Archive

  • What's on

    What's on for Friday, October 28. BLACKBURN Mall Hallowe'en Monster Trail with clues in floor graphics around the mall. Free entry forms from the Ask Me point, Victoria Court. Until Sat. Action Factory Community Arts free half term workshops, Museum &

  • Alert on killer 'holy water'

    FAKE religious water laced with arsenic has been found on sale in Blackburn. Trading Standards bosses discovered fraudulent Zamzam water had been on sale at one un-named shop in the borough following a nationwide alert. The Well of Zamzam is a well located

  • 'The price is right' say £150,000 MPs

    FORMER Burnley MP Peter Pike claimed the most in expenses and allowances among East Lancashire Commons representatives last year. Mr Pike's claims for 2004/2005 amounted to £152,162 on top of his £57,485 salary - slightly down on £153,989 last year -

  • Cemetery would pollute stream

    REGARDING the planned burial ground at Old Langho. When we applied to build a bungalow on our land in Northcote Road we were turned down several times. The reason Ribble Valley planners gave was we would create excessive traffic. Northcote Road is very

  • Andy Lochhead column: Other managers defend as well

    IF the moans from rival managers are anything to go by, it surely won't be long before Burnley players run out clutching planks of wood to board up the goal! Aston Villa's assistant manager, Roy Aitken, was the latest to question the Clarets 'tactic'

  • Terry: We won't be bullied

    Chelsea skipper John Terry has issued a warning on the eve of his side's clash with Blackburn that bullying tactics will not stop them. Terry hit back at claims by Everton's James Beattie that Chelsea could be muscled out of their stride following their

  • Hughes praise for Zurab

    MARK Hughes admits he's surprised with how quickly Zurab Khizanishvili has adapted to Premiership football. The Georgian international arrived at Rovers woefully short of match sharpness having been frozen out of the first team picture at Glasgow Rangers

  • I hate this evil man

    THE mother of a murdered Burnley barman has spoken of her hate for his killer after he was jailed for life. Savage Derek Lomas kicked and jumped on 30-year-old Damian Smyth's head in a vicious, unprovoked assault. Mr Smyth, of Sandhurst Street, suffered

  • The Laughing Prince

    HUNDREDS of people turned out to greet a laughing Prince Charles as he spent a day in East Lancashire. The heir to the throne travelled to Burnley and Nelson where he witnessed a range of projects from football in the community to regeneration. And he

  • Families in fight to keep college open

    TWO Pendle families are fighting the closure of a special needs college which they claim has changed their children's lives. Carole and Ray Anderson, of Whitworth Way, Barnoldswick, and Christine and Marvin Edwards, of Russell Avenue, Colne, are furious

  • Record score for Hoppers

    A sparkling team performance saw Hoppers clock up their biggest ever away league points total. The home side were outplayed up front and Hoppers' backs took full advantage, running in seven tries while skipper Rich Morton grabbed two from pushover scrums

  • Gig review: The Ordinary Boys @ The Sugar House, Lancaster

    Tuesday night at the Sugar House saw more Fred Perry t-shirts and Reebok Classics than you'd expect on the terraces of a north London Premiership clash. And just like the beautiful game, The Ordinary Boys' performance was a gig of two halves. Playing

  • Garden acclaim for Valerie, 66

    A Lostock Hall pensioner has been highly recommended in the first national Blind Gardener of the Year competition. Valerie Parkinson, 66, of Todd Lane North, Lostock Hall, won the acclaim for her colourful and diverse garden which she has spent the last

  • DJ, 27, killed in road crash

    A 27-year-old DJ who was killed in a road accident was decribed by his family as "big hearted" with "a love for life". Nick Gaysford, of Dale Avenue, Longton, died in the early hours of Sunday at the wheel of his car after crashing into a tree. Police

  • You can now donate in-store

    The Citizen has teamed up with Asda supermarket in Fulwood to make it even easier to donate to our Christmas Tins and Toys Appeal. The Tins and Toys Appeal, now in its fourth year, provides food and toys for the women's refuges in Preston and South Ribble

  • Action-packed set by Starsailor

    Music fans spilled out onto the street when hit band Starsailor performed an intimate acoustic set at the tiny Action Records shop in Church Street, Preston. The band's frontman, James Walsh, from Chorley, joined band mates Stel, Barry and Ben to wow

  • Raise a glass for schools

    Glasses will be clinking at Ashton Institute and Social Club at its tenth annual beer festival to raise money for two local schools. The Ashton Institute Beer Festival kicked off today and runs until Sunday with a choice of more than 30 ales from across

  • Making plans for green graveyard

    A gardening student from Penwortham is drawing up plans for the area's new green graveyard. Green-fingered, Tracey McClelland, 39, of Leyland Road, Middleforth, will spend the next two months draughting proposals for the site at Penwortham Cemetery, in

  • 'Greasy' teen snatched bag

    A WOMAN had her handbag snatched while shopping in Accrington town centre. The 33-year-old was on Bank Street, on Tuesday, when she was approached from behind by the thief, who grabbed her bag off her shoulder. She tried to wrestle it back from him, but

  • Weekend warning over sex attacker

    WOMEN have been urged not to walk home alone in Accrington this weekend after a teenager was sexually assaulted on her way home from a pub. The 18-year-old had been in the Bridge pub in Church Street and was walking on her own on along Union Street when

  • Team news: Burnley V Hull

    Burnley have Micah Hyde back from suspension while John McGreal, who missed the midweek trip to Aston Villa, is again a doubt along with Graham Branch. Nathan Dyer, on loan from Southampton, could get his first taste of action. Hull left back Roland Edge

  • Hull boss loves to see Ade flying

    PETER Taylor is delighted to see Ade Akinbiyi back in favour after seeing the Burnley striker suffer the Peter Crouch treatment at Leicester. It was Hull City boss Taylor who splashed out £5million on Akinbiyi five years ago while in charge of Leicester

  • Chris joins culture club

    THERE are few better stadiums than Villa Park to prove the adage that if you are good enough, you are old enough. And when 18-year-old rookie midfielder Chris McCann set foot on Premiership soil earlier this week, he came up with a mature performance

  • Teale damands more from players

    Chorley player-manager Shaun Teale has demanded more commitment from his players as his side seek their first home league win on Saturday when Shepshed Dynamo come to Victory Park. Teale, who last weekend took the opportunity of his own absence from the

  • Album review: Gemma Hayes - The Roads Don't Love You (Virgin)

    A CROSS between Suzanne Vega and Tori Amos this is a real grower of an album. The almost whispered vocals build into catchy choruses where a first rate band clearly shows its talent. If you like your female singer-songwriters then this is an album for

  • Album review: Michael Bolton - Very Best Of (BMG)

    MICHAEL Bolton is one of those artists capable of dividing households. You either love him or loathe his white soul and there is no middle ground. I'm afraid I fall into the latter category but trying to be objective, this double CD is a timely pre-Christmas

  • Beatles in Preston

    John Lennon would have been 65 on October 9 while December 8 marks the 25th anniversary of his death. In between those two anniversaries, tribute band The Bootleg Beatles are setting out on a tour which comes to Preston on November 25. The Bootleg Beatles

  • Album review: Robbie Williams - Intensive Care (Chrysalis)

    Managing a good balance between balladry and rock with a good tongue in cheek charisma there's nothing unduly challenging about Robbie's latest offering, but that would be the wrong way to look at it. Robbie and co-producer Stephen Duffy wrote every song

  • Bentley: We're ready for champs

    DAVID Bentley reckons Blackburn Rovers couldn't be in better shape to spring a surprise on champions Chelsea. The midfielder says the squad now has the mental and physical attributes to inflict a first defeat of the Premiership season on Jose Mourinho's

  • Illegal treat for Eagles fans

    If you are a fan of The Eagles, then head to Preston's Guild Hall on November 3 as a top tribute to one of American's favourite exports rolls into town. The Illegal Eagles, who have played venues as large as the Royal Albert Hall in London, will play

  • Bands battle

    UPCOMING Lancashire bands are competing for two days recording time in a top studio and a contract with a music PR company in a battle-of-the-bands competition. The next heat is in Fleetwood on November 2. The Strummer Live Music Series takes place every

  • Nils Lofgren heading to Colne

    HE'S toured with the Boss for 20 years, played with Neil Young and worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry. And on November 4, Nils Lofgren is coming to Colne. The Municipal Hall date is the final one in his latest UK tour but the

  • Hands up if you want a song

    AWARD-winning acoustic roots band Show of Hands make their debut at Burnley Mechanics on November 4 and they will be unveiling new material among a set list shaped by their fans. Singer songwriter Steve Knightley and multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer threw

  • School 'failure' turns on media magic

    A TEENAGER described as a "non-achiever" at school has finished in the top ten of UK students on his course. Steven Green, 18, of Sandringham Road, Darwen, admitted he was not interested in school and was often in trouble with his teachers. But two years

  • Town's £40million blueprint unveiled

    A MAJOR Rossendale development company has re-submitted £40million plans to regenerate Rawtenstall town centre. But this time the Hurstwood Group has reluctantly reduced the amount of retail space by more than a third. The original plan was submitted

  • Wear your poppy with pride

    As Mayor of South Ribble, I urge everyone to give generously to this year's Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Not only do they continue to help those affected by world wars but those injured or traumatised in more recent operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia

  • Spray can vandalism

    Last year, as a director of Accent Group, formally B&N Housing, I visited a housing estate in Moss Side, Leyland, we were shown a block of shops where there were youth problems. I was then informed that the local council had sanctioned an area where

  • MEP calls for transparency

    Laws should not be made behind close doors but that is what our ministers do when they get together in Brussels. Draft EU legislation has to be approved or amended both by the European Parliament and by the Council of Ministers. While MEPs meet in the

  • Blame game

    Kevin Hawkins, director general of the British Retail Consortium, is to appear before the All-Party Small Shops Group enquiry into whether the growth of supermarket chains is bad news for consumers. He is expected to say that big retailers are not responsible

  • Wardens like Gestapo

    Regarding the letter in the Citizen, October 19, Wardens in Hiding. I live next to the bus stop where Nigel Warburton received his parking ticket on Harpers Lane. I have seen a female Parkwise warden in a car taking up the only available parking space

  • Lights, action: It's Christmas!

    CHRISTMAS has begun early for Veronica Archer's family -- eight weeks early! And the Blackburn mother is staking a claim to be the first in East Lancashire to put up her festive lights. Veronica, 37, of Brecon Road, Whitebirk, is not content with a small

  • Don't save my life

    A PATIENT who has "had enough of being ill" has ordered doctors not to revive him when his poor health leaves him fighting for life. And 49-year-old David Jackson said he would have "do not resuscitate" tattooed on his chest if health chiefs refuse him

  • Davies: Nugent is the key

    Manager Billy Davies is banking on a return to action from David Nugent to restore North End's killer edge up front. The young striker was all set to start against Wolves - his first start since the skin infection which ruled him out for a month - but

  • Talking it out with texts

    Ten years ago hardly anyone had access to emails and mobile phones were playthings of the very rich - and the size of housebricks. And the verb 'to text' simply did not exist in English or any other language. Today there cannot be anything but a tiny

  • Can u hlp me wiv my spotz?

    PUPILS are being urged to get one-to-one health advice by text messaging school nurses. Health chiefs hope the service will let worried youngsters ask questions they would otherwise be too frightened or embarrassed to raise. They can send a text message

  • 'New' pub is a Turkish delight

    A POPULAR Ribble Valley pub and restaurant has re-opened its doors following a £200,000 refurbishment. The Feilden's Arms, Mellor Brook, had been closed since July, but new licensee Colin Gibson has vowed to breathe new life into the establishment, with

  • Criminals will be first in line for flu jabs

    ARE the general public aware that the Home Office -- via its prison security group -- has drawn up contingency plans to ensure that if and when this flu pandemic hits the UK, prisoners will be given priority for vaccine over the general public? Why? Because

  • Terror suspects deserve early trial

    THE Government has unveiled its plans in the fight against terrorism to detain terrorist suspects without charge for up to 90 days. Several judges have already said this would contravene the Human Rights Act, which incorporates the European Convention

  • Swan song of Gleeman

    It will be the end of an era this weekend when a Chorley singing group take to the stage for the last time. After more than 30 years together The Gleemen are hanging up their tuxedos after a farewell concert at Hollinshead Street United Reformed Church

  • Hamster tickled by chimney rescue

    A chimney breast had to be dismantled to rescue a pet hamster which had been trapped for three days. Sandra Tickle, 55, was distraught when her pet, Billy, disappeared into a small gap beside the bath of her council house. The inquisitive rodent then

  • Killer driver 'deserves every day of jail term'

    A MOTORIST whose drunken driving cost the life of a motorcyclist deserved every day of his seven-year jail term, the Appeal Court ruled. Shaun Unsworth, 21, who had shown no remorse for his crime, was jailed after pleading guilty to causing 38-year-old

  • Flu plans in place

    Health bosses are working on the premise of 'when' rather than 'if' an avian flu pandemic hits Chorley. But a public health consultant has spoken out to reassure people that plans are being made locally to counteract any potential outbreak of pandemic

  • East Lancs in decline, says survey

    MORE than 40 per cent of people in East Lancashire feel the local economy is in decline, according to a survey by business leaders. The finding comes despite Blackburn with Darwen being voted North West Capital of Enterprise, hundreds of millions of pounds

  • I hate this evil man

    THE mother of a murdered Burnley barman has spoken of her hate for his killer after he was jailed for life. Savage Derek Lomas kicked and jumped on 30-year-old Damian Smyth's head in a vicious, unprovoked assault. Mr Smyth, of Sandhurst Street, suffered

  • Brett wants repeat

    BRETT Emerton has warned Chelsea that Blackburn Rovers are ready to dish out the Old Trafford treatment, Rovers' 2-1 victory at Manchester United last month proves that they can rock the big clubs on their own patch. And the fact that Chelsea, who only

  • Bentley: We're ready for champs

    DAVID Bentley reckons Blackburn Rovers couldn't be in better shape to spring a surprise on champions Chelsea. The midfielder says the squad now has the mental and physical attributes to inflict a first defeat of the Premiership season on Jose Mourinho's

  • Hughes fired up for Jose

    RESULTS are good, goals are flying in and confidence is high. The question is - can anyone stop them? No, not Chelsea. Blackburn Rovers. Okay, so Mark Hughes isn't sitting on a six-point lead at the top of the Premiership. And he isn't going into tomorrow's

  • Simon Garner column: Rovers need to take risks

    I'M certainly looking forward to going to Stamford Bridge - and I think Blackburn Rovers should be too. That might sound strange given that Chelsea have won nine out of 10 so far, are unbeaten, and in their last home game beat Bolton 5-1 - even though

  • Youngsters flock to ring in boxing boom

    Boxing is booming in Preston and it's set to get a further boost as the city welcomes an Olympic hero next week. The city's Guild Hall will host the ABA Senior Divisional Boxing Finals at a gala night on Monday. Junior boxers, including Preston's own

  • USA to learn from Callon project

    Cities in America are set to learn from Preston police and council staff about how to sort out unruly neighbourhoods following an award-winning project on the crime-hit Callon estate. The Return of the Happy Shopper project was runner-up in the Government's

  • Flu plans in place

    Health bosses are working on the premise of 'when' rather than 'if' an avian flu pandemic hits Preston and South Ribble. But public health consultants from two primary care trusts have reassured people that plans are being made locally to counteract any

  • Award tribute to Joe

    The spirit of a 'wonderful young man' who died tragically in summer, will live on thanks to an award in his memory. The Joe Medforth Challenge Award will be given to a student or group of students who help change the culture in communities where violence

  • Escape as mill is hit by arsonists

    FIREFIGHTERS had to evacuate a burning factory unit after the roof began to collapse. Flames then rose out of the top of the empty unit, at the Imperial Mill Industrial Estate in Liverpool Road, Burnley, last night. Fire crews used an aerial ladder to

  • The Laughing Prince

    HUNDREDS of people turned out to greet a laughing Prince Charles as he spent a day in East Lancashire. The heir to the throne travelled to Burnley and Nelson where he witnessed a range of projects from football in the community to regeneration. And he

  • Ex-lorry driver's prison warning

    A FORMER lorry driver left his then partner with five facial injuries, including a deep gouge, after attacking her in the middle of Colne. Samuel Craig, 44, had punched Michelle Gas, hit and kicked her after dragging her to the floor, ripped her tights

  • Cancer charity gets its own rose

    A new rose is set to bloom as a lasting reminder of a Preston charity's efforts to help cancer patients. The flower has been officially registered as the Rosemere Cancer Foundation rose, after the charity which is based at Royal Preston Hospital. Only

  • Support group for young mums

    A group for teenage mothers is being set up in one of the city's most deprived areas to offer hope and support to young mums. Positive Parents will start next month and will be run by volunteers Ruth Akanwo and Jenna Alty, who were themselves both single

  • Sikh centre set for expansion

    Sikhs in Preston are to get a new £50,000 community centre after proposals got the nod from planning chiefs at Preston City Council. It is hoped work at The Sikh Community Centre, Great Hanover Street, will be completed by January with an official opening

  • Teale damands more from players

    Chorley player-manager Shaun Teale has demanded more commitment from his players as his side seek their first home league win on Saturday when Shepshed Dynamo come to Victory Park. Teale, who last weekend took the opportunity of his own absence from the

  • Fears allayed over centre

    THE leader of Hyndburn Council has thrown his support behind a church-run scheme to help ex-offenders. Project Restore was set up by Oswaldtwistle Community Church, based in the Hope Centre, Watson Street, and has been running for about six months. It

  • Sick torturer loses appeal

    A YOUTH who tortured and humiliated a mentally-ill woman who was daubed in dog excrement, urinated on and then forced naked into the streets of Accrington, deserved every day of his 10-year sentence, London's Appeal Court has ruled. Julie Evans was twice

  • Clarets snap up Saints winger

    BURNLEY have signed Southampton's England U18 midfielder Nathan Dyer on loan ahead of tonight's Championship clash with Hull City. The 17-year-old wide man, who can operate on either wing, has made three appearances for the Saints this season, including

  • Album review: Various artists - John Peel -- A Tribute (WSM)

    QUITE how you can encapsulate the influence of John Peel on a double CD I don't know. Several boxed sets wouldn't do the man justice. But what you get is an interesting compilation album spanning close on 40 years and featuring the likes of Joy Division

  • Morecambe gets a Move on

    FOOT-TAPPING tunes from the swinging 60s and funky 70s will pump out of Morecambe as top band The Move visit on November 3. The former chart-toppers will be at the Dome as part of their 40th Anniversary tour. Bev Bevan, who co-founded the band back in

  • Zonbies come to life

    THE Zombies are coming alive in Morecambe on November 10 - and promising a fine night of sheer class music. The Zombies in this case are the classic Sixties combo featuring Colin Blunstone on vocals and Rod Argent on keyboards. The band first came to

  • Davies backs keeper to recover

    North End boss Billy Davies has backed keeper Andrew Lonergan to make a complete recovery after suffering a second injury to his knee. Lonergan's knee collapsed during training at Wycombe, where he has been on loan as he completes his recovery from a

  • Young Matt keeps the Monro legend alive

    WHEN crooner Matt Monro called his 13-year-old son to join him on stage the boy loved it so much he swore he'd do it again. But before the opportunity came his father died, devastating fans across the globe. Now, 20 years after his father's, death Matt

  • Lancashire gig guide

    Your diary of the big gigs coming to Lancashire soon, including the likes of Status Quo, White Stripes, Paul Weller, Doves, Blondie, The Coral, Australian Pink Floyd, The Magic Numbers and Jerry Lee Lewis. OCTOBER 28 Akoustik Anarkhy, 53 Degrees, Preston

  • 'Shred ID' warning after bins rifled

    RESIDENTS in Darwen have been urged to shred all personal documents to prevent thieves stealing their identities. The police warning came after homeowners in the Holker Street area reported people going through their bins on Wednesday night. Det Con Mark

  • Can u hlp me wiv my spotz?

    PUPILS are being urged to get one-to-one health advice by text messaging school nurses. Health chiefs hope the service will let worried youngsters ask questions they would otherwise be too frightened or embarrassed to raise. They can send a text message

  • Check out your hospital records

    Having read your article Patients Records to go National, Citizen, October 20, I advise the public to check if their hospital records still exist. I only found out last year that my hospital medical notes had been shredded. This information caused me

  • Factory noise is excessive

    I would like to draw your attention to the continuous and, in my opinion, unacceptable noise from the Pincroft factory in Adlington. From sound level pressure readings I have taken at the entrance of the factory I believe the source of the noise must

  • Mum laundered son's drug cash

    A CARE worker from Blackburn who laundered money for her drug-dealing son has been jailed for 12 months. When Graham Brindle was arrested, he instructed his mother to pay out thousands of pounds held in her account, thus keeping money out of the hands

  • College clamps down to keep out troublemakers

    STUDENTS and staff have been told to wear identification badges in an attempt to keep 'trouble-makers' away from their college. The principal of St Mary's College, Blackburn, Kevin McMahon, today defended the 'security' measures after a spate of trespassers

  • Community group committee suspended

    A community group has suspended its committee after leaders admitted its finances were 'in a mess'. Clayton Brook Community Group was unable to produce final accounts and has handed its books to a chartered accountant to clarify its financial position

  • Davies backs keeper to recover

    North End boss Billy Davies has backed keeper Andrew Lonergan to make a complete recovery after suffering a second injury to his knee. Lonergan's knee collapsed during training at Wycombe, where he has been on loan as he completes his recovery from a