Archive
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EVENTS in East Lancashire on Friday, December 3
BURNLEY Burnley Youth Theatre present "Spiked," Mechanics, Manchester Road, Burnley, 7.30pm. St James Players present "Comfort and Joy," St James School, Lanehead, Burnley, 7.30pm. "Dark Horse," Talbot Hotel, Church Street, Burnley. Luncheon Club, Queen
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Protesters may be next victims
I WAS mortified and deeply saddened to read in LET (November 24), the story that the traffic-calming measures have been halted on Newfield Drive, Blackburn, due to the fact that some residents have objected to the re-location of a bus stop. I have lived
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Faiths can work together to benefit young people
BUILDING Schools for the Future in Burnley offers new and exciting possibilities to the Roman Catholic community which we should welcome. We have a long and rich experience in the field of education which we can share with others. The reputation of St
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A pharoah success
BLACKPOOL'S Grand Theatre chalked up yet another opera hit with a one-night performance of Verdi's magnificent tragedy, Aida, last Wednesday. The four act tale of love and death was certainly no comedy, but the forever touring Chisinau National Opera
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Vote against bishop over school
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the only Catholic sixth form in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale from extinction have passed a motion of no confidence in their own bishop. Almost 300 parents, teachers, governors and students voted unanimously for the motion
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Three die in horror road smash
THREE men from Blackburn were killed and a fourth was critically injured after their car left a dual carriageway and hit a tree last night. The driver of the Honda Legend and two passengers died when it careered off Preston New Road, Samlesbury, as they
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Ryan's winner
ROVERS slumped to their second defeat of the season at the hands of Sunderland at Christie Park. Glyn Hodges' young side struggled to create chances against strong opposition. Keeper David Yelldell, was in good form but on 14 minutes the American stopper
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Ferguson: I'm going nowhere
BLACKBURN Rovers skipper Barry Ferguson has insisted he's going nowhere. Ferguson's future at Blackburn has been the subject of intense speculation for some time, with Newcastle United and his old club Rangers reported to be lining up moves for the Scotland
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Survival of the fittest
MARK Hughes has a simple take on the battle to stay in the Premier League - it's all about survival of the fittest. And judging by the way Hughes' players are responding to their manager's new methods, there's growing evidence to suggest that Blackburn
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Inquiry into death at school
POLICE and health and safety officers have launched an investigation following the death of a bricklayer at a school near Preston. Anthony Isherwood, 58, of Heron's Way, Blackpool, died after steel panels fell on him during building work at Hutton Grammar
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Warning after woman attacked
POLICE in Leyland have warned that a man who attacked a woman in the middle of the day could strike again. It comes after a 39-year-old woman was assaulted on Moss Side Village Green, off Dunkirk Lane, on Monday, November 15, at about 12.25pm. Police
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Poppy champ is honoured
A GREAT-grandmother has been given an award for 50 years of dedication to the Poppy Appeal. Lilian Brooks, 82, of Fraser Avenue, Penwortham, was given a special poppy badge for her work collecting money for the appeal which supports former servicemen
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£3.5m flats to boost site
A RUN-down site in Preston could be transformed under plans for a £3.5million housing development. The 36-home plot would cover a stretch of land bounded by Wildman Street, Emmanuel Street and Blackpool Road, in the Plungington area. The site is currently
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TV fame for Britney album designers
CHRISTMAS has come early for talented teenagers whose design of a Britney Spears' album cover has landed them on television. Emma Williams, 15, James Fairhurst, and Jenny Weeks, both 14, from Priory Technology College, Crow Hills Road, Penwortham, won
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Former partner tried to live in shed
A 29-YEAR-OLD man thrown out of his house was trying to set up home in the shed, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how police were called after Stephen Taylor's former partner had taken out an injunction against him and he was banging on the
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It's cracked - but don't worry
CRACKS in the thick stone walls of Lancaster Castle are nothing more than natural wear and tear - and do not threaten the future historic building. Small cracks were found in the stonework of the city landmark last Friday. But Christine Goodier, manager
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Drug treatment centre plan row
RESIDENTS are fighting plans to put a drug treatment centre for Burnley near their homes. The scheme for a £1.6million Drugs Street Agency at former care home Burnley House in Westgate was announced by health bosses and Lancashire Drug Action Team last
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School celebrates success
SCHOOLS across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale have improved on last year, according to the Key Stage 2 league tables released today. Lancashire County Council, which runs schools across the boroughs, has been ranked 47th in the country according to new
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Pony party fills Platform
PLASTIC ponies worth more than £100,000 convened in Morecambe last week as a massive collector's sparked interest from across the globe. The first International 'My Little Pony' Convention attracted enthusiasts to the resort from as far away as Holland
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Villagers blast mast
VILLAGERS have collected 200 signatures in a campaign against a mobile phone mast they say will 'scar' the landscape. Residents in the Levens Drive and Oxcliffe Road area of Heysham say that the blueprint by O2 UK Ltd to put up a 20-metre pole is unacceptable
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Is Fozzy Lancaster's most unwanted?
AS CHRISTMAS gift wishes get jotted down on a list, one Lancaster resident just wants a home and family... Friendly Fozzy, pictured, has seen hundreds of other dogs, cats and other furry friends come and go at the city's Animal Care sanctuary - but is
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Get your skates on!
SHOPPERS are being told to get their skates on and head to Nelson for their Christmas presents. For the town is guaranteeing shoppers a white Christmas - by bringing in an ice rink and snow machine to boost festive trade and skate away from the building
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World's largest internet honour for war victims
Bygone Burnley, with DENIS OTTER ON November 11, 1918, the people of Burnley breathed a sigh of relief as an armistice was declared to end World War One. The town and surrounding district had suffered one of the highest casualty rates in the country with
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Waste wrangle: plans for display
RESIDENTS in Huncoat have been looking at plans for a waste treatment plant on the former power station site at a special exhibition. Lancashire County Council has drawn up the proposals for the plant, which, if it goes ahead, will be used to recycle
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Record number of rabbits need to be rehomed
AN RSPCA sanctuary has been swamped by a host of little furry animals in the run up to the festive season. Now the centre in Altham is appealing for good homes for the menagerie to free up space for the unwanted Christmas presents destined to end up on
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Council plays the man again
I AM delighted to read that Cllr Ian Barker, the leader of Lancaster City council, believes in accountability (Citizen Letters last week). But the council, through Mr Barker, uses the usual establishment tactic of playing the man instead of the ball.
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Bill Alley 1919-2004
Obituary by Gerry Wolstenholme BILL ALLEY, one of Blackpool Cricket Club's greatest ever professionals, passed away on 26 November 2004. Born in the Sydney suburb of Brooklyn in 1919, Alley felt: "a place to England with Bradman's 1948 Australians was
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Polo heroes chase clean sweep
THAT'S champion - Lancaster's all-conquering water polo team are aiming to go through an entire season unbeaten after clinching yet another National League title. The local pool heroes clinched their seventh title - and their third on the trot - after
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Injury crisis plagues Pool
BLACKPOOL'S injury woes are going from bad to worse as they prepare to enter what promises to be a busy December programme. Big striker John Murphy remains a major doubt ahead of Port Vale's FA Cup visit on Saturday, while the likes of Rob Clare, Gareth
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Clarets reject Blake bid
BURNLEY today rejected Wigan's £500,000 bid for captain and leading goalscorer Robbie Blake. The promotion-chasing Latics contacted Turf Moor chiefs yesterday with their official offer. But Wigan, bankrolled by multi-millionaire businessman Dave Whelan
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Blake to be subject of second bid
BURNLEY were today bracing themselves for a fresh bid by Wigan to capture Robbie Blake. The Clarets yesterday rejected the Latics' initial offer of £500,000 for their influential captain and leading goalscorer. However, Wigan boss Paul Jewell insists
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Mutch quite Morecambe
ANDY Mutch has walked out on Morecambe, claiming he needs a break from football. The 40-year-old former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker decided to call time on his role as Christie Park number two after three years. The Citizen understands the decision
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Blake to be subject of second bid
BURNLEY were today bracing themselves for a fresh bid by Wigan to capture Robbie Blake. The Clarets yesterday rejected the Latics' initial offer of £500,000 for their influential captain and leading goalscorer. However, Wigan boss Paul Jewell insists
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Motocross inquiry results soon
THE result of a public inquiry to decide whether motocross should continue on Shaws Farm, Tockholes, could be revealed next week. Blackburn with Darwen Council served a notice earlier this year stating that the land at the farm, off Stockclough Lane,
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Skate park idea gets rolling
YOUNGSTERS in a deprived area of Darwen could be kept off the streets and out of trouble if plans for a floodlit skate park are approved. An application has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council to refurbish the run-down existing play area and
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Staff challenge in store wars
BLACKPOOL could be caught up in an outbreak of 'store wars,' it emerged this week. The resort is one of 200 towns identified in a 'confidential' document produced by supermarket chain, Somerfield, offering £500 bonuses for managers who recruit staff from
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Luck runs out for arsonist gambler
A £200 GAMBLE which led to a £7 million fire has landed a Blackpool man with a three and a half year jail service. Jason New set fire to the fruit machine on which he had lost £200 in a bid to get hold of the cash he had gambled away. But the blaze spread
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Fury over redecoration bill
THERE have been calls for an inquiry after redecoration costs at Blackpool Town Hall spiralled upwards. Furious Conservative group leader, Cllr Peter Callow, has demanded a full independent inquiry into the cost of ongoing refurbishment at Blackpool Town
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Give us the money for better schools
MINISTERS were today challenged to rethink their decision not to authorise a £150million schools overhaul in Blackburn and Darwen. The move came after league tables revealed the area was struggling to keep up with other education authorities. The annual
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We've come a long way in the last twelve months
The Paul Mullin column WELL, I said I was due a goal. It was a relief to score on Saturday but, as I've said before, the most vital thing was getting three points because that's what we've got to aim for from every home game. The first half was a bit
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Rory wants to get back to his best
RORY Prendergast has already made his New Year's resolution. The Accrington Stanley winger is desperate to rediscover the sparkling form he showed last season after recovering from a double hernia operation. The injury had blighted Prendergast's start
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Coleman reveals his play-off dream
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has set his side a mission to cement a play-off place in the New Year. The Reds chief was encouraged by the way the team bounced back from their 3-0 defeat at Barnet by claiming three points at home to Canvey Island
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Is it any wonder some councillors look a little nervous?
IT IS interesting to note paragraph 19 of the Code of Practice regarding The local Government Act 1986. It reads: "Legitimate concern is caused by the use of public resources for some forms of campaigns which are designed to have a persuasive effect.
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Don't mention the play-offs
PREMIERSHIP Preston? It's a dirty phrase to boss Billy Davies, who has banned all talk of a title push from the club's training ground. Davies made his feelings clear about fellow Scot -- and two goal hero at the weekend -- Graham Alexander told the media
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We have to do it all again!
CAMPAIGNERS fighting gas storage proposals in Wyre fear more than 11,000 complaints about the proposal could end up being disregarded. The scheme by American firm, Canatxx, is due to go before a public inquiry next October, but the company has now submitted
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Magical mix of festive fun
FOLLOWING their debut sell out performances last year the Demi-paradise company will be back at Hoghton Tower, near Chorley, next week, with a yuletide feast of words and music. You can expect a magical mix of festive verse and prose, songs and carols
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Plants that have to go somewhere
WE all know the problem with the waste we create - and it's a big one. It all has to be carted away but no one wants it dumped on their own doorstep. The government has imposed penalties on local authorities to encourage them to reduce the amount being
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Bring back hospital laundries
I COULDN'T agree more with the comments of your recent letter writer Maureen Arnfield and D Bradbury re hospital laundry. As a former nurse I see going back to hospital laundries as one of the best ways to eradicate the spread of infection rife in hospitals
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Council showing true grit?
zHAS our wonderful award-winning council come up with a new recycling scheme? Let me explain. On Friday, November 19, I was driving up Perry Street, Darwen after the overnight flurry of snow and freezing conditions. I noticed a good coating of grit on
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It's your turn!(Steve Dunthorne)
IF YOU loved Grand Theatre favourite, The Woman in Black, you'll probably enjoy this week's offering, The Turn of the Screw. Sorry, can't go any stronger than 'probably enjoy.' It's not that this isn't a good play - far from it. The set up- rich uncle
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Jansen in for surgery
BLACKBURN Rovers striker Matt Jansen has undergone surgery to correct a cartilage problem. The 27-year-old went under the knife yesterday and the club expect him to be missing for at least two to three weeks. "Matt has had a small operation to trim knee
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Rovers boss tells Pedersen to toughen up
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen has been told to toughen up if he wants a regular starting place under Mark Hughes. The Norwegian international has struggled to break into the Rovers first team since Hughes took over from Graeme Souness
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Dwight expresses his disappointment
FORMER Blackburn Rovers striker Dwight Yorke has broken his silence over the racial abuse he suffered at Ewood Park nine days ago. Yorke was subjected to monkey taunts by Rovers supporter Jason Perryman during the 3-3 draw between Blackburn and Birmingham
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Our best performance yet - Ferguson
BLACKBURN skipper Barry Ferguson today hailed Saturday's 2-0 victory at Fulham as Rovers' best performance of the season so far. Ferguson and his Blackburn team-mates were simply outstanding at Craven Cottage as Rovers won an away game for the first time
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Hughes is on a global mission
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes is scouring the globe in a bid to shore up his leaky defence during the transfer window. Hughes has brought in two international defenders for trials this week with a view to making a signing in January. South African
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Manager praises re-born striker
BULLISH Blackburn boss Mark Hughes today hailed the role Paul Gallagher has played in Rovers' recent revival. Gallagher has scored in each of his last two appearances to help stretch Rovers' impressive unbeaten run to five matches in the Premiership.
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Academy goal for North End
PRESTON North End could move a step closer to their dream of reaching the Premiership, if plans for new training facilities are given approval. The club wants to build an all-weather covered pitch at its Springfield training ground, Dodney Drive, Lea.
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Minister hails estate project
HOME Office minister Hazel Blears visited the city to see some of the work being done to combat crime in Ingol. She met with members of the Ingol Community Association (ICA), at the city's Lawson Street police station, before taking a tour of Preston
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Free advice for shoppers
CHRISTMAS shoppers were given tips and advice at a special roadshow organised by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). The event at the city's fish market, Market Street, yesterday (Wednesday) saw officers from the OFT and the county council's Trading Standards
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Outside firm to manage leisure centres
NEARLY half a million pounds a year could be pumped into Leyland Leisure Centre if a public private partnership between the South Ribble Council and an outside firm goes ahead. The move would see £7million invested in leisure services in the borough over
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A safe place
IF you were escaping an abusive relationship, who would you turn to? Many women go to Clare House, set up specifically to provide temporary accommodation for women and their children who are escaping domestic abuse. In the last 12 months, 85 women and
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Squirreled away!
IT was a case that was driving the police nuts. But this bushy tale of a sudden disappearance had a happy ending nearly two years after it began. A three foot high squirrel which was part of the nature trail in Towneley Park, Burnley, was abducted nearly
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Vote against bishop over school
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the only Catholic sixth form in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale from extinction have passed a motion of no confidence in their own bishop. Almost 300 parents, teachers, governors and students voted unanimously for the motion
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Taxi dumps girls miles from home
THREE 15-year-old girls were left abandoned in the centre of Lancaster by a taxi driver who tried to charge them extra because HE was late for a pre-arranged pick-up. The driver turned up 45 minutes late for the girls on Friday night - but because the
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Midland wins £4m cash injection
MORECAMBE'S landmark Midland Hotel will definitely get the touch of class it needs - thanks to a £4 million cash injection confirmed today (Thursday). Work to restore the grade two-listed building can now begin in earnest after developer Urban Splash
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Wounding charge is denied
A MAN suffered two deep gashes to his head and had to have stitches after he was allegedly subjected to a "ferocious" knife attack in Brierfield, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how Kevin Mason, 40, was left bleeding heavily by alleged assailant
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Pair conned companies out of £700,000
TWO men are facing lengthy prison sentences after being involved in a scam to con companies across the UK out of nearly £700,000. Mohammed Khatana, formerly of Hawkswood Gardens, Brierfield, and James Stuart, of Solihull, were involved in a £680,000 plot
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Rugby union - Hoppers clinch cup win
HOPPERS chalked up their ninth consecutive win in this fourth round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup tie. The home side proved to be more of a test than they were at Lightfoot Green in September when Hoppers won 34-0, but, although the score was far from
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Dad's Army march for the last time
THIS week marks a special anniversary in the history of East Lancashire's own 'Dad's Army.' For 60 years ago tomorrow, on December 3, 1944, the Home Guard staged a series of parades to signal their 'stand down' from the war effort. Men who had guarded
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Son-in-law's chopped up body story 'impossible' court told
A MEDICAL expert told a jury that a murder suspect's claim to have dissolved his victim's body in caustic soda was "implausible." Prof Susan Margaret Black, a professor of forensic anthropology, also said it was "impossible" that the body had been cut
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Council leader devastated over Gabriele's death
HYNDBURN'S council leader today spoke of his family's shock at the death of his former partner and mother of his child. Gabriele Kroger, 50, was pulled from a suspected chip pan fire at her home on Lime Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, on Tuesday night by neighbours
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Mother's horrific discovery
A MUM went to buy milk from the corner shop and returned minutes later to find her son hanging from a rope in the garage. An inquest hear that Christopher John Holden had been depressed since the break-up of a relationship which had seen him admitted
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Tough trip as Fylde try for third success
FYLDE visit Darlington's Blackwell Meadows ground on Saturday (3pm) looking for their third away league win and a seventh successive victory in National Three (North). Fylde can expect a highly competitive challenge from the well drilled, gutsy and organised
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Crucial clash for Vale
VALE of Lune face a crucial clash with fellow Powergen North One strugglers Altrincham Kersal at Powder House Lane on Saturday. Lune are nervously looking over their shoulders near the foot of the table while Kersal are just two points below them, although
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The real satisfaction of constituency work
ABOUT 6.30pm on a Friday night, at either Audley or Bank Top Community Centre, the warning signs are clear - if not to me, to my staff. I start getting, I am told, a little ratty; I might be a bit short with people; and look very sad indeed. The symptoms
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Power Station put squeeze on Squires
SQUIRES faced Power Station for the fourth time this season in the Sam Price Memorial Trophy - and what a thriller it turned out to be. The Lancaster side opened up a 3-0 before half time lead thanks to Lee Fox (two) and Dez Martinez. But any thoughts
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Second month for Cahill
ASTON Villa have given young defender Gary Cahill permission to spend another month on loan at Burnley. Clarets boss Steve Cotterill contacted Villa counterpart David O'Leary earlier this week to try to land the highly-rated defender on a season-long
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O'Connor signs up for two more months
BURNLEY today secured the services of James O'Connor for a further two months. The West Bromwich Albion midfielder played the final game of his initial one-month loan in Saturday's hard-fought 1-0 win over Millwall. But boss Steve Cotterill, who hailed
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Cotterill in double boost bid
BURNLEY are looking to bolster their squad by extending Gary Cahill's loan spell from Aston Villa. And in a surprise move, former Clarets striker Andy Cooke has been handed a chance of a Turf Moor return four years after his departure. Boss Steve Cotterill
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Energy boffins gather
DELEGATES are gathering in Lancaster this month to discuss whether or not the lights will go out in the future. Lancaster University is hosting a conference on the crisis in the UK Energy world. The aim is to examine the future options available to Britain
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Police swoop nets 15
FIFTEEN people were arrested as part of a two-day police operation in Morecambe. Police targeted premises in the West End and Poulton areas at the weekend, arresting people for offences including burglary, robbery, possession of heroin and carrying an
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Hughes is on a global mission
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes is scouring the globe in a bid to shore up his leaky defence during the transfer window. Hughes has brought in two international defenders for trials this week with a view to making a signing in January. South African
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Connor's lifesaving op
A STACKSTEADS youngster was today recovering in hospital after undergoing a lifesaving transplant operation. Thrilled mum Dawn Birtwistle spoke of her joy that her son Connor Hurst, six, has been able to have the pioneering surgery only weeks after going
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Heavier beat!
MORE police officers are to patrol Blackpool Town Centre this month to clamp down on Christmas crime. Two new Community Beat Managers are to patrol shopping areas and the community safety vehicle will also be in the area at peak shopping times as part
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Metropole bought out
THE COMPANY behind a multi-million pound revamp of the Norbreck Castle has taken over another of Blackpool's most prominent hotels. Britannia Hotels, the UK's largest private hotel group, is the new owners of the Grand Metropole, the only hotel between
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You can't park here
FYLDE Borough Council has hit back at a legal challenge from campaigners trying to save part of the town's park from development. Supporters of Ashton Gardens say they have contacted the Charity Commission and London's Attorney General's Office in a last-ditch
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Pension plan for council 'workers'
COUNCIL taxpayers' money could be used to fund a pension scheme for councillors, it emerged this week. It comes as Preston councillors vote on Thursday on whether to request an independent panel to consider if they should get a pension. But trade union
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Successful health scheme scrapped
TWO hospital units were praised by bosses for their role in a 'healthy living' project - before being told it was to be axed. Bosses had continued to fund the Health Promoting Hospitals scheme, which encourages patients to live a healthier lifestyle,
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Three die in horror road smash
THREE men from Blackburn were killed and a fourth was critically injured after their car left a dual carriageway and hit a tree last night. The driver of the Honda Legend and two passengers died when it careered off Preston New Road, Samlesbury, as they
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Success dedicated to ex-head
PUPILS and staff at a primary school named one of the best in the country have dedicated its success to the headteacher who died six weeks ago. The acting head of St Alban's, Larkhill, Blackburn, said their position in this year's Key Stage 2 league tables
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The tradition that lights up Christmas
Celebrity nightclub owner Margo Grimshaw was last night given the honour of turning on the Thwaites Star - one of the best loved Christmas sights in East Lancashire. But where did it come from and why does it enjoy such a place in people's affections?
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Cisse's so relieved
FRENCH striker Djibril Cisse has praised the expert medical treatment he received at Ewood Park after the horrific injury which wrecked his first season at Liverpool. Cisse was carried off with a double fracture of his leg after a tackle in the Barclays
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Clayton continue to dominate fells
CLAYTON le Moors Harriers' women continue to dominate the over 50 class in the English Fell Championship. There has only been an award in this age group for three years and the club has picked it up each time with double winner Wendy Dodds being succeeded
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Selfish players are just spitting in the fans' faces
FOOTBALL'S bad boys are laughing in our face. Metaphorically, some are spitting in it. They are sticking two fingers up to the people who pay their wages - the fans. The respect has gone. And there's nothing the Football Association can do about it unless
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Children remain in critical condition at hospital
A MAN has been questioned by police in connection with a blaze which raged through a Blackpool flat leaving two children fighting for their lives. The man, who is believed to be local, was yesterday questioned by detectives investigating the blaze which
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Injury crisis plagues Pool
BLACKPOOL'S injury woes are going from bad to worse as they prepare to enter what promises to be a busy December programme. Big striker John Murphy remains a major doubt ahead of Port Vale's FA Cup visit on Saturday, while the likes of Rob Clare, Gareth
