Archive
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Shame it took a war to see sense
Well, well, at last we have got our Union Jack flying freely again (LET, April 17) but what a crying shame that it took a war to do it. I have campaigned since this controversy began that our flag should be flown freely on every government building, big
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Points to ponder for councillor
TWO points for Councillor Fred Slater, who wants to ban cycling on the canal towpath (LET, April 15), to ponder: Many narrow boat owners carry and use cycles for various reasons. How about a ban on anglers who kill ducks and swans with cast-off line and
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Call for bikes ban was irresponsible
I REGULARLY cycle along the canal towpath from Feniscowles to Blackburn town centre to do my shopping. I do this to make a small contribution to keeping cars out of a very congested town centre, to help reduce pollution and also for health reasons. I
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Must we be the odd ones out?
CYCLING on the canal towpath a fishy idea? Not on your life, Councillor Fred Slater (LET, April 15). Having ridden the entire length of the Leeds-Liverpool canal in stages over 10 days, my wife and I considered it a wonderful experience. Most of the towpath's
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British war deaths were too costly a price to pay
I was getting increasingly upset by the war in Iraq especially when I watched President George Bush and his colleagues talking about 'successes.' How could he say accidental deaths of British and American servicemen and women were a cost to be paid? How
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Payts made wingers look the business
ANDY Payton may be quitting League football but his contribution to Burnley Football Club will never be forgotten. I certainly think he is the best finisher there has been at the club in my time at Turf Moor. All you have to do is look at his record to
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Conman jailed
A FINANCIAL adviser who stole almost £500,000 from clients who trusted him to invest their life savings has been jailed for four years. Kevan Berry sought to become friends with his five victims, who are from across East Lancashire, by gaining their trust
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Gil's a guru with style
A FASHION guru who made a living selling flared jeans and velvet jackets to celebrities, such as the late Leonard Rossiter, is turning his hand to helping up-and-coming businesses. Gil Jones is the new chairman of Preston Business Venture, a government-backed
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Terror toy off market
TRADING Standards are warning that the latest toy craze could end in disaster after a young girl from Preston was injured. Rachel Hargreaves, seven, was playing with a yo-yo ball -- a brightly coloured rubber ball attached to a stringy rubber cord. But
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Hunt for armed robber who held up store
POLICE will today continue their search for a knife-wielding robber who held up a Burnley store. Glen View Stores, in Glen View Road, was held up by an armed raider on Tuesday night. Detectives said no-one has been arrested and enquiries are due to continue
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Home blaze 'could have been arson'
FIREFIGHTERS were called to Perth Street, Burnley, earlier today after a suspected arson attack. And police said they were called to the same address last night after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance. Firefighters said a window at the front
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Changes to bus services
BURNLEY and Pendle Travel has announced changes to some services from Sunday. The company said the changes had been brought in as a direct result of suggestions received from on-bus passenger surveys and pre-paid comment reply cards. Commercial director
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Six share £2.5 million
SIX art organisations in Lancaster have been singled out for a £2.5 million cash injection. The Folly, the Dukes, Nuffield, Storey, Lit Fest and Ludus will share the Arts Council grant over the next three years. Last year funding amounted to £571,800
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Workers on trail of better life in country
BURNLEY'S Sustainability Action Partnership has unveiled a programme of special days for volunteers every Thursday until Christmas. The group, which is based in Yorkshire Street, Burnley, is holding the volunteer action days from May 1. The days will
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Have your say on path
COMMUNITIES across the district still have a chance to have their say on proposals to extend the Lune Millennium Path. The issue has attracted widespread interest at five meetings held so far - in Lancaster, Caton, Claughton, Hornby and Wray - and consultants
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My pal Patch, the survivor
A MAN rescued from his burning house as he tried to save his pet kitten has been reunited with the cat he calls his best friend. Stephen Craggs, 34, of Hirst Street, Burnley, collapsed unconscious in the upstairs bedroom of the terrace house. He had dashed
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Trainers back new Film Festival
A LOCAL company has thrown its weight behind the first Lancaster Film & New Media Festival - by becoming its main sponsor. Specialist training company NTS Developing People, which is based at Forrest Hills near Lancaster University, works with organisations
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Nasty smell investigated
ENVIRONMENTAL health officers are investigating after residents in Hapton complained about a chemical smell lingering around the area. Neighbours were dismayed at the whiff and have reported it to Burnley Borough Council. The authority is now monitoring
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Transplant family face anxious wait
FRIENDS and family of Jennifer Wilson are on tenterhooks as they wait to hear whether her bone marrow transplant has been successful. The Lancaster mum who had the transplant last week hopes it will cure the rare form of leukaemia she was diagnosed with
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Women form a spring combination
THERE is an over-whelming feeling that spring is here as you walk around the new show at Lancaster City Museum. For two local women have joined forces in a new exhibition now showing. 'Surroundings' is an exhibition of recent work by Joan Eastham that
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Put jobs first call to council
A DRIVE to regenerate Morecambe should focus more on creating jobs than on providing new housing, according to a report before Lancaster City Council this week. Following months of public consultation about ways to revitalise the town, councillors were
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Safety alarm follows record weekend
LIFESAVERS have issued a stark safety warning after a family's frolics ended in the desperate rescue of a small child whose rubber dinghy was swept out to sea. A 19-year-old friend of the family swam out to bring back the inflatable boat but struggled
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Roeder health scare lessons for Preece
BURY boss Andy Preece wants fans to learn the lessons from Glenn Roeder's health scare. The relegation-threatened West Ham chief was rushed to hospital this week after collapsing through a blocked blood vessel in his brain, sparking further concerns over
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Vandals wreck mill roof
A MILL owner is appealing for help to catch vandals who caused more than £30,000 of damage to his business. More than a hundred reinforced windows in the roof of Manor Mill, Hallam Road, Nelson and a large area of roofing material were damaged in the
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Mayor-elect hit by second crime blow
POLICE have launched a fresh investigation after the new Mayor-elect of Pendle's car was broken into just weeks after his home was targeted in a brick attack. Coun Mohammed Iqbal, of Chapel Street, Nelson, was in bed at home when the incident happened
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Mystery illness has left Judith a prisoner in her home
ILLNESS has left Judith Hilton a prisoner in her own home. The mother-of-two was suddenly struck down by BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Postional Vertigo) on Christmas Day. Now she is trying to start a support network for other sufferers of this little known
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South Ribble centre sets standard
SOUTH Ribble Tennis Centre has been identified as one of the best in the country for bringing on talented young players. Former Davis Cup captain Paul Hutchins, who heads up the Club Performance accreditation programme at the Lawn Tennis Association,
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Landmark church needed vision to survive
HAVING rung up its 70th anniversary this month, the prominent church of St Gabriel in Blackburn dominates a tranquil Brownhill Drive in this 1949 view -- and is listed as a building of architectural importance because of its striking Thirties look. But
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Pair's joy at holiday club cash refund
A COUPLE who thought they had lost £1,000 after signing up to a holiday club scheme were today celebrating after they received a full refund. Myra and Andy Durrant said they had been on a "holiday from hell" after visiting the Costa Del Sol and buying
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Five years ago
SUPERMARKET staff helped a Blackburn community group. 20 volunteers from Morrisons redecorated the St Anne's House base of the THOMAS project, which helps homeless young people.
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Changes on the buses after success
PASSENGERS using the Hyndburn circular should see improvements from Sunday. Bus company Lancashire United is making changes as a result of the successful growth of business on the route since it began operating in partnership with Lancashire County Council
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Fame the spur for local luvvies
A STAR of radio soap The Archers is to teach budding adult thespians their craft at a drama school. The Performance Academy opened last year, giving lessons to young wannabe actors and dancers. Now adults who never dared take the plunge at school will
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Birds die in fire attack
AN ALLOTMENT holder has spoken out after arsonists killed all his racing pigeons and caused thousands of pounds-worth of damage. All that was left of Bob Maudsley's double-garage-sized shed were ashes, the 38 carcasses of his beloved pigeons and chickens
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How jail changed my life's direction
WHEN the cell door slammed shut for the first time on Tim O'Kane he little thought there would come a day when he would be sitting on a committee making decisions on law and order issues. While inside he had property stolen, was told how to rob a supermarket
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Cross bay bridge is a bad idea
I AM broadly against the projected bridge over Morecambe Bay. People have been trying to spoil this bay for decades, one way or another, just in order to get to Barrow faster. Before the council lets itself in for this project it should look into it very
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Peace protestors are well aware of the world order
I AM writing to contradict the assertions made about anti-war protesters. The Citizen photo of people around the 'Peace Yurt' shows, among others, teachers, social workers, nurses, childcare workers and post-graduates to my knowledge. Far from being insensitive
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Terror does not blind me to truth
THE claim of an enlightened occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip , in which the life of those occupied 'improved drastically', made by your correspondent Robert Segal (Citizen letters, April 3) is not new. It has been used by many colonial regimes
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Think positively for Morecambe
ON BEHALF of the Morecambe Bay Independents and others who are working hard to improve Morecambe, I would like to take issue with Geraldine Smith's comments on the front page of last weeks Citizen. The tourism market in Morecambe is not dead, it has merely
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Friendly win for Torrisholme
LOCAL rivals Torrisholme and Bare met in a pre-season cricket friendly at the weekend - with Torrisholme running out victors. Batting first, the home side made a respectable 156 for 7, with Osmotherley (44) and Jackson (45) top-scoring. Bare briefly threatened
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Players line up England trial places
PLAYERS from the newly formed Lancaster Rugby League Club are to be nominated for England trials taking place in Sheffield next month, it has been revealed. The trials, which will feature amateur players from across the northern divisions of the Rugby
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Young Pugh secures vital point
SCHOOLBOY Marc Pugh grabbed a stoppage time equaliser to earn Ronnie Jepson's reserves a precious point at Turf Moor last night. Pugh, who will be sitting his GCSEs in a few weeks, was one of several pupils in a very inexperienced line up. But he was
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Great memories of a true Claret
ANDY Payton has scored 230 goals in 610 games in an illustrious striking career. He was once Middlesbrough's record signing, he scored the winner for Celtic in an Old Firm derby and he represented the Hoops in Europe. But as he hangs up his boots and
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We will give the Toffees some stick
THREE games to go, nine points to play for, and a top six place up for grabs! Let's hope we get our sums right in the next two weeks and everything adds up to a successful climax to the season for us. A haul of just one point from six over the Easter
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Take a hike!
A NEW book of Walks from the Limestone Link has been written and published by the Lancaster Group of the Ramblers' Association, containing directions, descriptions and maps of 17 scenic walks. Routes include 'The Heathwaite Coastal Walk' starting from
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Don't keep me hanging on
BLACKBURN target Lorenzo Amoruso has called on Rangers to make a decision about his future as soon as possible. The 31-year-old, who is wanted by Rovers boss Graeme Souness, is out of contract at the end of next season. And the rugged Italian wants certain
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Services drive down house prices - claim
HOUSE prices near to the M65 Services development in Darwen have been driven down, it was revealed today. Neighbouring streets are no longer an attractive place to live, claim leading estate agents and residents. Developer Margrams admitted there were
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Homes hit by power failure
AROUND 1,000 homes in parts of Rossendale were plunged into darkness last night after the area suffered a power failure. Edenfield, Turn Village, Ramsbottom and parts of Shuttleworth near to the Duckworth Arms Pub were affected by the power cut. The failure
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Job losses at mill firm
A WATERFOOT textile factory is set to close next month after earlier making redundancies. Joshua Hoyle, Mill End Mill, Burnley Road East, is to move its operations to Walkden, Manchester. Workers are upset by the announcement after the hemming factory
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Axe poised over post offices
POST Office officials today announced two neighbouring branches are the latest in line to face the axe. The closures are part of a national programme to restructure and modernise Post Office Ltd's national network of more than 9,000 urban offices because
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Thieves take cars to carry off booty
THIEVES ransacked two homes in Whittle-le-Woods and then stole the owners' cars to carry off stolen property. Burglars first broke into a detached bungalow in Lady Crosse Drive by forcing open a window. They stole property worth £8,100, including a Philips
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'You're lazy' blast over waste dumping
THE MAN in charge of cleaning the streets of Blackburn has slammed the householders who cause the problem as "ignorant" and "lazy". Peter Hunt, director of direct services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, criticised those who did not take advantage of
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Heroic Paul's canal rescue
A TEENAGE hero who jumped into a canal to save the lives of a mother and her young daughter today revealed: "I can't believe I did it." Apprentice electrician Paul Swift, 16, has told how the woman pushed him away and cried "leave us" as he tried to help
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Conman jailed
A FINANCIAL adviser who stole almost £500,000 from clients who trusted him to invest their life savings has been jailed for four years. Kevan Berry sought to become friends with his five victims, who are from across East Lancashire, by gaining their trust
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Standpoint- the view from the fans
NORTH End captain Chris Lucketti was presented with the PSG Player of the Year Trophy on Saturday in front of a packed Preston Grasshoppers Club. In an extremely large poll Chris came out top in front of last year's winner Richard Cresswell. Lee Cartwright
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Police use CS gas in fracas
POLICE had to use CS spray to subdue a Bury man during a disturbance outside a public house in Heywood, a court heard. Paul Anthony Derbyshire, a 30-year-old skip hire operative, of Hawes Close, Bury, admitting at Rochdale Magistrates' Court language
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Friday, Date: April 25
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. AGM, Spring Terrace WMC, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall, 8pm. Good as New & Bric a Brac sale, Haggate Ladies Circle, Haggate School, Briercliffe, 7pm. Trio -- three
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Beat bobbies are worth it
THE disclosure today that 35 new police officers are being placed on community beats in East Lancashire will be welcomed by all law-abiding citizens. For this is what the public wants and regards as a far much effective crime deterrent than car-borne
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Does Bush know we shouldn't fly flag?
REGARDING recent letters about flying the Union Jack, can anyone explain why Tony Blair and the Union Jack are only ever seen in the same room when George W Bush is present? Has Tony not told Mr Bush that we are discouraged, even prohibited, from flying
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Brave soldiers need our support
WHETHER you agree with the Iraqi war or not, every citizen in Britain should fly the British flag in support of our brave soldiers there. Our men and women are fighting for the safety of all who live in Britain and there should be no restrictions for
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Ban by council could have led to more trouble
I AM disgusted with Burnley Council for refusing to fly the Union Jack over Burnley and Padiham town halls, in support of our soldiers in Iraq (LET, April 10). In America, their national flag is flown throughout the year on all buildings, private houses
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Room on the towpath for everyone
IN response to the outburst towards cyclists by Councillor Fred Slater (LET, April 15), I assume that he has never tried his luck on one of the cycle paths at the side of the road which encourage us with young families who enjoy cycling to take to the
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Date for little star with a giant voice
WITH her tiny frame, it is hard to believe that 11-year-old Alex Gaskell has such an amazing voice. But the miniature star's voice has stunned judges around the country because it is so loud! Weighing just four stone, Alex blew away the competition at
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Birds die in fire attack
AN ALLOTMENT holder has spoken out after arsonists killed all his racing pigeons and caused thousands of pounds-worth of damage. All that was left of Bob Maudsley's double-garage-sized shed were ashes, the 38 carcasses of his beloved pigeons and chickens
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Don't keep me hanging on
BLACKBURN target Lorenzo Amoruso has called on Rangers to make a decision about his future as soon as possible. The 31-year-old, who is wanted by Rovers boss Graeme Souness, is out of contract at the end of next season. And the rugged Italian wants certain
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Drivers told to watch out
SPEEDING drivers should watch out over the coming months. The Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety has revealed its plans for the next 12 months, aimed at cracking down on speeding. Currently, only one in six cameras are used to catch drivers, but over
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Teachers in strike threat
LOCAL education could be thrown into chaos next year if proposed strikes by teachers go ahead. The National Union of Teachers (NUT)decided at its annual conference in Harrogate this week to ballot its members over possible industrial action. Teachers
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Silent tears of orphans
TRAGIC tales highlighting the plight of Britain's orphans are the subject of the latest book by Preston author Jean Shansky. Silent Tears tells the story of 28 orphans bought up in institutions in the early part of the 20th Century. Each chapter focuses
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'Super' Steve is just the job
THE former right-hand man to the county's top policeman has taken on a new role. Steve Watson, 34, the youngest superintendent in Lancashire, is now in charge of the day-to day running of Southern Division, covering Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancs
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Granny Gwen's a shoulder to cry on
A FULWOOD woman has gone back to school to extend a helping hand to youngsters, teaching them to read and bake cakes as a surrogate grandmother. Gwen Hurst, 60, gives up her time two days a week at St Matthews C of E Primary School, in New Hall Lane,
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Poison pen letter target
A COUNCILLOR who has been plagued by a campaign of hate mail has called in the police to investigate but said it will not 'grind her down.' Margaret McManus, Conservative representative for Tulketh, has received several 'poison pen' letters posted to
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Maddy's crusade comes to resort
THE singer widely recognised as the voice of English folk music will be headlining at Morecambe's Platform next week. Maddy Prior, best known as the lead singer with folk/rock legends Steeleye Span, has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than 30
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Blobbygate report 'fair', council decides
LANCASTER City Council has drawn a line under the 'Blobbygate' affair - days before the local election. It has accepted the conclusions in a report by district auditor Clive Portman into the handling of Crinkley Bottom - and his statement of reasons.
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Even homeless have to wait
VULNERABLE people living rough in Lancaster face a waiting list for emergency accommodation. And according to the charity Shelter, the problem is unique in Lancashire. The issue came to light after Lancaster and Wyre MP Hilton Dawson highlighted the plight
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Winning start for Preston
PRESTON opened the new season with a close win over Leyland Motors in their Northern Premier League Division One clash. Preston scored 197/7 to just overhaul Motors' target of 195/9 to take the 12 points. Top scorers for Preston were Jobart with 50 and
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Hoppers still safe despite defeat
A POOR defensive performance brought defeat in Hoppers' final league match of the season to finish in ninth place in the table, just enough to avoid the relegation fall out which will be resolved on Saturday. They scored five good tries including a hat
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Ten years ago
SAM Hanna, Burnley's pioneering film-maker, recorded his life story in print. Sam signed and sold copies of the book, 'Better Than Chalk and Talk', in Coal Clough Library and the Mechanics.
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U-turn row: It's rubbish
BINMEN have to do a U-turn in the middle of a Hyndburn street because their new wagons won't fit under a railway bridge. The situation was revealed at a meeting of the full council, but officials say they knew about it and couldn't get vehicles small
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Who cares more?
HOW I do abominate letter writers hiding behind pseudonyms except in the rare cases of 'whistleblowers'. In this instance it is 'independent thinker', who probably has an ulterior motive. But, whoever it is, he or she is propagating specious nonsense
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Let's all play 'Spot the Boomer'
IT'S spring and the warm, sunny days are here - but so are the early 'boomers' of summer. This is the name I give to people who play their music so loudly that the boob-boom bass notes can be heard over a wide area, even through solid walls, double glazing
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To be the best
FOUR points out of six over a dramatic Easter weekend have put Morecambe within reach of a slice of history. Victory over Nigel Clough's Burton Albion in the final league match of the season at Christie Park on Saturday will guarantee the Shrimps their
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Cook decides to quit
PAUL Cook has joined Andy Payton in deciding to retire from playing league football. The talented midfielder, who has made 168 appearances for the Clarets since turning a loan spell from Stockport into a permanent move in the summer of 1999. He has been
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Payton calls it a day
ANDY Payton has decided he will never play League football again and he explained: "I would not want to finish my career at any club other than Burnley." The Padiham Predator, scorer of 81 goals since arriving from Huddersfield five years ago, added:
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Payton calls it a day
ANDY Payton has decided he will never play League football again and he explained: "I would not want to finish my career at any club other than Burnley." The Padiham Predator, scorer of 81 goals since arriving from Huddersfield five years ago, added:
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Job losses at mill firm
A WATERFOOT textile factory is set to close next month after earlier making redundancies. Joshua Hoyle, Mill End Mill, Burnley Road East, is to move its operations to Walkden, Manchester. Workers are upset by the announcement after the hemming factory
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Main road to be improved
A total of £170,000 will be spent improving the A666 in Darwen. The money from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will pay for resurfacing between Lyndhurst Road and the slip-road to the M65. Councillor Dave Smith, Sunnyhurst ward, said: "The road
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Organic idea needs help to grow
ORGANIC food could be making its way to the Darwen Holistic Therapy Centre -- with a little help from the public. Vanda Croft, centre manager, is looking to make Darwen a major drop-off point for organic food supplies from a Manchester company. She said
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Addicts wasting time in jail: judge
TWO health centre raiders were today behind bars - and a judge told them they were wasting their lives in jail. Burnley Crown Court heard how it was feared Darren Melody, 21, and Andrew Woodrup, 22, had targeted Waterfoot Health Centre to clean it out
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Closure axe hangs over two more post offices
POST Office officials today announced two neighbouring branches are the latest in line to face the axe. The closures are part of a national programme to restructure and modernise Post Office Ltd's national network of more than 9,000 urban offices because
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Year of controversy adds to intrigue
THE BNP, allegations of vote-rigging last year and a hung council -- May 1 promises to be anything but dull at the polls in Pendle. The far right party has announced it will field four candidates -- in Vivary Bridge, Barrowford, Clover Hill and Coates
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Drunken boyfriend ignored scared message
DAVID Roberts went round to his girlfriend's house in a drunken state and forced his way into her home. Blackburn magistrates heard that the girlfriend had sent him a text message saying "go away you are scaring me." Roberts, 28, of Aberdare Close, Blackburn
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Freedom bid man bolts in loo
FRANCIS Taylor was able to walk out of police custody -- because he ran out of toilet roll. Blackburn magistrates heard that Taylor was allowed to use the toilet at his communal accommodation while he and a police officer waited for transport to take
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Tax rise means more bobbies
THIRTY-five new police officers are being placed on community beats in East Lancashire - paid for with a 27p-a-week increase in council tax. They are expected to start work throughout this financial year as new recruits come through the training programme
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Sunday opening bid by sex shop
LICENSING bosses discussing whether a sex shop can open on Sundays in the run up to Christmas admitted they had never had any complaints about it. The three-man licensing sub-committee at Blackburn with Darwen Council met yesterday afternoon to discuss
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On your marks, get set...go!
WOMEN across East Lancashire are being invited to take part in a Race For Life to raise money for people living with cancer. Tomorrow marks the launch of Blackburn's Race For Life -- one of the biggest fundraisers across the country. The unique series
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SARS symptoms reported by trio
THREE East Lancashire people suffering SARS-like symptoms have sought medical advice after travelling in the Far East. And travel agents in the region have announced a mixed response to the outbreak from holidaymakers and business travellers flying oversees
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Accrington team up for Easter excitement
ACCRINGTON Golf Club members showed real team spirit for the Easter weekend series of competitions. On Good Friday brothers Mick and Ian Hardman were joined by Jason Ashworth and Andy Partington in winning the club's Texas Stumble with an aggregate score
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Dave and Chris set for Ibiza action
DAVE Herne and Chris Biddulph have been selected to compete for Great Britain in the ITU Long Course World Triathlon Championships in Ibiza. Both athletes represent Chorley Athletic Club although Chris usually competes for the Army. He has been chosen
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Gill hopes for quick return to States
GREAT Britain star Vicky Gill is making a big impact in America this season as she comes towards the end of her two-year spell at Florida State University. The 22-year-old Chorley Harrier heads her college's 2003 rankings in three events, the 1500m, 5,000m
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Keen to impress
PAUL Dwyer could be on the verge of a life-changing experience in the next two weeks. When the Clitheroe golfer isn't using his fingers to grip his club, he is keeping them crossed that he will be selected to play in the Italian Open. Although the 29-
