A NEW team is being set up by successful local football club, CMB, for under-7s next season. Young players who are in year one at school this year can contact Paul on 07923 676238. The team will train on the all-weather pitch at Bolton Arena at 12.30pm
ONE of the most respected names on the local football scene, former Atherton LR player and manager and Atherton Town manager Harold Crilly, is set to "emigrate" to Yorkshire. His departure is to be marked by a celebratory drink in Atherton Cricket Club
Amir Khan will not fight Jon Thaxton for the British title after pulling out of the bidding process. The contest was to have doubled as a mandatory defence of the 21-year-old's Commonwealth lightweight crown. But Khan will instead focus on his bout
RESIDENTS have clubbed together to tell a golf course owner to clean-up his act. They claim wagons are being allowed to drive down Hart Common, Westhoughton, leaving a trail of dirt and debris in their wake. Around 50 of the neighbours packed into a
PLAYING an instrument in front of a panel of judges would be a daunting task for anyone. But 12 talented youngsters had the added pressure of performing in front of the Duchess of Kent. The young musicians, aged 10 to 17, were competing for a bursary
MORE people than ever are logging on to The Bolton News' website. Our feature-packed pages got more than 1.4 million hits in December alone. That represents a massive 30 per cent increase in the number of people logging on, compared to January 2006.
MARIO & SONIC Score: 6/10 Platform: Nintendo Wii It sounds like a surefire hit: two of the most recognizable video game icons in the world, Mario and Sonic, team up for the first time in a single video game. While the game isn't a complete mess
DARTS fans queued overnight in the freezing cold to get their hands on tickets for the 2008 Stan James World Matchplay. First in the line at Winter Gardens in Blackpool was 55-year-old Tony Moss from Blackrod, and his friend Andy Stotton from Leigh.
A SHOWMAN has hit out after council bosses failed to find a new home for his fairground community's 40 families. Henry Hill said that despite paying council tax, Showmen's Guild families lived in "terrible conditions" on land at Mill Hill Industrial
HORWICH RMI Harrier Gary Priestley had a great run last Saturday when winning the Lancashire Under-20s Cross Country title at Witton Park, Blackburn. Running with the senior men, but covering a lap less, he used their early pace to pull well-clear of
WARDS at the Royal Bolton Hospital have now re-opened following an outbreak of the winter vomiting virus. But two intermediate care homes, which care for people too ill to be in a residential home but not sick enough to be in hospital, have been forced
SAM Allardyce has left Newcastle United. The former Wanderers boss, who quit the Reebok on April 30 last year, lasted less than eight months and 24 games at St James' Park. He leaves with Newcastle 11th in the Premier League with 26 points from 21 games
Bolton News sports columnist Neil Bonnar thinks that Wanderers fans have never had it so good. He also believes he knows how to inject some atmosphere into football grounds, and what constitutes a big club. Read Neil's excellent column in Thursday's
POLICE have hailed a high visibility operation at the Royal Bolton Hospital a success. Extra patrols were drafted in to accident and emergency over the festive period in a bid to stamp out violent and anti-social behaviour. And officers say the extra
THE festive season did not hinder Radcliffe AC's Anna Lupton when she took first place among the women in the Whinberry Naze fell race at Rawtenstall. The event, traditionally held on Boxing Day, attracted 189 runners and Lupton, getting back into racing
North Lancs One Trafford MV 20 Bolton 3 BOLTON were left counting the cost of a high missed tackle count in the first half as they began the new year with defeat. Three unanswered tries in the first 40 minutes set a lead James Brodie's side could
FC United v Chorley FC United return from their European exploits to take on Chorley as they chase a third successive title. The Rebels took advantage of a free weekend in their UniBond League calendar to take part in an indoor five-a-side tournament
FURIOUS taxi drivers have demanded to know why they are still waiting for a cab rank in Churchgate - a year after work to revamp the street was finished. Owners of Hackney carriages say they are being forced to use dangerously overcrowded ranks in Bradshawgate
Chuck out those thermal undies, glamour is back in a big way. At Prada, in their best collection for several seasons, spring/summer will be all about chiffon dresses and printed silks, toughened up with messy make-up and seriously dominatrix shoes,
There are still a couple of months left before spring blooms, so why not treat yourself to this winter's trend, a knit. A fashion trend which is practical as well as stylish and no, knits aren't just for your gran. Whether it is cardigan, jumper, dress
Dear Style Rehab I got some Christmas money and I'm thinking of investing it in a new handbag for work. It needs to be stylish but also big enough to fit all my feminine wares - personal organiser, car keys, mid-morning snack, that sort of thing.
One of the first high street retailers to showcase its new wares was Debenhams. We treated you to a sneak peak in What's New a few weeks ago but now we have the full monty. Here is a selection of what's on offer. Debenhams has gone crazy for metallics
A MAN going through a bad time turned ugly' when he tripped over a street advertising sign after drinking in a Turton pub. Blackburn magistrates heard that Lee Robert Smethurst, 41, reacted by throwing the sign through the window of a beauty salon, causing
A PERVERT who sexually assaulted a paramedic as she treated him for head injuries has been jailed for four months. Keith Baines, of Moss Bank Way, Bolton, fell over in a pub toilet and cut his head on Boxing Day. An ambulance was called to the Hope
Celestial Gold, due to make his return to the racecourse tomorrow over hurdles at Hereford after a lengthy absence, has been given a 50-1 quote for the Cheltenham Gold Cup following the entries today. Willie Mullin's Snowy Morning is also added in to
A SUPERMARKET giant's controversial plans for a Westhoughton store go before councillors tomorrow. Sainsbury's wants to build a 25,000sq ft store with parking for 240 cars on the site of Westhoughton Cricket Club, off Cricketer's Way. Planning officers
One hundred and 14 entries have been received for the traditional curtain raiser of the Flat season, the William Hill Lincoln. Wiliam Haggas' prolific four-yearold Mutajarred has been installed as the sponsors 11-1 favourite for the 2008 running of
HOSPITAL chiefs have declared war on killer superbugs. Their bid to wipe out MRSA and Clostridium Difficile (C-difficile) will see all new patients screened for the infections from April. Carpets in all public areas will be ripped out and replaced with
would like to hear from classmates who left Oxford Grove Primary School in 1961. A reunion has been planned for Friday, January 25, at Smithills. A number of people have already been in touch with Colin since the last picture was published in September
A man was threatened at gunpoint during an armed robbery at a house in Gorton. Three masked men entered a house on Milton Mount at about 8.30pm on New Year's Eve where the occupants were enjoying a night in with friends. The men were carrying what
A MURDER victim suffered from "psychotic depression" and twice stabbed himself in the neck, a court heard. Pavaiz Iqbal aged 46 was found slumped behind the front door of his home in Birkdale Gardens, Deane on December 18 2006. Vladimir Brandejs aged
WEDNESDAY night's Manchester Premier Cup quarter final tie between FC United and Flixton has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
A DOCUMENTARY which reconstructs the murderous acts of Britain's worst serial killer, Harold Shipman, has been filmed in Bolton. A production company based in Manchester used Bolton's former police station in Castle Street, The Haulgh as the setting
Security officers helped cut crime and antisocial behaviour at bus stations in Greater Manchester by more than 50 per cent last year, according to the latest statistics. An average of two incidents a day were reported to Greater Manchester Passenger
FUNDRAISING heroes who took part in a health charity's sponsored walk to Rivington Pike have been honoured. Horwich New Heart Club raises cash for the North West Transplant Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester. The money helps pay for patient
A STAGGERING 8,000 books have been donated to Bolton Literacy Trust in less than two months to help raise thousands of pounds for the organisation. Now the Trust, a registered charity, is calling on people to donate any unwanted books they may have received
BOLTON building firm Rok has provided Wally's youth club, in Eldercot Road, Deane, with a new flat roof. Help also came from other firms including Grace Scaffold, Butler Roofing, Tony Connolly, Anthony Axfords, EBM Buildbase and William Wilsons. Ian
Department store chain House of Fraser yesterday delivered strong festive trading figures. Like-for-like sales for the five weeks to January 3 were up 2.4 per cent on last year despite a tough retail environment. Margins were also up at the privately-owned
THREE little triplets from Bolton gave a teenage couple the chance to experience "extreme parenting" first hand. Toddlers Adam, Callum and Emily Gordon will feature in a TV show next week which aims to prove to would-be teenage parents that caring for
LEIGHS Paints is on the crest of a wave with its work for oil companies. The company based on Kestor Street, Bolton, is being called upon by major oil companies to make coatings for sub-sea "Christmas tree" pipe fittings. Christmas tree fittings, so
A DOCUMENTARY about honour killings featuring the story of an entire family who died in a fire will be shown on BBC1 this week. Bolton-born Caneze Riaz and her four children all died in a blaze at their home in 2006. The fire was started by Mrs Riaz's
WHEN Maxine Peake was a girl growing up in Bolton, she didn't spend her time playing with dolls and dreaming of being a princess. "I was always more of a Buttons, I think. I was a tomboy, but a misguided tomboy. I was really soft, I couldn't climb trees
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly launched a robust defence of the Government's rail record but acknowledged problems experienced over New Year had been "serious and unacceptable". The Bolton West MP told the Commons last night that the the Office
A RESIDENT put out a car fire by throwing a bucket of water over the blazing vehicle. Fire crews were called to Granville Street, Walkden, at 8.45pm on Monday after receiving reports that an Audi had been set alight. Crew commander Alex Sugden said:
Westhoughton Town Council's next meeting is on Monday, January 14, at 7pm, at the Town Hall in Market Street. Residents are invited to attend the meeting and raise any issues of local concern with councillors.
RAMBLERS are invited to join a walk around Harwood this weekend. The Bolton Ramblers' Association is holding a leisurely 4.5 mile walk, starting at the junction of Lower Fold and Hardy Mill Road on Sunday. Anyone wishing to take part in the walk should
A DRIVER escaped injury after he lost control of his car during a hail storm and careered across a motorway. The 55-year-old was travelling southbound along the M66 when he hit the central reservation between junction 2 and junction 1 at 8.15pm on Tuesday
A FUNDRAISING day at the Asda supermarket in Farnworth has raised £404 for Nugent Care. Staff packed customers' bags to raise cash for the charity, which helps children and adults with learning and physical disabilities at venues across the North-west
VERNON Kay is set to star in a new Saturday night ITV show in which he will challenge members of the public to try and beat him at various tasks. Contestants will compete against Vernon in seven challenges, ranging from a game of table tennis to more
DON'T you admire people like Bolton nurse Pat Wolfenden who lose huge amounts of weigh to turn their lives around? Pat, from Blackrod, used to weight almost 18 stone and has dropped to 10st 7lb, and her dress size is down from 24 to 12. She did it with
IT'S funny how doing something nice for others brings out the best in everyone. Young Jessica Waring used her 13th birthday not to get the latest mobile phone or designer label outfit but to raise money for local cancer charity Chemo Mums. She asked
IT'S a fond farewell to the Bishop of Bolton this week as the Rt Rev David Gillett quits his top post. He is leaving to look after his wife, Valerie, who was diagnosed with leukaemia some years ago. He played a pivotal national role in building inter-faith
NEW figures show that more than 20 schoolgirls a day are getting pregnant. Plainly, the Government's current strategy is not working. Giving teenagers the morning-after pill is fine in theory, but the reality is that it's just a licence to indulge in
I'M sure that there are thousands of people saying a silent prayer that singer Russell Watson gets through his latest treatment for brain tumours. The Salford tenor had life-saving surgery in October to remove his second tumour in 12 months, and now
WHAT a lovely story about David Wheatley delivering his baby son when wife Melanie suddenly went into labour! The Harwood dad sprang into action when young Ryan started arriving. "I didn't have time to think about anything properly," he explained after
BURY singer and actress Suzanne Shaw has been named as one of the clutch of celebs strapping on skates for the new series of "Dancing on Ice." It starts on Sunday and it would be great to see the former Hear'Say singer doing well in this chilly contest
THERE is no doubt that as our roads get clogged with more and more cars every year, standards of driving have declined. A new police road safety campaign, Drivesafe, aims to halt bad driving and bring back a little of the courtesy shown by drivers in
MY family and I have just spent a most pleasurable afternoon at the Octagon Theatre watching "A Christmas Carol". I would just like to let other readers know that, if they have not seen it, they are missing a real treat. The cast is superb, with dance
NOW in my late 70s, I have seen at least 10 performances of "A Christmas Carol". None could compare with the excellent production presently at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, where the reformation of Scrooge is most clearly presented by the hard-working
FIREFIGHTERS were called to Crescent Road, Great Lever, at 9.30pm on Tuesday after a Peugeot 307 was set alight in an alleyway.
THE pensioner robbed as she laid a wreath at her husband's grave has shown admirable courage in refusing to feel threatened. We often read of people saying they are too scared to leave their homes at night because of the possibility they will be attacked
CAMPAIGNERS against congestion charging, who now appear also to be campaigning for an elected mayor, are in danger of confusing two very separate and distinct issues. In so doing they are missing the opportunity to prevent congestion charging. The position
WHY is it that some people just can't cope with a simple thing like recycling? We have been recycling cardboard in Over Hulton for several months without any problems. If I haven't got an "official" bag, I put my paper and card in any old bag - what's
I WRITE regarding recent comments in The Bolton News from Cllr John Walsh (January 5) regarding his disagreement with the proposal under consideration to move the election count back to Bolton Town Hall from Bolton Arena in Horwich, the venue for last
IN the long history of "snouts in the trough", this has to be the most piggish. Of course, I am referring to the obscene pay rise Bolton councillors have voted for themselves - 26 per cent for the leader, 40 per cent for the deputy and seven per cent
ON reading a recent article (January 2) and letter (January 7) in The Bolton News about Bolton Primary Care Trust's proposals for new health developments around the borough, I felt it was important that I should clarify certain points and provide some
MASKED robbers held betting shop staff at gunpoint before escaping with just £30. Two men burst in to Ladbrokes in St Helens Road, Daubhill, at 5.05pm on Tuesday. Both had scarves pulled over the lower half of their face and one man was wielding a black
BSF Over-35s League: PEAKE Fitness moved to the top of Division One after thumping an under-strength Bay Mare Strollers 7-0. A Roy Naylor hat-trick, and two from Chris Mulcahy, did most of the damage but Chris Garvey's volley and Carl Higham's stunning
Norcross & Warbeck 1 Stoneclough 2: Stoneclough came from behind to secure a valuable away victory at Norcross and Warbeck. Although having the better of a wind-swept first half, Stoneclough were unfortunate to find themselves going a goal behind
Bolton County 2 Burnley Belvedere 1: COUNTY ended Burnley's six-match unbeaten run with an excellent display. The first goal came after 20 minutes when Dean Hailwood finished with a left foot volley. However, 10 minutes before half
Castle Hill Res 4 Old Bolts A 5 OLD Boltonians came out on top in a nine-goal Lancashire Amateur League Division Four thriller. The visitors opened the scoring early on, but Castle Hill reserves responded when Damian Smith smashed home. However,
Bolton Wyresdale 4 Chaddertonians Reserves 1: Bolton Wyresdale beat Chaddertonians Reserves 4-1, thanks to Kris Lord's hat-trick, and a goal from Gaz Whiteside.
Eagley 2 Freckleton 2: EAGLEY gained a hard-earned point at the weekend. Only some superb goalkeeping by Mark Andrews in the Eagley goal kept the scoreline down to 2-0 at half-time following strikes by Steve Wittingham and Dennis Ceary. The villagers
Bolton Boys Federation: PENNINGTON did not let the Christmas break affect their 100 per cent start to the season. They had a superb 6-0 victory at Bolton County Aces. Josh Williams helped himself to a double as well as goals from Matthew Collier,
Bolton & District Sunday League Football: THERE is no change at the top of the Premier Division as both Doffcocker and Colliers won. Cocker won 4-3 at T&S Northwest, thanks to a Grimshaw hat-trick. Colliers Arms beat Vulcan 3-2 at Wharton - Tollday
Junior results from The Bolton News can now be viewed in .pdf format. Simply click HERE.
THE Government is being warned to take extra care in awarding a contract to run the 2011 census by the human rights lawyer set to defend the Bolton South-east seat at the next general election. Yasmin Qureshi, who will stand for Labour because Dr Brian
A 17-year-old motorcyclist was threatened with a handgun during a robbery in Droylsden. The teenage boy was sitting on his motorbike on Fairfield Road at about 9.30pm on Sunday, December 30, when two men approached him. One of the offenders was
THE niece of tragic cyclist Gorden Kay - victim of a hit-and-run - has written a moving tribute to her uncle in a bid to help trace the driver involved. Vikki Kay has laid bare her feelings for the father-of-seven in a letter, which sits among floral
A PANTOMIME adaptation of Robinson Crusoe by the Farnworth Performing Arts Company opens next week. Robinson Crusoe and The Pirates will be showing at 7.30pm every night from Wednesday, January 16 to Saturday, January 19. There will also be a matinee
A driver who caused traffic chaos by doing a U-turn on the M60 in the rush hour after driving the wrong way down a slip road is being interviewed by police. The 81-year-old man drove his Range Rover the wrong way down the slip road at junction nine,
A 14-year-old girl cyclist is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a car on a busy main road in Trafford. Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision on Chester Road, Old Trafford, at about 5.20pm last night. The 14-year-old
FURIOUS homeowners have told how weeks without phone lines and internet access has left their lives in chaos. Around 370 families in Bromley Cross have been affected by damage to underground cables owned by BT. Businesses in the area have also been
Police are appealing for witnesses after an 83-year-old woman was robbed in Stalybridge. The woman was getting into her car in the Aldi car park at about 3pm on Thursday, December 13, when a man came up behind her and stole her bag, jolting her shoulder
DRIVERS are being advised to take extra care on roads in the region, with the Met Office forecasting spells of wet and windy weather. Winds are expected to increase to gale or severe gale, particularly over northern England today and tomorrow. The wind
WANDERERS are close to sealing a £1million deal to sign Celtic's giant centre-back, Bobo Balde. The 32-year-old Guinea international is the man Gary Megson has earmarked to beef up his back line and is not concerned that his Reebok arrival could be delayed
Gary Megson is still waiting for the go-ahead from Portsmouth manager, Harry Redknapp, before making the next move in his bid to bring Matt Taylor to the Reebok. Wanderers and Premiership rivals, Sunderland, have both agreed a £3million-plus fee with
FC United tonight return from their European exploits to take on old rivals Flixton in the quarter-finals of the Manchester FA Premier Cup. The Rebels took advantage of a free weekend in their UniBond League calendar to take part in an indoor five-a-side
GARY Megson is hoping Chelsea take "no" for an answer and drop their interest in Nicolas Anelka. The big-spending Londoners are still confident they can tempt Wanderers to sell their 11-goal top scorer, despite having an initial £11 million bid rejected
AN extra-time penalty sent Wanderers Under-18s crashing out of the FA Youth Cup at the hands of Port Vale. Jonathan Crompton's 112th minute spot kick shocked the Bolton youngsters in an entertaining fourth-round clash at the Reebok Stadium. Whites captain
Skelmersdale 1 Radcliffe Borough 2 President's Cup SEVEN games unbeaten, a solid defence, goalscoring midfielders, a prolific striker and a place in the quarter-finals of the President's Cup. Who said it was all doom and gloom at Radcliffe Borough
