Archive
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Talented young pop singers show their star potential
THEY saved the best until last. Popstars the Showcase was the final performance of the Bolton Arts Festival and hundreds of people showed their support at the Albert Halls. Youngsters aged between 11 and 16 from APA Stageworks, based at Harper Green School
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Leaky defence costs Magpies
ACTING Chorley manager Mickey Graham is desperate to plug a leaking defence before the Magpies embark on their FA Cup campaign on Saturday. The new-look defence has conceded 10 goals in the opening four UniBond First Division fixtures leaving the team
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Hands off our Market Hall
I MUST add my support to the number of people against the proposed plans to refurbish and modernise the Market Hall, in the hope that perhaps Bolton Council will listen to what I am sure is the majority view of Bolton people. It is a wonderful building
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Why both sides get the hump
COUNCILLOR Robert Wilkinson is relatively new, and his enthusiasm does him credit. But the vexed issue of road humps, and traffic calming generally, is a bit more complicated than that. To begin with, people are not always entirely consistent when they
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'Single' mum lived with partner
A MUf-two received almost £5,000 in extra cash by claiming benefits she was not entitled to. Dawn Grant, 25, of Mendip Road, Clayton-le-Woods, pleaded guilty to obtaining almost £5,000 in income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit from Chorley
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Soccer legend supports QLR
FOOTBALL legend Sir Tom Finney has come out in support of the campaign, backed by the Citizen, to save the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR) from a merger. Earlier this year the Ministry of Defence announced its intentions to modernise the structure of
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Who can blow the biggest bubble?
HUNDREDS of Chorley kids are expected to descend on a town centre store in September for Britain's first ever bubble blowing competition. The event, for children between six and 12, has swept the States for the past five years -- drawing in over 1.5 million
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Villagers get keys to hall
DREAMS of a new youth and community centre became reality this week when the building was officially handed over to local residents to run. Chorley Borough Council joined forces with construction company Westbury Homes to fund the £500,000 Fairview Youth
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Sunday school opens
SUNDAY school reopens at St Katharine's Church, Blackrod, on September 5, at 10am. Children from the age of five are welcome to attend. For details contact Carol McCabe on 01204 669775.
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Cars on fire
A CAR was destroyed after it was set on fire deliberately, in Skelton Grove, Breightmet. A Ford Fiesta was destroyed at around 4.20am today and the flames spread to a Nissan Micra vehicle that was parked nearby.
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Take a gamble for hospice
A CHARITY casino night is being held in aid of Derian House Children's Hospice. The fun starts at 7.30pm on Friday, September 10, at Hilltops Social Club, Blackrod. Admission is £6 and includes supper and £1,000 in spending "money" for the night. Tickets
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Arranging a raffle night
AN evening of flower arranging is being held in Blackrod on Saturday, September 14. NAFAS qualified teacher and demonstrator Joan Robinson will be sharing her skills at Blackrod Methodist Hall from 7.30pm. All flower displays will be raffled off at the
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Garage is set alight
A CAR inside a detached garage was deliberately set on fire after an intruder broke in through the roof. Firefighters were called to the blaze at 5am today in Manchester Road, Bolton. They spent 90 minutes at the scene. The Renault car was damaged with
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Conference on care homes
A CONFERENCE all about Lancashire care homes is to take place at the Reebok Stadium this month. The Lancashire Care Association, a break-away of the national care homes body, will hold their annual conference, called 'Partnership in Care' on Thursday,
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Post office raid foiled
THE actions of a postmaster prevented his post office from being raided by two masked men. They burst into the premises in Bolton Road, Atherton, at 2.30pm on Wednesday and demanded money. The postmaster activated an alarm inside the shop and the two
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Workers escape blaze at mill
FIREFIGHTERS were called to blaze at a mill in Bury as employees continued to work inside. The fire started at around 1.30am today at the Premier Mill, Walshaw Road, when ducting from a stenting machine erupted into flames. Three engines attended the
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Cricket - John's efforts go to waste
CHORLEY'S final home game of the season produced one of the poorest performances as Barrow picked up a rare 15 point win. Having been put in by Nigel Heaton the visitors lost both openers without scoring a run and a terrific spell from Stephen John kept
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Memorabilia roadshow for sports fans
A ROADSHOW where sports fans can have their memorabilia valued will be held on Sunday. The Collect and Protect roadshow will be held at Old Trafford where Manchester United will be giving owners of all types of sports memorabilia a unique opportunity
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Substitute scorers not enough to stave off defeats
A DISASTROUS bank holiday weekend left the Magpies empty handed for their efforts after they were defeated once at home and once away. Chorley were ahead at half-time against the newly reformed AFC Telford thanks to a penalty in the last minute of the
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A testing time for MP Brian
BOLTON South East MP Brian Iddon took up Boots' offer of a free cholesterol test. The tests are available at the Bolton branch of the high street chain to support the Kick Cholesterol Campaign. Many people believe that high cholesterol affects those who
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Teenagers learn about life on the beat
FIFTY young people were given the chance to be police officers for the day during a free event at Bolton Arena. Called "Bolton Youth Together", it was open to all 13 to 19-year-olds. They had the opportunity to find out about the police and experience
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Vintage vehicles in roadshow contests
A CLASSIC car summer roadshow will take place at Hoghton Tower, near Preston, on Sunday September 12. The grand finale of the roadshow and Champion of Champions Concours, and the 14th Lancashire Classic Car & Motorcycle Show will take place. The roadshow
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Thousands flocking to summer exhibitions
BOLTON Museum's summer exhibitions have proved a monster hit with families. More than 40,000 people have visited the Beasts of the Nile and Johnny White's Machinations displays in the last two months. There are just a few days left to visit both exhibitions
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Poetry festival comes to Octagon
TWO up-and-coming young poets are to appear at Bolton Octagon Theatre as part of Manchester Poetry Festival 2004. Matthew Hollis and Jacob Polley will be at the Octagon during the festival week, from October 7 to 16, as a host of poetry-related activity
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Sportsmen in church reunion call
FORMER sportsmen at a Horwich church are being invited to a reunion later this month. Members of the football, cricket and table tennis teams at St Mary's Catholic Church before 1970, are being invited to the event, at Horwich Conservative Club. Around
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Quality of water on up
WATER quality in Bolton has been improved. A report by the Drinking Water Inspectorate has stated that Greater Manchester now enjoys better tap water than ever before. United Utilities is spending more than £3 billion on improving the water and environment
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Casino begins to take shape
BOLTON'S new £8 million casino and bingo hall is starting to emerge. Builders are making headway in their task of transforming the former Sainsbury's supermarket, in Flash Street, Bolton. As our picture shows, the three turrets which will greet punters
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Misled tenants share £10,000 compensation
FORMER tenants of demolished flats are to share a £10,000 payout after a ruling that Bolton Council acted unjustly. Local Government Ombudsman Patricia Thomas decided that Bolton Council was guilty of "maladministration" because it did not inform tenants
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Police praised for role in murder inestigation
A CHORLEY police officer has received a commendation from the Chief Constable of Merseyside for his work during a murder investigation. Constable Alan Robinson, part of the Tower Project anti-drugs team at Chorley Police Station, was commended for his
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British Heart Foundation
THE British Heart Foundation Bolton branch's mixed pairs competition will take place tomorrow at the Railway Club, Green Lane, Bolton, from 11am. Entry costs £6 per pair, with prize money depending on the number of competitors. There will be food, tea
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Sponsors for dancers
FUSION Morris Dancers of Chorley are looking for local companies to sponsor them. As we only formed four weeks ago, we are looking for sponsors to make a donation in order for us to buy a bus to get us to competitions. Anyone who will be kind enough to
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Time to cut the grass
I WAS pleased to read an article in your newspaper highlighting the fact that a county and borough councillor had taken an interest in the issue of grass and hedge cutting in the borough. However the investigation into the borough's grass and hedge cutting
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Removal of emergency surgery must be opposed
WITH reference to the removal of emergency surgery from the A&E department at Chorley Hospital, the explanations given by Mr Curtis and Dr Munghal are far from satisfactory or reassuring. The removal of any service from the hospital has made wide
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Council should complete works or give tax rebate
HERE is my open letter to the director of finance, Chorley Borough Council. With reference to the article, 'We want action, say unhappy residents', The Citizen, August 4, I should be grateful if you would explain to me why I am not entitled to a council
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Westhoughton drawn at home
Schools soccer - WESTHOUGHTON High School have been handed a home draw as they bid for national cup glory. They will face Heckmondwike Grammar School in the second round of the ESFA Individual Schools' U18 Cup. All of the Bolton and Bury schools taking
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Best since Nat!
AMIR Khan has been Bolton's best public relation asset since Nat Lofthouse. Khan has done more to put Bolton "on the map" in two weeks, than its expensive politicians have done in 10 years. John Burke (A Farnworthian in exile) Quarry Road Treboeth Swansea
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Hand washes: Hospitals follow Bolton's lead
HOSPITAL staff across the country are set to follow Bolton's lead in tackling infections by making alcohol-based hand washes compulsary. The National Patient Safety Agency said hand rubs for doctors and nurses will be placed next to every patient in every
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600 home super estate in village gets go ahead
PLANS to build a 600-home "super estate" in Westhoughton have been approved by Bolton Council's planning committee. Two separate planning applications to build a total of 583 homes on the Carnaud Metalbox site at Chew Moor were met with unanimous approval
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£10,000 reward to catch teenager killers
A £10,000 reward has been offered to catch the killers of a 19-year-old man shot dead in Greater Manchester as he lay on the ground begging for mercy. Nureni Mumin Sheikh was attending an engagement party in Moss Side on January 10 when was shot twice
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Planners reject Dunscar luxury development plan
CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating today after planning bosses threw out plans to move Dunscar war memorial to make way for a housing development. Members of the planning committee unanimously rejected proposals to create 11 luxury homes and a six apartment
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Traffic calming is slowing emergency vehicles
TOWN Hall leaders are to order a review of the use of speed humps in Bolton following complaints that they cause pollution and slow down emergency vehicles. Cllr David Wilkinson, executive member for environment, made the announcement at a meeting of
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Asylum seekers jailed for 4 months
SEVEN asylum seekers were jailed for four months after they were caught working illegally at a pizza factory. Bolton Crown Court heard that the men caught in an imigration raid at a Westhoughton food company had escaped to England from Zimbabwe, the Democratic
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Woman dies in street knife attack
ONE woman was killed and another was left fighting for her life after a man attacked them with a knife in Silk Street, Salford Thursday afternoon. They were taken to Hope Hospital for treatment but one of them later died. The other is in a critical condition
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Bolton Sunday League
Premier Division: Bowling Green v Horwich Vic; Greenwood v Tonge Utd; Ladybridge v Armitage LC; Jolly Waggoner v Bulls Head; Bradford Ams v Arkwrights. Division One: Britannia Farnworth v Smithills; AFC Heaton v Farnworth; Fox/Stork v Clifton R; Piped
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Redrow Lancashire Amateur League
Division One: Chorley Motors v Horwich RMI; Hindley Juniors v Bolton Ambassadors; Mostonians v Thornleigh. Division Two: Ashtonians v Ainsworth; Chaddertonians Res v Bury Amateurs; Radcliffe Boys v Spotland Methodists; Tottington United v Gregorians Res
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Zimmer frame walk down the aisle
TELEVISION bride Sam Lilley walked down the aisle using a Zimmer frame for her dream wedding in Cyprus today. Millions of viewers tuned in to watch injured GMTV bride Sam, aged 23, marry her childhood sweetheart, Bolton barber Darren Foster, aged 31,
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Lions need your help
I AM organising my first charity auction on behalf of Chorley Lions Club and would welcome the help of the people of Chorley to make it a great success. The event is taking place on September 25 at Hollinshead Street United Reformed Church and I have
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Colls chasing a Radcliffe derby
North West Counties League - ATHERTON Collieries are hoping to land an FA Cup derby against Radcliffe Borough by beating Alsager Town in the preliminary round tomorrow (3pm). The winners will host Kevin Glendon's Unibond Premier Division side later this
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Starbuck in search for extra cover
Leigh v Forest Green - LEIGH RMI are hoping to sign a couple of players to fill the void left by Gareth Holmes and Karl Rose. The two influential players suffered hand and knee injuries respectively against Morecambe on Monday, but fears they would be
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Stores and venues get heart-starting defibrilators
LIFE saving machines to help people who suffer heart attacks will be installed in shopping centres and other public places, such as tourist spots, across the region. Staff will be trained to use the machines, called defibrillators, which are used when
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400 homes plan for Lex site
PLANS have been revealed for a new housing development on the site of Chorley's Lex Auto Logistics plant. The Pilling Lane firm is proposing to relocate its office headquarters and distribution facilities to part of the site of the former Royal Ordnance
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Calling all amateur cooks
HAVE you ever thought your Lancashire Hotpot was worthy of a place in a Great British Cookbook? Well, here's your chance to prove it in a cook-off against fellow Lancastrians on a brand new daytime TV show for Channel 4 celebrating British cookery. If
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Police hail new fixed penalties
ON-THE-SPOT fines were handed out to 19 drunken louts in Bolton during a summer crackdown on alcohol related crime. Police officers used new powers to hand out the fixed penalty notices for rowdy and disorderly behaviour. The fixed penalties of £40 or
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OAP's £1 bet scoops £28,000
A PENSIONER is celebrating after winning £28,000 from a £1 bet. Francis Fletcher, aged 76, successfully predicted the results of 15 football matches from a £1 bet accumulator last Saturday. And Mr Fletcher, a retired painter and decorator from Walmersley
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A novel way to go from Gandalf to growlers
LORD of The Rings star Sir Ian McKellen has lent his voice to an audio version of a new smash-hit children's novel. The former Bolton School pupil has recorded Wolf Brother, a novel which earned a record £3 million advance for author Michelle Paver. The
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Hill ready to return despite broken nose
Gateshead v Radcliffe Borough - STEPHEN Hill is hoping to return to the Radcliffe squad tomorrow - five days after breaking his nose. The former Rochdale full-back suffered the injury during Monday's 0-0 draw at Leek. But manager Kevin Glendon is confident
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Air Miles Manchester League
Premier Division: East Manchester v Breightmet United; Prestwich Heys v Stockport Georgians. Division One: Elton Vale v Pennington; Swinton Town v Hindsford. Division Two: Avro v Prestwich Heys; Breightmet United v Leigh Athletic; Rochdale SH v Atherton
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Aegon West Lancashire League
Premier Division: Eagley v Blackrod Town; Turton v Freckleton. Division One: Tempest Utd v Norcross/Warbeck. Division Two: Furness Cavaliers v Bolton County; Mill Hill St Peters v Rivington; Stoneclough v Thornton Cleveleys. Division One Reserve: Barnoldswick
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Audience gets Hollywood treatment
YOUNG performers brought a touch of tinseltown to Bolton with a Hollywood Premiere evening that included showstopping musical numbers and even the red carpet treatment. Members of the audience were greeted in true film star style when they arrived at
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Accountant keeps business healthy
"PEOPLE run out of cash" is the simple philosophy that Bolton accountant Graeme Sheridan applies to the highly complex world of business and finance. Mr Sheridan, a partner in the audit and accounts service of Jackson Stephen Chartered Accountants in
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Not a ripple over new swim pool
THE Water Place closed its doors in November 2002. Long-standing customers dependent on sporting activities and healthy exercise from swimming sessions were promised a replacement venue within 12 months. Why hasn't this happened? Different venues have
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Give the highways bosses a break
WITH regard to the road chaos consequent to the road closure at Bromley Cross railway bridge. I am no great supporter of many of the council's senior officers, but I cannot stand by and let its highway engineers take the blame for the traffic problems
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Prison's new IT unit could cut crime
A COMPUTER project seen as a flagship within the Prison Service is to be opened at Wymott Jail on Friday, September 3. Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle will officially launch the Prisoners' ICT Academy unit, a scheme designed to provide offenders with wide-ranging
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Mobile menaces target of police
CHORLEY Police are poised to launch a clampdown on the increasing number of motorists who continue to ignore the law and use their mobile phones when driving During September 'Operation Chat' will see police officers stopping any vehicle seen with the
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Schools top of the class
PUPILS and staff at a Chorley school are celebrating an unprecedented success in GCSE results with almost 75 per cent gaining A to C grades. St Michael's CE High was inundated with more than 200 16-year-olds and their parents last Thursday, anxious to
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Suez vet pens his memoirs
A FORMER RAF serviceman who fought for more than half a century to get a medal recognising the military campaign at Suez has written a book about his quest. In it, John Hunt, 72, of Carr Field, Clayton Brook, chronicles the fight to get medals for 60,000
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Full speed ahead for heart patients
CHORLEY heart patients are to benefit from a new dedicated ambulance service which will speed up the time they wait to be transferred to and from a specialist cardiac centre. Patients from Chorley Hospital are regularly transferred for specialist treatment
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Petition against quarry
SHOPS and businesses in the Runshaw Lane area of Euxton have teamed up to launch a petition against plans for a sand and gravel quarry. The campaign was launched after Tarmac Central Ltd revealed preliminary plans to extract more than four million tonnes
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Bank robbery women feared for their lives
THIS is the terrifying moment two women bank customers thought they were going to die at the hands of masked robbers. Dramatic CCTV images released by police today show one man holding a machete at his hostage's throat while the second raider wields a
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Viking night
TICKETS are on sale for a night of Vikings, Blondes and Glug at St Katharine's Church, Blackrod. The fundraising event takes place at 7.30pm on Friday, September 10, and involves a talk on the Swedes and Us by John Atherton. Call Mary Cooper on 01204
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Charity event
A CHARITY night is being held to raise money for the Mayor of Blackrod's charity Keystone Haven. With Devil's Fire Hoe Down Band will be playing at Blackrod Community Centre on Saturday, October 9, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost are available from the council
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Harvest queen coronation
AN Atherton Harvest Queen will be crowned at a ceremony on Saturday, September 18. Victoria Natalie Parker will become the Harvest Queen at Bagg Lane Methodist Church, Atherton, at 2.30pm. Entrance is 50p and there will also be a raffle, tombola and stalls
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Extra shopping
AN extra 30 minutes of shopping is available at the Market Place, Bolton, throughout September, five days a week. Opening hours have been extended from Monday to Saturday until 6pm and, on Thursday, until 8pm. Sunday hours remain as normal from 11am to
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Bus driver answers his bail
A BUS driver involved in an accident outside Camelot Theme Park near Chorley, in which a five-year-old boy was killed, has answered his police bail. Hisamulhaque Haque, of Bridgeman Street, Daubhill, died instantly under the wheels of the bus in a car
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Girl is 'improving' after death crash
A TEENAGER is continuing to improve in hospital following a road accident in which her best friend was killed. Leanne Keegan, aged 13, of Aster Avenue, Farnworth, suffered serious head injuries in the collision on Longcauseway, Farnworth, last month.
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Bolton stars to light up big switch on
VISITORS were given a preview last night of Blackpool illuminations which will be switched on tomorrow by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell. Also appearing at the star-studded opening night will be chart-topping teen band McFly, which features Bromley
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Residents could annex gardens
PLANS are being considered to allow residents to extend their gardens over a strip of land on the boundary of Sharples High School. Residents between 51 and 59 Langham Close are interested in leasing a strip of land from Bolton Council that lies between
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Steam engine will come back to life
A FAMOUS Bolton-built steam engine will be brought back to life this weekend. The huge four-cylinder Trencherfield Mill engine at Wigan Pier, built in 1907, has undergone a £60,000 revamp. It is now taller than a double decker bus and a single decker
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ay closed as bridges are replaced
PARTS of the M6 will be closed over the next two weekends so giant cranes can be used to lift two refurbished footbridges into position. The bridges, weighing 148 tons, will be lifted back into their original positions at White Hill and Vicarage between
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Plea for justices sparks 'great response'
MORE than 100 people have come forward to become a magistrate following a shortage of Justices of the Peace. Staff at Bolton Magistrates Court have reported a positive response since an appeal was launched earlier this week. A recruitment drive has begun
