Archive

  • England games may be shown at cinema

    WORLD Cup fever could be hitting the big screen this summer. The Vue Cinema at Middlebrook is considering offering football fans the chance to watch England's World Cup matches there. The games could be broadcast live from Germany straight to

  • All change - and a new era - at Boro

    CHAIRMAN Bernard Manning jnr on Thursday pledged a new era at Radcliffe Boro writes Marc Higginson The change in management structure sees Kevin Glendon remain as first-team coach, but goalkeeping coach Andy Johnston is to take on more responsibilities

  • Johnston in warning to red card Foster

    HE may only have been in the manager's hot seat for a matter of days, but Andy Johnston has certainly been busy in that time as he looks to preserve Radcliffe Boro's UniBond Premier League status writes Marc Higginson The new incumbent has placed

  • Lingo loss is another blowto Festival

    THE TRAGIC loss of Champion Hurdle contender Lingo on trainer Jonjo O'Neill's gallops last Saturday morning means ante-post punters with an eye on the Cheltenham Festival have been dealt a big blow with yet another leading fancy scratched from the lists

  • Learn to read with soap stars

    A BOLTON organisation is teaming up with the BBC and its some of its most famous TV soaps as part of the country's biggest-ever campaign to help people to read and write. The Bolton Literacy Trust is joining the BBC's three-year RAW campaign, which

  • Return of the wreckers

    GANGS of thugs have gone on a wrecking spree in Halliwell. During the last two weekends, groups of up to 20 teenagers have congregated outside the off-licences and mini-markets in Halliwell Road. Shopkeepers say the yobs have smashed up four cars

  • Unwanted record facing Centurions

    LEIGH Centurions will equal a club record losing run of 18 successive defeats if they lose their opening match of the season after being relegated from engage Super League. They lost their last 17 matches of 2005, consisting of 16 in Super League

  • Spotlight on Highbury ref Webb

    THE importance of referees making the right decisions as the race for Champions League places hots up is further emphasised by this focus on the Highbury man in the middle Howard Webb by the Press Association's Mike McGrath . . . HOWARD Webb will

  • O'Neill is now hot tip for England job

    SAM Allardyce's dream of becoming the next England manager appeared to hit the buffers on Friday. Several national newspapers picked on a quote from a member of the influential FA team appointed to select Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor - and tipped

  • Fairfield Hospital boss resigns

    THE chairman of an NHS trust in charge of Bury's Fairfield Hospital which was heavily criticised in an independent report last year has resigned. Steven Price stood down from his position at the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in Greater Manchester

  • MP's plea over super baby unit

    A BOLTON MP has written to health chiefs to call for the Royal Bolton Hospital to become a super centre for the care of babies and children. Bolton North-east MP David Crausby is committed to ensuring the Princess Anne maternity ward becomes one of

  • Firms sign up for bug battle

    TWO companies have joined the battle against deadly hospital superbug MRSA. As new government figures showed that hospitals were still failing to get to grips with the superbug, the two Bolton companies have won a contract to provide instruments that

  • Doorstep car robbery

    THREE masked men stole a Subaru car worth £5,000 after stealing the keys from its owner. The trio knocked at the door of the victims house in Greymont Road, Bury, on Tuesday evening. When the homeowner opened the door he was knocked over and ordered to

  • Brass quintet to play top tunes

    FANFARE from Sinfonietta and excerpts from West Side Story will be among the musical works to be performed by the Coupland Brass Quintet at Bury Parish Church on Friday. The quintet comprises trumpeters David Greenland, from Bury, and Graham South, together

  • Gym to close after 13 years

    A GYM and fitness club which opened 13 years ago is to close. The closure of LA Fitness in Chapel Street, Bury, comes as the premises are earmarked for demolition under the £150 million Rock Triangle plans. More than 15 staff have been offered transfers

  • Security guard in PO raid ordeal

    A SECURITY guard was beaten over the head with his own helmet when a gang of robbers pounced outside a post office. Three men attacked the man as he was delivering cash to the Ainsworth village branch at 2.10pm on Tuesday. They ripped off his helmet and

  • Foul-mouthed outside club

    A MAN refused entry to a town centre club used foul and aggressive language, a court heard. It earned Stephen Hodgson a spell in a police cell and an appearance before Bury magistrates accused of public disorder. Hodgson (25), of Sussex Drive, Redvales

  • Grants from accountants

    NORTH-west charities have until the end of the month to join the contest for cash awards from the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Applications can be made until February 28 for the Everybody Counts Awards, which offer prizes of £2,000 to chartered

  • MP urges companies to enter awards

    BOLTON North-east MP David Crausby has urged companies to enter the annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards, which close on March 1. The awards programme aims to identify best practice among UK manufacturers. Each company taking part is given a free tailored

  • George Best memorial service

    FORMER Manchester United star George Best is to be remembered at a special service organised by his family and friends at Manchester Cathedral. A club spokesman said the service on March 16 will celebrate and give thanks for his life. Admission will be

  • Builder saves OAP couple from fire

    A BUILDER is being hailed a hero after rescuing an elderly couple from a flat fire. John Alexander was working in Lancaster Court, Bolton, on Wednesday morning when he heard a smoke alarm in one of the sheltered accommodation apartments at 11.30am. When

  • Warning after van man tried to abduct boy

    POLICE are warning parents to be vigilant after an abduction attempt on a nine-year-old boy in Radcliffe. The boy was walking along Dumers Lane towards the town centre at 8.50am on Monday, January 30, when he was approached by a man in a white van. The

  • Bradshaw' s Buzz at charity night

    A CHARITY Dinner and Cabaret Evening featuring Buzz Hawkins - the voice behind the "Bradshaws of Barnoldswick" - will be held at the Festival Hall, Albert Halls, Bolton, on March 25 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £25 including a three-course meal, and are available

  • Stars film TV drama in Bolton

    A COURTROOM drama was played out in the centre of Bolton . . . but no-one ended the day behind bars. A film crew turned up to shoot at the Masonic Hall, in Institute Street, for a new BBC drama to be shown on television. The cast of New Street Law - which

  • Damon sails into £350m drugs bust

    A LEIGH sailor was involved in the Royal Navy's latest Caribbean £350 million drugs bust. Twenty-one-years-old Damon Hatton was aboard HMS Southampton, one of the ships involved in the joint operation between the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary which

  • Popular ale festival raises £20,000 for good causes

    ATHERTON and Tyldesley Round Table members were delighted with the success of their 17th Bent & Bongs Beer Bash which proved to be a record-breaker. More than 10,000 pints of ale were quaffed during the two-day festival, plus all the lagers and bottled

  • Nuisance family evicted

    A FAMILY from Leigh have been evicted from their council home for drug dealing and anti-social behaviour. Trevor Taylor, his partner and an 11- year-old child were evicted from 39 Birch Road, Westleigh following legal action by landlord by Wigan &

  • Pupils bring fiction alive

    CHILDREN brought to life fictional characters from the books shortlisted for Bolton's second Children's Book Award Workshops were held for secondary schoolchildren reading the seven novels to judge which best deserves the title. During the two-day event

  • Nuisance family evicted

    A FAMILY from Leigh have been evicted from their council home for drug dealing and anti-social behaviour. Trevor Taylor, his partner and an 11- year-old child were evicted from 39 Birch Road, Westleigh following legal action by landlord by Wigan &

  • Okocha bows out with victory

    THE international career of Wanderers ace Jay-Jay Okocha ended on a positive note as Nigeria beat Senegal to finish third in the African Nations Cup on Thursday. A 79th-minute goal from Garba Lawal ensured the Super Eagles won the all-West African third-place

  • No more slip ups, insists Stelios

    STELIOS says Wanderers must revive their Champions League hopes at Arsenal on Saturday. The Greek midfielder is disappointed at how wasteful Wanderers have been in the last two games. Losing winning positions to draw at Portsmouth and at home to Wigan

  • Africa stars set for Highbury test

    SAM Allardyce may throw his African Nations Cup stars straight back into action at Arsenal on Saturday. El-Hadji Diouf, Abdoulaye Faye, Jay Jay Okocha and Radhi Jaidi are all on standby to start at Highbury. But Kevin Davies looks likely to be rested

  • Now O'Neill is hot tip for England job

    SAM Allardyce's dream of becoming the next England manager appeared to hit the buffers on Friday after several national newspapers picked on a quote from a member of the influential FA team appointed to select Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor - and tipped

  • Rob 'n Peter to slay Paul

    WEBSITE betting guru Gerry McDonnell targets Robben, Steve McLaren, and Sol Cambell's liking for a quick half with this week's quirky offering . . . I'll be honest with you all, I am not, nor have ever been, a practicing doctor. However, I know a case

  • Woman hurt in M60 bridge fall

    A WOMAN suffered a serious head injury and a broken ankle after she plunged from a motorway bridge. She landed on a Rover car travelling along the M60 clockwise at 5pm on Tuesday near Junction 17 at Prestwich. Police received reports that a woman had

  • Jobs and courses to go at college

    LECTURERS will lose their jobs and courses for adults face the axe as education chiefs look to make £1m worth of savings at Bolton Community College. The college is facing a five per cent cut in its budget under a Government shake-up of adult education

  • People power earns college closure 'victory'

    THE people have spoken - and, for now at least, council leaders are listening. That was the verdict of campaigners following a dramatic night which saw Prestwich Arts College winning a surprise stay of execution. Pupils, teachers and parents led the fight

  • Soccer Zone teams wanted

    SOCCER Zone are looking for six-a-side teams to play in their leagues in February. Places are available in Whitefield on Monday or Tuesday nights. All leagues are fully FA sanctioned with top local referees and ballboys. Teams compete in eight team divisions

  • Police alert over phone credit card fraud

    CREDIT card holders are being warned by police after several people fell victim to a phone scam. Police say that on no account should anyone give out their seven digit security number on the back of their card to anyone. As part of the fraud, people have

  • Man grew cannabis 'as a cheaper option'

    It was estimated that £1,000 worth of equipment was used in a cannabis-producing operation at a Bury house, a court was told. Michael John Green had set up the operation to provide himself with supplies of the class B drug because he could not afford

  • Schools protesters plan more marching

    PROTESTERS will take to the streets again over the threat to close schools. Parents, pupils and staff at Prestwich Arts College are planning a march in Bury on Saturday, March 4. Last week pupils from Derby, Broad Oak and Prestwich high schools stopped

  • Fairfield Hospital boss resigns

    THE chairman of an NHS trust in charge of Bury's Fairfield Hospital which was heavily criticised in an independent report last year has resigned. Steven Price stood down from his position at the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in Greater Manchester

  • Grandad's anxious wait after heart test errors

    GRANDAD David Filkins is facing an anxious wait to find out whether he was wrongly cleared of having a serious heart condition following a blunder at Fairfield Hospital. An inquiry has been launched following concerns that a cardiac technician had read

  • Matthew hits massive goal for Shakers

    A LATE Matthew Tipton goal earned a crucial point for the Shakers against bottom of the table Rushden & Diamonds and cheered up boss Chris Casper. In horrendous wet and windy weather and on a gluepot of a pitch that was like a paddy field in places

  • Dentists' anger over new NHS contract

    DENTISTS claim Bury's NHS dental service has been plunged into crisis because of a controversial new contract being imposed on them. From April 1, every dental patient across the country will be de-registered and no longer have their own specific dentist

  • United outrage over baby unit closure plan

    DOCTORS and midwives have expressed outrage at plans to close down Fairfield Hospital's maternity department, including its treasured special care baby unit. Separate statements were read out to a packed audience of more than 200 people who gathered at

  • Rams boss looks for fightback

    RAMSBOTTOM United manager Lee Sculpher is looking for his side to raise their game this weekend after the 3-0 defeat against Nantwich on Saturday left him bitterly disappointed, writes Marc Higginson. Sculpher said: "I was very disappointed after Saturday's

  • Centurions in opening test

    LEIGH Centurions boss Tony Benson finally gets the chance to lead his side into serious action on Friday night. Although he's been at the helm for a couple of pre-season outings, the opening pool game in the Northern Rail Cup at Blackpool will, in effect

  • All change - and a new era - at Boro

    CHAIRMAN Bernard Manning jnr on Thursday pledged a new era at Radcliffe Boro writes Marc Higginson The change in management structure sees Kevin Glendon remain as first-team coach, but goalkeeping coach Andy Johnston is to take on more responsibilities

  • More options for Colls coach

    ATHERTON Colls could welcome back four players for the tough trip to Knowsley Road. Paul Masher, Rob Jackson, Neil Davies and Anthony Pilkington may all figure against the First Division fourth-placed side, who share a ground with the town's more illustrious

  • Dead-eye Archer aims for shock

    DAISY Hill striker Will Archer is the North West Counties League Division Two Player of the Month. He hit six goals in his sides six games during the month, and will be looking to be on target again on Saturday in the side's showcase game against FC United

  • MP backs carers campaign

    BOLTON North-east MP David Crausby has added his support to a campaign hoping to highlight the role of the country's carers. Mr Crausby is backing the ITV Who Cares? campaign, which is championing the people who care for their sick, elderly or disabled

  • Ormerod: I'll be watching Reds

    BRETT Ormerod is hoping to cheer Accrington Stanley to the Football League. After being released by Blackburn Rovers the striker relaunched his career with the Reds, scoring 28 goals in the 1996-97 season. This led to a £50,000 transfer to Blackpool,

  • Smoking banned in cafes at Morrisons

    CUSTOMERS at the Morrisons supermarket chain have welcomed a ban on smoking in its cafes. Morrisons has three stores in Bolton, in Blackhorse Street in the town centre, Mornington Road in Heaton, and in Harwood. Customers said the move had made a huge

  • Whalley grateful for a second chance

    ERIC Whalley looks contemplative as he sips on his cup of tea. He speaks philosophically. "If we get back in the Footall League, we'll have got a second chance. Not many football clubs get that. Or even people in life," said the Accrington Stanley chairman

  • Firms sign up for bug battle

    TWO companies have joined the battle against deadly hospital superbug MRSA. As new government figures showed that hospitals were still failing to get to grips with the superbug, the two Bolton companies have won a contract to provide instruments that

  • Grid cover thefts 'could cost lives'

    THEFTS of grid covers from roads have been branded 'potentially fatal'. An operation has been launched in Chorley to catch the thieves, who have been targeting the gully grates. They are being sold to scrapyards for about £1 each, but Chorley Council

  • Police in drink-drive shame

    NINE police officers in Greater Manchester have been convicted of drink driving in the last 12 months. The officers were all caught behind the wheel while over the legal alcohol limit. It means 2005 was the worst year on record in GMP for officers convicted

  • £1m grant to help cut fire deaths

    GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has been awarded more than £1 million to help reduce deaths by fire. The fire prevention grant, worth £1,132,380, has been awarded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and will be spent over the next two

  • Shop man's armed raid terror

    A SHOPKEEPER has described the terrifying moment an armed robber jumped over his counter and demanded money from the till. Abrar Hussain, aged 50, was working at the family's newsagent in Moss Bank Way, Johnson Fold, at 8am on Thursday, when a masked

  • Axe falls on schools

    THE closure of two primary schools - one almost 300 years old - has been approved. Councillors have given their final backing to the replacement of Roscow Fold and neighbouring Crompton Fold, Breightmet, with a new school in July. The new school, the

  • Extra officers to stop 'mass brawl' repeat

    POLICE patrols will be stepped up on Friday night to prevent a repeat of a mass brawl involving 100 youths. Residents have described the "terrifying" scenes which occurred last Friday in a quiet street in Daisy Hill, when the youngsters congregated for

  • OAP murder conviction safe - judge

    THE man convicted of the savage murder of a pensioner has failed in a bid to have his conviction quashed. Duncan Runciman, aged 48, of Laurel Court, Bolton, was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of the murder of Ellen Crank in February

  • Axe falls on schools

    THE closure of two primary schools - one almost 300 years old - has been approved. Councillors have given their final backing to the replacement of Roscow Fold and neighbouring Crompton Fold, Breightmet, with a new school in July. The new school, the

  • Learn to read with soap stars

    A BOLTON organisation is teaming up with the BBC and its some of its most famous TV soaps as part of the country's biggest-ever campaign to help people to read and write. The Bolton Literacy Trust is joining the BBC's three-year RAW campaign, which is

  • Jobs and courses to go at college

    LECTURERS will lose their jobs and courses for adults face the axe as education chiefs look to make £1m worth of savings at Bolton Community College. The college is facing a five per cent cut in its budget under a Government shake-up of adult education

  • Fairfield Hospital boss resigns

    THE chairman of an NHS trust in charge of Bury's Fairfield Hospital which was heavily criticised in an independent report last year has resigned. Steven Price stood down from his position at the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in Greater Manchester

  • Fashion show at school

    CAPTAIN'S Clough Residents' Association is organising a fund-raising fashion show on Friday, March 3, in the Church Road School, Halliwell, starting at 7pm. Admission to the catalogue fashion show is £1 each including refreshments, pay at the door.

  • Learn to read with soap stars

    A BOLTON organisation is teaming up with the BBC and its some of its most famous TV soaps as part of the country's biggest-ever campaign to help people to read and write. The Bolton Literacy Trust is joining the BBC's three-year RAW campaign, which is

  • George Best memorial service

    FORMER Manchester United star George Best is to be remembered at a special service organised by his family and friends at Manchester Cathedral. A club spokesman said the service on March 16 will celebrate and give thanks for his life. Admission will be

  • Football heroes in charity dinner

    WORLD Cup legends Sir Geoff Hurst, Gordon Banks and Martin Peters are teaming up with St Anne's Hospice for a one-off sporting fund-raising gala dinner. The black tie event, at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground, will take place on Wednesday, April

  • Tigers' relegation fears grow

    SEDGLEY Park RUFC's chances of avoiding relegation by the back door, should National League One get permission to suspend relegation for this season, look to be floundering. At a meeting of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Council on Feb 3, a vote was passed

  • Sir Ian's voice on alien film

    ACTOR Sir Ian McKellen has recorded the opening voiceover for a film shot entirely in Lancashire. The film, Displaced, is being produced by a small Preston-based film company, Skylandian Pictures. Sir Ian McKellen, a former Bolton School pupil, said:

  • Furniture firm has future in TV

    AN award-winning television and stereo furniture manufacturer has been bought for £10 million by the UK's largest home electronics group. Alphason Designs, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year, supplies 2,500 retail outlets across the UK, including

  • University probe into gender gap

    A MAJOR study of the gender gaps in British management is being carried out by the University of Bolton. And the university is looking for local volunteers to talk about their experiences. The university, in conjunction with Manchester Business School

  • United outrage over baby unit closure plan

    DOCTORS and midwives have expressed outrage at plans to close down Fairfield Hospital's maternity department, including its treasured special care baby unit. Separate statements were read out to a packed audience of more than 200 people who gathered at

  • Popular ale festival raises £20,000 for good causes

    ATHERTON and Tyldesley Round Table members were delighted with the success of their 17th Bent & Bongs Beer Bash which proved to be a record-breaker. More than 10,000 pints of ale were quaffed during the two-day festival, plus all the lagers and bottled

  • You're too fat to drive our buses

    A 19-STONE man who applied for a job as a bus driver was turned down - because bosses said he was too fat. Stuart Wood answered a First Bus advertisement asking for experienced drivers. But when he called the recruitment line, he was told his application

  • Grant anniversary

    RAMSBOTTOM Heritage Society will hold an open day to mark the 200th anniversary of the Grant brothers arriving in the town. It will be held from 1pm on March 5 in Ramsbottom Civic Hall, in Market Place, Ramsbottom.

  • Gym to close after 13 years

    A GYM and fitness club which opened 13 years ago is to close. The closure of LA Fitness in Chapel Street, Bury, comes as the premises are earmarked for demolition under the £150 million Rock Triangle plans. More than 15 staff have been offered transfers

  • Legion's new standard

    BURY branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) has been presented with a new Standard- a ceremonial flag. The previous Standard was dedicated in 1966 prior to the British Legion being given the Royal title by the Queen and has also become weather-worn

  • OAPs warm to fire safety advice

    "PREVENTION is better than cure" is the message from two Bury firefighters travelling the borough to educate people on fire safety. Andy Graham and Andy Sullivan, part of Bury's Community Fire Safety Department based at Bury fire station, visit different

  • Centurions in opening test

    LEIGH Centurions boss Tony Benson finally gets the chance to lead his side into serious action on Friday night. Although he's been at the helm for a couple of pre-season outings, the opening pool game in the Northern Rail Cup at Blackpool will, in effect

  • OAPs warm to fire safety advice

    "PREVENTION is better than cure" is the message from two Bury firefighters travelling the borough to educate people on fire safety. Andy Graham and Andy Sullivan, part of Bury's Community Fire Safety Department based at Bury fire station, visit different

  • Group's art on view at library

    AN art exhibition is being held at Prestwich Library, displaying the talents of the Friday Art Club. The group meets on Fridays at the Methodist Church in Whitefield, and their work can be seen at the library at the Longfield Centre. The group's first

  • Wanderers fans clock off at Highbury

    AFTER 92 years, 51 visits and a bagful of mixed memories, Wanderers fans make their last-ever trip down south to Highbury on February 11. Arsenal are preparing to say goodbye to the famous old ground this season before a short move to Ashburton Grove,

  • Stars film TV drama in Bolton

    A COURTROOM drama was played out in the centre of Bolton . . . but no-one ended the day behind bars. A film crew turned up to shoot at the Masonic Hall, in Institute Street, for a new BBC drama to be shown on television. The cast of New Street Law - which

  • Pupils bring fiction alive

    CHILDREN brought to life fictional characters from the books shortlisted for Bolton's second Children's Book Award Workshops were held for secondary schoolchildren reading the seven novels to judge which best deserves the title. During the two-day event

  • Kathak dance display

    THE North-west's only teacher of the Indian Kathak style of dance is to perform at the Bolton Octagon Theatre on Friday, February 17. Kajal Sherma, who began dancing at the age of three, has performed for 46 world leaders, including Prince Charles and

  • Pupils bite into healthy lifestyle

    CHILDREN tucked into healthier lifestyles when they took part in a sponsored taste and exercise day. Pupils from Wharton Primary School, Little Hulton, had to perform five exercises and then try four health snacks including fruit. The year One and Two

  • Football heroes in charity dinner

    WORLD Cup legends Sir Geoff Hurst, Gordon Banks and Martin Peters are teaming up with St Anne's Hospice for a one-off sporting fund-raising gala dinner. The black tie event, at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground, will take place on Wednesday, April

  • Stars line up for the Mayor's Valentine Ball

    FRANK Sinatra and Luther Vandross will be entertaining guests at Friday night's Mayor of Bolton's Valentine Ball. The black tie event at the Premier Suite at the Reebok, is the annual charity bash held by the towns mayor. Entertainment will be provided

  • Builder saves OAP couple from fire

    A BUILDER is being hailed a hero after rescuing an elderly couple from a flat fire. John Alexander was working in Lancaster Court, Bolton, on Wednesday morning when he heard a smoke alarm in one of the sheltered accommodation apartments at 11.30am. When

  • Driver's two-hour robbery ordeal

    A MAN was driven around in his own car and forced to withdraw money from cash machines by thieves during a two-hour ordeal. The 59-year-old was grabbed in Woodhill Road, Bury, by two men and ordered into his Mercedes. He was driven around North Manchester

  • M62 PC saves driver - with his lunch!

    A MOTORWAY cop saved a driver's life - by giving him his lunch. Officer Paul Searle stopped a car being driving erratically at Birch Services on the M62. But when he approached the driver, he found he was suffering from hypo-glycaemia - an abnormally

  • Saved by the rat pack

    999 men save . . . a rat! SAVING lives is all in the line of duty for brave firefighters - even if it means resuscitating a rat. They were called on to save the life of one of student Sarah Natali's pet rats after he knocked over a candle and set fire

  • Sir Ian's voice on alien film

    ACTOR Sir Ian McKellen has recorded the opening voiceover for a film shot entirely in Lancashire. The film, Displaced, is being produced by a small Preston-based film company, Skylandian Pictures. Sir Ian McKellen, a former Bolton School pupil, said:

  • Furniture firm has future in TV

    AN award-winning television and stereo furniture manufacturer has been bought for £10 million by the UK's largest home electronics group. Alphason Designs, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year, supplies 2,500 retail outlets across the UK, including

  • Popular ale festival raises £20,000 for good causes

    ATHERTON and Tyldesley Round Table members were delighted with the success of their 17th Bent & Bongs Beer Bash which proved to be a record-breaker. More than 10,000 pints of ale were quaffed during the two-day festival, plus all the lagers and bottled

  • Japanese star can still make big impression

    HIDETOSHI Nakata believes Wanderers could be about to see the best of him. The on-loan midfielder is hoping for the chance to continue his run in the side at Arsenal on Saturday. The Japanese playmaker has started 14 games this season, but only seven

  • Faye the key to Wanderers hopes

    WANDERERS hope Abdoulaye Faye can frighten Arsenal for the second time this season. The midfield powerhouse will make an immediate return at Highbury on Saturday if he shows no sign of fatigue following the African Cup of Nations. Faye landed in London

  • Irish boss zooms in on Wanderers duo

    JOEY O'Brien appears to be on the verge of starting his international career. Wanderers' versatile teenager could get his first Republic of Ireland cap in as little as three weeks time. Ireland manager Steve Staunton ran the rule over O'Brien at the Wigan

  • Win can boost Champions League ambition

    WANDERERS aim to take a huge step towards the Champions League at Highbury. Sam Allardyce believes Wanderers will finish in the top four if they end the season above Arsenal. And they have a big chance to achieve that end when they go for the treble over

  • Man with 31 penalty points escapes driving ban

    ROAD safety campaigners reacted with disappointment after a travelling salesman from Prestwich kept his licence, despite amassing 31 penalty points. Jeffrey Englander, aged 60, racked up the "shocking" number of points from a range of offences, including

  • Learn to read with soap stars

    A BOLTON organisation is teaming up with the BBC and its some of its most famous TV soaps as part of the country's biggest-ever campaign to help people to read and write. The Bolton Literacy Trust is joining the BBC's three-year RAW campaign, which is

  • Bolton facing school heads crisis

    EDUCATION chiefs say they are finding it almost impossible to recruit new headteachers, says the Bolton Evening News on Thursday. School governing bodies say it is particularly difficult in the more socially deprived areas of Bolton. They say the right

  • Swimming club annual meeting date

    BURY and Elton Amateur Swimming Club are to hold their AGM on Thursday, February 16 at the Castle Leisure Centre, Bolton Street, Bury. It will commence at 7pm.

  • Home care charges set to rise?

    CHARGES for home care are set to rise as Bury Council struggles to balance its budget. Bosses say they have had to carry out an "urgent review" of fees which people pay for meals-on-wheels and services to support them at home. They blame a poor financial

  • Driver chased by armed carjacker

    A DRIVER was chased around his car by a thug armed with an eight-inch knife. Dave Wilkinson managed to escape unharmed but his Nissan Micra, and his wife's handbag containing £200, were stolen by the man who pounced on Sunday evening in the car park of

  • Brave Aimee in new battle for life

    A TEENAGER who spent years battling cancer is fighting for her life once again after contracting a rare virus. Thirteen-year-old Aimee Read of Moorcroft, Edenfield, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 1994 at just two-years-old. She was

  • Youngsters' lessons in fire danger

    YOUNGSTERS are being given lessons in the danger of fire in a bid to curb hooligan attacks on firefighters. They are also being told of the risks involved in playing or swimming in open water - and in stealing cars and setting fire to them. Firefighters

  • Axe falls on schools

    THE closure of two primary schools - one almost 300 years old - has been approved. Councillors have given their final backing to the replacement of Roscow Fold and neighbouring Crompton Fold, Breightmet, with a new school in July. The new school, the

  • Unwanted record facing Centurions

    LEIGH Centurions will equal a club record losing run of 18 successive defeats if they lose their opening match of the season after being relegated from engage Super League. They lost their last 17 matches of 2005, consisting of 16 in Super League and

  • Johnston in warning to red card Foster

    HE may only have been in the manager's hot seat for a matter of days, but Andy Johnston has certainly been busy in that time as he looks to preserve Radcliffe Boro's UniBond Premier League status writes Marc Higginson The new incumbent has placed striker

  • Top two target

    BOLTON Under-14s can move into the top two with victory against Salford at Broughton on Saturday (10.30am). The local youngsters have had mixed fortunes in the league to date winning two, drawing one and losing two of their five matches played to date

  • Old friends back at Crilly Park

    ATHERTON LR will come up against some familiar faces when they welcome Salford City to Crilly Park (kick-off 3pm). Former striker Barry Massey - who netted 70 goals during his LR career - and keeper Ashley Timms will be up against their old teammates-

  • Portuguese star Tiago signs at RMI

    LEIGH RMI should have new Portuguese signing Tiago Lopes making his Hilton Park debut against Kettering on Saturday. The student, who is in England on a course at John Moore's University, Liverpool, has agreed a deal until the end of the season and the

  • England games may be shown at cinema

    WORLD Cup fever could be hitting the big screen this summer. The Vue Cinema at Middlebrook is considering offering football fans the chance to watch England's World Cup matches there. The games could be broadcast live from Germany straight to the cinema's

  • Rams boss looks for fightback

    RAMSBOTTOM United manager Lee Sculpher is looking for his side to raise their game this weekend after the 3-0 defeat against Nantwich on Saturday left him bitterly disappointed, writes Marc Higginson. Sculpher said: "I was very disappointed after Saturday's

  • All change - and a new era - at Boro

    CHAIRMAN Bernard Manning jnr on Thursday pledged a new era at Radcliffe Boro writes Marc Higginson The change in management structure sees Kevin Glendon remain as first-team coach, but goalkeeping coach Andy Johnston is to take on more responsibilities

  • Johnston in warning to red card Foster

    HE may only have been in the manager's hot seat for a matter of days, but Andy Johnston has certainly been busy in that time as he looks to preserve Radcliffe Boro's UniBond Premier League status writes Marc Higginson The new incumbent has placed striker

  • We want feelgood factor

    THE Lancashire Evening Telegraph today launches a major campaign to help Accrington Stanley become our third league side. The famous club, which was reformed in 1968 after going out of business, is bidding to make a historic return to the Football League

  • George Best memorial service

    FORMER Manchester United star George Best is to be remembered at a special service organised by his family and friends at Manchester Cathedral. A club spokesman said the service on March 16 will celebrate and give thanks for his life. Admission will be

  • Coleman keen to get back on track

    IT'S a while since Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman had to pick his side up after a defeat. But the Reds boss doesn't think he'll have any problem getting them motivated as they return to Conference action tomorrow. Coleman is still recovering

  • MP hails new powers for civilian police

    NEW powers are to be given to Police Communuty Support Officers to tackle low level crime and anti-social behaviour in a move welcomed by Bolton North East MP David Crausby. The PCSOs will be given powers to issue fixed penalty notices for offences such

  • Tele-medicine comes to the North-west

    PATIENTS can receive vital test results over the telephone rather that going to hospital under a revolutionary scheme launched in the North-west. The "tele-medicine" system is being introduced in Cumbria and Lancashire. The local strategic health authority

  • Town backs MMR jabs

    MORE children in Bolton have had the combined MMR jab than almost anywhere else in the region. Almost 83 per cent of children in Bolton have been vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, compared to the North-west average of just 76.5 per cent.

  • Police alert over phone credit card fraud

    CREDIT card holders are being warned by police after several people fell victim to a phone scam. Police say that on no account should anyone give out their seven digit security number on the back of their card to anyone. As part of the fraud, people have

  • Police alert over phone credit card fraud

    CREDIT card holders are being warned by police after several people fell victim to a phone scam. Police say that on no account should anyone give out their seven digit security number on the back of their card to anyone. As part of the fraud, people have

  • Time called on new pub plan

    PLANS for a ninth bar in Farnworth's main street has brought a cry of "enough is enough". Cllr James Lord wants to call time on the proposals claiming the area is already saturated with pubs, clubs and bars. Developer Sprint Property Finance has revealed

  • Return of the wreckers

    GANGS of thugs have gone on a wrecking spree in Halliwell. During the last two weekends, groups of up to 20 teenagers have congregated outside the off-licences and mini-markets in Halliwell Road. Shopkeepers say the yobs have smashed up four cars which

  • Action on 'distracting' motorway billboards

    MORE than a dozen illegal roadside billboards have been removed as part of a clampdown. The advertisements had all been placed on land between junctions five and six of the M61, from Hunger Hill to Middlebrook, in Bolton. They were removed during the

  • Kathak dance display

    THE North-west's only teacher of the Indian Kathak style of dance is to perform at the Bolton Octagon Theatre on Friday, February 17. Kajal Sherma, who began dancing at the age of three, has performed for 46 world leaders, including Prince Charles and

  • Bradshaw' s Buzz at charity night

    A CHARITY Dinner and Cabaret Evening featuring Buzz Hawkins - the voice behind the "Bradshaws of Barnoldswick" - will be held at the Festival Hall, Albert Halls, Bolton, on March 25 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £25 including a three-course meal, and are available

  • Unwanted record facing Centurions

    LEIGH Centurions will equal a club record losing run of 18 successive defeats if they lose their opening match of the season after being relegated from engage Super League. They lost their last 17 matches of 2005, consisting of 16 in Super League and

  • Driver's two-hour robbery ordeal

    A MAN was driven around in his own car and forced to withdraw money from cash machines by thieves during a two-hour ordeal. The 59-year-old was grabbed in Woodhill Road, Bury, by two men and ordered into his Mercedes. He was driven around North Manchester