Archive
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Blackburn: Oriental Star
THE decision about what to have from a takeaway is always a difficult one. But I think that this week's location the Oriental Star has taken the dilemma to a new level, offering well over 300 choices on the menu. Thankfully I had had a menu pushed
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Blackburn: Empire
WHEN you struggle to park outside a takeaway because there are so many customers' cars there already, it is a sign that the establishment is doing something right. I was forced to park round the corner and join the queue at the Empire and it wasn't
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The pride of Lancashire...
TERRIFIC teen Laura Seymour has been named as Lancashire's Young Citizen of the Year after years of work as an ambassador for young people. The 16-year-old spends much of her time mentoring pupils at Morecambe High School, where she is studying for her
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People centre inquiry ordered
A INTERNAL probe has been launched into controversial plans for a £500,000 community centre. The Brierfield People's Centre was created using public money at 50 Colne Road in a building that had been derelict for 25 years. But it closed after just two
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Dealers facing jail after major swoop
SIXTEEN drug suppliers arrested after a major police swoop in Burnley are facing jail tomorrow and the first eight have appeared before a judge. The defendants were all caught by an undercover officer named "Paul," in Operation Nimrod, a covert investigation
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MP pays tribute in Commons to friend
KITTY Ussher MP has paid tribute in Parliament to Alan Daiches, chairman of Burnley Youth Theatre and a Labour Party campaigner, who died recently. The Burnley MP, who was represented at Alan's thanksgiving service by her husband Peter, was presenting
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Sale of ‘gongs’ claim by MP
MP GORDON Prentice has told the Prime Minister that it looks as though people willing to sponsor the government's flagship city academies were effectively buying honours. He challenged Mr Blair about the new business-sponsored schools at Question Time
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School’s site is opposed
PENDLE'S civic leaders do not want a new super school to be built on playing fields in Brierfield. Nelson and Brierfield councillors have objected to Lancashire County Council's plans to create a 1,050-place secondary school on Bent Head playing fields
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Agony for family of cancer mum
THE devastated family of cancer victim Carole LeMaistre today spoke of their shock after discover-ing she shunned conventional treat-ment and instead had alternative therapy administered by her estranged husband. Her mother, Alice Lord, of Levengreave
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Tax disc cheat squad nab son of mayor elect
BURNLEY'S mayor elect today called on police to carry on catching road tax-dodgers as his son was caught driving his van illegally. Mohammad Najib, 26, was clocked by DVLA cameras in Colne Road driving his red Toyota van with a tax disc which expired
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‘Path misery’ staff blasted
TOP councillors have blasted insensitive' staff after residents of a Nelson street were billed more than £500 to walk up the paths to their own front doors. Today, Chairman of Nelson Committee Coun David Foster apologised to homeowners in Messenger Street
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Profits keep on rolling in
Rolls-Royce said growth in its aero engine and maintenance business helped it notch up a 49 per cent rise in annual profits and an order book record of £22.9bn. The firm, which makes fan blades for 80 per cent of the world's jet engines from its base
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Town property market revival
JUST four houses in the UK sold for less than £10,000 last year three of which were in Burnley. But today civic leaders and property experts forecast a bright future for Burnley and said the prices were an extreme example of the borough's housing market
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Violent crime drops in heart of Burnley
POLICE today hailed a fall in violent crime in Burnley but said it had little to do with the introduction of round-the-clock drinking. They said in the three months since the implementation of the new licensing laws in November violent crime in the
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Martin thwarted by crash in Shaw Rally
An excursion into a ditch cost Terry Martin any chance of a top three finish on the UTS Shaw Trophy Rally. Martin, from Blackburn, and navigator Jerry Hettrick were on course for a good result after cleaning the first section of the event, based in Northumberland
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Stone keeps rolling on
IT'S a measure of just how far rallyman John Stone has progressed in the last 12 months when he admitted to being "slightly disappointed" with his sixth place on the Tour of Epynt. For the Blackburn businessman has emerged as a genuine contender for
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Players have a point to prove
THE good news is, our ground has been given the thumbs up by the Football League. Now we just have to make sure the players fulfil their part of the bargain. But any more performances like Tuesday night are out of the question if we are serious about
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Shakers upset Clarets
Burnley Reserves 0 Bury Reserves 1: Steve Davis' first game as Burnley reserve team boss ended in a surprise defeat to struggling Bury. The Clarets fielded seven first team squad members, including central defenders Frank Sinclair and Wayne Thomas, midfielders
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Hayman proves scourge of natives
Rick Hayman has become the scourge of East Lancashire's best road runners in the last couple of years and he was up to his old tricks on Sunday at the Winter Warmer 10K hosted by Blackburn Road Runners at Witton Park. The Sale Harrier was the only man
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Bowland take Pennine crown
The Pennine Bridleway Relay came of age on Sunday after its third running produced a thrilling race and a record field of 570 runners in 57 teams. The 47 mile race clockwise around the Mary Towneley Loop section of the bridleway is a worthy successor
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Rovers agony!
Blackburn Rovers Youth Brighton And Hove Albion 3 (after extra time): Blackburn Rovers bowed out of the FA Youth Cup in disappointing fashion last night after Brighton and Hove Albion pulled off a shock 3-2 victory at Ewood Park. The Championship club
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Wayne boost!
WAYNE Thomas has handed Burnley a massive fitness boost ahead of this weekend's Championship clash away to Ipswich Town. The defender, only just back from a knee cruciate injury that was expected to rule him out until next summer, recently went under
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Damage limitation
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has told his players not to dwell on last week's setback at West Bromwich Albion as they attempt to get their European charge back on track at Everton this weekend. Rovers passed up a golden chance to go sixth in the table
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Missing football player in Canada
A MISSING player in the reunion of a junior school team from the 1950s has been traced to Canada after an appeal in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Although many of the football team from Audley Primary School, Blackburn, still live locally they were
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‘Bomb recipe’ youth warned
AN East Lancashire teenager who sparked a mass evacuation of homes during a terror attack scare will not face criminal charges. Police yesterday issued Joseph Buckley, 17, with an official caution following the incident in Grane Street, Haslingden, in
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College unveils vision of its future
THIS is the what the first building in a £35million project to create a "world-class" campus at Blackburn College will look like. College bosses have submitted plans for the first stage of massive regeneration, and it includes a four-storey sixth form
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TV review: Who Do You Think You Are?, BBC2
ISN'T it funny how one little thing can spoil your enjoyment of a whole programme? I settled down to watch Rawtenstall-born Jane Horrocks delve into her family history in Who Do You Think You Are? on BBC2, looking forward to seeing places I recognised
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Hey Presto, it’s puppet time
The classic fairy story Beauty and the Beast is to be given a fresh twist when it is performed by a puppet theatre group. Presto Puppets' production will take place at St Nicholas Church Hall, Sabden, on Saturday at 3pm. Tickets cost £4 for adults and
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‘Heart start’ boost from patients
HEART attack victims in Rishton could be saved thanks to patients at a clinic who have helped to pay for a lifesaving machine. The patients and their relatives at the Rishton Clinic, High Street, donated cash for the heart start' machine, or defibrillator
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Better system to supply oxygen support
PATIENTS who need oxygen support will receive a better service after "fragmented" arrangements were brought under one roof, a health expert said today. People who need oxygen support to help them breathe will now get lighter canisters and portable oxygen
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£1.2m rat-run revamp
WORK has started on the £1.2million transformation of a busy town centre junction into a pedestrian-friendly plaza. Blackburn with Darwen Council believes its plans to give the Sudell Cross rat-run a new look will make Blackburn town centre more attractive
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Natalia skates to the rescue
AN East Lancashire ice skating star saved the day when she replaced an injured professional on reality TV show Dancing On Ice. Russian Natalia Pestova stepped in at the last minute to replace former England goalkeeper David Seaman's partner on Saturday's
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Rugby player’s all-out try to shed 7 stones
A GIANT rugby player has vowed to shed seven stones to help his cash-starved club. Anthony 'Axel' Foley (left), 32, plays prop forward for Accrington Rugby League Club and thanks to a healthy love of food weighs a whopping 25 stones. Now, after years
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Park louts to be caught on camera
A £7,000 scheme to install CCTV cameras in an Accrington park plagued by young troublemakers has been approved. Problems with graffiti and vandalism at Oakhill Park have prompted the move, which local councillor Paul Barton said has been a "top priority
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Car crook sting joy
CAR crooks are being caught out after council bosses placed a vehicle laden with expensive goodies on show in a town centre car park. Eleven thieves were snared in the sting before Christmas. And each has admitted up to 130 car offences, councillors
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80-year-old guide unit may fold
A GUIDE unit formed almost 80 years ago is on the brink of folding due to lack of numbers. The 8th St James Guides, based at St James Church, was formed on May 22 1929 but now has eight members. Now pack leaders will hold an open evening at the church
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Motorway heroines honoured
A MUM-OF-THREE who helped save dozens of passengers by bringing an out-of-control bus to a standstill has been commended for her bravery by a top policeman. Irene King, of Clough End Road, Haslingden, joined Janine Kelly, of Williams Road, Burnley, in
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Show some respect for referee
Over the years I've got to know a lot of those who run football in England. Senior people in the Football Association and the League, club chairmen, some managers and former players, and a few current players too. As a group they are prosperous, self-confident
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Give some blood and save a life
I WOULD like to make an appeal for blood donors. I used to think, like I'm sure, many other people, that blood was just needed after or during an operation or after a serious accident. Since being diagnosed with a condition called myelofibrosis I find
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System works against opposition
I WRITE concerning Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern's comments (LET, January 31). While I agree with Ms Hollern that the opposition parties are not strong enough, I also would be inclined to believe Tory leader Colin Rigby's comments
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Labour members vote like sheep
I WAS rather amused by the comments of Councillor Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council that there is no opposition to the ruling Labour group. I have been on the council for nearly nine years and during that time both my party and the
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Bumper crowd expected for United rebel team match
A bumper crowd is expected at Victory Park on Saturday when FC United visit for their North West Counties Second Division league match with Daisy Hill. The match has been switched to Chorley from Daisy Hill for safety reasons, as FC United of Manchester
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From Runshaw with love...
It will be a case of 'from Runshaw with love' when beauty students offer treatment to raise money for Romanian orphans. Runshaw College, Market Street, Chorley, is holding an open day on Wednesday, February 15, where the public can indulge themselves
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Time plea as axe looms on park trees
Campaigners have slammed the council after work began on tree clearance and woodland management around Astley Hall. The Astley Park Coalition had asked for a stay of execution for the trees in front of the hall and adjacent to the duck pond. But contractors
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Petition to save library
The fight to save a Chorley library was stepped up this week when a 450-name petition was handed in at county hall. Lancashire County Council's cabinet has recommended the closure of nine libraries, including Eaves Lane, Chorley, as part of proposals
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Charity goes online to foil eBay traders
Traders who buy goods in charity shops to sell on at a profit on the internet are being beaten at their own game. St Catherine's Hospice has set up a centre in Chorley selling donated goods on the internet auction house eBay to raise vital funds. The
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'Scandal' of plan to axe hot meals
Controversial plans to axe hot food from the meals on wheels service have been labelled 'scandalous.' The county council are looking into replacing the daily hot meals service with a weekly delivery of frozen ones. The cost-cutting move has prompted fears
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Open up your heart to love
A Broadway and West End musical hit from the creators of Friends is to begin its UK tour in Blackpool next month. Gary Wilmot leads the cast of Personals The Musical, which debuts at the Grand Theatre on Friday, March 3. Described as a madcap musical
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Damage limitation
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has told his players not to dwell on last week's setback at West Bromwich Albion as they attempt to get their European charge back on track at Everton this weekend. Rovers passed up a golden chance to go sixth in the table last
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Making a drama out of truancy
Primary school children were given a taste of how playing truant could affect their lives by a group of drama students. Preston College students in their second year of a BTEC national diploma in Performing Arts and Technical Theatre visited children
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Marathon run for people who care
It is on your marks, get set, go for a Preston joiner who is running the Flora London Marathon on April 23 to raise money for a local carers charity. Frank Curzon, 50, of Aldwych Drive, Ashton, will run the 26-mile route to raise £3500 for Tender Nursing
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Another chance for city centre company
Preston City Centre Management Company (PCCMC) is to be relaunched in March with a new board of directors. Acting manager, Craig Matthews, revealed his plans to revitalise the troubled company and re-establish a stalled attempt to set up a Business Improvement
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Footing the Bill
People in Lancashire could end up paying more for policing if a proposed merger between the Lancashire and Cumbria forces goes ahead. Cumbrians currently pay £155 per year in their council tax towards policing, while Lancastrians pay only £107. A merger
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Tax disc cheat squad nab son of mayor elect
BURNLEY'S mayor elect today called on police to carry on catching road tax-dodgers as his son was caught driving his van illegally. Mohammad Najib, 26, was clocked by DVLA cameras in Colne Road driving his red Toyota van with a tax disc which expired
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Violent crime drops in heart of Burnley
POLICE today hailed a fall in violent crime in Burnley but said it had little to do with the introduction of round-the-clock drinking. They said in the three months since the implementation of the new licensing laws in November violent crime in the borough
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Man held on hotel attack charge
A 57-YEAR-OLD man from Northumberland has been remanded in police custody following an alleged attack on a woman in Morecambe in the early hours of Sunday. Ronald Scott, of Newsham Road, Blyth, was committed for trial at Preston Crown Court on May 19
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Sign up to beat cowboys
VOLUNTEERS from Lancaster and Morecambe are needed for a new army being formed to wage war on rogue traders. Up to 1,000 people are being recruited nationwide for the new Campaign Against Rogue Traders (CART). It aims to see cowboy firms heading for the
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The best of British
CHIP fans can celebrate and drinkers can raise a glass Lancaster is officially the best place in Britain for fish and chips and a pint. The historic old city boasts the best fish and chip shop and the best boozer a feat that cannot be matched anywhere
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Tell us what you think
LANCASTER and Morecambe people are being asked to shape the future of the district. They are being urged to come up with ideas, help and support in deciding on a vision' for the city of the 21st Century. The planned Core Strategy is Lancaster City Council's
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Pavement parkers will pay penalty
BOBBIES on the beat are about to get tough with bad parkers with one Lancaster Street a particular target. Dale Street, which is within walking distance of both St Martin's College and the city centre, is blighted by parking pain on most days of the week
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Academy dream closer for PNE
Preston North End's dream of creating a football academy for youngsters came a step closer this week. Planners at the city council approved the club's application for an indoor training facility, one of the FA's condition for an academy. Chairman Derek
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Firms beat criminals by email
Workers from businesses on a busy industrial estate crammed into a meeting on Wednesday to support a new crime busting scheme. The Business Watch Initiative, launched at UniChem Ltd, Dodd Way, at Walton Summit industrial estate in Bamber Bridge on Wednesday
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UCLan to make web safer for children
A national website to help teachers and parents protect children from paedophiles and pornography has been launched by academics at Preston's university. The site www.internetsafetyzone.com brings together experts from the Government, computer companies
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Bomb squad swoops after hoax call
A hoax call led to a bomb scare at a Penwortham haulage company. A police investigation has been launched after a caller reported seeing a suspicious package in the premises Ainsworth and Martin Ltd, off Leyland Road, on Monday morning. In a scene simiar
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Bumper crowd expected for United rebel team match
A bumper crowd is expected at Victory Park on Saturday when FC United visit for their North West Counties Second Division league match with Daisy Hill. The match has been switched to Chorley from Daisy Hill for safety reasons, as FC United of Manchester
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Late strikes seal dramatic victory
Ossett Albion 1 Chorley 2: A goal in the final minute from Mike Bromham secured a dramatic victory for Chorley after they had been behind with just ten minutes to go. The young defender picked up the ball just inside his own half and easily outpaced the
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Teenager died after being held in headlock - inquest
A teenager who was held in a headlock for so long that he stopped breathing was unlawfully killed, an inquest ruled. Coroner Michael Singleton said he will pass his findings to the Crown Prosecution Service who will consider whether to reopen the investigation
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I do not condemn
I MUST confessed that I am perplexed and offended that the Citizen would print a letter by D Pedder accusing me of hatred, bigotry and intolerance. I have never spoken against any person only certain behaviours that all major religions in the world condemn
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Season starts with new look
Blackpool Panthers start their rugby league season with week with a Northern Rail Cup game against Leigh Centurions on Friday. After a winter in which their existence as a club was in doubt, the Panthers are back at Bloomfield Road with a new coach and
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Jack Straw column: Show some respect for referee
Over the years I've got to know a lot of those who run football in England. Senior people in the Football Association and the League, club chairmen, some managers and former players, and a few current players too. As a group they are prosperous, self-confident
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Smoking ban in council-owned buildings
Plans have been revealed to ban smoking from all council-owned public buildings in Chorley. Chorley Borough Council does not currently permit smoking in most of its public buildings. The main exception where lighting up is permitted are licensed areas
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Match report: Hartlepool 1 Blackpool 3
Simon Grayson saw his Blackpool side hit the heady heights of 16th in the table after recovering from an early sending off to give confidence-free Hartlepool a thrashing in their own back yard. It took just 10 minutes for Neil Wood to earn his first Blackpool
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Shakers upset Clarets
Burnley Reserves 0 Bury Reserves 1: Steve Davis' first game as Burnley reserve team boss ended in a surprise defeat to struggling Bury. The Clarets fielded seven first team squad members, including central defenders Frank Sinclair and Wayne Thomas, midfielders
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Martin thwarted by crash in Shaw Rally
An excursion into a ditch cost Terry Martin any chance of a top three finish on the UTS Shaw Trophy Rally. Martin, from Blackburn, and navigator Jerry Hettrick were on course for a good result after cleaning the first section of the event, based in Northumberland
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Stone keeps rolling on
IT'S a measure of just how far rallyman John Stone has progressed in the last 12 months when he admitted to being "slightly disappointed" with his sixth place on the Tour of Epynt. For the Blackburn businessman has emerged as a genuine contender for the
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CCTV screened for football thugs
Blackpool detectives are scrutinising dozens of CCTV images in a bid to identify the culprits of mass brawls between football supporters last weekend. It is hoped the images taken by cameras hidden along Central Drive, Rigby Road, Market Street and Blackpool
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Single review: Morning Runner - Burning Benches (Parlophone)
Morning Runner have been biting at the heels of indie music's big-guns for a while now. With their latest single, Burning Benches, the Reading four-piece have adopted a rather disappointing "if you can't beat them join them" attitude. It's a backwards
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Hoppers stroll to cup victory
Fielding virtually a second team with a few first team benchers getting a run out, Hoppers proved too strong for Warrington and ran in eight tries in this Lancashire Cup first round tie. The visitors are currently struggling three leagues below but, despite
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Single review: Coldcut - Man In A Garage (Ninja Tune)
The second single from their album Sound Mirrors, Man In A Garage features John Matthias in a beautiful and catchy folk and blues medley. Matthias is best known for his album Small Town Shining, released on Accidental records. Yet with Coldcut he adds
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Single review: The Chemistry Experiment - Interstellar Autumn EP (Fortuna Pop)
Coming over all Simon And Garfunkel, The Chemistry Experiment return with another gem in the form of Interstellar Autumn EP. A beautiful mix of Justin Hayward's Forever Autumn and Pink Floyd's Interstellar Overdrive, the title track adds a new dimension
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80-year-old guide unit may fold
A GUIDE unit formed almost 80 years ago is on the brink of folding due to lack of numbers. The 8th St James Guides, based at St James Church, was formed on May 22 1929 but now has eight members. Now pack leaders will hold an open evening at the church
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Natalia skates to the rescue
AN East Lancashire ice skating star saved the day when she replaced an injured professional on reality TV show Dancing On Ice. Russian Natalia Pestova stepped in at the last minute to replace former England goalkeeper David Seaman's partner on Saturday's
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Festival with less security
I sincerely hope that the Leyland Festival can be resurrected, Citizen January 26. I consider various factors were probably responsible for its demise. Leyland is no longer the world renowned manufacturing base it once was. Those industries are long gone
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Three of the best
Dozens of holiday industry stalwarts earned a 'Blackpool Oscar' last week after the resort's eighth annual tourism awards. More than 120 finalists, from all areas of the tourism industry, gathered at the Tower Ballroom for Friday's glittering awards ceremony
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Selective about religion
Having watched the Richard Dawkins' television programmes I have noticed his choice of faith communities consulted was quite selective. I would point out to him that without religion there would still have been Stalin's murder of thousands of Soviet citizens
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How long did QS stand empty?
In response to Chris Gee's report of the study by the NW Regional Assembly (Jan 18) it is valid to point out that Tesco, Morrisons and QS did not find it difficult to acquire adequate space for their sales. In fact, many Chorley residents will recall
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Silver band on a high note
A Blackpool silver band strikes up its 25th birthday celebrations this month with the first of a series of rousing concerts. Guardian Concert Band is tuning up for its appearance at St Annes United Reformed Church on February 24, with a programme including
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Footing the Bill
People in Lancashire could end up paying more for policing if a proposed merger between the Lancashire and Cumbria forces goes ahead. Cumbrians currently pay £155 per year in their council tax towards policing, while Lancastrians pay only £107. A merger
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'Sleep-walk' sex case man cleared
A MAN accused of molesting a woman after a Blackburn house-warming party has won a fight to clear his name after a jury accepted he had been asleep at the time. Christopher Davies, 26, said by the woman to have groped her, was cleared of sexual assault
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'All systems go' for £7m flats project
DEMOLITION work is set to begin for a £7million project to build dozens of flats in the centre of Blackburn. Millionaire pub boss Margo Grimshaw has been given permission to demolish her Market Street Lane properties and transform them into 62 apartments
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Charity worker flees tsunami village in fear
THE Dean of Blackburn's son has fled Indonesia in fear after discovering alleged corruption involving tsunami charity cash raised in East Lancashire. Johnathan Armstrong received threats after a row with two of the New Life for Lokna appeal signatories
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£1.2m rat-run revamp
WORK has started on the £1.2million transformation of a busy town centre junction into a pedestrian-friendly plaza. Blackburn with Darwen Council believes its plans to give the Sudell Cross rat-run a new look will make Blackburn town centre more attractive
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Armed police swoop by school
Armed police swooped after receiving reports of five men seen brandishing rifles close to a Chorley high school. The alert was raised by worried workmen after they were confronted by the gun-wielding gang on Burgh Lane. Hundreds of children leaving Holy
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Academy dream closer for PNE
Preston North End's dream of creating a football academy for youngsters came a step closer this week. Planners at the city council approved the club's application for an indoor training facility, one of the FA's condition for an academy. Chairman Derek
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Fylde look forward to battle
Fylde will relish the challenge when promotion chasing Blaydon visit the Woodlands for a very important National Three (North) league game on Saturday (ko 14.15). Fylde are on a roll with four wins in their last five matches. They've beaten fellow contenders
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Eyes down to catch the yobs
CCTV has been a great help in the past few years to police tracking down criminals. All kinds of vicious attacks and robberies have been solved after detectives pored over hours of CCTV film and spotted suspicious-looking people who were later proved
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Labour members vote like sheep
I WAS rather amused by the comments of Councillor Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council that there is no opposition to the ruling Labour group. I have been on the council for nearly nine years and during that time both my party and the
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Give some blood and save a life
I WOULD like to make an appeal for blood donors. I used to think, like I'm sure, many other people, that blood was just needed after or during an operation or after a serious accident. Since being diagnosed with a condition called myelofibrosis I find
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System works against opposition
I WRITE concerning Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern's comments (LET, January 31). While I agree with Ms Hollern that the opposition parties are not strong enough, I also would be inclined to believe Tory leader Colin Rigby's comments
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Motors site homes plan pulled - for now
Campaigners opposing controversial plans to build housing on a once treasured sporting facility have won a short term victory after the proposals were withdrawn by developers. Chorley-based Northern Trust Company revealed a bid in December to construct
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Bus fares to rise again
Bus passengers will be hit in the pocket after bus operator Stagecoach North West announced inflation-busting fare rises. Fares in Lancashire will rise by an average of six per cent from February 19. The increase comes less than a year after a previous
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Silver screen returns to village after 50 years
The flicker of the silver screen will return to a Chorley village next month more than half a century after the final credits last rolled. Whittle Pictures on Union Street, Whittle-le-Woods, opened in 1920 and showed films three times a week until it
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Armed police swoop by school
Armed police swooped after receiving reports of five men seen brandishing rifles close to a Chorley high school. The alert was raised by worried workmen after they were confronted by the gun-wielding gang on Burgh Lane. Hundreds of children leaving Holy
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Pub's right up Nick's Street
A FORMER Coronation Street barman is taking on the pub business for real and attracting some Weatherfield regulars away from the Rovers Return. Nick Cochrane, who played Andy McDonald in the late '90s, has retired from acting and taken on a new role as
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Violent crime drops in heart of Burnley
POLICE today hailed a fall in violent crime in Burnley but said it had little to do with the introduction of round-the-clock drinking. They said in the three months since the implementation of the new licensing laws in November violent crime in the borough
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Teenager died after being held in headlock - inquest
A teenager who was held in a headlock for so long that he stopped breathing was unlawfully killed, an inquest ruled. Coroner Michael Singleton said he will pass his findings to the Crown Prosecution Service who will consider whether to reopen the investigation
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Rovers agony
Blackburn Rovers Youth 2 Brighton And Hove Albion Youth 3 (after extra time): Blackburn Rovers bowed out of the FA Youth Cup in disappointing fashion last night after Brighton and Hove Albion pulled off a shock 3-2 victory at Ewood Park. The Championship
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Electronic tag for benefit cheat
A benefit cheat who claimed more than £7,500 of taxpayers' money has been fitted with an electronic tag and a two month curfew order. Marie Dewhurst, 34, of Clarence Street, Leyland, fraudulently claimed £7,635 from South Ribble Borough Council and the
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Frozen food plan slammed
Controversial plans to axe hot food from the meals on wheels service have been labelled 'disgusting'. Lancashire County Council (LCC) is looking into replacing the daily hot meals service with a weekly delivery of frozen ones. The cost-cutting move has
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Luxury city living space
A multi-million pound complex with more than 600 luxury apartments could be built near Preston city centre. Countryside Properties and Booths supermarket have applied for permission to build four blocks of flats, and a retail superstore on the site of
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Vroom in the city
Electric people carriers are being looked into as an option for ferrying people around Preston's congested city centre. City chiefs hope the seven-seater eco-cars could link the university, Friargate, railway station, and major retail sites with the new
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Innovation is key
Last year Leyland Trucks had its best year to date building 17,000 trucks -- with a new truck rolling off the production line every five minutes at the plant off Croston Road, Leyland. The company now has an annual turnover of £550million and employs
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Farewell to last war veteran
Lancashire's last remaining First World War veteran has died at the age of 107. Nicholas Swarbrick died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 2, at Grimsargh House Nursing Home, Preston. He was the only surviving merchant seaman from the Great
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MP pays tribute in Commons to friend
KITTY Ussher MP has paid tribute in Parliament to Alan Daiches, chairman of Burnley Youth Theatre and a Labour Party campaigner, who died recently. The Burnley MP, who was represented at Alan's thanksgiving service by her husband Peter, was presenting
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Town property market revival
JUST four houses in the UK sold for less than £10,000 last year three of which were in Burnley. But today civic leaders and property experts forecast a bright future for Burnley and said the prices were an extreme example of the borough's housing market
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The pride of Lancashire...
TERRIFIC teen Laura Seymour has been named as Lancashire's Young Citizen of the Year after years of work as an ambassador for young people. The 16-year-old spends much of her time mentoring pupils at Morecambe High School, where she is studying for her
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Dealers facing jail after major swoop
SIXTEEN drug suppliers arrested after a major police swoop in Burnley are facing jail tomorrow and the first eight have appeared before a judge. The defendants were all caught by an undercover officer named "Paul," in Operation Nimrod, a covert investigation
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Booze trap stings three
THREE off-licence employees in Lancaster have been hit with £80 fines for selling alcohol to under-age customers. The penalty notices followed a weekend sting' operation mounted by trading standards officials and police. But the result disap-pointed the
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Underpass is the link road answer
A ROAD running underneath the River Lune would provide the perfect Heysham M6 link road - and be popular with residents too. That's the belief of civil engineer John Jenkinson, from Morecambe. And he has come up with a blueprint which would see a Lune
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Vicki's art is a shore thing
THE lives of the 23 Chinese cocklers who drowned in Morecambe Bay in 2004 are to be commemorated by a work of art. Vicki Eden has spent months on the sands of the Bay creating a February 5, 2004' ceramic installation. Each of 23 ceramic pieces is painted
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School's site is opposed
PENDLE'S civic leaders do not want a new super school to be built on playing fields in Brierfield. Nelson and Brierfield councillors have objected to Lancashire County Council's plans to create a 1,050-place secondary school on Bent Head playing fields
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Path misery' staff blasted
TOP councillors have blasted insensitive' staff after residents of a Nelson street were billed more than £500 to walk up the paths to their own front doors. Today, Chairman of Nelson Committee Coun David Foster apologised to homeowners in Messenger Street
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People centre inquiry ordered
A INTERNAL probe has been launched into controversial plans for a £500,000 community centre. The Brierfield People's Centre was created using public money at 50 Colne Road in a building that had been derelict for 25 years. But it closed after just two
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Hoppers stroll to cup victory
Fielding virtually a second team with a few first team benchers getting a run out, Hoppers proved too strong for Warrington and ran in eight tries in this Lancashire Cup first round tie. The visitors are currently struggling three leagues below but, despite
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Intruder hit pair with an iron bar
Two women were attacked by an intruder with an iron bar at a house in Craven Street in Accrington. A 23-year-old suffered a fractured cheekbone and her friend, a 45-year-old woman, had four ribs broken. Both needed hospital treatment after the incident
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Park louts to be caught on camera
A £7,000 scheme to install CCTV cameras in an Accrington park plagued by young troublemakers has been approved. Problems with graffiti and vandalism at Oakhill Park have prompted the move, which local councillor Paul Barton said has been a "top priority
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'Heart start' boost from patients
HEART attack victims in Rishton could be saved thanks to patients at a clinic who have helped to pay for a lifesaving machine. The patients and their relatives at the Rishton Clinic, High Street, donated cash for the heart start' machine, or defibrillator
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MP Geraldine must do better
IMAGINE a once vibrant seaside town with birds flying overhead and wind blowing down a promenade which has turned into not just a shadow of its former self but into a ghost town. Imagine developers running for cover, businesses failing, record levels
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Snakes found dumped in undergrowth
VILLAGERS have been put on snake alert after a 5ft-long boa constrictor and four other slithery reptiles were found dumped in undergrowth. The warning came after the country lanes around Worston, near Clitheroe, became an icy graveyard. While three of
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Costs put people off solar power
MR LOVATT may well be right about micro-generation (Letters last week) but I have heard figures bandied about that to make a single house self-sufficient for electricity would cost about £30,000. If the installation lasts 40 years without significant
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Regional assemblies have one simple motive
YOUR anonymous correspondent last week asked why we have got regional assemblies in England. The answer is starkly simple. Forget the spurious rationalisations about efficiency and local decision making, we have regionalisation simply and humili-atingly
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Fylde look forward to battle
Fylde will relish the challenge when promotion chasing Blaydon visit the Woodlands for a very important National Three (North) league game on Saturday (ko 14.15). Fylde are on a roll with four wins in their last five matches. They've beaten fellow contenders
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Jack Straw column: The Hagia Sophia scores over Wembley
It's Wednesday, and Istanbul, is absolutely freezing. You may think of the ancient Turkish city overlooking the Bosphorus as Mediterranean, with glorious early springs and blazing summers. Maybe, however, despite its latitude - the same almost as Lisbon's
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Barrow jack in City raids
CITY chairman Steve Johnston has received a verbal guarantee from his Barrow opposite number Brian Keen that Phil Wilson will not attempt to take any more Dolly Blues to Holker Street this season. Several City stars have been linked with the move but
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MP backs save Theme campaign
Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle has backed a campaign to stop BBC Radio 4 dropping its UK Theme, used to mark the start of the day on the station. It plans to fill the five-minute slot with a news bulletin instead. Mr Hoyle has signed an early day motion in
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Speak before it's too late
RESIDENTS in Chorley were today urged to have their say before a public consultation on the town's budget ends. Anyone with feedback has until February 10 to submit their comments to Chorley Borough Council after its draft budget was revealed last month
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The best of British
CHIP fans can celebrate and drinkers can raise a glass Lancaster is officially the best place in Britain for fish and chips and a pint. The historic old city boasts the best fish and chip shop and the best boozer a feat that cannot be matched anywhere
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Sad end for Evans
Blackpool defender Gareth Evans has been forced to quit the game at the age of 24. Evans started his career with home town club Leeds United before joining Huddersfield in 2001. He was part of the Terriers side that reached the play-offs that season but
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Frustration for team after draw
A last minute goal denied Blackpool a hard-earned victory over old boss Gary Megson and his Nottingham Forest side on Saturday. The Seasiders took an early lead when Marcus Bean scored his first goal for the club - and what a strike it was. Ian Morris
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Wayne boost
WAYNE Thomas has handed Burnley a massive fitness boost ahead of this weekend's Championship clash away to Ipswich Town. The defender, only just back from a knee cruciate injury that was expected to rule him out until next summer, recently went under
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Dave's Holden all the Aces!
SIDECAR veteran Dave Holden is going the long way round in a bid to win this year's Ace of Aintree Championship. For the Great Harwood-based racer has bought a new long-wheelbase outfit in a bid to win the six-round series, based the famous Merseyside
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Barrow jack in City raids
CITY chairman Steve Johnston has received a verbal guarantee from his Barrow opposite number Brian Keen that Phil Wilson will not attempt to take any more Dolly Blues to Holker Street this season. Several City stars have been linked with the move but
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Beer festival to pull in ale fans
Tabatha the Knackered, Horny Wee Devil, Sporran Warmer and Skullsplitter... it can only mean one thing. The Fleetwood Beer Festival is upon us once again! The three-day festival - organised by the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre CAMRA branch - will be kicking
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Conference buzz on resort's streets
Blackpool's streets will be buzzing with delegates attending the Labour Party's Spring Conference in the resort this weekend. Thousands of party members as well as big name politicians and union representatives are set to descend upon the Winter Gardens
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Butter fingers on ice
They were once the safest hands in England. But Hot Ice star and ITV's Dancing on Ice 'fill-in' - Natalia Pestova - got an all too real taste of how former England goalie, David Seaman, seems to be losing his grip after becoming the second of his partners
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Bonzos reunite with Neil
NEIL Innes the man who brought us the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and Beatles spoof The Rutles is coming to Oswaldtwistle on March 17. And he's bringing the surviving Bonzos Sam Spoons, Vernon Dudley Bohey Nowell, Roger Ruskin Spear, "Legs" Larry Smith and
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Wayne boost
WAYNE Thomas has handed Burnley a massive fitness boost ahead of this weekend's Championship clash away to Ipswich Town. The defender, only just back from a knee cruciate injury that was expected to rule him out until next summer, recently went under
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Damage limitation
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has told his players not to dwell on last week's setback at West Bromwich Albion as they attempt to get their European charge back on track at Everton this weekend. Rovers passed up a golden chance to go sixth in the table last
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Frank Sinatra - Duets (EMI)
RELEASED to mark what would have been Old Blue Eyes' 90th birthday you get two CDs full of duets featuring the great man and a host of major names. From Pavorotti to Bono and Chrissie Hynde to Liza Minelli they are all there. Sadly half of the tracks
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Single review: Performance - Surrender (Polydor)
Half-Lancastrian electro foursome Performance have been chart stars in waiting for the last few years, and finally look like fulfilling that pop potential having snagged themselves a major label deal. The first fruits of their spell with Polydor, Surrender
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Single review: The Fallout Trust - Washout (At Large)
The intro to Washout is so similar to Razorlight's Golden Touch, you half expect Johnny Borrell to chip in any second. But while their sound isn't all that original, there's something inescapably effective about The Fallout Trust. Rather than blandly
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Album review: Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene (City Slang)
With 17 members, it's not surprising to find that Broken Social Scene's sound is diverse. There's a lot going on on this dreamy mix of chilled out symphony and indie rock. You can hear bits of Go Team, Blue Nile and early U2 in some of the epic instrumentals
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Album review: Sparks - Hello Young Lovers (Gut)
Sparks continue to set the trend for seriously odd music. Now looking like throw-backs from Rentaghost, mustachioed Ron Mael and brother Russel merge opera, classical and electronics to hilarious, but reliably great effect. (Baby Baby) Can I Invade Your
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Album review: Pete Dale And The Beta Males - Betrayed By Folk (Fortuna Pop)
Judge this album on its lyrical content rather than its sound, because as a collection of acoustic folk tunes Betrayed By Folk is never going to trouble the charts. With song titles such as Why I Am A Terrorist, Saint Bob and Ballad Of The New Orleans
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'Bomb recipe' youth warned
AN East Lancashire teenager who sparked a mass evacuation of homes during a terror attack scare will not face criminal charges. Police yesterday issued Joseph Buckley, 17, with an official caution following the incident in Grane Street, Haslingden, in
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Agony for family of cancer mum
THE devastated family of cancer victim Carole LeMaistre today spoke of their shock after discover-ing she shunned conventional treat-ment and instead had alternative therapy administered by her estranged husband. Her mother, Alice Lord, of Levengreave
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Town council will mean more costs
With reference to your article about the Leyland Festival (Citizen, January 26). The festival folded, as you say, due to lack of commercial support for the floats in the parade but I also believe that South Ribble Borough Council (SRBC) also demanded
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MP queries BAE contract
Fylde MP Michael Jack has questioned whether a muilti-billion pound government contract to supply fighter jets to Saudi will actually bring extra work for BAE Systems staff at Warton. Speaking during the government's annual defence procurement debate
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Sam is safe and sound
'One life down, another eight to go!' A kind-hearted, cat-loving cabbie has helped a runaway kitten make his way home safe and sound after reading his distraught family's plea for information in last week's Citizen. Ace Radio Cabs driver Craig Evans,
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Extra officers due to be drafted in for community
A bid to boost the number of officers on the beat in Fylde has been granted funding from Home Office officials. Lancashire Constabulary are now set to launch one of its largest and most high profile drives to recruit more than 450 police community support
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Lights out for ghostly visitor
Dereck Acorah fans were in for a TV treat this week after the celebrity ghosthunter was shown banishing a spectre from the Blackpool illuminations' warehouse. The latest episode of Living TV's 'Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns, aired on Tuesday, showed the
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Price to pay for police merger
A Fylde MP says council tax payers will end up footing the £16m bill for government proposals to merge Lancashire and Cumbria police forces . Wyre and Lancaster MP, Ben Wallace, claims the public support of the two-force merger by Home Secretary - Charles
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Knifeman chased after robbery
Police are hunting for a knife-wielding robber who threatened to stab a terrified female newsagent in her own shop. Carol Lewis, 59, was standing behind the counter of her empty store, Wilson's Newsagents, Lydderdale Road, Anchorsholme, when a thin, gaunt
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ASBO with a bite
A Blackpool drug addict who let her pet bulldog maul police has been barred from owning a dog as part of an interim Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo). Mum-of-two Cherrill Ann Carpenter, 49, of Gainsborough Road, must not "own or be in possession or control
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End of an era for music venue
It's the end of an era for one Blackpool pub this weekend, as it hosts its last rock gig before closing its doors for a complete change of image. The Belle Vue, Whitegate Drive, will rock to the sound of Oscar's Park on Saturday night (February 11), before
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Town must attract national retail stores
I was dismayed to read Coun Bell's letter You Can Help Save Shops (Citizen Jan 25). It concluded: 'The superstore only option will take you all down a slippery slope indeed.' What nonsense! Market forces dictate the success or otherwise of businesses
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Missing football player in Canada
A MISSING player in the reunion of a junior school team from the 1950s has been traced to Canada after an appeal in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Although many of the football team from Audley Primary School, Blackburn, still live locally they were
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Car crook sting joy
CAR crooks are being caught out after council bosses placed a vehicle laden with expensive goodies on show in a town centre car park. Eleven thieves were snared in the sting before Christmas. And each has admitted up to 130 car offences, councillors have
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Fears grow for Spain day-trip dad
AN international search was under way today for a Blackburn man who has gone missing in Spain. Stuart Dalziel, 41, has not been seen since Friday, January 27, when he failed to get his flight home from Malaga. Police said they had no evidence he had come
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Match report: Crystal Palace 1 Preston North End 2
DANNY DICHIO netted his first goals for Preston since August to ensure the side made it into the fifth-round of the FA Cup. His goals - the second coming just two minutes from full-time - clinched this fourth-round replay as North End came from behind
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Davies delighted for Dichio
Billy Davies has warned pundits not to start suggesting his team are over-performing. With North End now 23 games unbeaten and in the fifth round of the FA Cup, people are starting to pay attention to Preston again. Written off by many after Richard Cresswell
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ASBO with a bite
A Blackpool drug addict who let her pet bulldog maul police has been barred from owning a dog as part of an interim Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo). Mum-of-two Cherrill Ann Carpenter, 49, of Gainsborough Road, must not "own or be in possession or control
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‘All systems go’ for £7m flats project
DEMOLITION work is set to begin for a £7million project to build dozens of flats in the centre of Blackburn. Millionaire pub boss Margo Grimshaw has been given permission to demolish her Market Street Lane properties and transform them into 62 apartments
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Snakes found dumped in undergrowth
VILLAGERS have been put on snake alert after a 5ft-long boa constrictor and four other slithery reptiles were found dumped in undergrowth. The warning came after the country lanes around Worston, near Clitheroe, became an icy graveyard. While three
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‘Sleep-walk’ sex case man cleared
A MAN accused of molesting a woman after a Blackburn house-warming party has won a fight to clear his name after a jury accepted he had been asleep at the time. Christopher Davies, 26, said by the woman to have groped her, was cleared of sexual assault
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Pub’s right up Nick’s Street
A FORMER Coronation Street barman is taking on the pub business for real and attracting some Weatherfield regulars away from the Rovers Return. Nick Cochrane, who played Andy McDonald in the late '90s, has retired from acting and taken on a new role
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£2million business windfall
EAST Lancashire councils have received £2million to help businesses grow. Grants have been awarded to Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Pendle, Ribble Valley, Chorley and Lancashire County Councils. The money comes from the Government's Local Authority
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Charity worker flees tsunami village in fear
THE Dean of Blackburn's son has fled Indonesia in fear after discovering alleged corruption involving tsunami charity cash raised in East Lancashire. Johnathan Armstrong received threats after a row with two of the New Life for Lokna appeal signatories
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Intruder hit pair with an iron bar
Two women were attacked by an intruder with an iron bar at a house in Craven Street in Accrington. A 23-year-old suffered a fractured cheekbone and her friend, a 45-year-old woman, had four ribs broken. Both needed hospital treatment after the incident
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Fears grow for Spain day-trip dad
AN international search was under way today for a Blackburn man who has gone missing in Spain. Stuart Dalziel, 41, has not been seen since Friday, January 27, when he failed to get his flight home from Malaga. Police said they had no evidence he had
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Teenager died after being held in headlock – inquest
A teenager who was held in a headlock for so long that he stopped breathing was unlawfully killed, an inquest ruled. Coroner Michael Singleton said he will pass his findings to the Crown Prosecution Service who will consider whether to reopen the investigation
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Single review: Morning Runner - Burning Benches (Parlophone)
Morning Runner have been biting at the heels of indie music's big-guns for a while now. With their latest single, Burning Benches, the Reading four-piece have adopted a rather disappointing "if you can't beat them join them" attitude. It's a backwards
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Club calendar
Blackburn Drama Club have announced their first production of next year. In March they will be tackling Dennis Potter's disturbing and controversial Brimstone and Treacle. Mr and Mrs Bates, are a dull middle aged couple who live with their daughter
