WHEN I moved to Lancashire to work, I didn't realise what a big change it would be. Okay so I might not have to change my watch because the time zone's the same but it has taken a while to get used to the Lancashire dialect.

The problems tend to arise when I go for lunch, a ham sandwich becomes a ham roll, ham baguette, ham barm, but not a ham batch in sight. If I ordered a ham barm at home they'd think I was barmy and a ham baguette would come on a two-foot roll.

Anyway it got me thinking if there was a dictionary of dialect on the web to help me out and about in Blackburn and hardly surprising there is.

Check out www.nyt.co.uk/lancashire.htm for an amusing look at the language spoken in Lancashire.

Or if you've got time on your hands log on to http://rinkworks.com/dialect/dialectt.cgi to translate your text into various dialects, including jive, cockney and moron.

THERE'S just two weeks until Christmas now but are you still struggling to get in the Christmas spirit? Maybe you're fed up of the traditional turkey lunch? Well why not have a themed Christmas this year.

In Italy they have a 12-course feast on Christmas Eve, consisting solely of fish! Maybe you fancy that or how about celebrating it the Portuguese style -- on Christmas Eve!

If you fancy a change have a look at www.christmas.com for a few ideas.

IF you're still looking for a special treat for your other half the Lancashire Evening Telegraph could help. By going on the official website at www.thisislancashire.co.uk you could get tickets for various concerts or even book a cruise. Click on reader holidays now.