RESOLUTIONS ranging from cutting out sausage rolls to carrying on drinking and swearing are among the promises that may or may not be kept in 1996.

Ditching sausage rolls and vol-au-vents is the personal resolution of the Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Rev Alan Chesters.

On a more serious note, he added: "My New Year's resolution is to persuade the churches to cut back on committee work, so that we may give more time to sharing directly the basic Christian message of God's love in Christ."

A Blackburn free of County Hall control and the continuation of the peace processes in Ireland and the former Yugoslavia top Blackburn Council leader Malcolm Doherty's wish list for the New Year.

"I'll also be hoping Blackburn Rovers improve their away form," said Coun Doherty.

As for New Year resolutions, he's now in strict training for his third London Marathon in April, which he has vowed to complete.

Coun Arthur Park, the Mayor of Burnley, said he was looking forward to a change of government in 1996.

He added: "My wish is for a successful year for the country and, for Burnley in particular, more new jobs and industry."

Reformed smoker Bill Goldsmith, a Hyndburn Labour councillor, said: "After participating in the Christmas festivities in various hostelries, I wish everyone would take up the resolution to stop smoking rather than polluting my atmosphere."

However, Darwen Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Browne promised to carry on smoking.

"If I make a resolution I usually break it, so I'm not going to give up smoking, swearing, drinking or giving the opposition parties hell!" he said. 'Supergran' Ada Gibson, from Clayton-le-Moors, resolved to keep up her sponsored swims, which have so far raised hundreds of pounds for various charities.

Ada, 80, who only learned to swim three years ago, added: "If everyone resolved to help somebody and stop being so greedy the world would be a better place."

And fun-loving nightclub owner Margo Grimshaw had a simple resolution, which she intends to stick to.

"You can't do anything about yesterday or tomorrow so my resolution is just to be happy today," said Margo, who owns the C'est La Vie nightclub in Blackburn.

Jeweller Peter Jackson said: "I'm determined to stop being so lazy, do some exercise and stop eating rubbish food. I think if I can get through the first week I'll be all right."

Rossendale and Whitworth councillor Eileen Kershaw, mother of Radio One presenters Liz and Andy, resolved to be more tolerant in the New Year.

She added: "I wish my children peace of mind and success in whatever they are doing.

"For Whitworth Council and Whitworth people, I would hope for a more financially stable New Year and for peace and prosperity."

And Ged Beyer, landlord of the Clayton Arms Hotel, in Nelson, summed up the views of many publicans when he said:

"There's no point wishing that the Channel Tunnel will be sealed up or that the Chancellor will reduce the duty on beer, so I'll just wish for a peaceful and prosperous New Year."

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