SOME might say that appearing in a war film about the Battle of the Somme could well prove good training for Bolton heart-throb Paul Nicholls next month.

I wouldn't dare say it, of course, because the occasion then is the Bolton Ladies' Rounders League's annual presentation of prizes. And Paul, fresh from his triumph as a young soldier in the new war blockbuster The Trench, is giving out the prizes.

Good-hearted Paul is taking no fee for the appearance and League social secretary Valerie Ottley tells me that he has not mentioned any ban on pictures or autographs.

He will, however, have to face an audience of around 600 females at the Pembroke Halls in Walkden on October 8. And mere polite clapping at his appearance is not expected from a gathering noted for its exuberance.

With this in mind, will he be having "minders" for the occasion? Although no special security is planned, rumour has it that ex-policeman and league official Dennis Foulkes could well be called upon ....!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.