Archive
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Gems taken in burglary
POLICE are appealing for information after burglars broke into a detached house and stole a large amount of jewellery and a car. Detectives said the robbery in Langham Road, Revidge, happened some time between Sunday and Monday, July 22-23, while the
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Guiding hand for the blind from brewers
BLIND people across East Lancashire have received a guiding hand from leading brewery. For Daniel Thwaites' Charitable Trust Fund has donated a reading machine worth over £1,000 to the Accrington Blind Society. The machine scans letters and documents
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Waste dumping warning after blaze
FIRE chiefs have warned people not to dump rubbish on waste land after a fire in a derelict yard in Blackburn town centre. Crews were called to land behind Cicely Motors, Cicely Lane where a large pile of rubbish, tree cuttings and tyres was ablaze. Firefighters
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Kitchen fire man escapes through window
A MAN was taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke and shock after climbing out of a window to escape a house fire early today. Firecrews tackled the blaze which started in the kitchen of the property in Laxey Road, Blackburn. Leading firefighter
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Search for owner of coins
POLICE have issued pictures of items included haul of valuable commemorative coins and spoons in a bid to trace the mystery owner. The stolen items, which include a boxed set of Queen's Silver Jubilee medals, were recovered by police from the home of
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City status bid a puzzler
HOW can Blackburn apply for city status (LET, July 26) when there is no such thing as a decent hotel in town? The only decent and proper hotel is the County, which is on the outskirts and may be due for demolition at any time. WILLIAM MELVIN, Brodick
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Law made a laughing stock
I WAS appalled and dismayed at the short sentence passed on persistent offender Lee Finglass, who has caused so much misery for so many innocent people (LET, July 25). I have been in correspondence lately with my MP in Blackpool about the things we have
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Beam me up, I've had enough
THAT'S it, I've had enough! I just can't take any more! The men in white coats will have to come and take me away! There are two men building a flying saucer out of tin sheets and bits of wire in the grounds at the rear of Blackburn Cathedral. I must
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Driver jailed for hitting police cars
A DRUNKEN driver rammed a police car twice and hit four parked cars during a high speed chase. Paul Hadden, aged 28, was spotted by police driving in Hag Fold, Atherton, but he sped off when they tried to stop him. During the chase, he hit four cars and
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Pavement perils from young bikers
VIOLENT civil disturbances and other serious contemporary crimes which absorb police resources have been accompanied by comparatively minor offences which have arisen from the sad disappearance of bobbies on the beat. Pavement-cycling is a present-day
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Catching up on 39 years of news!
OLD schoolpals caught up on all the news -- after 39 years! Bury Grammar School girls, who left in 1962, were reunited once again thanks to the tireless efforts of former pupil Alison Garside. She followed up clues to locate her ex-classmates and, with
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Man stabbed in race attack
AN asylum seeker was stabbed twice during an unprovoked racial attack at Bury Interchange. The 31-year-old suffered a punctured lung when one of two skinheads stabbed him in the chest and back on Saturday evening. The victim, an Afro-Caribbean who has
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Serves you right, says MP as Burnley pair are jailed for three years
HOLIDAY revellers heading for party resort Ayia Napa were today given a drugs warning after two men were jailed for three years for importing ecstasy. And Burnley MP Peter Pike said Paul Hartley, 25, a married man with two children, of Burnley, and Lee
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Big-hitting Lytham sink Leigh hopes
LEIGH visited Lytham on Saturday in a league match which they felt they must win, in order to halt a slide down the Liverpool Competition league table, and give themselves, the spectators, and the main sponsors (Leigh Racking Services) a boost. However
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Souness back in the hunt
GRAEME Souness is ready to go back into the transfer market ahead of the big kick-off despite watching his side move their pre-season preparations up another notch at Vale Park last night. A goal apiece for strikers Matt Jansen and Nathan Blake comfortably
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Serves you right, says MP as Burnley pair are jailed for three years
HOLIDAY revellers heading for party resort Ayia Napa were today given a drugs warning after two men were jailed for three years for importing ecstasy. And Burnley MP Peter Pike said Paul Hartley, 25, a married man with two children, of Burnley, and Lee
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Display to showcase high-tech machines
SOME of the country's latest high-tech machinery will be on display at the first show of its kind to take place in East Lancashire. 'Engineering 2001' will be hosted by Northern Technologies in Nelson late next month and will feature more than 30 of the
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Custody lost youth his job
A YOUTH who smashed an etched pub window lost his job after ending up in police custody, a court heard. Burnley Magistrates were told how Alexander Evans, 18, had thumped the window and was rumbled later when police were called to an altercation and his
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Residents back petition to make their lane safer
RESIDENTS in the Halstead Lane area of Barrowford are campaigning for traffic calming measures outside their homes. Villagers have supported a petition calling for action to be taken to make the lane outside their houses safer. A report on a meeting between
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Five years ago
SHOCKED Blackburn Rovers were trying to come to terms with the departure of Alan Shearer. Firms had threatened to cancel their hospitality boxes at Ewood Park, but rallied round the under fire club. Shearer jetted off to a tournament in the Far East to
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Storm over quarry holiday site plan
A STORM of protest has been whipped up against plans to transform a picturesque quarry into a holiday complex. More than 200 people have signed a petition and dozens of letters written to Ribble Valley Council protesting about the development of Green
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It's Papa v Gazza at Turf Moor
IBURNLEY manager Stan Ternent is ready to see Gazza grace Turf Moor -- but he will only have eyes for his own new boy Dimitri Papadopoulos. Former England star Paul Gascoigne looks set to play some part tonight when Premier side Everton take on the Clarets
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Clarets go so near - and yet so far!
Dany Robson gives her view of the Clarets tour of the Isle of Man. SUNDAY JULY 22 THE plane over was only about 12 seater and was a bit jumpy but I musn't complain after hearing about how much drinking I would have had to have done if I had taken the
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Lancashire dragged into the relegation dogfight
JOHN CRAWLEY admitted that Lancashire are facing a battle against relegation after they slipped to a third straight Championship defeat at Headingley yesterday. Their faint hopes of snatching an unlikely last-day win were ended as they only added 38 to
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Hypnotist wants to entertain at Old Red Lion
STAGE hypnotist Mark Storey has applied to Burnley Council for permission to appear at the Old Red Lion pub. The application will be considered by members of the licensing sub-committee tomorrow. The council has no firm policy on stage hypnotism; each
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Sunday night fever astowns become rivals
EIGHT Blackburn bars have joined forces to break Accrington's long-standing grip on Sunday nights, and warned: "You've had it too easy for too long". Bar life, the Baroque, FJ Nichols, Cubes, The Lounge, the Chocolate Bar, Moist, and O'Neill's now form
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Miracle mum off on Great Wall challenge
WHEN former Bury landlady Elaine Simkin was told she had just three months to live, she told the doctor: "I haven't got time to die!" And the busy mum, charity campaigner and fitness instructor proved them all right -- she is still fighting fit 20 years
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It's Papa v Gazza at Turf Moor
IBURNLEY manager Stan Ternent is ready to see Gazza grace Turf Moor -- but he will only have eyes for his own new boy Dimitri Papadopoulos. Former England star Paul Gascoigne looks set to play some part tonight when Premier side Everton take on the Clarets
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End this takeover torment - Preece
SHAKERS manager Andy Preece is reaching the end of his tether as the club's "will-it won't it" takeover saga drags on. The uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the Gigg Lane set-up is having an unsettling effect on management and players alike and
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Traders urged to open during festival
SHOPKEEPERS are to be encouraged to open up during next year's Darwen Music Live Festival after many closed this year through fear of vandalism. A Darwen Town Centre Association's (DTCA) meeting heard that shopkeepers missed out on trade by their reluctance
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Reservoir vigil by fearful relatives
THE family of the man feared drown in a reservoir kept a vigil while police divers spent a second day searching for his body. Mitchell Bury, 33, has not been seen since he went swimming in Wayoh Reservoir, near Edgworth, in the early hours of Sunday morning
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Dogs have their day at charity pet show
A PANORAMA of pets went on display as Old Clough Stables at Weir opened its gates to all-comers. There were classes for everyone at the charity pet show, with creatures on display ranging from dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters, to gerbils, rats and mice
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A gloomy outlook for sun lounge
A SINGLE-storey extension to provide a sun lounge at a bungalow is set to be refused by planners meeting tonight. The extension, at Goodshawfold Close, Loveclough, prompted one letter of objection from a resident who said it would be a further encroachment
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Valley's newest church grows in strength
ROSSENDALE's newest church - Weir Baptist - is going from strength to strength and in the autumn members will be reaching out into the community. The church held its first service on July 8 when the doors opened at the Weir Hotel on Burnley Road and the
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Estate boards face massive overspend
ESTATE management boards in Rossendale have been ordered to keep their maintenance bills in check after it was discovered the projected overspend for the year was £365,000. Only a quarter of the year has gone by, but the weekly check on expenditure has
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Charity floored by carpet firms' kind act
A TRIO of East Lancashire companies have pooled their resources and between them they have floored a children's charity. Blackburn Childcare Society is grateful to Cavalier Carpets, Duralay and the Glen Mill Group -- for teaming up to carpet a suite of
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Chess club checks in with a bonus
Chorley Chess Club is moving in the right directions -- thanks to a £600 cash boost. The club will use the cash -- a Chorley council sport, arts and community development grant -- to help develop its rising standards and attract more new, young members
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Dreams coming true for young disabled
A CHILDREN'S charity is looking for East Lancashire applicants for a massive "dreams come true" giveaway. Whizz-Kidz has launched its No Limits Millennium Awards which are aimed at young disabled people who have a burning desire to undertake a new activity
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Ride in the park accident probe
THE HEALTH and Safety Executive are conducting an investigation after a 12-year-old girl fell from a fairground ride at the Arts in the Park festival. Roxeanne Benson, from Foxstones Crescent, Blackburn, suffered cuts and bruises when she fell from a
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Flats come down - piece by piece
WORK has begun on demolishing two blocks of flats in the heart of Blackburn -- piece by piece. Blowing the blocks up was ruled out in favour of pulling them down because of the number of other properties nearby. In the place of the two demolished buildings
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Tragic family slam drugs policy
THE PARENTS of ecstasy death girl Leah Betts today slammed a scheme which encourages club doorstaff to deal with drug users without calling the police. The move, which is due to be launched in Blackburn and is already operating in Burnley, has been backed
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Howarth joins up with Reds
ACCRINGTON Stanley have made their third signing of the summer by adding centre half Paul Howarth to the squad, writes DANY ROBSON. Howarth was released by Shrewsbury at the end of the season and has won over manager John Coleman in the two games he has
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Teacher attacks council over Orange phone mast expansion
A PRIMARY school headmaster has launched a scathing attack on Bury's planning bosses, branding them "cowardly and irresponsible" over their policy on siting mobile phone masts. Dennis Harrison believes young lives are being put at risk at Guardian Angels
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Drugs scheme policing is vital
ANY new initiatives to curb the menace of drugs have to be welcome, but firm controls must surely come with the departure in East Lancashire which will render people caught with small amounts immune from prosecution. For under the scheme -- already tried
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All in all it's just another 20ft wall
YOUNGSTERS rose to the challenge when a 20ft climbing wall was set up in a Blackburn car park. It was one of a host of activities for the young people when the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Show Trailer rolled into town. Located on the car park at Waves swimming
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Roundabouts face-lift
A NUMBER of Chorley roundabouts have been given a face-lift. The four on the A6 by-pass up to Commercial Road have been spruced up by Chorley Leisure Services. New flowers, rockeries and turf have been provided to make the approach to the centre look
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Court told attack ended soccer career
THE career of a promising young professional footballer was left in tatters after he suffered brain damage following a brawl outside a pub. The fight, outside the Hare and Hounds in Lowton, involved two sets of brothers and left Alan Marsh with a serious
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Five injured after car crashes and sets on fire.
A CAR burst into flames after it was in collision with another vehicle on Sunday evening. Fire engulfed the Vauxhall Astra after the incident in Manchester Road, near to its junction with Bibby Street, at 7.45pm. The Astra driver, Gareth Mostyn (19) from
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Another pub for cultural quarter
BURY town centre is set to get a new pub. Manchester-based Joseph Holt Brewery can now crack open the champagne, or pull a few pints of its award-winning real ale, to celebrate planning permission for the latest venture. The basement, ground and first
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Tragic family slam drugs policy
THE PARENTS of ecstasy death girl Leah Betts today slammed a scheme which encourages club doorstaff to deal with drug users without calling the police. The move, which is due to be launched in Blackburn and is already operating in Burnley, has been backed
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Schools are next to bag recycling scheme
RECYCLING chiefs are trying to boost Bury's flagging "white bag" waste paper scheme by going into schools. They admit that the amount of paper collected fortnightly from people's front doors has dropped. Now they want to promote recycling among pupils
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Kelly left in limbo!
ROVERS boss Graeme Souness today slammed Tottenham for their 'shabby' treatment of Ewood keeper Alan Kelly. Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle first contacted Rovers over a fortnight ago about the availability of the transfer-listed Republic of Ireland international
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Police probe into park attack
A MAN being questioned by police in connection with an alleged racial attack near Queen's Park, Burnley, has been released on police bail pending further inquiries. Police investigating the incident at the Bands in the Park event at about 6.30pm on Sunday
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Community groups' grant joy
VOLUNTARY and community groups in Burnley are celebrating a grant of almost a quarter of a million pounds to turn a disused listed building into a community support centre. The bid by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Services,
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Boy accused of having weapon
A 13-year-old Nelson boy appeared before a youth panel at Reedley Youth Court yesterday on seven separate charges. The teenager was charged with possessing an air weapon while under the age of 14, having a loaded air weapon in a public place, possessing
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Boys, 13, to appear
TWO 13-year-old boys from Colne will appear at Reedley Youth Court on August 20 charged with assault against a third 13-year-old boy on July 5. The victim is said to have a fractured jaw, has permanently lost his front two teeth and could possibly lose
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Ten years ago
BLACKPOOL Tower celebrated its 100th anniversary. Special visitors, civil dignitaries and celebrities from all over the world joined in the celebrations. Blackpool celebrated the event in style and a time capsule was planted in the tower's ballroom by
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Escaped prisoner hit man in face with hammer
AN escaped prisoner hit a man in the face with a claw hammer after stealing two cameras and a handbag. Peter Hall helped to steal the items as he drank with friends in a pub while on the run from Kirkham Prison. Outside, in a confrontation over the thefts
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Probe into retail park blaze
POLICE have appealed for witnesses in connection with a suspected arson attack which ripped through a retail park in Accrington, on Sunday. The appeal came as a 16-year old youth who had been questioned by police was released on police bail, pending further
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Labour unhappy at new council system
LABOUR councillors have slammed the recent reorganisation of Hyndburn Council. They say the new system is 'anti-democratic'. Huncoat councillor Steve Walsh says the 21 Tory and 16 Labour councillors not sitting on the 10-strong Conservative cabinet, which
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A mixed reaction to shop frontage
TWO brothers who couldn't decide on a new colour for the front of their hairdresser's shop in Accrington have found the perfect solution -- painting half of it black and the other white. Sav Morante, 36, of Bold Street, Accrington, returned from holiday
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LOCAL CRICKET: Hot-headed pro proved 'volatile'
FORMER Bacup cricket club chairman Alan Whittaker has described controversial former pro Roy Gilchrist as 'the finest bowler the Lancashire League has ever seen'. Gilchrist, who died at his home in Jamaica aged 67 after suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
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They're out on the street
DRINKERS at the Postal Order in Blackburn can make the most of the sunshine and enjoy the summer weather outside the Darwen Street bar. Management have set up continental style tables and chairs on the pavement, after being awarded an outside licence
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Kelly left in limbo!
ROVERS boss Graeme Souness today slammed Tottenham for their 'shabby' treatment of Ewood keeper Alan Kelly. Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle first contacted Rovers over a fortnight ago about the availability of the transfer-listed Republic of Ireland international
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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is fattest of them all?
MODERN technology is bad for us. Sitting in front of a computer all day, driving home by car, then slumping in front of the telly Royle Family-style with a high-calorie ready meal. We are getting so little exercise that we're piling on the pounds - and
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Teddy bears' picnic is a hit
PRE-school children enjoyed a teddy bears' picnic while having a story read to them at Darwen Library. Every Saturday the library holds a story hour, but over the summer holidays it is being made into more of an event. So this time the 36 children aged
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Two are sought after truck blaze
POLICE are hunting two men they believe set a truck on fire and vandalised a house on the same night. First a property on Blackburn Road, Darwen, was broken into at around 10pm on Sunday. The front door was forced open and the duo smashed up property
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Mavis's efforts to help deaf praised
A VOLUNTEER has been praised for setting an example after learning sign language so she can take deaf people on guided tours through Sunnyhurst Woods. Mavis Smith, of Baron Street, Darwen, has taken tours for seven years, becoming an expert on every aspect
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Heritage focus on cemetery gateway
THE picturesque gateway to Rawtenstall Cemetery, is among thousands of listed buildings in Lancashire being photographed this summer. Dozens of volunteers, mostly members of local camera clubs or The Royal Photographic Society, are photographing listed
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You heard it first - in Blackburn! Atomic Kitten's hit singled out at gig
POPSTARS Atomic Kitten cruised to the top of the charts this week and revealed they knew their song would be a hit -- after they played it first in Blackburn. The sexy trio beat sultry American stars Destiny's Child to the coveted number one spot in the
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Rescuers' busiest weekend in years
EMERGENCY air crews who recorded their busiest weekend in two years today said: "It proves just how much we are needed." Paramedics at the Blackpool-based North West Air Ambulance found themselves working over time this weekend after being called out
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Computer catches runaway girl, 15
WHEN teenager Samantha Davies ran away from home with her 25-year-old boyfriend, her parents and police didn't have a clue where they might be. The 15-year-old girl packed up a few of her belongings, climbed into her boyfriend's blue Peugeot 405 and headed
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Incinerators are a 'threat to health'
COUNCILLORS are set to discuss controversial plans to cut the amount of rubbish buried in landfill sites in public after claims that decisions had been taken in secret. And action groups today claimed that unless plans for two rubbish-burning incinerators
