vase. Hundreds of supporters have made the journey to the semi-final at Taunton today -- and the biggest cheers will come from the Blues' oldest

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Taxi strike threat as fees rise

TAXI drivers angry at council plans to increase their fees are to meet next week to decide whether to strike. Private hire cab drivers are threatening industrial action after Blackburn with Darwen Council put up many costs by twice the rate of inflation

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Success is not my doing, says Straw

Computer scheme latest in line of pilot projects A PIONEERING scheme to bring thousands of computers to Blackburn homes is the latest in a line of successful pilot projects the town has managed to secure. And Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw

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Hawks bid to keep it tight

AFTER a winning start at home to arch-rivals Altrincham Aces, Blackburn Hawks are hoping for much the same, but face the daunting prospect of a Sunday trip to the notorious Ice Rink at Whitley Bay, home of the Warriors. Always a partisan and intimidating

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Interview by Dany Robson

Fans favourite Eli led from the front ROGER Eli was hero-worshipped at Burnley -- and his most memorable moment was when it all started. The then 24-year-old had arrived at Turf Moor in 1989 from Bury hoping to fill a defensive role -- instead then manager

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Respect is due for dream maker Dave

DAVE Burgess stood before his players to give the pre-match pep talk for the opening game of the season, wondering whether he would be able to gain the players' respect. Seven months later, the side are third in NWCL Division One and in the semi-finals

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Speeding fines aren't fair

WHY is it that speeders copped on camera get an automatic £60 speeding ticket, yet England soccer player Rio Ferdinand, convicted of his third driving offence, and his second speeding offence in a year, this week received only a £40 fine after being nabbed

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Parents are often to blame

A PROMINENT police presence in Leigh town centre had shoppers baffled this week. Numerous times I was asked if I knew what was happening and I did -- truancy sweeps to catch kids bunking off classes in Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Golborne and Hindley

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How daft to take offence at Anne's remarks

TV's 'orrid quiz host Anne Robinson stirred up a hornets' nest with her comments about the Welsh. After her appearance on Room 101, the show in which celebrities ditch their irritations, there were over 60 complaints after she condemned the nation to

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Leigh snap back at Bulldogs

Leigh Centurions...34 Batley Bulldogs...8 THE hallmark of a quality side is one that can come up with the right result even when the performance isn't quite what it should be. On Sunday's evidence you can put the Centurions into that category. Leigh were

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New boss

FORMER Atherton LR Director of Football and first team manager, Steve Plant, has accepted an offer to take over as chairman of Tetley Walker FC. The appointment was confirmed after Tetley's 1-0 over LR last saturday which saw Plant's new club move into

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Golborne crash

HAVING already done the league double over Styal this season Golborne Sports had every reason to feel confident going into their Cup Semi Final. But Styal got their revenge in a big way as the scoreline finished 5-1 in their favour. After weathering early

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RMI kids crash to defeat

AN under-strength Leigh RMI Under 9s side crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Farnworth Cougars. Goalkeeper David Rawlinson won the man of the match vote but without the usual threat on the wing posed by Oliver Parker who looks set to miss the rest of the season

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Hawks swoop for derby victory

Leigh Youth League PENNINGTON Hawks won a tense Under 16s local derby, just pipping Dynamo Boys 3-2. Pennington broke the deadlock when the Dynamo keeper made an unfortunate slip and Ryan Devlin gave his side the lead. But by half time Dynamo had picked

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Pressure on for local rivals in big derby clash

ATHERTON Town and Pennington clash tomorrow in the Finnair Manchester League Premier Division, the first of two meetings on consecutive weekends. Both go into the derby with differing, but equally important, incentives. Last Saturday Town extended their

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Colls win first game since September

SIGHS of relief reverberated around Atherton on Tuesday night as Atherton Colls celebrated a first win under new management team Dennis Haslam and Tommy Foster with a 1-0 home triumph over Flixton. It marked a first league victory for the club since September

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Saturday People: From Broadway back to college

THE bright lights of Broadway and London's West End are not too dazzling for Karl Pendlebury to lose sight of his musical background in Blackburn. The 31-year-old leading musical director has worked with a host of famous names and is now based in London

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Miners put a halt to Woolston's title charge

Woolston Rovers 12 Leigh Miners Rangers 16 LEIGH Miners produced their best performance of the season to secure their first win at Woolston in over 10 years. And in doing so perhaps delivered a fatal blow to the championship hopes of Warren Ayres' old

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Leigh continue good run

LEIGH RU continued their recent run of good form with a 15-10 victory over St Edward's Old Boys. The game started slowly in heavy conditions and the first scoring chance for either side came only after 30 minutes when C Lee was narrowly wide with a penalty

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Tyldesley set up crunch clash

Tyldesley 65 Bolton 15 TYLDESLEY RU set up an all or nothing clash with leaders De La Salle tomorrow after finally overpowering a spirited Bolton side at Well Street. The visitors started brightly tackling well and showing some good touches in attack.

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Councillor suspended again

THE LABOUR Party has suspended Cllr Mark Hale for the second time in a year following the circulation this week of a letter to Leigh CLP members. The letter contained allegations about one of six short-listed parliamentary candidate hopefuls which Labour's

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Cabbie on sex attack charge

A TAXI driver accused of a sex attack on a woman passenger has appeared for the first time before magistrates in Bury. Afzal Hussain, 31, from South Cross Street, Bury, is charged with the indecent assault of a 37-year-old Prestwich woman. The attack

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Moves to foil any future Doctor Death

BURNLEY health chiefs are to meet with coroners in a bid to prevent future Dr Shipman-type tragedies. The East Lancs' coroner's officer has already been asked by detectives on the Harold Shipman killing inquiry to check old records of deaths which may

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Concern at hero's death

THE family of a former Polish freedom fighter is considering legal action after a coroner expressed"extreme concern" about the treatment he received at a Blackburn hospital. Jan Wachala, died aged 80 after undergoing a procedure at Blackburn Royal Infirmary

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Leigh plan transfer swoop

LEIGH Centurions could be on the verge of a double transfer swoop. Head coach Paul Terzis has two Super League targets in his sights and preliminary talks have already taken place. But until the deals are completed, Terzis will not be releasing any details

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The David Dunn Coumn

Souey's been the key to success WHAT a way to celebrate Graeme Souness's first year in charge! Winning at Birmingham on Wednesday night was a massive result for us. It was a hostile atmosphere at St Andrew's but there's no better way to keep the home

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Cash boost for big achievers

SCHOOLS in Burnley and Padiham will benefit from thousands of pounds of Government money because they have improved pupils' standards. MP Peter Pike has welcomed the first round of school achievement awards which are based on ranking schools by the difference

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Thief took charity box money

A THIEF who helped himself to a charity box told police he didn't know what they were talking about when quizzed, a court heard. Burnley magistrates were told how Scott Hargreaves, 22, at the time on probation, also pinched chocolates and was caught out

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Tests had failed to find the cause of tumour

EXTENSIVE tests failed to find the cause of a malignant lung tumour which caused the death of Edward Alberts. Mr Alberts, 68, of Bevington Close, Burnley, died from a mesothelioma, a malignant tumour associated in 95 per cent of cases with exposure to

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Pant-astic! Comic Relief news roundup

CRAZY capers, silly stunts and madcap mirth abounded as young and old said 'Pants to poverty!' Events all around Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale raised thousands of pounds for the BBC TV appeal Comic Relief. Two workers at Asda in Rawtenstall Lynne Illand

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Demolition protest stepped up

WHITEFIELD residents staging regular protests against the development of Nelson West and this week marked the halfway point in their campaign. They gathered outside Nelson town hall with banners and placards in a bid stop their homes being compulsory

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Record reviews by Clive Lawrence

HEAR'SAY: Pure and Simple, (Polydor) -- Sometimes the powers that be have an almost hypnotic power over the music buying public. We've all seen the torture of the selection process. But after all that work all the group can deliver is a re-write of the

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Paul's back to the wall

SEVERE winter weather may have hampered his plans but East Lancashire artist Paul Hartley is back to the wall. The 26-year-old from Colne has been commissioned by Groundwork to brighten up a stretch of Great Harwood approaching the town. Armed with ideas

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Hopes high for car showroom

DEVELOPERS are hoping to begin work on a car showroom and valet bay in Colne, after waiting more than two years for planning permission. The scheme, which will be developed on land at Crown Way, was approved by Pendle Borough Council after an amended

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Little town's big Christmas plans

AN ambitious plan to turn a small East Lancashire town into the area's festive hub this Christmas has been unveiled. Residents in Great Harwood have been urged to get into the festive spirit to make this December the brightest ever. The call comes as

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Bogus firefighters target elderly

FIRE chiefs have warned pensioners to watch out for bogus officials after conmen posing as firefighters targeted elderly residents. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service bosses have branded the ruse as "cynical and wicked" after a series of incidents across

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Mum killed in stairs plunge tragedy

THE WIFE of a former Leigh rugby union captain has died after a falling downstairs at their home. Jean Caulfield, 57, stumbled, fell backwards and hit her head on the floor in the hallway. Her two daughters, air hostess Catherine, aged 27, and Suzanne

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Town goes football crazy

CUP fever is sweeping Clitheroe as the town's football club aims for the final of the coveted Carlsberg FA Vase. Hundreds of supporters have made the journey to the semi-final at Taunton today -- and the biggest cheers will come from the Blues' oldest

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Angel face!

WHILE tootling about I spotted a pair of cherubs perched on gate posts. One had the usual pretty face, the other had obviously had its head knocked off by passing vandals and the owner had had a go at a DIY sculpture repair. It was hilarious. It looked

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TERRY Pashley was among the interested talent spotters watching some of the country's young hopefuls

All the youngsters released from Academies across the country played in a couple of games in front of watching scouts from Premiership and Nationwide League clubs. Burnley youth team coach Pashley was caught on camera himself in one of the national papers

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Brass ready for fresh challenge

TURF Moor favourite Chris Brass is relishing the new challenge of helping York City climb the Nationwide League after finally severing his links with Burnley, writes Pete Oliver. Brass brought to an end a near ten-year stay with the Clarets when he completed

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Super Leigh 2000

£1000 - A.Grundy, Wigan (4034); £250 - S&B Howarth, Bolton (8407); £150 - L.Heaton, Leigh (7424); £100 - D.Brown, Leigh (4956).

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Runners in action

ASTLEY & Tyldesley Road Runners have been back in action competing in the Trafford 10k road race. Shaun Moran was the first A&T runner home in 42nd place in a time of 35.01. He was followed by Dave Potter, 94th in 38.35 and Craig Bradbury 102nd

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By Andy Neild

Egil wants permanent City switch EWOOD exile Egil Ostenstad has revealed he wants to join Premiership strugglers Manchester City on a permanent basis. The Norwegian international striker is currently at Maine Road on a two-month loan deal after slipping

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Brass ready for fresh challenge

TURF Moor favourite Chris Brass is relishing the new challenge of helping York City climb the Nationwide League after finally severing his links with Burnley, writes Pete Oliver. Brass brought to an end a near ten-year stay with the Clarets when he completed

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Kermit the Dog -- back from the brink

BIG Dog singer Kermit has vowed that the madness that nearly cost him his life during his time in Black Grape will not haunt his new project. Speaking exclusively to Pulse, the straight talking frontman revealed that doctors had written him off after

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Deaf club opens

THE Leigh and District Deaf Society is opening its Deaf Club on Wednesday. It will also be open, every other Wednesday, 7.30 pm at the Newlodge Centre, Mealhouse Lane in Atherton. Everyone is welcome and the committee would like people to go along to

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Witnesses appeal to attack

POLICE have issued an appeal for witnesses after two teenagers were knocked unconscious in a vicious attack. One of the 17-year-olds suffered a broken cheekbone and nose in the attack, which happened as the pair were making their way home from a 40th

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D-day for Labour candidate

THE decision on who will be Leigh's Labour candidate at the next general election will be decided on Tuesday at Hindley Green Labour Club. The final half dozen nominations were selected from 13 hopefuls this week by the Labour's National Executive Committee

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Woman subject to ten hours of violence

A BURLY man who was said to have kicked his partner out of bed subjected her to 10 hours of violence leaving her cut and bruised. Burnley Crown Court heard how Mark Kinder, 34, punched Heather Williams in the nose, hit and slapped her and even though

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A busy month for WI members

ATHERTON WI saw the work done at the Mary Sheridan Centre to help children with special needs at their monthly meeting. Members were given a talk and shown a video of the centre at Leigh Infirmary which caters for children upto five years old. A group

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Petrol jobs under threat

A PETROL station firm in Leigh and Atherton has become a victim of last year's fuel crisis with jobs under threat. The future of the Save garages on Wigan Road in Leigh and Wigan Road in Atherton have been thrown into doubt. The firm, which has 400 petrol

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Mum stole jacket from majorettes

A TRAINEE hairdresser who "consistently" offended was sent to jail -- and was told by a district judge she had only herself to blame. Mother-of-two Angela Wallace, 27, who also struck while subject to a deferred sentence, stole property belonging to a

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Jealous teenager's attack with snooker ball

A TEENAGER attacked a man with a snooker ball in a sock when he feared he was about to lose his girlfriend and child, a court heard. Burnley Crown Court heard how Paul McDonald, 18, had earlier seen the victim dropping off his girlfriend in the early

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Road rage attack

A WOMAN was prodded in the face in an alleged road rage incident in Atherton. Jackie Ledger, 40, from Astley was travelling to work in Atherton when a car began driving close to her bumper along Tyldesley Road. The male driver then overtook her at speed

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Andrea's new beat

A NEW police officer has been walking the beat in Golborne and Hindley. Sgt Andrea Jones is filling the shoes of Sgt John Rigby who has stepped down from his post as community beat sergeant. As Sgt Jones settles into her new role, she is determined to

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Ring and Ride gets cash boost

RING and Ride, the door to door bus transport service for the disabled, is being given a £360,000 boost. Ten new vehicles are to be added to the fleet thanks to the go-ahead of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's policy committee. Most

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Your tax isn't too high

THE LEADER of Wigan Council Lord Smith of Leigh this week claimed ratepayers have one of the lowest council taxes in the region. Councillors meeting at Wigan town hall have now approved the Metro budget which will see the council tax increased by 8pc.

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Leigh fire station to be expanded

FIRE chiefs are investing thousands of pounds in a new expansion at Leigh fire station. Bosses at Greater Manchester Fire Authority are transferring vehicle maintenance services, supply services and equipment and breathing apparatus facilities to the

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Girl forced out of school by bullies -- claim

A MOTHER has withdrawn her daughter from school amid claims she had endured eight months of hell at the hands of bully boys. June Moore's action comes just six weeks before her daughter Tarnya is due to sit her GCSEs -- and now the anguished mother fears

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Cats being taken for fur fears

THE owner of an animal sanctuary is to step up security at her home amid fears of continuing catnapping. Eunice Faulkner, who runs the Blackburn Cat Rescue, is considering alarming her premises after receiving 20 reports of missing cats since the New

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Pant-astic! Comic Relief roundup

PEOPLE all over East Lancashire were seen sporting red noses and wearing their pants outside their trousers as the country united to say pants to poverty. Hundreds of people in the area including some familiar faces joined in the fun on Red Nose Day 2001

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Concern at hero's death

THE family of a former Polish freedom fighter is considering legal action after a coroner expressed"extreme concern" about the treatment he received at a Blackburn hospital. Jan Wachala, died aged 80 after undergoing a procedure at Blackburn Royal Infirmary

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Houldsworth named as Harwood skipper

ALL-ROUNDER Paul Houldsworth has been appointed a Great Harwood's new captain as they look to end their 101-year wait to lift the Jennings Ribblesdale League title. The 30-year-old, who has been at the club since he was a junior bar a short spell with

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Flintoff centre of new injury storm

ANDY FLINTOFF is at the centre of a new injury storm -- and England coach Duncan Fletcher is furious. Flintoff, who has worked so hard this winter to recover from his back problems, only arrived in Sri Lanka last week in time for the one-day series. But

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Fine these selfish people

THE foot and mouth tragedy is showing no signs of subsiding and country walks are still out of the question -- or supposed to be. However, informers tell me people with no consideration are ignoring footpath exclusions and continuing to exercise their

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Chalking on the pavement? Hop it!

nCHALKING on pavements is illegal according to a Radio 2 legal eagle. I couldn't believe it, but I suppose it is defacing property when you think about it. It's a good job this law wasn't enforced when I was small and played in the streets or I'd have

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The power of music

nI WAS listening to Dale Winton on Pick of the Pops, the year 1960, on Saturday afternoon. What cracking stuff there was in the charts in the corresponding week 41 years ago. Remember Johnny Preston, Running Bear; Perry Como, Delaware and Lance Fortune

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A great cause, but a turn-off

I HOPE everyone's got their knickers and underpants over their outer garments and are hooting their red noses for charity on the daftest day of the year. Comic Relief has come round again and captured the imagination of the country -- the Leigh area included

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If success brings this kind of torment you can keep it, thanks

POOR Michael Jackson wept as he told the Oxford Union of his lost childhood, performing from the age of five and never being allowed to play like any normal little boy. He says he and his Jackson Five brothers were pushed by a strict father who had difficulty

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I'm travelling down memory lane by car

AFTER the old Ford Anglia I reported seeing recently, I spotted an even older vehicle, a pre-registration letter Ford Classic in St Helens Road. What a car -- and what memories come bubbling back to the surface. A smaller version of the big, ugly Yankie

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Hole lot of trouble to report...

LEIGH driver Jacqueline Phoenix is concerned about the poor standard of roads in the town. I'm glad someone else has noticed, I've thought exactly the same thing recently. Jacqueline, of Sandersons Croft, asks what the council is going to do about pot

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Trans-Pennine date confusion

A FIRM date is still to be found for the on-off-on Trans-Pennine Trophy Final between the Centurions and Keighley Cougars. Postponed from it's original date of last Wednesday, the game is still scheduled for Cougar Park in May - but just when, nobody

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Mum sees her son, 6, killed by lorry

A HORRIFIED mum saw her six-year-old son killed in a collision with a lorry. Shoaib Astab, of Benson Street, Bury, suffered fatal injuries following the accident on Friday afternoon, which happened as the youngster walked along with his friend. The little

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Hindsford crash out of cup

HINDSFORD Under12s went crashing out of the Jubilee Cup and suffered their heaviest defeat of the season against Bromley Cross. Hindsford struggled to control the game in the early stages and wasted several good opportunities. Trailing 1-0 at half time

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Hindsford Juniors

HINDSFORD Junior Football Club are on the search for footballing stars of the future. Due to the success of the club at the grass roots level most of the juniors teams are on the look out for fresh talent to join their squads for the forthcoming season

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Five sent off in stormy Cup battle

THE players of Higher Folds are being hailed as the Magnificent Seven. Last Saturday's all Division One Quarter Finals clash in the Davenport Cup with Leigh Avenue turned out to be a stormy affair with FIVE players sent off. It took just 10 minutes for

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Jones gets himself a double...

Leigh RMI 4 Hayes 0 LEIGH RMI romped to their fifth league victory in six games since the dawn of the New Year, demolishing Middlesex outfit Hayes at Hilton Park. Steve Waywell enthused that his side were a 'pleasure to watch' after watching them bag