THERE has been an increase in Britons taking advantage of flexible working practices since this time last year, according to careers website Monster.co.uk The research showed that 44 per cent of Britons are now working remotely, with 21 per cent of these
ANKER, the Westhoughton-based suppliers of sales software systems to European retailers, announced that it expects to return to profit in 2005 after four years of heavy losses that saw its business shrink by more than a third. The company, which floated
CHANNEL Five series Britain's Worst - returns this summer, in search of Britain's Worst Boss. Hosted by Quentin Willson, the search is under way to uncover the most mortifying manager in the land. Wilson said: "I think that everyone has had a boss who
SWING Out Sister have returned to the pop scene with a successful 10th studio album 'Where Our Love Grows' and a UK tour, which takes in Manchester next month. One of the keys to the band's success lies in their consummate flair for mixing homegrown pop
A construction re-cruitment specialist has been praised by the Government for its approach to tackling workplace age discrimination. Bromak, based in Knowsley Street, Bolton, has been awarded Employer Champion status by the Age Positive campaign, a Department
AN electrical wiring manufacturer has doubled its turnover in less than a year - with help from a new business service. Bolton-based Assembly Solutions expanded last August when it acquired Golborne-based Quality Wiring Services, which had gone into liquidation
CHORLEY boss Shaun Teale is to raid the transfer market in a bid to halt his side's alarming slump in form as they prepare what he calls "three cup finals". Just a month ago things were looking rosy for the Magpies after a six match unbeaten run stretching
I hope I don't get as involved in "the great Burnden Park flag mystery" as Alan Calvert, who, as we dragged him from the building last week, was still rolling his eyes and muttering: "Crompton or the king, Crompton or the king?" I will leave what will
A PAIR of violent thugs have been banned from Chorley pubs -- and also forbidden to drink on the street anywhere in the country. James White, 20, and Thomas Greenwood, 21, were both given a five year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) by a crown court
CURRANT affairs were the subject of discussion when the town's most famous delicacy was given a thorough taste test on Monday. The inaugural Chorley Cake Challenge was hosted by Market Walk and competitors converged on Woolworths cafe with their freshly
A TOWN centre florist shop is on the brink of closure after 82 years of trading. Stringfellow's, in Market Street, is set to close its doors after a long-running dispute with Chorley Borough Council over rental costs on the premises. Proprietor Ted Stringfellow
TWO Bolton Wanderers players and boxer Amir Khan visited Smithills School as part of a campaign to kick racism out of the community. Year eight pupils at Smithills High School designed posters as part of a two-month citizenship project called, Give Racism
A MAN has admitted assaulting his partner following an argument. Terence Tetlow, aged 45, of Kingfisher Drive, Bury, was given a community punishment order for 100 hours by Bury magistrates. He was also ordered to pay £43 court costs following the assault
THE taste of Europe is on sale in Bolton with the return of the popular continental market. The first of five similar markets, Brunomart's French and Continental Market stalls are open in the town centre until Saturday. More than 30 stalls have been set
RESIDENTS were left without electricity after a blaze spread close to overhead cables. Firefighters were called to tackle a blaze near Stormer Mill, Tottington Road, in Ramsbottom, at 8pm. Large piles of plastic pipes had been stacked up and deliberately
A CAMPAIGN to stop mobile phone masts from being put up near schools was being stepped up on Friday. Andrew Stunell, MP for Hazel Grove, was presenting a Bill to Parliament which would bring in stricter planning controls. Mr Stunell said he wanted schools
WITNESSES and victims of crime in Bolton are to benefit from a new centre which will help to provide support. Police and the Crown Prosecution service hope the ten units throughout Greater Manchester will transform the care provided to victims and witnesses
THERE are 57 homeless people living in Bolton, according to a charity's report. Shelter, the charity for homeless people, says homelessness is on the increase across the country. The charity blames the government's right-to-buy scheme with local authority
A NEW 10-week Advocacy Training course is being run at Bolton Community College. The course is designed to help people represent the views and wishes of vulnerable people who may find it difficult to speak up for themselves. It is being held at the College's
A HOTLINE has been set up for parents to name the most dangerous roads for children in the North-west. The Zak the Zebra hotline has been set up by Brake, the national road safety charity, to give advice to parents and try to reduce traffic accidents
A FAMILY event is being hosted in Bury to urge residents to be proud of the town. Police and Bury Council are urging members of the public to take part in the event as part of the Proud of Bury initiative. Police will give crime reduction advice and information
LANGUAGE expert John Winder, is busy practising French phrases like "do you have any corn plasters?" for a charity marathon next month. The 38 year-old teacher, currently studying translating at Salford University, is off to take part in the Paris Marathon
A BOLTON MP is urging residents to nominate their community's local heroes for recognition through the Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour. Organised by the Nationwide Building Society, in association with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations
PEOPLE who chop down trees without permission will be dealt with in the courts, the council warned today. Planning bosses have adopted a "get tough" approach to the felling of trees. It follows a number of incidents in Bolton of trees being axed illegally
THE taste of Europe is on sale in Bolton with the return of the popular continental market. The first of five similar markets, Brunomart's French and Continental Market stalls are open in the town centre until Saturday. More than 30 stalls have been set
A MAN is recovering in hospital after deliberately setting himself on fire in the town centre. Firefighters rushed to Newport Street at 7.38pm following reports that a man had ignited his clothes using a cigarette lighter. The man, believed to be in his
A BALOON race to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust will be held on Saturday. Saks Hair and Beauty will be holding the balloon race at 5.30pm and the person with the balloon that travels the furthest will win more than two hours of pampering at the
TRIBUTES have been paid to a "devoted and passionate" teacher who died this week. Staff and pupils of Thornleigh Salesian College, at Sharples Park, have been remembering history teacher Paul Horrocks. Mr Horrocks died at his home on Sunday, aged 59.
AS children look forward to the Easter holidays and time off school, some parents will be tearing their hair out trying to find something for their offspring to do. Gayle McBain has found some ideas to keep youngsters busy. IF you want to stay close to
AN exhibition celebrating the life and work of a prolific Bolton printmaker has gone on show at the University of Bolton. Trevor Lofthouse, who died five years ago, devoted his working life to the art of printmaking and to nurturing and supporting the
Spray on warnings are the latest weapon in the fight against dog fouling. The brightly coloured pavement stencils will be used to remind owners that it is an offence to allow their dogs to foul designated areas of land, without cleaning up after them.
THE FA on Thursday again defended its decision to stage both FA Cup semi-finals at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium as they announced who plays when. Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn will kick off at 12.15pm on Saturday, April 16 while the other
SAM Allardyce has urged Wanderers to rise to the European challenge, because they might never get another chance. Victory over bottom club Norwich at the Reebok would see the Whites leapfrog Liverpool into fifth place in the Premiership and greatly enhance
HORRIFIED parents are consulting with lawyers after uncovering a catalogue of failings at a Little Hulton school. Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act revealed Harrop Fold school as dirty and infested with rats. Teaching standards were
ATHERTON LR have acted quickly to replace top scorer Paul Crompton, with the signing of former Port Vale striker Stephen Torpey. Crompton departed for struggling UniBond outfit Clitheroe on Monday but the gap has been quickly filled by hitman Torpey -
LEIGH'S long and weary season may have only produced three victoiries but coach Steve Bleasdale believes there is still plenty to play for in the nine remaining games. The RMI boss has already set his sights on next season and is using the rest of the
Mum at bedside of youngster as he loses brave fight against rare illness A YOUNG boy who won the hearts of the town for his brave fight against a rare incurable illness, has died. Michael Strangwood, who was 13, had spent the past five years in a twilight
PRIME Minister Tony Blair will be asked to step in today to help save a doomed Chorley factory which is set to close with the loss of 130 jobs. The award-winning Marconi plant in Carr Lane is being axed by the telecommunications giant. The shock announcement
TWO Bolton Wanderers players and boxer Amir Khan visited Smithills School as part of a campaign to kick racism out of the community. Year eight pupils at Smithills High School designed posters as part of a two-month citizenship project called, Give Racism
COUNCIL bosses say they are prepared to step in after a firm offering a weekly recycling collection stopped the service. Hundreds of pubs in and around Bolton have been left with mountains of used beer bottles after the group, Berryman, claimed not enough
EDUCATION Secretary Ruth Kelly has praised universities including Bolton for offering a bursary package to undergraduates next year in a bid to reduce tuition fees. The Bolton West MP said universities were ensuring people who cannot afford the fees will
THE following plans have been submitted to Bolton Council for approval: BOLTON: 70478/05 - Carrier Catering Co Ltd, 35 Victoria Square, Bolton. Installation of new shop front. 70484/05 - Daniel Thwaites PLC, Red on the Square, Unit One, Nelson Square,
THE spectacular display flight of the rare hen harrier, or "skydancer", will hopefully be the highlight of guided walks run by the RSPB later this month and in early April. Experts from the RSPB and United Utilities will lead a series of moorland walks
POLICE in Bury are holding a fun day to encourage residents to stay safe. Participants will get the chance to visit a mobile police caravan and learn how to avoid becoming a victim of crime. The Crime Prosecution Service and Probation Service and Bury
A GREATER Manchester MP leading the campaign to stop mobile phone masts being erected near schools is presenting a Bill before Parliament on Friday. Andrew Stunell, MP for Hazel Grove, will be arguing for stricter planning controls. Mr Stunell told BBC
AN exhibition celebrating the life and work of a prolific Bolton printmaker has gone on show at the University of Bolton. Trevor Lofthouse, who died five years ago, devoted his working life to the art of printmaking and to nurturing and supporting the
THE Duke of Gloucester will visit Bolton for a rededication ceremony at a restored war memorial. Confirmation of his visit follows months of campaigning by councillors for a member of the Royal Family to attend the ceremony. Buckingham Palace said the
THE Last Drop Village hotel in Bromley Cross is one of 60 properties that will be rebranded by its owners Macdonald Hotels and Resorts. The company has announced its intention to create a stronger brand identity by giving all its hotels the Macdonald
Kitchen equipment group Aga today said increasing international demand for its legendary cookers helped it serve up another record performance. The Birmingham-based company said its products now had an "established presence" outside the UK, with a specially
A HOSPITAL chief executive is signing up to be an organ donor in a bid to attract more volunteers. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the national organ donor register, and a campaign has been launched to raise the profile of the life-saving service
1584: Death of Ivan the Terrible, the first to assume the title of Tsar. 1883: First World War poet Wilfred Owen was born in Oswestry, Shropshire. He died in action during the war. 1949: The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was set up with Britain
10 years ago from the Evening News March 18, 1995: A priest wept today as he surveyed the damage arsonists had caused to his Bolton church. Father Andrew Chomar broke down as he sifted through the charred debris at the Ukrainian Church on All Saints Street
IT'S only weeks away from the new season and newly-appointed community cricket coach Joe Scuderi has hit the ground running. Based at the Bury Metro Sports Development offices at the Castle Leisure Centre, the 36-year-old all-rounder is relishing his
A DRIVER who killed a young couple and left four teenage girls for dead after fleeing the carnage is starting a four year jail sentence. Sean Connolly ploughed the Mazda MX-5 sports car into a lamp-post and a dry cleaner's shop in Bury Road, Bolton, as
AMIR Khan WILL be ringside on Friday night for the Amateur Boxing Association finals at ExCel in London's Docklands. The Olympic silver medallist had been expected to emulate previous light-welterweight winners like John H Stracey and Ricky Hatton to
A GANG of robbers struck at a jeweller's in Manchester before crashing their getaway car, police said. The men broke into the store on Stockport Road on Thursday and stole a quantity of jewellery before fleeing in a car which crashed in Portland Road.
ST HELENS' vision to become "the town in the forest" will take a step closer as it plants its two millionth tree. The borough has seen tree cover rise from four per cent to 12 per cent in 13 years with 420 trees planted each day since Mersey Forest was
MEMBERS of the Bolton branch of the National Osteoporosis Society will be in Sainsbury's supermarket in the town centre tomorrow raising funds and handing out leaflets about the crippling bone disease. Call 01204 307 654 for details.
A CHARITY raising money for equipment at a hospital heart unit has collected £428. Horwich New Heart Club held a street collection last Saturday in Bolton town centre. The money will be used to buy equipment for the heart unit and research centre at Wythenshawe
EDUCATION Secretary Ruth Kelly has praised universities including Bolton for offering a bursary package to undergraduates next year in a bid to reduce tuition fees. The Bolton West MP said universities were ensuring people who cannot afford the fees will
IN two worrying incidents, police have been called to two Bolton secondary schools - Smithills and Sharples - to cope with outbreaks of violence which resulted in arrests. At a time when such headlines are becoming almost commonplace, ordinary citizens
A COMIC Relief fund raiser by the Bolton Evening News held at Crompton Place, raised £172.70. The winner of the Claire's Accessories £10 voucher was a red ticket number 239, serial number AA6Z VY46, and 35 other winners get a Nemo soft toy. All prizes
THE Croft interchange, where the M62 meets the M6 near Warrington, is to be resurfaced. The Highways Agency has lined up a crew to tackle the task at night and prevent delays. It means the westbound and eastbound link roads from the M62 to the M6 northbound
FOUR pupils at a Lancashire school were taken to hospital after apparently swallowing ecstasy pills. The 14-year-old girls, who are pupils at Primet High School, in Dent Street, Colne, were taken to Burnley General Hospital on Thursday morning. Pupils
BUS services 551, 553 and 675 travelling to Leigh from Walkden will be affected by the closure of Newearth Road from its junction with Stafford Road to Park Road and Hilton Lane roundabout until early May. First Manchester services 551 and 553 will travel
AWARD-winning local chef Michael Harrison will be cooking up a charity night for Bolton Hospice next month. He will be hosting a Ready, Steady Cook evening at the Chefs at Paragon in Horwich on Friday, April 22, creating delicious dishes against the clock
CALLERS to Greater Manchester Police's non-emergency switchboard have experienced problems with the service. Engineers are working to restore full service to its 0161 872 5050 after it malfunctioned on Thursday night. The emergency 999 line is not affected
A GUN discovered in a Bolton backstreet is undergoing forensic examination after being handed to police. The imitation revolver was found by an elderly man from Great Lever in a skip at the rear of a shop on Newport Street in the town centre at lunchtime
THE spectacular display flight of the rare hen harrier, or "skydancer", will hopefully be the highlight of guided walks run by the RSPB later this month and in early April. Experts from the RSPB and United Utilities will lead a series of moorland walks
A MAN who breached an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) for the third time has been sent to prison for three months. David Frank Kell, aged 23, formerly of Thrush Drive, Bury, admitted contravening the Asbo by being found in flats in Angel Meadow, Heywood
A MASKED man wielding a machete threatened a shopkeeper before he made off with money and cigarettes. The 43-year-old woman was in the back of N & E News, Tennyson Avenue, Bury, when she heard a bell on the door at 12.20pm on Wednesday. As she walked
POLICE in Bury are holding a fun day to encourage residents to stay safe. Participants will get the chance to visit a mobile police caravan and learn how to avoid becoming a victim of crime. The Crime Prosecution Service and Probation Service and Bury
THE family of a staunch charity supporter who died three years ago held a special event in his memory - and raised a further £2,000 for his favourite cause. Horwich man Stewart MacDonald donated funds regularly to the charity Children Today until his
SECONDARY school pupils have been asked to choose the winner of the Bolton Children's Book Award 2005. The award, which is in its first year, is designed to celebrate great literature written by leading authors for children between the age of 11 and 14
A FASCINATING glimpse into the early life of Bolton-born best-selling author Ruth Hamilton is on offer in her home town next month. The former Linda Girling will be hosting an event at Rivington Barn on Thursday, April 28, from 7.30pm. In aid of Fortalice
GUIDE dog trainers are being given free bus travel. Any puppy trainer working for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association will be able to travel free on all First Bus services as long as they show their ID card. The aim is to enable dog trainers and
NORWICH striker Darren Huckerby admits he has not enjoyed life back in the top flight this season. The Canaries are currently bottom of the Barclays Premiership and have only won three times in the league in their first campaign back. Huckerby has scored
HENRIK Pedersen has told Sam Allardyce his hunger for goals makes him the the best man to take over from the banished El-Hadji Diouf. Still Bolton's top scorer, despite not starting a Premiership game in 2005, the Dane is tipped for a return against Norwich
CHAMPIONS League veteran Fernando Hierro is rolling back the years to steer Wanderers towards their first European adventure. The former Real Madrid legend has taken time to make an impact on the Premiership, but his experience and class are proving invaluable
THE news that I intend to launch a political party to contest the forthcoming General Election was greeted with unrestrained hilarity everywhere, it seems, except Number 11, Downing Street. Its present incumbent, Gordon Brown, aka The Smiling Assassin
FRIDAY Super League: Bradford v Hull (8pm); Salford v Leeds (8pm); Wigan v Leigh (8pm). SATURDAY Super League: St Helens v Wakefield (6.05pm). Northern Rail National League Cup Central: London Skolars v Keighley. National Conference League Premier Division
LEIGH Centurions aim to turn the form book upside down in Friday's Super League derby clash at Wigan. Leigh are the only team yet to win a Super League point this season and they face a huge test in the first league meeting between the two sides for 12
BURY'S first team squad had a day out at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday and they will need to be at the races again Saturday! That's when they come face to face with League Two leaders Yeovil Town who will be smarting from last weekend's 2-1 defeat
Manchester League Premier Division: Atherton Town v Wythenshawe Amateurs; Avro v Breightmet United; Dukinfield Town v Prestwich Heys; East Manchester v Royton Town; Leigh Athletic v Monton Amateurs; Wilmslow Albion v Springhead. AirMiles Gilcryst Cup
THE Duke of Gloucester will visit Bolton for a rededication ceremony at a restored war memorial. Confirmation of his visit follows months of campaigning by councillors for a member of the Royal Family to attend the ceremony. Buckingham Palace said the
A "MESSAGE in a Bottle" scheme could prove to be a lifesaver for some of Bolton's most vulnerable residents. Members of the Bolton Lions voluntary group have organised the scheme which involves keeping a small bottle or canister in people's fridges at
HORRIFIED parents are consulting with lawyers after uncovering a catalogue of failings at a Little Hulton school. Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act revealed Harrop Fold school as dirty and infested with rats. Teaching standards were
A TOWERING tribute to sport in the borough on Thursday got the final go-ahead despite fears that it will it could be a danger to traffic. At a meeting of the planning committee, councillors expressed concern that the 85-feet tall Spirit of Sport sculpture
AS children look forward to the Easter holidays and time off school, some parents will be tearing their hair out trying to find something for their offspring to do. Gayle McBain has found some ideas to keep youngsters busy. IF you want to stay close to
AWARD-winning local chef Michael Harrison will be cooking up a charity night for Bolton Hospice next month. He will be hosting a Ready, Steady Cook evening at the Chefs at Paragon in Horwich on Friday, April 22, creating delicious dishes against the clock
A NEW 10-week Advocacy Training course is being run at Bolton Community College. The course is designed to help people represent the views and wishes of vulnerable people who may find it difficult to speak up for themselves. It is being held at the College's
A FAMILY event is being hosted in Bury to urge residents to be proud of the town. Police and Bury Council are urging members of the public to take part in the event as part of the Proud of Bury initiative. Police will give crime reduction advice and information
A FASCINATING glimpse into the early life of Bolton-born best-selling author Ruth Hamilton is on offer in her home town next month. The former Linda Girling will be hosting an event at Rivington Barn on Thursday, April 28, from 7.30pm. In aid of Fortalice
