Archive

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Date with LISA

LISA will be holding their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 12 at 7.30pm in the Mick Martyn bar. Adam Bristow and Pat Weisner have been invited to address the members, with Paul Terzis giving an update of playing affairs and Derek Beaumont the off

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Bury & Radcliffe Junior League

NICK Kosub of Marauders U18 scored a goal in an incredible nine seconds. He went on to score a further three to seal his team's victory over Woodbank. In the Allen cup Lee Clayton was man of the match for Roach Dynamo U14 in their 4-2 victory over Brandlesholme

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Sort out your own problems

MAY I inform Terry Sanderson, of the National Secular Society (Letters, January 28) that in Lancashire we have had churches and chapels like Christ Church, in Nelson, for hundreds of years, built by our ancestors. They are still an integral part of life

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Majority against proposed site

IT is obvious that the majority of people do not agree with the proposed site of the new Darwen health centre -- behind the Leisure Centre on Tockholes Road. There is supposed to be a petition for people to sign if they object to the proposed site. But

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Little support for war on Iraq

POST-September 11, 2001, we find the Taliban dumped, Al-Quaeeda evicted from Afghanistan and Bin Laden in hiding. Iraq forms the next agenda. Reputedly, it has no links to Al-Quaeeda and is not currently a threat to its neighbours or Western interests

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Small cost to boost staff morale

REGARDING the comments by Councillor Paul Browne about employees of Blackburn with Darwen Council receiving £10 shopping vouchers as a 'thank you' for their work to gain the Council of the Year award (LET, January 28), how mean-minded can you get? I'm

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Paper's award for publicans

THE licensees of a Bury pub have won a top industry award. David and Gillian Heyes, of the Garsdale Country Inn and Restaurant, Brandlesholme, took the Business Development Pub of the Year title at this year's Morning Advertiser Awards. The Morning Advertiser

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Police cleared of riot attack

POLICE officers will not face criminal charges over an allegation they assaulted the son of a former mayor during the Burnley riots. Lancashire Police today confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service had cleared the officers of any criminal wrong-doing

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Rovers tumble to penalties

GRAEME Souness suffered penalty shoot-out heartache for the first time in his career last night as gritty Sunderland extinguished Rovers' FA Cup dreams at the Stadium of Light. Souness has experienced just about everything the game has to offer during

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Shops face gang siege

FED up traders are calling for the police to put a stop to gangs of teenagers causing thousands of pounds of damage to their shops. Store owners in Sharoe Green Lane shopping complex say the area has become a haven for gangs. And recently the groups have

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Transfer to Royal plans are unveiled

HOSPITAL chiefs have unveiled the plans for the transfer of health services from Sharoe Green Hospital when it closes next year. The multi-million pound relocation package includes a new maternity and gynaecology unit at the Royal Preston Hospital due

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Budgets cut after cash bid

COUNCILLORS who went to Westminster to lobby for extra cash feel kicked in the teeth after a minister responded -- by taking more money off them! Ministers have announced revised finance settlements -- the amounts they give to councils -- and both Blackburn

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So where is our rubbish dumped?

A FAMILY are demanding to know whether the city council recycle all the waste they claim to. It comes after Tracey and David Hall, of St Margaret's Close, Ingol, witnessed binmen mixing recycling rubbish with the regular collection. Now the family want

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'Dance' drugs advice

LICENSEES, publicans and bouncers in Burnley will be given a demonstration about "dance" drugs this week. Members of a dance drugs safety team will meet representatives of Burnley's pub and club scene tomorrow. Police officers will also be at the seminar

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Padiham and Hapton bulletin

CRIME 'hot-spots' in Padiham are to be targeted by police. It is hoped the initiative deter potential crimes and catch many criminals in the act. New equipment will be used in the campaign, such as surveillance cameras and an Automatic Number Plate Recognition

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Leisure services in 'fair' rating

LEISURE services in Burnley have been rated fair following an independent report by the Audit Commission. Inspectors said the borough's facilities have prospects for improvement but despite the underlying weaknesses, the council was praised for meeting

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Humble spud finally has its day

LANCASTER Seed Savers are celebrating the diversity of British food with a day devoted to the humble potato on Saturday. There will be an opportunity for gardeners, allotment holders and even just the curious to find out more about different varieties

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Police cleared of riot attack(THUMBNAILtmalik2809)

POLICE officers will not face criminal charges over an allegation they assaulted the son of a former mayor during the Burnley riots. Lancashire Police today confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service had cleared the officers of any criminal wrong-doing

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We'll fight for cash - regeneration boss

THE man in charge of rebuilding East Lancashire's communities today vowed to "fight for our fair share and more." The local Pathfinder scheme, called Elevate East Lancashire, is one of nine schemes in the country battling for a slice of £500million in

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Get in the mood with Off the Rails

THEY say dancing can get you in the mood for love, so why not head along to the Gregson Centre in Lancaster on Valentine's Day to get down to Off The Rails band. This 15-piece band from Lancaster has all the ingredients needed for a romantic evening -

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Skateboarders win £50K boost

IT'S all systems go for the city's skateboarders! A grant of £50,000 will turn Lancaster's Green Ayre site into a skateboarding paradise complete with ramps, pipes and rails. Local skateboarders say it's the best news they've ever had and discussions

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Film Festival is city's latest stunt

IT'S not quite Cannes or Venice - but this summer Lancaster will be the venue for the world's newest film festival. The idea of local stunt man Martin Shenton, it is hoped that the festival will get bigger each year and put the city on the film industry

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Spurned wife saw red

A SPURNED wife saw red and gave her husband a bloody nose when she spotted him with another woman in a busy supermarket. Devastated Maureen Ann Pennington, 47, called her love rival a bitch and threatened to kill her before giving victim Timothy Pennington

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Pizza jobs are facing the axe

A PIZZA factory is set to axe 77 jobs after bosses announced plans to move production to a state-of-the-art topping plant. Bosses at Hazlewood Pizza, on the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, Nelson, have announced that a new site on Deeside, North Wales, will

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Shuttle must not end study

AN EAST Lancashire businessman with links to the NASA space programme said the Columbia shuttle disaster must not stop man's exploration of space. Although horrified and devastated by the shuttle's explosion, John Getty said grief for the seven dead astronauts

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The soiled sons of toil

WHO, what, where?, former Blackburnian Mrs Joan Grady asked Looking Back about this picture of Victorian workers found in her late father's belongings. Mrs Grady, now of Bolton, knew nothing of its origins, but suspects her father's father or grandfather

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Taking art on the road

PRESTON'S newest art gallery could be taking an early 'Summer Holiday'. Room 107, at the Oyston gallery of Contemporary Art, Oyston Mill, Strand Road, is looking to bid for funding to buy a double decker bus to use as a mobile gallery. The gallery is

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Five years ago

LUCKY Michael Hawthorne, of Gawthorpe High School, Padiham, became the 2,000th Modern Apprentice. Michael, of Constable Avenue, Burnley, secured "a job with prospects" at Falkland Engineering, Burnley.

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Heritage date

MINE of information Allan Davies will speak at Atherton Heritage Society meeting which starts at 7.30pm on Tuesday in Atherton Jubilee Hall. He will talk about the history of collieries in the Atherton area dating from the 16th century.

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Ten years ago

CONSERVATIONIST James Dickinson had a jumbo-sized job on his hands when he was asked to restore a mammoth elephant head. Mr Dickinson, of the Museums Service, worked in Blackburn Museum, because it would not fit into his workshop at Griffin Lodge, Blackburn

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Dance special

SOME of the dance music world's biggest names are dropping into the University of Central Lancashire this weekend. Tim Deluxe and Mutiny, Yoda and SpreadLove are DJing for the Orange enjoymusic tour, on Saturday, February 8, from 9pm to 2am. Tickets are

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More what's on around Preston

AN evening of blues and poetry is being held at St Peter's Arts Centre, Fylde Road, Preston. Stephen Morris and Dave Reeves are stopping off in Preston with their Black Country Blues show. The evening, starting at 7.30pm on Friday, February 7, blends

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Transplant dad back in goal

A GOALKEEPER who saved the life of his seriously ill son is back playing just three months after a kidney transplant operation. Gary Osborne made his comeback for Atherton Town in the Manchester Premier League last week -- with his fully recovered son

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Car overturned on black ice

A 30-YEAR-OLD woman walked away from her car after it overturned at 70mph on the M65 near junction seven, at Clayton-le-Moors, early today. She was driving home to Ashton-Under-Lyme from a visiting a friend in Burnley, when her car collided with the central

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Letting the trees grow

COMMUNITY woodland plans for 70 acres at Lowton will be revealed next Tuesday. The Forestry Commission aims to transform former farmland at Byrom Hall and its ideas can be viewed from 7pm on Tuesday (Feb 11) at the new Lowton Community Hall in Church

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Cinema wish Emma praised by minister

AN Accrington teenager has been praised by a government minister for her work in bringing a new cinema to the town. Emma Allardice campaigned for years, raising a petition and badgering councillors. The 15-year-old witnessed the opening of the cinema

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Wisdom not war

DON'T take a sledge hammer to crack a nut! Sadam Hussein is the nut and even if the USA go it alone their enormous military might is a sledge hammer. It would be shear folly to use such a hammer which might crack open a Pandora's Box of troubles and spread

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Tip slip road to be considered

PROTESTERS against plans to double the number of heavy goods vehicles using a busy main road to access a controversial tip have held their first meeting. More than 50 angry residents attended a meeting of the Stop Sita group last night to quiz deputy

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Landlord's lucky escape as fire rips through bar

THREE people had a lucky escape in the early hours of Tuesday when a severe blaze swept through a popular Leigh pub. Firefighters were called at 3.30am to The Courts Hotel, on Church Street where fire swept through the seating area of the pub and gutted

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MP calls for boffin honour

MOVES are steaming ahead to honour an Atherton-born boffin whose vision of a high speed hovertrain was dismissed. Thirty years after the late Professor Eric Laithwaite's dream of 250mph 'magnetic' trains was shunted aside by the British Government the

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Accountant figures in charity fashion ball

ACCOUNTANT Danny Booth traded his calculator for the catwalk in aid of a children's charity. Danny, aged 24, who is from Ramsbottom and works for Bury-based DTE, was among 15 young accountants who strutted their stuff in a fashion ball at the Lowry Hotel

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Landmark to go after a century

THE last mill chimney in Ribchester is being demolished after dominating the village's skyline for over 100 years. The imposing 110ft chimney at Banister Mill in Preston Road is to come down after being declared unsafe. The mill was constructed by East

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By-pass is the only option

HILTON Dawson MP has come up with an interesting suggestion in relation to congestion charges for Lancaster. In theory it has merits but, realistically, it will not curb the gridlock in Lancaster and is clearly unworkable. Certainly, people who reside

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Valley council tax is lowest around

JUBILANT Ribble Valley Council bosses have announced one of the lowest community charge increases in the country. But a hike in charges from Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Police Authority means taxpayers in the rural borough will still

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Incident 'was like a scene from The Sweeney'

A MOTORIST described an incident on a busy Ribble Valley road as being "like a scene from The Sweeney," a court heard. The reference to the cult cops and robbers TV series of the 1960s and 1970s was made as Blackburn magistrates were told how a mother

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Ten reasons to shun war

WITH regard to the Citizen Smith piece last week, the Green Party takes a very firm line on the war against Iraq. We are totally opposed to this planned war and appalled that the world is rushing headlong into a senseless, useless, immoral and expensive

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Council must come clean over resort plans

HOME owners in the West End and the Poulton area of Morecambe are indeed under threat from compulsory purchase, as the concerned resident warns in his letter (Citizen, January 23). This is the dark, hidden side of the council's new redevelopment plan,

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Histroic play-off beckons Shrimps

MORECAMBE return to league action on Saturday as they begin the run-in to the end of the season with a long trip to Stevenage. The Shrimps are currently holding on to fifth place in the Nationwide Conference and, with cup distractions now out of the way

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Debut single reaches 48

LEIGH dance act, Paradise, has reached number 48 in the American charts with debut single Rising Sun. Paradise is made up by Chapel Street barber Rob Grice, aged 31, and musical partner Stuart Connor, aged 31, and the dance track features vocals from

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Little darlings

BUDDING actors in the Westgate area are being offered a chance to shine - at a planned new group drama class planned this spring. Speech and drama teacher Sue Wilson is to launch the venture for children aged nine to 12 on Thursday evenings from March

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Miners cruise into round three

Leigh Miners Rangers 30, Queensbury 14: LEIGH Miners Rangers cruised into the third round of the GMB Union National Cup without too many alarms against Pennine League championship contenders Queensbury. On a heavy Twist Lane pitch the Miners did all the

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In the swim at Wigan

A SMALL, but determined squad of swimmers from Radcliffe Swimming Club made the trip to Wigan International Pool to compete in the Central Lancashire Inter-Association age group competition and, despite some setbacks, performed remarkably well. The first

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Banim double puts Boro top of the form

UniBond League Division One: Workington...1 Radcliffe Borough...3 WHEN two in-form teams met at Borough Park something had to give -- and it was Workington's nine-match unbeaten run. Borough were forced on to the back foot for long spells, but showed

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Anniversary celebrations

BICKERSHAW Methodist Church 104th anniversary celebrations are being held on Sunday. Rev Andrew Pratt will lead the 11am service and will chair the 2.30pm gathering which will feature Mavis Power.

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Police line up help sessions

MONTHLY police surgeries are to be held at Sudellside Community Centre, Darwen, from 10am to noon on Saturdays, February 22, March 29, May 3, June 7, July 12 and August 16. They are also at St James's Church, Hazel Avenue, from 10am to noon on Thursdays

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rBANK staff from Barclays in Leigh raised £400 through a hamper raffle to help terminally sick peop

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Heritage date

MINE of information Allan Davies will speak at Atherton Heritage Society meeting which starts at 7.30pm on Tuesday in Atherton Jubilee Hall. He will talk about the history of collieries in the Atherton area dating from the 16th century.

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Wives are double tops

FARMERS' wives are double tops when it comes to fund raising. Leigh and District National Farmers' Union Ladies' Social Section whist and domino drive begins at 7.15pm on Wednesday (Feb 12) in Tyldesley Methodist Hall to raise funds for Bolton Coronary

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Hindsford stalwart dies, 95

ONE of Hindsford's oldest residents, Arthur Phillips, has died aged 95. Born in Samuel Street, he went to St Anne's School and after trying mill and mine work went to work for Hindsford and Atherton Co-op in 1923 as a milk roundsman. He took charge of

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Record breaking beer bash

BEER drinkers from as far afield as Kent travelled to Atherton to sample the delights of what looks likely to be another record-breaking charity Beer Bash. Around 2,500 visitors flocked to the Formby Hall for the Bent and Bongs Bash organised by Atherton

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Mums-only exercise class

HINDLEY Leisure Centre is making exercising easy with the launch of a new mums-only class. The Take a Break classes run by instructor Hazel Ridge, an expert in both ante and post natal exercise, are suitable for both expectant and new mums as well as

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In memory of Helen

AN oak tree has been planted at Haigh Hall in memory of ranger Helen Franzen who died recently at the age of 24. A bench will be dedicated at the Wigan park at a service attended by family, colleagues and leisure department officials. A service took place

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Leisure will be matched to needs of public

FOCUS groups are being set up across the Valley to ensure leisure provision matches what residents want. Customers will be put in the driving seat at Haslingden Baths, Bacup Leisure Hall, Ski Rossendale and Marl Pits, in a bid by Pendle Leisure Trust

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Cemetery to have peace haven

A THREE year campaign to introduce a peaceful haven to a Rossendale cemetery is finally to go-ahead. Young Muslims have been working together with Groundwork Rossendale to produce a community seating area at Haslingden cemetery. The project will provide

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Employee cleared of store theft

A MAN has been cleared of stealing from the Leigh store where he worked. A jury at Bolton Crown Court returned a verdict of not guilty against Nicholas Yardley, aged 29, an administrative assistant at Comet. The court heard there had been no direct evidence

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Bags of fun...

CHILDREN at X11 Apostles RC School in Leigh are having bags of fun. The Leigh Education Action Zone backed StoryBags project was launched by assistant headteacher Sheenagh Newton, the school's literacy co-ordinator and Y2 teacher. She held two meetings

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Reaching for the stars...

A VOLUNTARY support group aims to help disabled young people reach for the stars. Wigan and Leigh Scope has organised a seminar to discover their hopes and dreams for the future. Wigan Council's scrutiny committee has asked the group to discover the opinions

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Minister's school visit

GOVERNMENT education minister Ivan Lewis is heading for Hindley next week to view Mornington High School's unique approach to the arts. Mr Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Adult Learning and Skills, will meet staff and pupils to see

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Forces reunion

RAF St Eval Cornwall 1939-59 would like to contact forer personnel, all ranks, for a possible two reunions a year. For further information contact membership secretary Graham on 01179-672547 or Dave on 01202-398190. Mr Graham Hill, Kingswood, Bristol.

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Delivery by Royal Appointment

A TEENAGER who won a scholarship to breed horses at the Royal Stud has delivered her first foal -- and the owner is none other than Her Majesty the Queen! Leanne Baines, aged 18, was on hand to deliver the Very Important Horse last Friday -- and the Queen

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Community bus is just the ticket

WILDCATS, Centurions and Warriors are helping maximise the use of a Leigh school's minibus. Westleigh High's community use experiement has proved so successful a second vehicle has joined the fleet and a 300 Club has been launched to fund it. The school

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Driven by American machine

WITH yet another war imminent in the volatile Middle East region it beggars belief why more innocent lives should be put at risk through the mistakes of others. Indeed, it will always remain a mystery why Saddam Hussain wasn't brought to justice during

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Drivers blind to their faults

HAVING read many letters from whingeing, whining, bleating, so called 'put upon' motorists and getting very sick of it, I thought I would reply with a letter about all the motorists' faults and the problems they cause for others. Causing death and accidents

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Road planning mayhem

CONGRATULATIONS to the South Ribble and Lancashire County councils for creating another smouldering mess on our roads. The roundabout in Lostock Lane where the A6 meets the slip roads to the motorways must be one of the worst designed and ill thought

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Pasan through!

PASAN Wanansinghe has moved the short distance from Unsworth to Radcliffe to play his cricket next season. The Sri Lankan all-rounder has signed up for Radcliffe as they go all out to lift the Central Lancashire League title in 2003. The Unsworth Street

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Radcliffe & District Pool League

RESULTS - Premier Division: Hamers Arms 4 S of Life B 3; LLWMC 5 Roach Ht A 2; S of Life A 2 Royal Oak A 5; Derby Ht A 2 Summerseat A 5. First Division: Bridge Tav A 4 Derby Arms 3; Old Tower 3 R+Crown Rams 4; H+Hounds 3. Second Division: Bridge Dumers

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Budgets cut after cash bid

COUNCILLORS who went to Westminster to lobby for extra cash feel kicked in the teeth after a minister responded -- by taking more money off them! Ministers have announced revised finance settlements -- the amounts they give to councils -- and both Blackburn

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Shame in list of licence dodgers

EAST Lancashire households have been warned to get a TV licence after being shamed as being among the worst dodgers in the county. In Lancashire's League of Shame Blackburn comes fourth out of more than 20 towns and cities with 1,349 dodgers in 2002.

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Surgeon accused of removing wrong lumps

A YOUNG social worker was left with a large red scar after a surgeon removed the wrong lumps in her neck, an inquiry heard. The 27-year-old woman said she feared the worst because her father had an operation to remove a cancer in the same area. But Julian

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Thank-you for trying to save my pal

A WILPSHIRE man cycled 843 miles from one end of the country to the other to raise money for hospital staff who made 'huge efforts' to save his best friend's life. Chris Southworth, 26, raised £1,000 for the Blackburn Royal Infirmary Intensive Care Unit

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It should have been me

A MAN left fighting for his life after his brother died of meningitis spoke of his anguish today and said: "I wish it had taken me, not him." Naweed Anwar, 23, has just been released from hospital after a week-long battle with a suspected case of the

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Museum a winner with kids

SAMURAI swords, spears with shark teeth, poison darts and Zulu shields -- not the possessions of a jungle warrior but just some of the exhibits at Blackburn's Museum. And council bosses reckon they're on to a winner with its new look... because children

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Tribute to Darwen Dasher Bill

A LOCAL athlete who battled his way back from hip replacement surgery to run the London Marathon, died suddenly last week. Darwen Dasher Bill Cook, who was 65, lived for his sport and now his family have decided that he will be cremated wearing his Dashers

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Tattersall tears 10K field apart

NEIL TATTERSALL'S supremacy was established early in the inaugural Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K Road Race on Sunday. At the start, the athletes complete a lap and a half of the Witton Park track and by the time they peeled off to start the ascent of Buncer

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Standpoint - the view from the fans

AS suggested in last week's column what better time for PNE to get back to winning ways than Saturdays game against the spoilers from Kent. It's been a long time since we took three points from this fixture but boy was it worth the wait! Improving Preston

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Shop protest shock

LEIGH gun shop owner Norman Pennington was stunned when two police officers entered his Railway Road premises and told him to remove his long-standing protest against the European currency from his widow. The "Stuff the Euro' poster was said to be offensive

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Tales of the famous Garrick

IT'S almost 25 years since the doors closed on Leigh's Garrick Club. A regular customer in the mid 60s, I have fond members of the little nightspot tucked away behind Leigh Road. As members of the press we were privileged to be given free entrance by

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Cardoza's firepower sees off brave Lions

Swinton Lions 10, Leigh Centurions 24 by Mike Hulme CANNY coach Paul Terzis was happy to play a game of patience, content in the knowledge that his new-look Leigh side had enough firepower to blow improving Swinton out of the water. On a day when you

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In-form RMI relish trip to the seaside

LEIGH RMI's arrival at the seaside so far this season has been met by a number of frosty receptions - as Southport and Scarborough will testify writes Martyn Hindley Saturday's long haul to Hartsdown Park in deepest Kent will continue to provide a chill

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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Friday, February 7

A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Danzwize 2003, King George's Hall, Blackburn. In aid of the Magic Eye Appeal Gala Supper, Banqueting Hall, Hoghton Tower, 7.30pm. "Snow White," St WIlfrid's Parochial

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Fighting for our fair share of cash

IT'S not difficult to understand why county councillors of the ruling Labour group must feel upset with their Labour government. Weeks ago they went to Westminster to plead with ministers for extra cash to avoid a double figure council tax rise -- an

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U9s edged out

TYLDESLEY RU U9s played some excellent rugby against local rivals Leigh but were edged out 35-20. Tries came from man of the match Adam Prendergast, Laura Riches (2) and Scott Brown.

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Tigers are tops

LEIGH East Tigers U13s battled dreadful conditions to play good open rugby in a 42-10 win over Leyland. Tries came in the first half from Daniel Weaving (2), Chris Hamnett and Adam McGuire with goals by Karl Ashall (2) and Karl Morris with Leyland managing

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Leigh's easy riders!

ENDURO champions Gary Parr and his mate Craig Chadwick blew the opposition away to take the spoils for Leigh in the Welsh Experts Four Stroke Championships. A brilliant performance throughout a gruelling season's riding saw Gary, of Maple Crescent, retain

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Bury Sunday League

LATEST details PREMIER DIVISION Bury FC Social 4, MPG Landscapes 2; Heaton Park Prestwich 4, Roach FC 0. DIVISION ONE Bury Supporters 5, Blackmoor FC 3. DIVISION TWO Roetan 1, PC World Direct 8; Summit 0, Bay Horse 1. DIVISION THREE Brown Cow (Fairfield

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Brother in law murder charge

A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering his brother in law. Shane Manson, 22, was sent in custody for trial at Preston Crown Court where he will next appear on February 12 accused of murdering Eamonn McDonagh, 17. Manson's last address was

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Promoter 'sorry' for wrestling night KO

A WRESTLING promoter who was forced to cancel a show in Blackburn after the fight ring failed to appear has apologised to 400 fans. John Farrer, of Global Wrestling Force Promotions, said the ring did not arrive at the King George's Hall show, despite

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Bank Top blueprint for changes

BANK TOP has benefited from millions of pounds of Government money in recent years. It was designated a renewal area in April 1998, and includes around 1,000 homes, mostly terrace and, like much of East Lancashire, dating back tot he early 1900s. It had

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Party risking a decent candidate

WHAT an awful situation has been created by the Labour Party National Executive, deciding to ignore the democratic choice of the local party in choosing to allow nominations from suitable candidates to serve as a prospective MP for Burnley, irrespective

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PC was a knight on horseback

I WOULD like to thank PC 6259 Monk, who witnessed an accident involving my car on Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn, on January 27 while I was at work. PC Monk, was on horseback duty, left details of the other vehicle on my windscreen. The impact from the other

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BNP are laughing all way to polls

LABOUR has turned this country on its head, for not only do we let terrorists seek refuge and claim benefits but the Government does nothing about it. This asylum system has got more holes in it that we are prepared to put immigrants up in country houses

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Arson gang strike at bins and post boxes

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a gang of rampaging arsonists set fire to wheelie bins and a post box. Firefighters and police were called to the series of midnight blazes on Tuesday at Wigan Road, Siddeley Street and Clifton Street after youths

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Niggling injuries are getting me down

WHILE the rest of the lads have been running about in the ice and the snow this week I have been back on the treatment table - and I am sick of it. Having got over my back problem, I suffered a thigh strain last weekend and so it has been back in with

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Police cleared of riot attack

POLICE officers will not face criminal charges over an allegation they assaulted the son of a former mayor during the Burnley riots. Lancashire Police today confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service had cleared the officers of any criminal wrong-doing

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Leeds reserves game

ROVERS Reserves face Leeds at Morecambe tonight in a rearranged game, kick-off 7pm, where Matt Jansen is included alongside Academy sharpshooter Paul Gallagher, who has already netted 19 league and cup goals for the Rovers Youth sides this season. Fullback

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Snap out of it, says Souness

ROVERS boss Graeme Souness today warned his players they must pick themselves up quickly following the agony of last night's FA Cup exit at the hands of struggling Sunderland. Rovers crashed out of the competition after losing their fourth round replay

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Fact file...

A LOOK at the key moments from the game against Sunderland in the FA Cup. ROVERS: FRIEDEL: A brave effort from the big American who was clearly hampered by a foot injury which affected his kicking...6 NEILL: Did a decent job on Arca but his defensive

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Gazza goal comes home

FOOTBALL fans will soon be able to re-live an unforgettable moment in England's football history at the National Football Museum. The Deepdale-based museum is to display the goalposts used in the Euro '96 championships in which Paul Gascoigne scored one

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Penny's brush with danger

FIREFIGHTERS rescued a horse left fighting for her life after falling in snow during the storm on Monday. Penny, a 35-year-old Arabian mare, was on her way to the stables in Walton-le-Dale when she slipped in a muddy field and was unable to get up. The

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Gulf beckons for reservist

WITH war looming against Iraq, a navy reservist from Preston is heading off to the Gulf where he expects to be deployed for up to six months. David Miller-Crook, of Navigation Way, is preparing to leave on Sunday for training in Portsmouth before being

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Unhealthy Euro-cracy!

A PRESTON shop worker fears a new European directive could put her out of a job. Irene Crane, 63, manager for Health Rack, Orchard Street, believes the directive on food supplements will mean many of her customers having to go to a chemist's for their

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Paul's always in a rush at work

A RUSH of air, an explosion of noise, and woosh, there goes Paul Hopkins. For the BAE Systems' chief test pilot, there's no waiting in queues of traffic, he could pass over Preston faster than the speed of sound. And there is the risk of flying an aircraft

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Former champion boxer dies

A FORMER British champion boxer from Preston who collapsed into a coma after suffering stroke has died. Former middleweight boxer Johnny Sullivan was regarded by many of his fans as one of the greatest fighters of his era. Now friends and colleagues have

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Litter louts a headache for residents

RUBBISH on spare land in Burnley is causing anger among residents living nearby. Land next to the Kiddrow Lane Health Centre in Kiddrow Lane is now littered with rubbish and debris. The remains of a community bonfire, held at the site annually, have not

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Fire crews battle store blaze

MORE than 20 firefighters battled for two hours last night to contain a suspicious blaze at a warehouse containing polystyrene in Burnley. The fire at the warehouse, owned by James Pollard and Sons, on industrial ground off Browhead Road, was so fierce

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'Road rage' student knocked motorist to ground

A UNIVERSITY student who punched a middle-aged man in a road rage melee, could be facing jail. Burnley Magistrates heard how Ghohar Naeem, 23, had told 56-year-old Rodney Fish: "You're in my area," before knocking him to the ground in the unprovoked attack

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Letter led to thief's capture after raid

A HANDBAG thief was the author of his own misfortune after he wrote a letter about his exploits, Burnley magistrates heard. The court was told how police found the letter when they raided Damian Conrad Whitton's house on an unrelated manner. Whitton,

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Speedy police help all in the call of duty

STAFF at a hi-tech police communications centre in Burnley are making sure that calls are dealt with as quickly as possible. The centre, in Parker Lane, covers the Pennine Division area and fields calls from Burnley to Barnoldswick and all the places

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Marian and Mollie Show

AT THE Gregson Centre on Friday, Marian Hughes and Mollie Baxter, voted the top two acts at Spotlight Club's open mic competition last summer, join forces to present their show, 'No Herring No Wedding.' Marian, 'Lancaster's Quirkiest Funnywoman,' has

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It can't happen again - pledge

LANCASTER City Council says steps have been taken to prevent the errors which led to Blobbygate from ever happening again. Officers making reports to decision-making bodies, such as the council and its new cabinet, must now list all financial and legal

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Funny Valentine

THERE will be a multi-media Valentine's Ball at the Ashton Hall in Lancaster Town Hall on Friday, February 14, with stand-up comedy, a live band, international and local DJs, digital video projections and dance beat bliss. Organised by the Hearts on Fire

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'It's a whitewash'

THE long-awaited District Auditor's report into the Crinkley Bottom fiasco has been described as an "extraordinary whitewash" by the man who raised the alarm. Mike Ford of Silverdale has handed the Auditor's 200-page report to his barrister with a view

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Youths batter man unconscious

A LANCASTER man walking home from a quiet night out suffered a brutal, unprovoked attack which left him unconscious and hospitalised for three days. Father-of-three Andrew Hill, 38, had enjoyed a drink with a friend in the Boot and Shoe pub, Scotforth

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Council got it wrong says auditor

SENIOR Lancaster City Council officers committed misconduct during the 'Blobbygate' affair and the council acted unlawfully - but the bill will still fall to taxpayers. The District Auditor's £600,000, four-year report concluded that the misconduct of

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Marcus tackles asthma drive

A LEYLAND lad who was diagnosed with asthma when he was a toddler has become a sporting champ and the face of a national campaign to promote goats milk. Marcus Jackson, 15, of Croston Road, Farington Moss, has been chosen to front the campaign by the

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Preston back in promotion hunt

PRESTON'S hockey team have reignited their promotion challenge with a brace of impressive victories. Two weeks ago they thrashed lowly Leeds 7-2 and they followed that up on Saturday by easing past Deeside Ramblers with a 3-0 win. Preston now sit second

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Down by the Riverside!

THE recent row over the state of Chelsea's pitch, provoking losers Charlton to demand a replay of their match at Stamford Bridge earlier this month, prompted reader Ken Roberts to dig out a picture of Ewood Park looking almost like a lake 51 years ago

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Club's victorious battle for croquet lawn

MEMBERS of Pendle Croquet Club were celebrating today after being told they could set up home in Victory Park, Barnoldswick, when they leave their current base at Nelson and Colne College. The club has played the sport on lawns at the college since 1986

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Panto fun dates

PANTO fun runs from Monday, February 17-Saturday, February 22 when Golborne St Thomas' ADOS take to the stage at the Parish hall at St Thomas' school. Performances start at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £4 adults, £3 children. To book call 01942 722429.

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Wives are double tops

FARMERS' wives are double tops when it comes to fund raising. Leigh and District National Farmers' Union Ladies' Social Section whist and domino drive begins at 7.15pm on Wednesday (Feb 12) in Tyldesley Methodist Hall to raise funds for Bolton Coronary

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What's on around Preston

PLACES are still available for the free talks about the Harris Museum and Art Gallery exhibition, Words, featuring work by Tracey Emin and David Hockney. Talks are every Wednesday at 2pm until February 19. To book a place call 258248. THE latest production

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Parents fight to keep Green Hall school open

PARENTS at are set to launch a campaign to save a special school threatened by closure. Green Hall Primary School, which only last week received a glowing Ofsted report from government inspectors, could be closed if Wigan Council approve plans to move

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Gracelands brings John to tears

THE sight of the Gracelands memorial garden proved too much for life-long Elvis fan John Turner. Former Olympic wrestler John, of Leigh Road, Leigh was reduced to tears. John couldn't believe it when his partner, Lynne, won a dream holiday to his idol's

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Remember The Garrick?

TWENTY five years ago the doors closed on a famous Leigh institution -- The Garrick. Over the years thousands of star struck members trod a weekly path to the Leigh Road club which took owner and impresario, the late Roy Jackson, from rags to riches.

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Take on Happy Mount Park too

LAST week Citizen rightly gave top billing to a letter from Cllr Shirley Burns, writing as chairman of Williamson Park Ltd. The future of the park is an important issue. Shirley is a respected member of the council and also has special knowledge and understanding

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Schools named among the best

TWO East Lancashire schools are celebrating after being named by Ofsted as two of the best schools in the country. Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, York Street, and Ribblesdale High Technology College, Queen's Road, Clitheroe, were given outstanding reports

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It's time for someone to apologise

I AM pleased the District Auditor has at last published his public interest report on the Crinkly Bottom Theme Park project. The background is that he has been acting in a judicial or quasi-judicial capacity, and will not be responding to questions about

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Farm retailer's U.S. misssion

A FARM retailer from the Ribble Valley who chatted with Prince Charles about rural businesses is USA-bound to represent British businesses on a fact-finding mission. Simon Barnes, 34, owns the Bashall Barn Farm Shop and Cafe near Clitheroe and is to undertake

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Stop noise nuisance but not entertainment

AS A result of reading about the proposed public entertainment licensing bill in a recent Citizen article, I looked at the Musician's Union website. It is a real eye-opener to read about the likely consequences if the bill goes through. As a general rule

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Mawson earns national call-up

MORECAMBE keeper Craig Mawson is the latest Shrimps player to earn recognition with the National Game XI. Mawson is in an under-23 England squad for a friendly next week against Belgium, his first call up to the national side for players outside the football

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Hesketh desperate to end slump

STRUGGLING Lancaster City take on Hucknall Town at Giant Axe on Saturday in the hope that they can bring an alarming run of form to an end. Tony Hesketh's side have yet to take a league win this calendar year and have also crashed out of both the Lancashire

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Back in cells

A 28-year-old man just released from jail was back in the cells the day after, Burnley magistrates heard. The court was told Richard Whittaker urged police ;"Lock me up. I have just got out." Whittaker, who had been spotted shouting and swearing and slamming

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One down, one to go for Clarets

DRISSA Diallo has committed his future to the Clarets until the end of the season - and he will now target an even longer stay. Having secured the defender until May, the Clarets now hope to strike a deal with keeper Marlon Beresford that will ensure

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Losing on penalties is just so sickening

SO bang goes our dreams of reaching the FA Cup final for another season. What a kick in the teeth last night's fourth round exit at the hands of Sunderland was, particularly after we'd done so well to drag ourselves back into the game courtesy of Flitty's

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Free help offer for aged

OLDER people who feel they are getting a raw deal over their state pension can claim free help and advice to make an appeal. A new grievance procedure is due to come into force in October, giving all pensioners a chance to question payments. And Lancaster

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Daten Hockey Club

DATEN Colts hockey side suffered a 3-1 defeat against Winnington Park in a match where the score did not reflect the game. A determined Daten side had most of the possession in the first half with a strong midfield. Winnington scored from a controvesial

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Rising stars get county call

THREE school athletics stars have been selected to represent their county in the English Schools' Cross Country Championships in Brighton. Intermediates Adele Swanton, Gemma Farley and Tom Boardman will join the squad following their performances in the

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Boro boss Glendon set to strike out

WITH 24-goal hitman Jody Banim suspended for Saturday's home game against Lincoln United, Radcliffe Borough manager Kevin Glendon is looking to add a new striker to his squad, writes STEVE BOTT. Whether he succeeds in time to include the new man against

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One down, one to go for Clarets

DRISSA Diallo has committed his future to the Clarets until the end of the season - and he will now target an even longer stay. Having secured the defender until May, the Clarets now hope to strike a deal with keeper Marlon Beresford that will ensure

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Snap out of it, says Souness

ROVERS boss Graeme Souness today warned his players they must pick themselves up quickly following the agony of last night's FA Cup exit at the hands of struggling Sunderland. Rovers crashed out of the competition after losing their fourth round replay

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Chance to trace family history

A BEGINNERS' guide to family history will help Darwen residents trace lost ancestors back to 1837. Led by the vice-president of Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society, Bill Taylor, the course is expected to be very popular among people with spare

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Party cash for cancer charity

DARWEN police raised £490 for a cancer charity fund by a seasonal party. Retired and serving officers were invited to the Derwent Hall event to raise money for the Rosemere Breast Cancer Fund, which aims to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer sufferers

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Charity shop closes

THE doors will close on the NCH charity shop next week. The Bradshawgate, Leigh, premises will undergo modernisation and will re-open on February 19 at 10am. The long-established shop is seeking new volunteers to join the existing band of 10. Call in

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Simon's fight for his sight

A DEVASTATED mother today spoke about the agonising wait while doctors battle to restore the sight in her son's right eye. "It's just a question of waiting and keeping our fingers crossed," said Sue Freear, mother of 22-year-old Simon Frith. He has already

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Speed curbs give residents the hump

SPEED bumps on a Darwen street are failing to do their job, claim residents who say drivers speed past at 60mph on the 20mph stretch. The traffic calming measures are at the junction of Olive Lane, Sudellside Street and Anyon Street. Olive Lane was one

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Charity quiz

QUIZ wizards are invited to team-up to help the terminally ill. Teams of up to five players are invited to register for the February 8 event which begins at 7.30pm at Leigh Conservative Club in Railway Road. Entry is £2.50 a player and proceeds will go

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Workers flee fire scare

Workers at a Haslingden carpet factory were evacuated after the fire alarm went off yesterday. An external plant at Duralay, in Broadway, which separates oil from an extraction unit overheated and set the detectors off at 11.45am. A carbon dioxide flooding

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Humps crack under the strain

A ROAD hump which broke-up under the strain of traffic calming has been removed by contractors. On Tuesday morning segments of one of the rounded humps dotted three abreast along Holden Road in Leigh began to break-up creating danger for road users. Contractors

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MP leads fight for ID cards

IDENTITY cards should be made compulsory to help tackle a range of social problems says Leigh MP Andy Burnham. And Mr Burnham has tabled a House of Commons motion to bring in compulsory personal ID cards which has been supported by other MPs. Mr Burnham

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WISH you were here...

YOUNG women wanting to make new friends, learn new skills and help others are invited to join a young women's health project. The WISH Project, based at Leigh Well Women Centre in Church Street, offers support and information to girls and young women,

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Striking firemen free toddler Toby's finger

STRIKING firefighters came to the rescue when a Tyldesley toddler got his finger stuck fast in a plughole. Picketing firemen at Leigh fire station were quick to respond when 14 month-old Toby Firth rolled-up with a plug hole and waste pipe still attached

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Councillors surgeries

THURSDAY, February 6: Golborne Library (10-11) B Strett, D Kelly; Lowton Labour Club (7-7.30) B Strett, D Kelly; Lane Head Methodist Church, Lowton (7-7.45) P Franzen; Abram Library (10.30-noon) B Hampson. FRIDAY, February 7: St Mary's Church hall, Lowton

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It's drivers own fault

READING your headline 'Deserted' about motorists who are not using the new park and ride scheme at Walton-le-Dale, (Citizen, January 16). All I can say is that all these drivers should stop belly aching about congestion, road works, road rage and so on

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More for less

MOST council tax payers would not mind a reasonable increase in their tax bills year-on-year if this meant better services. Nevertheless, when we find central government and local councils at odds with each other on this emotive issue we have to be concerned

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Pupils go casual for baby charity

PUPILS from Bedford St Thomas's School in Leigh are hoping to raise £200 for their namesake children's charity. On Valentine's Day they'll cast off their uniforms and wear casual clothes for the day's lessons in support of the Leigh branch of Tommy's

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Crime 'as close to murder as possible'

A BLACKBURN man locked up for a gang-land style killing failed to win a cut in his manslaughter sentence after judges ruled his crime was as close to murder as it possibly could be. Anthony O'Reilly, of Albion Mill, Ewood, Blackburn, pleaded guilty at

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Team seeks its last soccer hero

THE date has been set for a remarkable reunion of footballing Blackburn schoolboys half a century after a memorable triumph. The St James Primary School team, aged just 11, held aloft the Jubilee Shield at Ewood Park in 1953 after scoring 99 goals to

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We'll fight for cash - regeneration boss

THE man in charge of rebuilding East Lancashire's communities today vowed to "fight for our fair share and more." The local Pathfinder scheme, called Elevate East Lancashire, is one of nine schemes in the country battling for a slice of £500million in

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Faith school views 'ignored'

EDUCATION bosses have been accused of ignoring people's concerns over plans for a new Muslim faith school -- and omitting them from a key report. Now backbench councillors have demanded Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board receives a more balanced

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PNE Women hold out for a win

PRESTON North End Women's FC beat Bolton Wanderers Ladies 3-2 on Sunday thanks to an own goal and a goalkeeping error. They took the lead on 13 minutes when Alison Taberner's freekick deceived the Bolton keeper and the ball slipped through her legs. Bolton

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Lewis lifts spirits

ON-LOAN striker David Healy has announced he wants to stay at Norwich but the news has not dampened the spirits at Deepdale after Eddie Lewis started a welcome return to goal scoring form for North End on Saturday. Healy, Preston's most-expensive signing

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Youngsters to cast off uniform for children's charity

PUPILS from Bedford St Thomas's School in Leigh are hoping to raise £200 for their namesake children's charity. On Valentine's Day they will cast off their uniforms and wear casual clothes for the day's lessons in support of the Leigh branch of Tommy's

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Parents vow to save school

PARENTS are set to launch a campaign to save a special school threatened by closure. Green Hall Primary School in Atherton, which only last week received a glowing Ofsted report from Government inspectors, could be closed if Wigan Council approves plans

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Dinner on paper plates for idle family

I SALUTE the fed up Golborne mum who decided to give her idle family a taste of their own medicine. A working mother of teenagers, and fortunate to have the luxury of a dishwasher, she was sick of requesting someone to clear the machine, only to discover

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Three steps forward two back

A DISGRUNTLED shopper has written to complain about the state of the footpaths leading from Wigan Road, Leigh, to Asda. She says following the so-called improvements to the land on the by-pass side of the Marsh Playing Fields the paths are non-existent

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It's snow fun for us!

WHY does the country grind to a halt when an inch of snow falls? The Tuesday morning drive into work was hellish, not only for me but for hundreds of motorists heading in to the town from all directions. The roads were grid locked in places. I had a horror

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Centurions expect Rovers to test new mean streak

THE Centurions expect their new defensive mean streak to be put to the test at Featherstone on Sunday writes Mike Hulme Having conceded just four tries in their opening three games of the season, Leigh are proud of the way they've tightened things at

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Blood money row over Hindley play

THE mother of a Moors Murder victim has accused an Ainsworth playwright of making "blood money" from a play about Myra Hindley. Mrs Winnie Johnson, whose 12-year-old son, Keith Bennett, was abducted and murdered by Hindley and her lover Ian Brady in 1964