Lancashire | Archive | 2004 | December

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Stories for 7 December 2004

Accrington News

Quick-thinking children save dad from diabetic coma

TWO quick-thinking children today told of how they saved their father's life when he slipped into a diabetic coma while making their tea.   more...

Brother denies moving dismembered body

THE brother of a man accused of murdering his mother-in-law told a court he did not help to dispose of her body.   more...

Town centre revamp

PLANS for a quarter-of-a-million-pound overhaul of Accrington's main shopping street look set to get the official green light tomorrow.   more...

Cabbies could be learners

PLANS for taxi drivers to take a college course in reading, writing and people skills will move one step closer to reality this week.   more...

Blackburn News

Fight to control deadly MRSA

A CARTOON character is leading the fight against the deadly superbug MRSA in East Lancashire.   more...

Thousands of fake DVDs sold by computer expert

A 23-YEAR-OL1D computer expert operating under the name "Slip Disc" sold thousands of pounds worth of counterfeit DVDs and CDs via the internet.   more...

Kidnap trial hears of £10,000 handover

A FRIEND of a businessman allegedly snatched from his home as part of a 10-hour kidnap ordeal told a court he handed over £10,000 cash to two strangers in a car.   more...

'Millionaire' move to have your say on law and order

PIONEERING 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' style technology is being used to allow people to have their say at a Lancashire Police community meeting.   more...

The smart route to leisure and travel

THREE thousand volunteers are being sought to trial new smart cards which could revolutionise the way people access public services.   more...

Christmas fireworks spectacle

A GROUND-BREAKING display of fireworks set to music will light up the skies of Blackburn as part of a £7,500 display.   more...

Blunkett apologises to Straw over comments

UNDER-FIRE David Blunkett has apologised to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw over comments that the Blackburn MP left the Home Office in a "giant mess."   more...

'Safer road' promise for crash site

ACCIDENT investigators are to look at possible safety measures on a road where three Blackburn men died in a car crash.   more...

Police to protect shoppers with extra patrols

POLICE across the county will be stepping up patrols this month as the busy Christmas period gets into full swing.   more...

Regiments shake-up set for MPs' approval

A RADICAL shake-up of the Army, which will include the creation of a new North West regiment, will be put to ministers for approval.   more...

Cash prizes for green schemes

SCHOOLS and community groups in East Lancashire can win a cash prize in a competition to recognise projects that have made neighbourhoods cleaner, greener or safer.   more...

The art of being paint partners

AN art gallery which opened earlier in the year is doing so well the owner has employed his partner to run the business.   more...

Banned driver tried to flee

A BANNED driver and a police officer ended up grappling in the road after the motorist tried to flee on foot, a court was told.   more...

Shopping manager 'better'

THE manager of Blackburn Shopping Centre is recovering after a successful heart by-pass operation.   more...

Bolton Business

Christmas Top Ten

BUSINESS owners and managers are being urged to think about what they want for Christmas.   more...

Bolton Education

Special measures bring new success

STILL celebrating the schoolís improvement in this yearís Key Stage 2 league tables, staff at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary are now enjoying further success following their latest inspection.   more...

School band in full swing

MUSICIANS from a Farnworth school will performing a number of concerts in the run-up to Christmas.   more...

Shares in success

FOLLOWING last year's success, Rivington and Blackrod School has re-entered a national competition to invest real cash in the stock market.   more...

Leaders of people

STAFF at Cleveland's Preparatory School are celebrating after being awarded with an Investors In People award for Leadership and Management.   more...

Spindle's point to prove

SPINDLE Point School won the annual Harper Green primary school quiz - by one point.   more...

Science lecture

BUDDING scientists from two Bolton secondary schools are set to attend a lecture by TV Professor Hienz Wolff.   more...

Bolton Leisure

Young, gifted - and back!

A COLLECTIVE choir of thousands of adoring fans joined Will Young in singing his debut hit Evergreen at the MEN Arena on Sunday night.   more...

DJ Peter is a wedding wrecker

PETER Kay will continue his series of hilarious TV commercials for John Smith's bitter when he appears in the firm's latest advert - as a bumbling DJ.   more...

Bolton News

BBC shake-up as 1,800 jobs move to Manchester

The BBC is to move 1,800 jobs from London to Manchester as the broadcaster moves production north.   more...

Protest over Islamic college plan

A WAVE of protest has greeted plans for an Islamic college on Green Belt land in Westhoughton.   more...

End to flooding misery near

A SEWER network in Lostock is set for a major overhaul to help tackle the problem of flooding.   more...

Dog owner in slurry pit escape

A FORMER police officer sank up to her waist in a slurry lagoon while trying to rescue her dog.   more...

Marjorie's 80-year grave vigil comes to an end

A KIND-HEARTED woman who placed a bunch of flowers on the grave of a teenage Bolton soldier every week for more than 80 years has died.   more...

Crowds flock to trace family trees

PEOPLE queued up to learn how to trace their family history when the BBC GMR community bus visited Bolton over the weekend.   more...

Road accident witness plea

A MAN seriously injured in a road accident just yards from his home is improving in hospital.   more...

Man charged with woman's murder

A 52-year-old man has been charged with murdering a Lancashire woman in a stabbing at the weekend.   more...

Fire chiefs in bid to prevent fire tragedies

FIRE chiefs in Greater Manchester are to launch two hard-hitting advertising campaigns in a bid to avert fire deaths and injuries over the festive season.   more...

Tragedy of boy who loved life

A LITTLE boy who loved life has died from a rare strain of meningitis.   more...

Slurry attack could have been worse

FRIDAY Night was an interesting saga of laughter and intrigue.   more...

More tests after baby girl's death

FURTHER tests are to be carried out to discover the cause of death of an eight-week-old baby girl.   more...

Youths in court on gun charges

TWO youths have appeared in court charged with robbery and gun offences.   more...

Church hand-outs

A CHURCH has handed out cheques to various charities.   more...

Hunt for arsonist who torched house

POLICE are hunting for an arsonist who set fire to a house on Monday night.   more...

Road works disruption

MOTORISTS in Tonge and The Haulgh will face disruptions in early January as work is carried out to reconstruct pedestrian refuges and footways.   more...

Hospital sickness falls

THE rate of sickness absence at the Royal Bolton Hospital stood at 5.3 per cent for September.   more...

Crushed to death in work horror

A YOUNG father-to-be was crushed to death in a workshop when he and two colleagues tried to support wooden boards weighing one-and-a-half tons.   more...

Man in court on child porn photo charges

A 22-YEAR-OLD man appeared in court accused of making indecent photographs of children.   more...

Med Equip thanks to one and all

I WOULD like to thank the Bolton Evening News, for the articles they have published about my sponsored treks over the past two years for Med Equip4Kids (formerly known as The Children's Hospitals Appeal).   more...

Get on track over line closure

I WOULD like to comment on your recent article about the Bolton - Blackburn rail line, which was described as "under-threat following its inclusion in a review of rural rail services" ('Spare our trains: Passengers in appeal to rail bosses', Bolton Evening News, November 25, 2004).   more...

Tories committed to more police

AS violent crime continues to rise with more gun crimes, local bank robberies and murder, it might be assumed that the government would be putting more resources into front end policing.   more...

The South will also miss Fred

A BOLTON friend has sent me the pictures and souvenir story of Fred Dibnah who sadly passed away.   more...

Stop spitting in the streets

THERE are now fines for littering the streets which I am all in favour of but what about spitting in the streets.   more...

Bolton Sport

Positive Barrow aims to cure cup hangover

BURY boss Graham Barrow is determined there will be no FA Cup hangover when the Shakers take on Wycombe Wanderers at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night (7.45pm).   more...

RMI crash to another late strike

Brave Leigh gave runaway leaders Barnet the fright of their lives, only to be left broken-hearted by another last-minute defeat.   more...

Dream goals lift Boro

RADCLIFFE BORO 3, Gateshead: THREE superb goals gave Radcliffe their first victory in five matches.   more...

Unlucky Colls hit by late blow

INJURY-HIT Atherton Collieries were unlucky to lose to a deflected goal at Colne.   more...

Town's superstars scoop big awards

BOLTON'S superstars are on Tuesday the toast of the North-west.   more...

Power to Dawn's elbow

TEENAGE powerhouse Dawn Higson is celebrating after becoming the UKís first ever junior arm-wrestling world champion.   more...

Bolton Wanderers

Sam hits out at boo boys

SAM Allardyce has taken a swipe at the Bolton boo-boys who have been too quick to criticise his Premiership shock troops.   more...

Barry Knight in the middle at Carrow Road

CONTROVERSIAL referee Barry Knight will take charge of Wanderers' Premiership game at Norwich on Saturday - a month after being pulled out of a fixture at the Reebok.   more...

Testing times ahead for Norwich

NIGEL Worthington is still optimistic about Norwich hitting his target of 19 points by the end of the festive period, despite being dealt a double blow.   more...

The Big Match Verdict by Gordon Sharrock

EVERTON 3, WANDERERS 2: Kevin Davies is owed a king-sized apology from his team-mates after seeing some of the best work of his roller-coaster career count for nothing.   more...

Angry Sam blasts ref again

SAM Allardyce could find himself in trouble with the authorities again after accusing rookie ref Howard Webb of lacking the experience to handle top flight football.   more...

Wanderers not ready to give up on Fadiga

WANDERERS are refusing to write off Khallilou Fadiga's career, despite a warning from one of the player's former doctors that he could be dicing with death.   more...

Burnley News

Battle over sacked 250

WORKERS sacked from one of Burnley's biggest employers are set for a showdown with the company because they were not consulted before being made redundant, union bosses claimed today.   more...

Tis the season to be jolly careful

POLICE are stepping up patrols in Burnley town centre to crackdown on thieves in the run-up to Christmas.   more...

'Tsar' tells minister of centre success

THE Government's Children's Minister Margaret Hodge has been told about the "stunning success" of Burnley's new Healthy Living Chai Centre in Daneshouse and Stoneyholme.   more...

45 kids caught skipping school

FORTY-five youngsters were caught skipping school in Burnley on Friday by police, officers revealed today.   more...

Bury News

Roof fall worker: Firm fined

RETAIL giant Argos has been fined £16,000 after a worker from its Bury store fell through the roof of the staff toilets.   more...

1m fake cigs seized by police

COUNTERFEIT cigarettes worth an estimated £250,000 have been seized in Prestwich by Trading Standards officers.   more...

Bury Sport

Dream goals lift Boro

RADCLIFFE BORO 3, Gateshead: THREE superb goals gave Radcliffe their first victory in five matches.   more...

Cup hodoo strikes again for Shakers

NORTHAMPTON 1, SHAKERS 0: ONCE again the Shakers' FA Cup bogey reared its ugly head as they crashed out to Football League opposition and scuppered their chances of a lucrative run in the competition.   more...

Second showing open to all fans

THERE will be a repeat showing of Forever Bury's acclaimed AGM presentation for all fans of Bury Football Club, whether members of the supportersí trust or not.   more...

Positive Barrow aims to cure cup hangover

BURY boss Graham Barrow is determined there will be no FA Cup hangover when the Shakers take on Wycombe Wanderers at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night (7.45pm).   more...

Clarets Sport

Beastly luck for a great Dane

HE just didn't deserve it.   more...

Let's make it a day to remember

THE wheels are in motion for a day to remember when Burnley entertain Liverpool in the FA Cup third round.   more...

A dream date for Graham

GRAHAM Branch is still pinching himself after Burnley were handed a dream FA Cup clash with boyhood heroes Liverpool.   more...

Cotterill has no complaints about defeat

BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill admitted he could have no complaints about the 1-0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle.   more...

Cotterill expecting a sell-out

STEVE Cotterill wants to see a sell-out crowd flock to Turf Moor to see Burnley take on mighty Liverpool in the FA Cup.   more...

Ternent has the right credentials for Gills

SATURDAY, April 9, 2005; The day Stan Ternent will hope that revenge is a dish best served cold.   more...

Clarets are still leading the way

A TOM Ince free kick clinched a slender win for Burnley's youth team against Blackpool at the weekend.   more...

Least we deserved - Williamson

PLYMOUTH manager Bobby Williamson felt a penalty was the least his side deserved after dominating at Home Park.   more...

Ternent joins the Gills

FORMER Burnley manager Stan Ternent was this morning named as the new Gillingham boss.   more...

No laughing matter when Wigan splash the cash

SO, is he staying or is he going?   more...

Clitheroe News

Conservatory giant's huge profit plunge

STRUGGLING conservatory giant Ultraframe's profits have fallen by over 60 per cent and it is involved in a "bare knuckle" fight to turn around its fortunes.   more...

MP rapped in letter to Tory leader

MUSLIM leaders hoping to build a mosque in Clitheroe have written to Tory party leader Michael Howard criticising Nigel Evans MP for his lack of support.   more...

Colne News

Villagers' battle plans for housing

RESIDENTS in Trawden are fighting controversial plans to transform a former textile mill into a housing complex.   more...

£70,000 for roads in borough

PENDLE Borough Council chiefs are planning to make almost £70,000 of improvements to the area's roads.   more...

Darwen News

I want £5.6 million: Man sues council

A £5.6 MILLION writ for damages has been filed against Blackburn with Darwen Council by a resident who claims his housing benefit was withheld.   more...

Baby, that's a caring thought

PEOPLE in Darwen are being encouraged to kick-start 2005 by helping struggling new parents cope with the cost of a new baby.   more...

Song and dance special

PEOPLE wanting to attend this year's Mayor's Command Performance in Darwen are urged to book early.   more...

Lancashire Business

Go Fort and multiply: World leader to open fifth overseas base

FORT Vale Engineering is the undisputed world leader in safety systems for the road tankers and containers that transport everything from hazardous liquids to foodstuffs.   more...

Dish of the day! Satellite equipment firm in US double

ONE of the UK's leading satellite dish manufacturers is set to take on new staff after winning multi-million pound orders.   more...

Threat of strike remains despite new pay offer

WORKERS at a Clitheroe firm are expected to agree to a new pay package - but the threat of industrial action remains.   more...

Mexican wave! First fleet of buses from firm signals country's transport revolution

EAST Lancashire Coachbuilders has won a £1.7 million pound contract to help modernise transport services in one of the most densely populated cities on Earth.   more...

Size matters for Millbrook

AN award-winning Blackburn firm is aiming to go big - by focusing on substances so small they cannot be seen by the human eye.   more...

Top hotel's £4.5m works near end

EAST Lancashire's only four-star hotel is close to completing a £4.5 million expansion and refurbishment which is set to create up to 30 jobs.   more...

Historic hall is high-tech hive

HISTORIC Browsholme Hall in the heart of the Ribble Valley is the unlikely setting for a new high-tech business that provides homes with domestic entertainment, security and business systems.   more...

Firms urged to fill out IT survey

MORE than 300 businesses across the borough are being asked to take part in an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Survey from Pendle Council.   more...

Maria sets up groom service

SUITS you sir - that was just Maria Bradshaw's idea when she set up her first business in Burnley at the age of just 22.   more...

Lancashire Leisure

Brewery 'roof off' project praised

WORKERS at a Lancashire brewery can breathe more easily after a multi-million pound project to remove an asbestos roof from their plant was commended by a top European safety body.   more...

Magic of the festive stage

A WEEK of Christmas drama gets under way at Longshaw Community Centre, Blackburn.   more...

Lancashire News

Battle over sacked 250

WORKERS sacked from one of Burnley's biggest employers are set for a showdown with the company because they were not consulted before being made redundant, union bosses claimed today.   more...

Quick-thinking children save dad from diabetic coma

TWO quick-thinking children today told of how they saved their father's life when he slipped into a diabetic coma while making their tea.   more...

Exhibition on waste was a waste of time

AS a resident of Huncoat I feel very strongly that your article and comment (LET, December 2) on the waste facility proposed here was somewhat unfair and did not address the issue fully.   more...

Letter's tone threatening

I HAVE just received a letter warning me that terrible things would happen to myself, my family and the community if I didn't do as it said.   more...

Markets are full of festive cheer

I MUST protest in the strongest terms to your front page headlines on December 4 claiming the "scrooge" council has banned Christmas music in the markets. This is far from the truth as my comment tagged on to the end of the story illustrated.   more...

Fighting the crime that really matters

IT'S important for the police to know what people are thinking if they are to meet their needs.   more...

Lancashire Sport

Board to back Hughes

BLACKBURN Rovers chief executive John Williams today said the board will do everything in their power to provide Mark Hughes with money to spend in the transfer window.   more...

A dream date for Graham

GRAHAM Branch is still pinching himself after Burnley were handed a dream FA Cup clash with boyhood heroes Liverpool.   more...

Boss Egan urges a sharp eye for goal

RAMSBOTTOM United boss Derek Egan is urging his side to take their chances at home to Abbey Hey tonight.   more...

Decision time for Robinson

CLITHEROE are close to unveiling the successor to Lee Sculpher.   more...

Lancaster News

Traffic problems need answers not politics

CHRIS Coates of the Green Party in a letter last week headed `Blame the Labour renegades' suggests that I and others are out of step with the sensible transport policies of `our own party locally and nationally.' We are not.   more...

City needs more play space

THE letter about playgrounds from R Benson (Citizen, last week) highlights exactly the problem we are attempting to tackle because many houses do not have space outside other than a back yard.   more...

Time to take a stand

HAVING admitted that the actions of local vandals and other undesirables were a determining factor in its plans to close down public conveniences, Lancaster City Council now proposes to save a paltry £5,000 a year by dismantling allegedly unsafe play equipment - and even to close play-grounds (Citizen, November 18).   more...

Accuracy is what counts

CLLR Ian Barker tells us he believes in accountability (Citizen Letters, last week). But I wonder does he believe in accuracy?   more...

Bike action needed

ONCE again we read a letter about cyclists on the promenade - but what about the large number who use the pavement, often as a racetrack.   more...

Make smoke ban work

AS A smoker for 24 years and a non-smoker for just 14 months, I now hate the smell of it.   more...

Who is right?

TWO stories hit the headlines on the same day a couple of weeks ago.   more...

Leigh Leisure

Panto tickets on sale

TICKETS are now on sale for Tyldesley Little Theatre's 17th consecutive panto "Sinbad the Sailor."   more...

Santa float itinerary

LEIGH Rotary Club's Christmas float will be out and about from December 3 to 21.   more...

Leigh News

Dog owner in slurry pit escape

A FORMER police officer sank up to her waist in a slurry lagoon while trying to rescue her dog.   more...

Police hunt for sex attacker

A SEX attacker is being hunted by detectives after a 29-year-woman was assaulted in Leigh.   more...

Leigh Sport

RMI crash to another late strike

Brave Leigh gave runaway leaders Barnet the fright of their lives, only to be left broken-hearted by another last-minute defeat.   more...

Nelson News

Fire warning for the festive period

A NELSON fire chief is warning people to take extra care over the festive period to make sure Christmas celebrations do not turn into tragedy.   more...

Yobs take the sparkle out of Santa's voyage to kids

CHILDREN looking forward to receiving gifts from Santa Claus yesterday were disappointed after the narrowboat he was due to arrive on was vandalised.   more...

Prestwich Education

Whitefield Primary is top improver

WHITEFIELD Primary School is officially the best improver in the borough as Bury impressed in the national league tables published on Thursaday.   more...

Rawtenstall News

Council leader's 'I quit' riddle

CONFUSION today surrounded the position of Rossendale Council leader Peter Steen after he announced he was stepping down from his post -- but then appeared to have a last-minute change of heart.   more...

'Give us back our mini roundabout'

MOTORISTS in Rossendale are calling for a temporary roundabout to be brought back to a busy main road to get rid of their traffic headache.   more...

Photofit in hunt for girl's sex attacker

POLICE patrols have been stepped up in Waterfoot as part of the hunt for a sex attacker who preyed on a teenager.   more...

Girls get active to prove they're Well Fit!

A TEAM of Rossendale Guides have joined the fight against childhood obesity by taking part in a healthy eating and fitness campaign.   more...

Rovers Sport

Spurs had the X factor and called the tune

Well I suppose the bubble had to burst sooner or later didn't it?   more...

Fortress falls to hot Spurs

SO much for transforming Ewood Park into a fortress.   more...

Board to back Hughes

BLACKBURN Rovers chief executive John Williams today said the board will do everything in their power to provide Mark Hughes with money to spend in the transfer window.   more...

Hughes disappointed as Rovers fail to get out of the blocks

A DISAPPOINTED Mark Hughes admitted Blackburn Rovers simply never got going as their five-game unbeaten run came grinding to a halt at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.   more...

Loss was a one-off

BLACKBURN Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel today insisted Saturday's home reverse against Tottenham Hotspur was strictly a 'one-off'.   more...

Cardiff assistant fires warning to Rovers

CARDIFF City assistant manager Terry Burton believes Blackburn Rovers could be the victims of an FA Cup upset when the two sides meet at Ninian Park next month.   more...

Jones is Rovers goal hero

LUKE Jones was the hero for Blackburn Rovers' Under 18s after his last-gasp winner sunk Manchester United at the weekend.   more...

Specials Insideout

EVENTS in East Lancashire on Wednesday, December 8

BURNLEY   more...

Stanley Sport

Boss Coleman urges goal-shy Stanley to sharpen up

ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman claimed his side's profligacy almost reduced him to tears.   more...

'We've got to be wary of Reds' 'Evil' streak

"KEEP your eye on Evil." That's the message Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson will pass on to his troops ahead of tonight's trip to Accrington Stanley.   more...

  
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