SPRING storms caused extensive damage as they swept across the county. Six stalls reeled to the ground at Blackburn market during the night, taking 12 men working until 3am to save the stalls from ruin.

Musical Marie - Marie Ashton, of Stretford - at 6am passed the halfway mark in her 132-hour non stop piano record bid in the Co-op Assembly Rooms, Rawtenstall. To relieve the monotony, Marie attempted to play cards with her trainer with one hand while still playing the piano with the other.