A JEALOUS husband rammed his transit van into the side of his mother-in-law's car while his terrified wife and son sat inside. Preston Crown Court has heard that Derek Tierney then dragged his wife Pamela out of the car by her neck causing her to black
Glyn Whiteside - star of stage and screen WRITING a play, acting, getting into films - it's the stuff many of us only dream of as we wistfully while away the hours. But one local man has been brave enough to give up his day job to tread the boards and
PRESTON actor Alan Almond has a major role in a forthcoming farce to be performed at The Playhouse. But the audience will not see much of the Fulwood man - for Alan spends most of the play holed up in a trunk on stage, shouting out his lines to surprised
A SMALL piece of North America has been transplanted in Manchester and it's kicking up a real Storm. The Nynex Arena is where the area's Super League ice hockey stars ply their trade in front of sell-out audiences but, believe it or not, it is right here
TICKETS for the final day's play at Wimbledon are like gold dust - but the Citizen has teamed up with Blue Chip Travel to offer readers a chance to see some of the world's finest players. Readers have a chance to see stars compete in the final of the
FRUSTRATION was mounting among Blackpool FC supporters this week as they still played the waiting game over a planned £100million superstadium. Months of planning delays and behind-the-scenes disputes have led to speculation the project would founder,
A MAN whose mother underwent a life-saving heart transplant operation, has raised nearly £7,000 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Jeff Barnes, 28, who works as a development chemist at Lanfina Bituman in Riversway, Preston, raised the money with
Having visited the new pool at Salt Ayre around five times now complete with my wife and 20 week old son, we have the following complaints: Firstly, on our first visit, a parent and toddler session we found the water to be cold, so much so as we had to
A juvenile crime problem in Skerton could become 'terminal' unless the authorities tackle grass root issues, claim residents. They have called for a head-to-head with the police to discuss what they claim are inadequate levels of policing in Skerton.
ST HELENS Town won 1-0 at Holker Old Boys, of Barrow, on Tuesday night. Victory was sealed when Steve Pennington fired home a 77th minute free-kick from 20 yards. It means Town move into the top four of the North West Counties League, having won six and
A LOCAL wildlife haven will play a key role this weekend in one of the world's biggest birdwatching events. Pennington Country Park has been chosen as the regional venue for Birdwatch 97. Organised every two years by the Royal Society for the Protection
WOMEN in South Ribble will soon have somewhere to go to if they are afraid of going home. A new refuge is to built at a secret location in the area for families whose lives have been blighted by domestic violence. Up until now women who dared not go home
An iconoclast like Citizen Smith should be more open to the conspiracy theory concerning the death of Princess Diana. Those intrepid TV detectives Morse and Frost would be very suspicious indeed... read the poem My last Duchess by Robert Browning and
UGB Lions 18 Beech Hill Bulldogs 48 THE Lions bowed out of the Lancashire Cup at the first hurdle on Saturday. They fielded a side that contained six changes from the previous week and the game was over as a contest by half-time as the Wiganers raced
A SCHEME to protect repeat victims of crime has been launched in Deepdale this week. It involves hidden video cameras being installed into potential victims' homes and personal attack alarms being issued. They will also be offered care and support from
FOUR swimmers from St Helens Swimming Club have been selected for entry to the National Biathlon Championships at Sheffield in November. It follows their success in the North WestChampionships at Horwich. Maria Barrett came first in the 13-14 year girls
SHOPLIFTERS and burglars are to be targeted in a crackdown on crime in Darwen Town Centre. Blackburn with Darwen Council's town centre management is teaming up with police to implement a series of crime prevention measures to reduce the chances of shoplifting
West Sutton LC 22 Widnes Albion 18 WEST Sutton had to pull out all the stops against a determined Albion side in this Lancashire Cup tie. The visitors drew first blood as they raced into a 10-nil lead. However, West Sutton roared back as forwards McNamara
GUN owners across the county handed in their weapons this week as the national firearm surrender deadline passed. Police said they were 'satisfied' by the response to the campaign, with more than 2,700 guns and a total of 125,000 rounds of ammunition
McDONALD'S the burger giants have stepped in to surprise a team of teenage footballers whose first ever victory last week stood to leave their manager out of pocket. The Citizen featured the tale of Leyland U14s last week - they won their first match
I WOULD like to put in writing my support for the proposed Xanadu complex on the site of Marshall Street College. I am aware that many people have put in objections to the proposed site, but I think it will be a great boost for Leigh's flagging lifeline
EWOOD chief Roy Hodgson sounded a stark warning for England boss Glenn Hoddle as preparations for the World Cup showdown intensified in Rome today: Beware Zola! The Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson has pinpointed the Chelsea striker as the man who could
DEVELOPER Chris Baybutt, the driving force behind Xanadu, has hit back at a 'catalogue of erroneous information which is being put about by some of the objectors'. While respecting the rights of anyone to object, he has called for the town to get behind
IT has been brought to my attention that quite a lot of people are still using the old crossing points where the old zebra crossings once stood on Elliott Street, Tyldesley. This is a very dangerous practice, especially when just a few yards away, stand
LOCAL shopkeepers are being warned not to sell cigarettes to children. And the council's trading standards officers are determined to take whatever steps necessary to make this happen. This will include monitoring test approaches to shopkeepers by children
THE Citizen took to the streets to give away the first of many PNE tickets for home matches this season. Before every league game at the Deepdale ground, we will offer our loyal readers three pairs of tickets to see the action for free so watch this space
A DOZEN Preston youngsters are set to become the county's first ever Fire Cadets. Pupils from St Ignatius' RC Primary in Preston are working through a nine-week course after school learning about fire safety, first aid and emergency calls. They will be
IN reply to the letter by 'Concerned resident of Leigh', how can you possibly know how I or anyone else would react if the Xanadu project was planned for another site. I resent the fact that you think you know what I would say, and that you question my
LOCAL people don't be conned in to thinking that this project will create thousands of jobs for Leigh folk. Estimates range from between 2,500-3,000 (developers' figures) but it's unlikely that many of them will remain after construction is completed.
THE CREAM of local bands will get people dancing in the street this weekend in the last warm-up concert before the eagerly awaited PrestFest festival. Top jazz/funk group Tripitaka will headline the concert on Friday, Oct 3, on Preston's Flag Market.
A SHORT-CUT across a motorway to a late-night garage cost teenager Paul Tyney his life. The 18-year-old suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a car as he tried to cross the M66, close to junction 2, at Heap Bridge, Bury, on Sunday evening (September
PIONEERING research that could extend the life expectancy of people suffering from Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is taking place here in Preston. The work being done in a small lab at the University of Central Lancashire is leading the world in looking for
MORE than a third of people needing a roof are saying 'no' to Bury's decrepit council houses. The refusal rate on offers of housing to prospective tenants is 36.58 per cent. Bosses blame lack of money and point to surveys which show that Bury needs to
ASTHMA sufferers who have an attack could by-pass casualty thanks to a new drop-in centre. The unit at Sharoe Green Hospital, Preston, opened yesterday (Wednesday) to offer urgent treatment and advice for patients in the early stages of an attack. One
WYCOMBE WANDERERS 0 PRESTON NORTH END 0 AMAZINGLY, North End are still without a league win away from Deepdale after dominating a match which was there for the taking. Preston started brightly, with Jon Macken and Lee Ashcroft causing problems for the
OFFICIALS and members of a Rossendale church are delighted that one of their flock has been rewarded for her dedication. Mrs Mima Boyd, 66, of Piercy Higher Mount, Waterfoot, has been attending St Anne's CE, Edgeside, for more than 60 years. She was a
A PRISONER absconded and committed an armed robbery when trusted to make his own way to a new prison. Michael Burton (32) had been jailed for nine years for a series of robberies. But Bolton Crown Court heard that he was given a travel warrant last November
THE devastated father of student hostage Paul Wells today revealed that the body found in a Kashmir cemetery was not his son or any of the other Western captives. Bob Wells, of Bracken Close, Feniscowles, Blackburn, said he and his family had hoped the
A TOWN centre manager will be appointed to take Ramsbottom into the new Millennium. Following growing concern over increasing competition from other town centres, members of the Ramsbottom 2000 committee put forward the idea of a town manager at a public
POLICE are investigating a vandal attack on flagpoles opposite Colne Town Hall which left the Lancashire emblem missing and the European Union flag badly damaged. The culprits cut ropes to steal the Red Rose flag and vandalise the European one but left
CANCER fears have made Bury Council take action to protect people from the possible dangers of living near power lines. The plight of a former Radcliffe man who claimed he and his wife suffered health problems after living in the shadow of power lines
FIREBUGS were being blamed for a blaze that caused thousands of pounds damage at a mill. More than 20 firemen battled to contain the blaze at the old Warburton's bakery off Bog Height Road, yards from Darwen Vale High School. Fire chiefs said children
ON Wednesday a change in the law meant victims of domestic violence will now receive greater protection. In effect it means the police will have more power to arrest people who carry out domestic assaults and so give greater peace of mind to those victims
THE Prime Minister pledged full steam ahead for drastic reforms in key areas of the nation's life. Her battle cry came as she faced major problems in her Cabinet, brought to a head by the failing health of the new Lord Chancellor Lord Havers. Mrs Thatcher's
MAY I appeal to the person who found a black leather purse on the Higher Croft bus in Blackburn on the morning of Monday, October 6 to return the mementos that were inside. They are sentimentally irreplaceable - such as a locket left by my father who
IN 1951, while in the RAF, I met a girl from Blackburn. Her name was Doreen Duckworth and she lived in Pringle Street - at no 66, I believe. I would be much obliged if any reader could help me to get in touch with her again. I realise this is a long shot
IT is still almost four weeks to Bonfire Night, but last Saturday afternoon I took a walk in Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen, with my two granddaughters and, within five minutes of entering, a firework was thrown from the bushes. It landed some three feet in
LORA Fairclough flies off to Orlando next week for a trip that is far from Mickey Mouse. The Chorley Women's European Tour player will try to win one of 25 much-sought-after cards for the American LPGA Tour at the Tour's final qualifying school at LPGA
George Kirby reports THE Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay gave a foretaste of what is likely to happen in the British Fell and Hill Racing Relay Championship at Barley in Pendle on October 19. If everyone runs true to form, then, we can expect fireworks on
LEIGH RL has launched its search for a mascot. And Wigan division of GM Police have joined in their quest. The free-to-enter competition is open to youngsters aged 5-16 with each entry winning a free ticket to a home game at Hilton Park. There will also
LEIGH RMI have parted company with assistant manager and player Kevin Booth. Boss Steve Waywell decided the shock split was in the best interests of both parties. And he paid tribute to Booth's role during the club's success over the last 18 months. "
THE anniversary today of the introduction 30 years ago by Blackburn's then MP, Barbara Castle, of the breathalyser is marked by a move in Europe that could almost halve Britain's drink-drive alcohol limit. The drive for a Europe-wide law that would fix
A £20,000 road improvement scheme at a Burnley accident blackspot is set to go ahead next month month. County council highways chiefs have given the green light for the project at the junction of Church Street and Ormerod Road. The busy junction has been
IAN KAY swept to a silver as Atherton SC notched a seven medal haul in the second Central Lancashire Age Groups. His PB in the 10-Year 50 breaststroke was good enough for second, just ahead of team mate Dean Jones whose PB was enough for third. But the
A LEADING Kashmir campaigner said the taking of Western hostages, including Blackburn's Paul Wells, has harmed the independence cause. Sardar Khan, president of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, visited campaigners in Nelson yesterday as part
A NEW role for the old Haydock library could be music to the ears of local brass and silver bands. St Helens Council is considering re-aligning its library services in Haydock following approaches from senior brass and silver bands in the area. This means
CHURCH INN are proving the surprise packets of the Leigh & District Amateur Football League. Promoted as runaway Division Two champions last season, they have stormed up Division One keeping close track of leaders Higher Fold. Following the weekend
THIEVES stole swings from a children's playground just hours before it was officially re-opened. The playground at Birley on the outskirts of Earby had been completely revamped at a cost of £21,000 and the theft was discovered when staff arrived to add
YOUNG film-makers at a Colne school are counting the hours until their work appears on the big screen at a leading international film festival. Pupils at Gibfield School are preparing to travel to Manchester's Granada Studios to see their work, Around
GOLD for Andrew Grime, Alex Foster and Hannah Foster as Atherton SC produced a series of stunning swims at the third Central Lancashire Warburton Age Groups. Andrew won the 16+ 50 freestyle and then added bronze in the 100 breaststroke. Alex's PB won
THE champagne is flowing at . . . GIN PIT! Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway have won the British U16s Team Championship - the club's first UK title. Inspired by Lee Smethills, the country's top U16 rider, they raced to the crown in dramatic style
UNDER-FIRE Southampton manager David Jones today gave Chris Waddle a solid managerial vote of confidence. The ex-Stockport County chief made a point of telephoning the Clarets player-manager after watching Burnley in Second Division action. "I got a call
LEIGH RMI were dumped out of the FA Cup on sorry Saturday. The difference in class was plain as Halifax Town blasted an under-strength side 4-0. "It would have been tough if we had been at full strength," said disappointed manager Steve Waywell. "But
LEIGH RU made hard work of their 35-26 league victory against Netherall. The visitors took an early lead, but Leigh bounced back when Ross Bullough threw in quickly from a line-out and Stephen Wood plunged over, adding the goal and then a penalty. But
MORE than 80 local landlords attended a special meeting to help tackle the problems of homelessness as part of a unique project on Merseyside. St Helens Deposit Bond Scheme, approved recently by the council, is one of only five in the country which assists
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD THE toe-tapping, driving beat is now a distant echo. But the inclusion, on Liverpool's 'wall of fame', of a then fresh-faced St Helens 'sixties group revives memories of just what might have been. The Incas were among the countless
WALLY ASHCROFT'S WONDER OF PETS AN untrained dog can be a complete disaster as a family pet. Early training is therefore essential. A dog is a pack animal and will look to its owner, as the pack leader, to be shown how to behave. Failure to accept this
I AM not aware of Miss Amanda Gallagher's financial circumstances as a single parent (Letters, October 6), but in my opinion, any deliberate and benefit-dependent single parent is nothing more or less than a parasite. When sitting at home, nursing their
BURY Times Bride of the Year Miss Karen Batley marries her fiance Mr Philip Worth tomorrow, October 4. And this week, the 24-year-old has been putting the final touches to the wedding preparations - as well as recovering from her hen-night! Karen, of
A RAINHILL man will become the main link between design, manufacturing and commercial operations at BICC Components after taking on the role of manager of the extended product development team. Mally Clark (30) from Longview Road, has worked for Prescot-based
TWO Blackburn Sea Cadets will leave on Saturday for a week's voyage on the Sea Cadet sail training vessel TS Royalist. The berths were awarded to Nicola Southworth and Christopher Aspin for showing progress and tenacity. They were the only two chosen
A MASS screening session to help save Bury leukaemia victim Aimee Read has been described as "incredible" by the world famous Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust. So many people turned up to give a blood sample that they ran out of needles. A second session
Leigh East A 39 Haresfinch 34 A FINCH side lacking no fewer than nine regulars put up a spirited show in this Lancashire Cup first round clash and might easily have won a topsy-turvy tie. Two unconverted tries gave the home side an early lead before Finch
SHAKE a leg, they say, and if we lived in Texas or Arizona I could understand why putting on cowboy boots, wide brimmed hat and a bootlace tie might seem as natural as baked beans around a camp fire. But this is East Lancashire not Wyoming and the incredible
BURY plays host to the biggest festival of Cajun and Zydeco music on this side of the Atlantic this weekend (October 3-5). The eighth to be held at the Met arts centre, proceedings get under way tonight, October 3, at 8.15pm with Gavin Lewery and Jock
POLICE are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed a sneak theft from a 67-year-old lady in a motorised wheelchair. The pensioner was driving along Sturgess Street, Newton-le-Willows, when a man approached her from behind and snatched the basket from
BUSINESSMEN Mike Canning and Alan Jones want to form a coalition of supporters for the Xanadu project. And on Wednesday, October 8, at Leigh Liberal Club (starting 7.30pm) they are holding a 'Skis for Leigh' meeting for all the backers of the scheme.
TRADING Standards officers say they have smashed a counterfeit clothing ring in Bury. At least one man is now likely to appear before the courts after council staff, supported by the police, carried out a raid on a factory in the Spring Street area. There
Thatto Heath 18 Farnworth 33 THATTO Heath went down for the third week in a row to a strong Farnworth outfit. The game started badly for Heath when Farnworth prop McGrath crashed over near the posts in only the fifth minute, and winger Fozzard added the
A 17-year-old female student was indecently assaulted as she waited for a bus in broad daylight. The incident happened at about 2.45pm on Sunday as the girl waited at a bus stop on the corner of Knowsley Road and Ellison Drive, Eccleston. She was approached
BED-blocking and a surge in patient numbers has led to an "intolerable situation" at North Manchester General Hospital. Chairman David Wilson told the annual meeting of North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust: "It has been an extremely difficult year. "
Folly Lane 22 Pilkington Recs 15 THIS was two league points that got away for this young Recs team, who worked themselves into a winning position with just nine minutes to play, only to see it snatched away. The first half was a dour, tense affair with
A CHARITY concert organised in memory of one of St Helens' best-loved characters, is to be held at Windle Labour Club next week. Former boxer Jimmy McNamara died from cancer earlier this year and during his illness both he and his family received a lot
A POST morten has been ordered after the body of a 21 years-old blonde woman was found in the canal behind the Sportsman pub in Leigh on Tuesday morning. And although the Leigh woman has been formally identified, her identity had not been released by
POLICE are trying to piece together the final hours of a man whose body was found in the River Irwell at Ramsbottom. The body of Brian Nuttall (61) was dragged from the overflow section of the river, near to Bridge Street, around 9.45pm on Monday. Mr
West Park 28 Chester 15 PARK couldn't have had a worse start to this league fixture. Already hit by the withdrawal of Brendan O'Keefe and Chris Glynn from their backline West Park's new centre signing Dave Donovan, whose partnership with Martin Strett
SCHOOLS in St Helens will benefit from their share of a £14.2 million government hand-out. Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett this week announced that the cash would be available for repairs, replacement or renovation, as the first phase
NEXT week's hit comedy "Table Manners" sees Katherine Roberts making her debut as director. And she makes no bones about the most difficult part of the job. "I can see everyone having a good time on stage," she said. "And I just want to join in the fun
TORY David Morris is fighting the Hope Carr election - again! And he hopes the by-election - caused by the resignation of Gary Brooks - won't be dominated by Xanadu. The Leigh hairdresser - a by-election 'third-timer' - (pictured) said: "It is important
SAINTS' preparations for their "Mission Impossible" World Championship quarter-final in Brisbane on Saturday have been further hit by injuries. For as they brace themselves to tackle a Broncos team dubbed the best in the world, a Knowsley Road squad still
OFFICERS from Merseyside Police Road Traffic department are targeting local schools in a bid to cut the number of road casualties involving children. A new initiative codenamed 'Operation School Gate' began on September 17 and will run through to the
A FURTHER £3,000 has been raised for the Victoria Hospital's MRI Scanner appeal thanks to a concert at the weekend. The audience at Arnold School hall was treated to a montage of Gilbert and Sullivan favourites by duo Deborah Clague and Geoffrey Shovelton
Ryhope 2 St Helens Town 1 TOWN'S first defeat of the season saw them eliminated from the FA Cup. They simply failed to perform against the lowest ranked opposition they have faced so far. Northern League Division Two outfit Ryhope battled for everything
Saints 20 Wigan Warriors 33 CHALLENGE Cup holders Saints' double hopes lay in ruins after this thrilling Premiership Final at the Theatre of Dreams that is Old Trafford - and they could have few complaints! The bare bones of a story of a feast of rugby
AROUND £1,000 worth of damage was caused at Colne Parish Church by a barrage of stones thrown through the leaded windows. The damage was discovered on Sunday as parishioners gathered for the morning service. In all, 18 ground level windows in the South
DEARS Brack & Associates, the independent firm of surveyors and estate agents, have been awarded the highly-prestigious Quality System Management (BS EN ISO 9002:1994) award. The company is the first combined estate agents and surveying practice to
TWO Preston women are among the nominees for the prestigious Lancashire Woman of the Year title. Irene Morris, who will be 79 next month, has spent the last decade helping elderly people with day-to-day chores and organising holidays. The former barmaid
EAST Lancashire Youth Orchestra has been selected for a national award and a chance to have a concert broadcast on Classic FM. The ensemble will get £2,2750 towards a concert at St Peter's Parish Church, Burnley, on Sunday October 12. The orchestra, led
CHEERY Alan Chisnall is just crackers about Christmas. With nearly three months to go till December 25, he's already put his decorations up. He has to start early - he's got 500 fairy lights, a huge collection of Santa dolls and box upon box of assorted
THE University of Central Lancashire kicked off its Going for Green scheme by launching the first of what could be a whole fleet of bikes. Staff are being encouraged to leave the car or van behind and get around the campus on two legs or two wheels. The
THINGS are beginning to look bleak for Burnley as they enter the third month of the season still without a win. Chris Waddle wants to strengthen his squad, but admits his hands are tied because he has run out of money. A struggle to avoid relegation may
ONE of Lancaster's biggest employers is about to reveal the identity of their new owners. Rumours about the future of Borden Decorative Products have been circulating since the company announced it was to sell off its UK interests earlier this year. But
BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has appealed to the Government not to devalue a long-established service in East Lancashire. Plans to shut down the Valuation Office in Burnley and transfer activities top Preston have already been attacked by Burnley council. Now
POLICE have revealed they are conducting an investigation into allegations of physical abuse at Larches House children's hostel. The alleged incidents are said to have taken place at the hostel on Larches Lane, Ashton, Preston, in the 1970s. Acting detective
ICE cream man David Pearson has been called the luckiest person alive after he narrowly escaped being crushed by a van on his way to buy a lottery ticket. David was thrown 10 metres through the air when the van ploughed through railings, demolished a
PRESTON Council will today (Thursday) decide whether the Christmas procession will go ahead after last year's event was cancelled owing to changes in policing guidelines. This year police have agreed to revert to the same procedures used in 1994, enabling
Citizen Smith declares a non-interest in the matter of Diana and then goes on to say that he didn't care for her (Citizen September 25)... I don't wish to know that thank you. However he does go on to make some fairly valid points about the whole event
PNE fans were reminded of the days when footballers used Brylcreem instead of gel and wore shorts down to their knees,when over 30 former players from the 1950s and 60s returned for a reunion buffet. Those fans lucky enough to have a ticket met up with
Neil Bramwell Speaks Out LOCK me up in the Tower of London. But please do not call me a traitor just because I have an overwhelming sense of pessimism about Saturday's clash with Italy. It is just that, being born just months before the 1966 World Cup
AS the Labour Party Conference in Brighton highlights a shortage of skills in the workforce, bosses at a Preston-based firm say they are already filling the gap. BNFL's Springfields site at Salwick boasts a scheme to train engineering apprentices for
I would like to give my very grateful thanks to the young lady who was so helpful when I was involved in an accident outside Pizzaland on September 15. She stayed with me until assistance arrived and later enquired at the RLI to see if I was all right
PUPILS from Walton-le-Dale Primary School in Preston watched as their teachers floated off into the sky in a giant strawberry ... The strange scene was a Sainsbury's promotion involving a huge fruit-shaped hot-air balloon and pilots from Flying Pictures
BURY boss Stan Ternent was philosophical about the loss of his side's unbeaten record. "We didn't expect it to go on for ever," he smiled. "If we get another 29 under our belts before we lose at home again it won't be bad." Ternent was more petered about
Regarding your article Diana - 25 September 1997, there will be an awful lot of people especially myself who will agree fully with what you wrote. It's just a pity that your article is not in the national press, as there will be people other than in Lancaster
A HIGH-tech training firm has struck gold. QA Training, part of Haslingden-based Skillsgroup, won the gold award for Best Training Company in Computing Awards for Excellence 1997. Said Tony Callaghan, UK managing director: "At a time when IT skills shortages
A WORLD War Two veteran who missed an anniversary trip to Arnhem in Holland has at last paid a return visit. Harry Westwood, 83, of Preston New Road, Marton, was one of the 10,000 British soldiers who fought in the now-legendary battle portrayed in the
FIREFIGHTERS and soldiers will battle it out in a sponsored fire engine pull to buy smoke alarms for ex-servicemen. The teams, from Preston fire station and Fulwood Barracks, will take on the challenge tomorrow (Friday) on Asda's car park in Fulwood,
BURY are chasing the signature of former Rochdale midfielder Jason Peake. Currently with Brighton who paid £120,000 for him, Peake celebrated his 26th birthday on Monday and had talks with Bury boss Stan Ternent yesterday afternoon. Discussions are expected
A MORECAMBE man has appeared before Lancaster magistrates accused of murdering a 14-month-old child. Christopher Alan Hacket, 26, of Nicholson Crescent, is charged with murdering Hannah Louise McKie on August 21 this year. The child's mother, 18-year-old
A MAGNIFICENT goalkeeping display by Steve Banks allowed Blackpool a flattering 3-0 win against Southend on Saturday (September 27) in this battle of the seaside towns. It was Southend's fifth successive away defeat, but had it not been for Banks they
Bury 1, West Bromwich Avenue 3 THE good ship Shakers has suddenly sprung a leak. Six weeks of serene progress skimming along the top of a First Division millpond has seemingly come to an abrupt end and been replaced by a rough ride through choppy seas
I was delighted to read your common sense article about Princess Diana's death and the aftermath. At least one journalist and one newspaper (albeit a local one) was prepared to face facts publicly. Now, when the platitudes, worship, wailing and weeping
A RETIRED Fylde couple went Dutch in a joint effort to wheel in funds for multiple sclerosis. Sixty-two-year-old George Miller pushed his disabled wife Joan 150 miles around Holland in her wheelchair in a week, averaging around 20 miles a day. Each evening
SUPPORTERS and opponents of Safeway's controversial St Annes expansion plans may clash on Monday night (October 6). Fylde Borough Council is due to decide whether Safeway should be asked to put forward formal plans, which are expected to include taking
THE new section of the M65 motorway hasn't opened yet but didn't stop 250 keen cyclists having a sneak preview of the road before it's taken over by cars and lorries. The dual carriageway which boasts just two lanes on either side, was the route for a
THE curtain has come down on a charity concert thanks to an anonymous letter writer. Members of the Fylde-based Premier Theatre Company had been practising for months for Musicals 97 - The Collection and 600 advance tickets had been sold. Numbers from
BIG screen conmen were given the boot by a lawman and his Pubwatch posse. Members of Tyldesley Pubwatch - a licensees' scheme set-up to bar troublemakers and eke out wrongdoers - joined forces to put the satellite scam into orbit. Vigilant tenant Earle
HE may only be short, with a flat cap and a broad Bolton accent, but TV's most famous steeplejack Fred Dibnah has found happiness third time around with a former Blackpool dancing girl. Add the fact that Sheila Grundy is 5ft 10ins tall, an ex-model, has
EARCROFT ward residents are calling for a breath of fresh air after enduring a double dose of sewage fumes. People living on the Anchor housing estate in Darwen thought they had conquered the source of an obnoxious smell when a damaged waste pipe in Greenbank
I WAS pleased by the article by Catherine Smyth on National Courtesy Day (LET, OCtober 2) as many people have forgotten the words "Please," "Thank you" and "Excuse me." I am almost 74, but I still stand aside to let people pass if I think they are older
ATHERTON White Ensign Association's annual general meeting starts at noon on Sunday, October 4 in Howe Bridge Village Club. LEIGH Literary Society's 119th season gets under way on Monday, October 6. Starting at 7.30pm in the Derby room, Leigh library,
BLACKPOOL'S brave Coca Cola Cup run fizzled out at Coventry on Wednesday (October 1) - despite a hearty battle which saw them go into the second half a goal in front. And it was two cruel penalty decisions which robbed them of the chance of third-round
SOME people will go to any lengths to raise money for the Brick By Brick Campaign which will create a new day care extension at St Catherine's Hospice in Lostock Hall, Preston. Would-be stunt man Ian Whitehead is going all the way to Africa to jump 365ft
VISITORS to Leigh town centre will soon be able to take a walk into the past. The leaflet, 'Leigh History Trail' has been written by local history librarian Tony Ashcroft with Journal reporter Peter Riley and published in conjunction with the Town Centres
OUTRAGED Darwen Councillor Paul Browne wants the council to be renamed Blackburn WITHOUT Darwen - after an ambitious multi-million pound bid for Euro funding has ignored his home town. The Lib Dem leader says that Darwen is being allowed to die while
DUST down your fireworks, dig out your party hats and put your thinking cap on in a challenge to make the Millennium the biggest event of our lives. It may be more than two years away, but 2000 is looming and Hyndburn Council is promising to blast the
WORK has started on a £2 million distribution centre in Lowton. And the Mayor of Wigan, Cllr Ken Pye cut the first sod to mark the occasion at Stone Cross Distribution Park, off the East Lancs Road. Maple Grove Developments, a subsidiary of the Preston-based
A RECEIVER has been called in at an engineering firm only three weeks after it was reported to have been sold. Around 40 worried workers, who claim they have not been paid for two weeks, were today learning their fate at a meeting with the receiver and
DARWEN'S biggest employers are about to reveal the identity of their new owners. Rumours about the future of award-winning Borden Decorative Products have been circulating since the company announced it was to sell off its UK interests earlier this year
CANCER carers struck gold in the Lottery with a cash boost of almost £180,000 from the Charities Board. Vine House scooped the cash to build a single storey training block in its grounds on Cromwell Road, Ribbleton, Preston. The extra space and training
ROY Hodgson, Tony Parkes, John Virgo, Tony Knowles and Peter Hebden - just a handful of sport celebrities who will be giving their all to raise cash for charity. The high-profile line-up, which also includes stars of Burnley Football Club, will converge
SOUP and succour will play a major part in helping Leigh's lonely again this year as St Gabriel's Church in Higher Folds prepares to throw open its doors for upto 50 people. Their aim, as last year, is to bring together those who would otherwise spend
URGENT action will be taken to combat rainwater which is pouring into council-owned property in Shawforth. The problem is still causing heartaches for tenants and headaches for Rossendale Council, despite modernisation costing more than £300,000 and £13,000
AN Algerian lady claims she's 116, the oldest living person. She puts her life long life down to lots of fresh air, milk, honey and dates. At 116, she's still taking blokes out - good on her! News following the announcement of his comeback into the boxing
THE plight of the lecturers controversially sacked from Accrington and Rossendale College has gone before the nation - with principal Michael Austin defending his decision to dismiss 341 staff. Radio 4's hard-hitting documentary, Face the Facts, heard
A BOY of eight was killed when he plunged out of a tree as he collected conkers with friends - ignoring warnings from his parents not to climb trees. Marc Michael Abbott fell 15ft from the chestnut tree and landed head-first on the concrete pavement.
THE streets of Leigh were transported 150 miles north to Carlisle and Sunderland this week as a Granada TV film crew turned up to film their latest period drama series. Set between 1948 and the present day, the series - 'The Things You Do For Love' -
PRESTON folk proved they are potty about tots as the Citizen's baby photograph competition sparked off a record number of votes. When Darlington-based photographers FotoGenic visited the town to take pics of Preston youngsters, proud parents flocked to
I AM sick of hearing this 'not in my back yard' tripe concerning the Xanadu project. Leigh is not a 'boom' town, but it could be. The 2,500 jobs created will not be the only ones. The knock on effect on the town's economy could be superb. Remember most
PRESTON boss Gary Peters was disappointed that North End didn't pick up all three points against a Wycombe side that played for an hour with only ten men. "They stepped up a gear with only ten men and didn't try to win the game," he said, adding: "It's
PARENTS desperate to get their children the most sought-after toy of the year could be duped into buying shoddy fakes by devious traders. And with the news that official merchandise suppliers for the Teletubbies - the four rompersuited aliens who have
ON June 26 1997 you published an article "Search for war time pal". I would just like to thank you and to bring you up to date on the outcome. When I read the article my husband and I were sure that it referred to my husband's father Jim Atherton, who
STINGY shopkeepers have just seven day to come up with the cash to light up the town for Christmas. Otherwise most of Preston will remain in darkness during the festive period except the Flag Market and surrounding streets which council tax payers are
IF the past is anything to go by, then the future definitely looks bleak for Preston's own sporting hero Matt Hogarth. For the 18-year-old Manchester Giants basketball player embarks on his second full season with the Nynex Arena-based outfit and is hoping
FOLLOWING two stabbing incidents at separate schools recently, and the fact that thugs and muggers are getting younger, it is high time that the parents of these young villains should be made to pay for their crimes. If the child commits an offence that
A STUDENT from Preston who spent summer working with Aids victims in America, is now planning his next trip to the North Indian trouble spot of Kashmir. Pav Akhtar, 19, wants to teach underprivileged children to read and write in an area blighted with
I'M a born and bred Leyther and over the past 60 years I have seen many changes, none for the better. Now we have a chance to put Leigh back on the map. Since Wigan took over Leigh has gone down hill fast. If something drastic does not happen, then very
AN army officer cadet from Preston is one of six men on trial at Oxford Crown Court charged with raping a woman at a military college. Nicholas Oettinger, 20, of Dove Avenue, Penwortham, denies the alleged rape which is said to have taken place at the
RAPES increased 100 per cent in Bury and indecent assaults against women nearly doubled despite the borough retaining its title as the safest place to live in the region. New figures for the entire Greater Manchester police region, from April 1996 to
A COUPLE came back from Majorca to find their home had been ransacked by burglars who broke every lock in the house getting in. James Alan Younger and his wife Hilary of Ramsay Avenue, Ribbleton, Preston, returned to find their TV, video and jewellery
RECYCLING rubbish, clearing litter and conserving their environment - that's what people in Preston have been doing to celebrate Green and Healthy Week. Some of the dedicated environmentalists have even built new wildlife havens in their local community
BURY'S biggest employer is joining the fight to get the long-term unemployed back into work. Council leaders are addressing a special jobs conference being held next week to discuss Labour's New Deal proposals. Representatives from the Employment Agency
SOUTH Ribble's housing officers will soon be trained to meet a new code of practice dealing with victims of domestic violence. The guidelines are being drafted up by the council and should be ready by the end of the year. Fiona Goodfellow, who is in charge
RESIDENTS of a Prestwich road are fighting a plan to build a "prison wall" opposite their homes. After years of pleasant views of the greenery of Heaton Park, Sheepfoot Lane have been told that National Lottery money is to be spent on building a 7ft 6ins
DEDICATED anti-drugs campaigner Niamh Astles-Noone is on the edge of her seat - she could be in line for two prestigious titles. For Niamh, a Lancashire Constabulary solicitor, has applied for the job of drug czar to Prime Minister Tony Blair. Reporting
RECENTLY, I travelled on one of Richard Branson's 'brand new' trains. It took 11 hours to get back to Burnley from Leicester. I later wrote, telling him that it only takes eight hours to fly to America in one of his aircraft. I also said that I'd visited
MULTIPLE Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system. It occurs when messages from the brain aren't getting through properly to parts of the body, which in turn can't operate. In simple terms it's like when an electrical system is short-circuited
HINDLEY 52 WARRIORS U9s 22 ONCE again tackling let the U9s team down. James MacMillan (3) and Lee Connick (1) scored the tries with Connick converting along with Craig Hewlett and Tom Perry. Jamie MacMillan was man of the match, with Ben Brookson top
BROWNHILL folk have slammed the council for spending thousands on improvements but failing to maintain them. They claim that since the redevelopment of the busy Brownhill roundabout junction over the last 18 months, council chiefs have done little to
THREE local schools will be among the first to benefit from the £2 billion investment announced by Prime Minister Tony Blair this week. All three have waited years for the vital work which will see classrooms replaced and laboratories upgraded to modern
THE family of former Blackburn mayoress Joan Doherty, is urging people to heed a new meningitis awareness campaign. Now fully recovered, Mrs Doherty, wife of Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Malcolm, and their son Paul, have joined the launch of the
FOUR days after paying more than £5,000 for George Mutch's signature Preston North End splashed out £4,500 on yet another Scotsman. He was Robert Beattie, Kilmarnock's 21-year-old inside forward. As in Mutch's case, Beattie had also been watched for the
INSOLVENCIES in the North West have shown a slight rise although rates are still lower than they have been for many years. Figures from accountants Deloitte & Touche reveal that only 14 receivership and administration appointments were made in the
IN response to Sam Spence's remarks (Letters, October 7), I strongly resent the implication that anybody coming to live in the Shadsworth area of Blackburn will not be able to conduct a decent, clean-living life within the confines of the law. I have
THE Rev Peter Hapgood-Strickland will be licensed as priest-in-charge of St Andrew's Church, Burnley, tonight (Thursday) by the Bishop of Burnley. Fr Peter, 40, was vicar of St Thomas with St Jude, Blackburn, since 1989 and before that was in Canterbury
IN view of the admission (LET, October 2) that the Cemfuel storage tanks at Castle Cement, Clitheroe, are corroded, and that the pipework between them is damaged enough to cause leaks, did all the authorities responsible stand back and for once put the
LEIGH ATHLETIC put the wrongs right on Saturday. They had sweet revenge for last season's League Cup semi-final defeat by Hesketh Casuals by beating them 4-1 in the 1st round. The Casuals, who went on to win the trophy, were no match this time for an
ELECTION disaster may have reduced former minister Michael Portillo to a cipher, but he if seeks a comeback in politics, he picked a risky platform for it today when he questioned a key element in the Tory credo. For just as the rank and file at Blackpool
A TRY from Paul Shepherd and a penalty from Winston Sarsfield were all Leigh MR could muster at Walney Central. And, despite a gutsy first period, they went down 14-6 - still seeking that elusive first away win. The Cumbrians, with a big pack orchestrated
TWO young women are preparing to undertake one of the most punishing tasks of their lives - next year's London Marathon - to raise money for the St Helens YWCA Dentonville Hostel. Based in Kiln Lane, the centre has been providing accommodation for local
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD RECENT mention of the old Parr smithy brought back a rush of memories for reader Richard Waring. "The smithy," he writes, "was next to Mount Pleasant Farm and the owner during the 'fifties was a great character named Martin Towey
ST HELENS North MP Dave Watts has helped to form a new House of Commons pressure group to campaign for a fairer local government grant system. The group was formed before the summer recess and includes Labour MPs from throughout the North West, Yorkshire
OFFICIALS have moved to allay fears that Newton Community Hospital could face closure after a decision to close one of its wards for the winter. Hospital chiefs say the closure of the Sims Ward from November until April is a purely temporary measure so
THE man behind the new land speed record set by the Thrust supersonic car could be heading for the home of the technology which helped make it possible. Richard Noble, project director of the world-beating car, is expected to address a technology roadshow
PICTURED: Jodie with a copy of a Dutch newspaper supporting the campaign. A CARING schoolgirl's talent for words has earned more than £10,500 towards setting up a national Garden of Remembrance for servicemen by selling copies of her war poems. Twelve-year-old
IT'S the nightmare every parent dreads; but, tragically, one that many are having to face up to. The realisation that your child is hooked on drugs is often hard to swallow. Many refuse to believe that the offspring they have nursed and nurtured through
IT may have been match of the day for Manchester United on Wednesday, but it was the match of a lifetime for this Whitefield ten-year-old. After winning a competition James Warburton, of Tamworth Avenue, a pupil at St Margaret's CE School, was a EUFA
STAFF and pupils went back in time to celebrate Woodbank County Primary School's 25th birthday. Throughout the week the Brandlesholme school has been holding various events to mark the anniversary. On Tuesday children and staff dressed up in 70s punk
POLICE are investigating a fire at the rear of Iceland on St Helens Retail Park on Warrington North Road, which caused about £3,000 damage to a number of stock cages. The fire started between 3.30pm and 4pm on Sunday. Previous news story Converted for
A SCHOOL has designed a special garden to meet the needs of its pupils. The grounds of Blackamoor School in Roman Road, Blackburn, have been transformed into a haven for wildlife. And the pupils have benefited too, from developments such as wheelchair
BURY's hand gun owners have been praised by police chiefs for their co-operation in surrendering their weapons as new gun laws took full effect at midnight on Tuesday. Throughout the Greater Manchester area 3,834 large handguns have been handed over,
Otley 19 Liverpool St Helens 13 ALTHOUGH scoring two tries to one, LSH threw this game away in the first 20 minutes which Otley dominated completely. The fact that LSH only conceded one try was due to heroic tackling at which full-back Jim Salisbury,
THE artistic talents of children from all over St Helens will be on show at a display in St Mary's Arcade to mark World Mental Health Day on Friday, October 10. Alongside the display will be stands staffed by the St Helens & Knowsley Community (NHS
FIVE furry cuties have been given a roof over their heads, thanks to a family of Blackburn animal lovers. The kittens have been taken in by Denise Parsonage, who already looks after five children, two dogs, five cats and an injured sparrow. Mrs Parsonage
A DISPLAY of old photographs and a silver trowel used a century ago to lay the foundation stone will be on display at Leigh Unitarian Church this week as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The Twist Lane church will also be holding a free traditional
Rainford Rhinos 32 St Helens Crusaders 26 A LAST-minute try gave Rhinos victory in this derby clash. It came after Crusaders had cruised into an early 12-nil lead. Rainford responded when good work by Bromilow and Glover produced a try for winger Banks
ONE hundred residents don't believe they've bitten off more than they can chew! And on Sunday they turned up to back the Xanadu protest at a site picnic. They pledged their support to the Green Party and local action group's bid to stop the multi-mullion
East Leeds 25 Blackbrook 22 BLACKBROOK crashed to their second narrow defeat within seven days in a tough National Conference League first division encounter. Eighteen points in the opening 20 minutes gave the Leeds outfit a strong platform, with stand-off
MERSEYTRAVEL is calling on community groups throughout Merseyside to have their say on local transport in a special debate. Voluntary and community groups are joining forces with Merseytravel to set up a Community Transport Forum. Merseytravel Community
Food News, with Christine Rutter PUPILS from an East Lancashire school have cast doubt on a survey that claims schoolchildren ignore healthy eating advice. The new national survey into kids' lunchbox secrets will concern parents anxious that their children
YOUNGSTERS in the Leigh area can put themselves into the history books if they come up with a suitable suggestion and name for a mascot, which could be an animal or an object, for Leigh Centurions RL Team. And to encourage those between five and 16 years
A WOMAN who has devoted her free time to raising money to fight breast cancer has received a bumper cheque for £300 to boost her cause. Jean Fields, who lives in Garswood, is the St Helens representative for the national Breakthrough charity, a post she
A PERMANENT tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, is to be constructed by the people of Lancashire. Special stained-glass panels commemorating Diana's life are to be included in the lantern tower at Blackburn Cathedral, which will be rebuilt next year
MORE than 200 small and medium-sized companies across St Helens could be set to benefit from lower fuel bills if a council bid for Objective 1 money is approved. Initial research shows that more than 200 local firms in St Helens could benefit, reducing
SOUTH Ribble Council is on the verge of announcing multi-million pound plans to renovate the run-down Southern Towngate area of Leyland, near Preston. Council chiefs confirmed there will be an announcement on the deal involving a developer and an investor
HOSPITAL bosses intending to close a day centre for the elderly face a mountain of grey power. More than 500 people signed protest letters in the first hour at the launch of a campaign to save the centre at Burnley General. Campaign co-ordinator David
ACCORDING to TV, sport fishing by rod for skate is best when the female skate are pregnant. I don't know what Nature has in store for the human race, but rest assured, she will in the end dole out exactly what we deserve. Nuclear, chemical, petro-chemical
GIRLS out shopping became girls on film when they took part in their own clothes show for Granada TV's Ready Made Weekend. Students Kerry Ogley, 17, and Jenny Miller 18, both from Lancaster were invited to try on some of the latest high street fashions
THE town hall nuisance men have moved, lock, stock and barrel into Padiham! Burnley council's environmental maintenance team, who monitor refuse and street cleaning, swapped their suits for jeans and old jumpers on Tuesday to pile their files and belongings
I AM an aged and worried lay person. I have just read a report about the conversion of Middleton Holiday Camp into a Grade C category prison. Maybe the learned QC will know all about such places but not all law abiding citizens know the difference. A
STAND up straight! Sit properly! If you don't, the agony of back pain awaits you. And lifting, if you do it wrongly, is bad for you too. Next week (October 6-10) is National Back Pain Week, and physiotherapists in Burnley and Pendle are running special
Woking 0 Morecambe 2 This match could have been shown on 'MotD' and viewers could easily have mistaken it for an FA Premier league game, as the standard of football was so high and fantastic in its entertainment for supporters from all sides. The first
A STRUGGLING village youth club wants new members and more adult helpers, or it will fold. After an extended summer break, Foulridge Youth Club is relaunching for a six-week trial period starting next Tuesday. The club was formed two years ago for youngsters
TEENAGE actress Stephanie Lincoln is one of only 35 young hopefuls in the country to win a place at a top drama school. Stephanie, 19, of Laneside Avenue, Higham, was offered a place at the prestigious Guildford School of Acting after passing four A-levels
PRESTON-based health groups will target the town's ethnic minorities in their next drugs awareness campaigns later this year. The Greater Manchester and Lancashire Council on Alcohol and the North West Lancashire Health Promotion Unit joined forces for
IT'S TAKEN nine years of determination and sheer hard work from hundreds of supporters to make today a day to go down in local history. This afternoon (Thursday) the Duchess of Norfolk will officially open the Burnley and Pendle hospice. The building
PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS 21 - BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL 7 HOPPERS produced their best performance of the season to defeat top-of-the-table Birmingham & Solihull. An early penalty from Martin Emmett set the scene but the fly half then had to leave the
THE contractors who built the Salt Ayre Swimming Pool have asked for £1.3 million above their original quote, the Citizen can exclusively reveal. Manchester-based Birse Construction want the extra cash to cover unexpected costs incurred while building
WORKERS at a Nelson firm are waiting with baited breath for Britain's Thrust SSC car to go supersonic. Production and Design Services (PDS) designed and made many of the hi-tech parts that have already helped Thrust set a new land speed record of 714
Accrington Stanley 1 Lancaster City 1 A LAST gasp goal deep into injury time from Alex Jones salvaged a point from a game where City were well below par. His goal has kept City's record of scoring in every game going on for this season. Lancaster started
BLACKPOOL North railwayman Dave Gunn has been given a big thank-you from two grateful passengers. Natalie Shard and Carol Holmes are both blind and felt all the help given to them by Dave needed to be rewarded, so they nominated him for a golden award
A BENTHAM antiques dealer has been found guilty of handling £42,500 worth of stolen antiques netted during a series of raids in Lancaster. John Forsyth, 49, who has a shop in the city, was found in possession of a lorry load of stolen antiques, Preston
BIN it for Blackpool - that was the theme of a school competition that launched the resort's Environment Week. More than 550 entries were received from pupils at ten schools all over the town, who designed posters reminding people to keep Blackpool tidy
Protesters call for boycott of survey MOVES to get a £90 million Lancaster bypass into the fast lane were forced onto the hard shoulder this week by environment protesters. Transport 2000 and Friends of the Earth have called for a boycott of Lancashire
