THE towel weaving firm of John Ainscow, Beehive Mill, Lostock, taken over by the Spirella Group of companies five months ago, is to close "due to pressure from cheap imports." The first batch of the firm's 300 employees will be made redundant this weekend.

BRITISH actor Patrick Wymark, 44-years-old star of The Power Game television series, was found dead in an hotel room in Melbourne today.

THE death occurred yesterday in hospital of Sam Wolstenholme, the international half-back, who was born at Little Lever in 1878. He graduated with Farnworth Alliance in 1896, and the following season played with Horwich. Then Blackburn Rovers signed him, and he was later associated with Everton, Croydon and Norwich City. He played for England against Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

MR EDITOR, - I should feel glad if you would favour me with space for a few lines in your paper in reference to the cruelty carried on in the Cattle Market towards the animals in charge of the butchers. It is almost heart-rending to see the barbarity the poor animals are exposed to. The long sticks of the butchers drop on to their heads like a sledge hammer does onto the anvil. I am sure if some member of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was to witness what I have done he would try to stop such treatment. - Yours, HUMANITY, Orlando-street.

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