CONTROVERSIAL plans to build apartments on the site of the former Swallowfield hotel are likely to go ahead without a requirement for affordable housing, a meeting of Horwich Town Council heard tonight. Developers Redrow Homes were given planning
PEOPLE gathered at St Matthew’s Church this evening to pray for the release of hostage Alan Henning. The church is supporting Mr Henning’s family and prayers for his safe return are said to be helping the family during their time of “uncertainty
A HUGE blaze has destroyed a large area of heathland on Winter Hill. Fire crews have spent more than two hours this afternoon beating out the fire, which is believed to have started naturally by heat on an area of the hill near to the San Marino's
Here’s our guide to what you can do in and around Bolton this weekend. 1. Take a step back in time and experience the Billy Fury Years at the Albert Halls. Hailed as "the best Fury since Fury”, Michael King and his musicians aim to take you on
BOLTON will definitely miss its funnyman of medicine Dr Kevin Jones. The well-respected medic with the great sense of humour is off to live in New Zealand and our loss is definitely the Kiwis’ gain. The Royal Bolton Hospital consultant has
MOST people – dog fans or not – would have been horrified by the death of 53 animals in the Manchester Dogs’ Home fire. Arson may be being blamed but it has been very heartening to see the national and local response with money and aid flooding
TENNIS star Caroline Wozniacki has revealed that golf champion Rory McIlroy dumped her over the phone and then sent out a press release about their split. This all happened just days after they had distributed their wedding invitations and, while
IT’S great news that all 2,650 places for next year’s Ironman UK in Bolton have already been snapped up. It only seems like a few weeks ago that we were all enjoying what has become a brilliant annual spectacle attracting athletes from all over
IT’S all very well NEXT boss Lord Wolfson saying that women over 60 are now looking like the new 40 by copying celebrity fashion and dressing younger. The truth is you don’t see Helen Mirren in a tight t-shirt and leggings with her muffin top showing
BOLTON School pupils have been making use of their summer holidays by trying to edge one step closer to full Great Britain honours. Bertie Moores, aged 17, Thomas Prayle, 16, Fergus Plant, 17, and Chris Ray, 17, were part of the GB Under-18 water
WANDERERS have completed the signing of England youth international striker Max Clayton on a three-year deal. The former Crewe Alexandra trainee arrives at the Macron Stadium for a nominal fee, although his contract also includes a sell-on clause
HURRAY! Downton Abbey’s back next weekend and we fans of the posh saga can hardly wait to learn the latest goings on upstairs and downstairs. Early previews, though, are slightly disturbing for purists: the Countess tempted to stray, Lady Mary
AM I wrong in thinking we have become blinded by bureaucracy and good old-fashioned commonsense has largely gone out of the window? Normally, if someone falls at a bus or train station, the staff would be the first on hand to help. They’d be not
Bolton Triathlon Club member Heather Jackson gives a few tips on what not to do in a triathlon. MANY of us have made some schoolboy errors when it comes to racing and I am no exception. Even the professionals screw up sometimes, like Jonny
TWO more Bolton Wanderers fans have been arrested for their part in fights which broke out ahead of the opening match of the season at Watford. Police in Hertfordshire have now arrested five Wanderers fans in relation to trouble before and after
HAYDEN White has joined League Two strugglers Carlisle United on a one-month loan deal. The Wanderers youngster has made two starts for the Whites this season – and news that he has been allowed out on loan raises the hope that Kevin McNaughton
MILITANT terrorists have been told to “show mercy” and release the Bolton convoy aid worker they are threatening to behead. Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi is one of more than 100 British Muslims to have issued pleas to Islamic State fighters
LEE Toone went to great lengths to raise money for his club’s funds and its ladies’ water polo team. The Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club member swam the 10-and-and-a-half-mile stretch of Lake Windermere to continue his fundraising activities
NOTTINGHAM was this week reported as being England’s “first City of Football”. That’s according to Sport England who have, admirably it has to be said, donated £1.6million to the Midlands city to develop the game at grassroots. It’s funny how
THE Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, has said it would be a "huge mistake" if Scottish people vote to become independent from the United Kingdom in today's historic referendum vote. Chris Grayling was in Bolton this morning to meet with lawyers
A COUNCILLOR raised more than £8,000 during his year as Westhoughton mayor for the charity who cared for his dying father. Bolton Hospice were presented with the cheque by Cllr Christopher Peacock, who represents Westhoughton North and Chew Moor
WITH the Bolton, Bury and District Football League season underway, I commence my columns on refereeing with an insight into mentoring. The BBDFL has its own referee youth council who will support referees throughout mentoring. One of its younger
A FAMILY of seven were forced to flee from their Heaton house after a fire started in the kitchen. Parents Yasmin and Mohammed Ashraf and their five children were asleep at their home in Queensgate, off Chorley New Road, when an electrical fault
A GREAT Lever street has been given a green makeover - a move that could help reduce crime. Environmental charity Red Rose Forest and recycling firm Viridor have worked together to plant five new semi-mature trees on Mancroft Terrace, off Higher
JOE Mason gave a shy shake of the head when asked if he knew the name Fredi Bobic, perhaps wondering why the German’s name was being brought up in conversation. Clutching a match-ball scrawled with messages of congratulations from his team-mates
WANDERERS were on the hunt for defensive cover last night as Dougie Freedman looked to build on a first win of the season. Facing a hectic schedule of five games in 14 days, the Whites boss confirmed that he was lining up a short-term deal for
DOUGIE Freedman feared for Andy Lonergan, pictured, after the Wanderers goalkeeper was clattered in the final minutes of Tuesday night’s win against Rotherham. The Wanderers boss hit out after a heavy challenge by Millers keeper Adam Collin left
ROB Hall could leave Wanderers on loan after being told he needs to “show more” to feature in Dougie Freedman’s first team plans. After playing just 67 minutes of senior football so far this season, the former West Ham winger has spent the last
GROUPS which protect the country’s heritage have made last-minute objections to controversial plans to demolish the former Theatre Church. The plans to knock down the weddings and function venue in Seymour Road, Astley Bridge, to build nine houses
CUTE tot Milo Ryan-Smith will step out on his first sponsored walk in memory of his great grandmother. The two-year-old and his proud mum Amy Reilly will complete a 2km walk in Manchester to boost funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Miss Reilly
SEVEN years ago, in the back rooms of Bolton Town Hall, council officers drew up an ambitious plan to transform the borough. The 15-year strategic plan aimed to bring jobs, investment and opportunities to Bolton — with schemes such as the impressive
FRIENDS of a 27-year-old man who fell to his death down a lift shaft are staging a special fundraiser in his honour. Craig Jones, who died on August 30 in Marsden House in Bolton town centre, doted on four-year-old nephew Tyler and one-year-old
