THE accident and emergency department at the Royal Bolton Hospital is the second busiest in Greater Manchester, new figures reveal. More than 25,000 people were seen in casualty at the hospital in the last three months of last year. It means the hospital
MOVES to make the wreck of the Second World War troopship the Lancastria an official war grave should lead to a petition being handed into Downing Street at the end of the month. Members of the Lancastria Association of Scotland believe the remains of
A NEW pedestrian crossing and an extra traffic light are to be installed at a busy Bolton accident blackspot. A report from Bolton Council highways department said changes were needed at the junction of St George's Road and Vernon Street, Bolton, to
WE decided to venture out to the Far Pavilion Balti Tandoori Restaurant in Atherton on a Thursday evening to inject a bit of cheer into what was otherwise a wet, cold, miserable evening. We arrived, without booking, at the restaurant around 7pm and
The family of a baby girl who died when a car hit her pram in Wigan yesterday have paid tribute to her. Niamh Critchley, who was aged nine month, was killed after her Niamh's family today issued the following tribute. They said: "Niamh was a
GRANDPARENTS can gain free entry to Hall i' th' Wood museum this weekend. Admission to the Tudor House is free when accompanying grandchildren on Saturday and Sunday. Entry costs £1 per child. For more information, contact 01204 332370 or visit < a
PLANS to cut down trees on two roads have been criticised by town planners. Bolton Council has submitted proposals to fell a number of trees along residential Oxlea Grove and Green Fold Lane, in Daisy Hill. Bolton Council officers say the trees are
A DEVELOPER is under fire after chopping down down trees in a residential road. And angry residents have also criticised Bolton Council for not acting quick enough to make a preservation order on them. Householders in Junction Road, Deane, are fighting
RESIDENTS are renewing their fight against plans to build a nursery and creche over an old mine shaft. Bolton Council wants to build a new Sure Start children's centre on a site of open parkland in Springfield Road, Kearsley, with part of a £7 million
A CAMPAIGNER who has battled for nearly 20 years to discover why haemophilia sufferers became infected with hepatitis C or HIV has welcomed an inquiry into the tragedy. David Fielding was given tainted blood products in transfusions by the NHS which
CHILDREN took to the great outdoors to become ornithologists for a day. Rangers at Moses Gate Country Park held a mystery tour for youngsters to find "fledgling" birds hidden around the park. The event was part of National Nest Box Week to raise awareness
A PENSIONER who devoted his life to helping thousands of children learn to swim died after he stumbled into a car as he crossed a road. Fred Moxan Vickerman, aged 84, was a regular at the Black Bull pub in Church Street, Horwich, on Friday and Saturday
ANOTHER 700 women workers have accepted equal pay compensation deals from Bolton Council. The latest pay-out session was held at Bolton Town Hall on Saturday. Around 2,000 women have agreed deals of up to £8,000 each, costing the council nearly £5.6
A BOLTON MP helped Labour batter the opposition yesterday - in the 10th annual Parliamentary Pancake Race. Dr Brian Iddon donned a chef's hat and apron before running 100 metres while flipping a pancake for one leg of the relay on College Green, outside
RANGERS will be leading a history walk in Moses Gate Country Park between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday. Call 01204 334343.
A SHOPPER wants to return two women's blouses which were given to her by mistake. Alwynne Cartmell was shopping at Primark in the Crompton Place Shopping Centre on February 11 when she was given somebody else's shopping as well as her own. Call Mrs
A TEENAGER whose dyslexia went undiagnosed for more than a decade says she is now having to fight to get the specialist support she is entitled to. Experts only realised Stephanie Grimshaw, aged 17, had the condition last year. The student, from Kearsley
RADIO station Tower FM says it is looking at a possible move out of Bolton and Bury. The commercial station has applied to communications regulator Ofcom for permission to look into a possible move from its headquarters in Brownlow Way, Bolton. The
DR WHO'S companion K9 and his enemies the Cybermen will be making sure the near future holds a lot of fun for children at Middlebrook this half term. The futuristic characters from the popular TV show will be beaming their way to the Bolton retail park
A manager's work on a Bolton housing development has won him a national accolade from his company. Bryant Homes senior site manager, David Brown, has just been named North-west Site Manager of the Year at the company's annual awards ceremony. He currently
Fiddler On The Roof, St Paul's (Astley Bridge), Amateur Operatic Society. Runs until Saturday. IT is quite a task to successfully tease out the sadness of this harsh story of love and life and still have the audience leaving with a collective smile
Confectionery retailer Thorntons said yesterday it was on course to meet full year expectations after increased investment in its stores and online sales helped boost its performance. The group reported revenues of £111.2 million for the six months
Barclays today reported profits up by more than a third last year at £7.14 billion, as it kicked off the start of what is expected to be a record season for the UK's biggest banks. The banking giant said the better-than-expected 35 per cent rise in
CAPITAL MS&L, the financial and corporate public relations and investor relations firm, has announced the opening of an office in Deansgate, Manchester. It will be headed by Peter Curtain, a director of Capital, working with members of its 22-strong
Confectionery and drinks business Cadbury Schweppes today delivered a 9 per cent rise in profits for 2006, but reported disappointing margins and a £30 million cost-hit from last year's salmonella scare. The firm said underlying pre-tax profits stood
BOLTON South-east MP Brian Iddon has called on local firms to enter the Institute of Mechanical Engineers Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards for 2007. The winner of the competition will win the title of the UK's Best Manufacturer. This is the 25th
WRESTLERS from the USA are coming to Bolton this weekend to put on a two-hour show. The family event takes place at the Albert Halls on Sunday, at 3pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £8 concessions.
A TEENAGER was caught with a kitchen knife in his pocket two days after being given a suspended prison sentence for possessing offensive weapons. Bolton magistrates sent Anthony Pollard to a young offenders' institution for 38 weeks. Prosecuting,
EDUCATION bosses have been accused of adding insult to injury over the closure of a primary school. The decision to close Christ's Church Primary in Harwood was formally made last week by the Schools Organisation Committee (SOC) But this week the
SINGING sensation Russell Watson admits that when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year he thought he was going to die. But the Salford-born star pulled through emergency surgery and is ready to resume the tour he was forced to cancel - including
A BMW was set alight in White Carr Lane, near Walmersley Golf Club, Bury, at 8pm on Monday.
BOLTON Mountain Rescue Team raised £372 from a supermarket collection. Shoppers and staff at Sainsbury's, in Atherleigh Way, Leigh, supported the team's first collection day of the year on Saturday, when team members visited the store with collection
A HOTLINE has been set up to help Bolton's most vulnerable people. People can call the service, which is based at Bolton Council's one-stop shop, Access Bolton, and request an information pack. The pack explains about benefits, such as pensions credit
A prize of £24,250 will pay for an outdoor classroom and picnic area on the Middlebrook Cycleway, thanks to the recycling efforts of Bolton people. The borough has won the Greater Manchester Race to Recycle for the second year running, after Bolton Council
THE Bishop of Bolton has hit out at Celebrity Big Brother. The Rt Rev David Gillett said the recent Channel 4 show highlighted the problems with racism in Britain. In the controversial series, Indian film star Shilpa Shetty was verbally abused by fellow
AT the risk of sounding like a prude I hope that today's girls don't look on Amy Winehouse as a serious role model. The pretty 23-year-old, who won Best British Singer at the Brits Awards, is a self-confessed hell-raiser with a drinks problem and enough
IT'S good news that Bradshaw and Bromley Cross are to get befriending services to help lonely, isolated elderly residents. These excellent schemes already operate in Farnworth, Kearsley and Little Lever and Halliwell has a very effective service.
I WAS away and unable to go along to the "transport operators' surgery" in Bolton this week. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) was providing representatives from the various agencies involved to allow public transport users (
SHOULD air stewardess Lisa Roberts have lost her job after her "mile high" sex romp with actor Ralph Fiennes? Of course she should. Not only was the encounter vacuously tacky, but she was totally unprofessional. It's taken years for the former "trolley
OH, oh! Poor Britney Spears is finally losing all her marbles along with her hair. She came straight out of a brief visit to rehab to shave off her long brown locks and console herself with a couple of new tattoos, like you do. She needs a swift talking
The Bolton News TV News, Sport and Weather Bulletin for February 21 is online now.
PEOPLE who miss appointments are costing our cash-strapped NHS millions of pounds a year. One in 10 appointments were missed at the Royal Bolton Hospital in the nine months to the end of last December. And family doctors locally report that up to
I AM writing in response to the Crompton Way issue. I'm afraid Cllr Elaine Sherrington is mistaken if she thinks that only the constituents of Tonge with the Haulgh will be affected by the proposed scheme to narrow Crompton Way to one lane. This is going
I MUST respond to the comments from Cllr Sherrington on the proposed single-lane traffic on Crompton Way. She knows perfectly well, as do those who produce accident figures, that 95 per cent of accidents are caused by driver or pedestrian error, and
I WAS taken to The Royal Bolton Hospital on Tuesday, February 6, from my doctor's surgery, by ambulance, as my asthma was very bad. I would like to thank everyone from my doctor, the ambulance crews who were fantastic, and the doctors and nurses in
IT was interesting to read the comments regarding the phone mast in Horwich, in and around the Leisure Centre, but I wonder if anyone has noticed a phone mast right in the centre of Horwich. It is an "02" mast sited on the corner of Lee Lane and Winterhey
I WRITE in response to two articles on the Letters page on February 16, regarding the Moor Lane toilet block. I, like many other people in Bolton and the surrounding districts, am pleased that the current council overturned the ludicrous idea of closing
REGARDING your article "Get off our buses". The number 95 is the only bus from Bolton to all the areas stated in the article. We had quite a good bus service not that long ago - everything has now gone pear-shaped. There are so many people that it
YET again the life of a beautiful young child (Casey Leigh Mullen) has been taken by yet another sick, mindless individual. It is now time that these people who abuse, sexually assault and murder children should be treated like the animals that they
A TEENAGER charged with the murder of 25-year-old stab victim, Rabid Amin has appeared in court. Jabar Ahmed, aged 19, of Campbell Street, Farnworth, is also charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding 23-year-old Sajid Ahmed and possessing an offensive
ARE there any Labour councillors in Bolton who really believe that our dwindling stock of council properties should continue to be sold off to tenants, under the Tory right-to-buy law? Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton West, and Communities Secretary, does
AN inquiry into why people treated for haemophilia became infected with HIV or hepatitis C is long overdue. Dave Fielding, who was given products which destroyed his liver, and whose brother contracted AIDS and died after treatment by the NHS, would
TARGETING potential troublemakers before they have actually caused any problems sounds like an off-beat idea, but it might just work. Involving their parents in the plan is a definite step in the right direction. Bolton has been given £58,000 in Government
LEIGH'S relegation worries grew after they continued their miserable run of form. The Railwaymen have now picked up just one point from their last six games and plunged from mid-table to the relegation zone. Their defensive frailties were badly exposed
BOXER Amir Khan chatted to the Queen last night about how he has been helping to fight child cruelty. The Bolton star met the Queen at a reception to mark the completion of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's Full Stop campaign
MASS pandemonium broke out in a crowded pub when two gunmen burst in and opened fire. Carlton Alveranga, aged 20, and Richard Austin, aged 19, had been ordered to execute two men sitting in the Brass Handles pub in Salford, a court heard yesterday.
Police in Stretford are appealing for information after a deaf 12-year-old boy and his older brother were robbed and threatened with a gun. The boys were walking home along Barton Road, near to the junction of Winster Avenue, at about 9.30pm last night
AN injury-hit Lancashire side finished top of their group and qualified for a home semi-final in the Northern Counties FA Youth Championship with a well-taken 2-0 win over Sheffield and Hallamshire FA. Leigh RMI youngster Mark Ross headed Lancashire
Bolton Wanderers Ladies 5 Warrington Town 3: AFTER being beaten by the top of the league a week ago, Bolton travelled to bottom of the league, Warrington Town, in no mood to suffer another defeat. Georgina Stebbings put Bolton ahead in the 16th minute
BOLTON Under-15s stretched their unbeaten run to six games when they held Sefton to a 3-3 draw in their challenge match at Ladybridge High School on Saturday. The local lads have been in tremendous form this season and they made it through to the semi-final
SAM Allardyce has told new signing Cesar Martin Villar he could have a big part to play in Wanderers' quest for Europe. The Spanish international centre-back has joined Wanderers for the remainder of the season after having his contract cancelled at
STRUGGLING Bury return to the place where it all went wrong tonight, looking for their first win in 11 games. It may not have seemed like it at the time, but December's 3-1 victory over Chester City in the FA Cup marked the beginning of the end for what
LAW firm The Hardman Partnership, which focuses on commercial work in Bolton, has promoted Mike Rafferty to partner. Mr Rafferty, who has been with the firm for two years, will head the personal injury department. Partner Joanne Martin will continue
Name: David Walton. Born: Swinton, 1963. Company: Keoghs. Position: Partner and Head of Crime and Regulatory Team. Where did you start? Tom Unsworth Solicitor, a niche insurance firm in Urmston. What got you interested?: My area of
ELTON Vale stumbled again as they tried to close the gap at the top of the league after a disappointing 1-1 draw with third placed Turton. Turton started the brighter and an A Burke goal gave them the lead. They looked like holding on for a win, but
Bosses of eight teams have asked to attend a meeting with Bolton Sunday League organisers to discuss a range of issues including failure to fulfil fixtures and discipline. The clubs were due to turn up at Tonge Moor Conservative Club on Monday to collect
THE big game in Division One of the Lancashire Amateur League saw Tonge United go down bravely. The home team started well and almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Bonner's volley was brilliantly saved by the visiting keeper. Tonge went in front
ANOTHER poor performance has put Breightmet under extreme threat of relegation from the Manchester League Premiership. Against one of the other struggling teams, Breightmet showed little flair or commitment. Yet after being under seige from the Avro
WEST Lancashire League Division One high-fliers Stoneclough, were unable to break down down a well-organised Garstang side and it was no surprise when the visitors went ahead a minute before half-time. The home side could not breach the Garstang defence
EAGLEY returned from the seaside with a hard-earned point from this West Lancashire Premier Division fixture. At half-time, the Villagers trailed to a 15th minute strike from Dave Pickering, who fired in at the back post after the Eagley defence had
Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division leaders, Old Boltonians, ran out convincing winners after a cagey start. Rob Gamble grabbed the opener with a sweet half-volley from 15 yards after Lever failed to clear Mick Platt's whipped free kick. Little
A WOMAN who police feared may have been abducted has been found safe and well. Police appealed for help on Monday after reports that a woman may have been abducted following an altercation with a group of men in Bolton town centre.
A 36-year-old man arrested after a baby girl died when a car hit her pram in Wigan has been released on police bail pending further inquiries. The man, from Billinge, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and will
A BULL terrier could lose an eye after it was hit around the head by yobs. Bella, a two-year-old bull terrier, was found in the street covered in blood in the early hours of Sunday. Liz Smith said her pet had been attacked after it managed to get
A MAN who refused to accept his relationship was over, bombarded his ex-partner with late night abusive phone calls. Paul John Killeen, aged 38, of Kempster Gardens, Halliwell, had split with Alicia Dunn, his partner of 12 years and mother of his two
VISITORS can enjoy feeding time at Bolton Aquarium tomorrow. Anyone visiting the aquarium in Le Mans Crescent at 2pm can watch the fish being fed and chat to staff.
ITEMS of food are being collected by St Katharine's Church in Blackrod as part of its annual Winter Watch. Cans, jars and packets will be donated to Spa Mill shelter for homeless people in Bolton, which is open until the end of March. Items can be
A SMOKING shelter plan for a pub has been rejected by planners. Westhoughton Town Council voted against plans submitted by brewers Joseph Holt for the beer garden of the White Lion in Market Street, Westhoughton. Council leader Cllr Jim Gilfillan
BABY Robert Lane could not believe his eyes when he got a glimpse of life underwater. The nine-month-old youngster was one of many children who turned up at Bolton Aquarium for a special half-term event - feeding time. Bolton Aquarium, based in Bolton
A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been ordered to keep the peace after being arrested by police when he caused a scene at his mothers' home. Leon Blears of Long Causeway, Farnworth, was arrested on February 16 after his mother called police to her Ennerdale Road
WOMEN are being urged to get naked and tell the nation what they love and loathe about their bodies. A team from television show "How to Look Good Naked" are bringing a private Bod Pod to the Triangle Shopping Centre in Manchester on March 2 and want
A TEENAGER who is one of the country's most prolific offenders cut an electronic tag off his leg after returning home from a youth club and breaching his curfew. Magistrates in Bolton heard the 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, panicked
THE new chair of Bolton's Vision Steering Group is looking forward to the challenges ahead. The group, which is responsible for shaping the future of Bolton across all sectors, is currently revising the existing community strategy, "Clear Vision, Bright
ENTRIES are already starting to come in for this year's Bolton and Bury Business Awards, in association with Business Bolton. And one of last year's winners has come on board as a category sponsor. Goss Marble, based on the Raikes Lane Industrial Estate
UNSOCIAL hours, high staff turnover, poor training and low pay have all been associated with the catering industry. But the Farnworth-born celebrity chef, Paul Heathcote stands out after his company was awarded a national accolade for staff retention
THE idea of fluoridating the water supply to help stop children's tooth decay is a load of nonsense. I have five grandchildren, and my friends also have this similar issue. The only way to get them to drink tap water is to drag them kicking and screaming
IT was with dismay that I read in The Bolton News that fluoride in our water supply is rearing its ugly head again. If these people who are trying to thrust this poison down our throats were to be held responsible for any litigation claims, I think they
ONCE again, fluoride. How many times do we have to have a referendum? Until we say yes? If you want to use fluoride, have it in toothpaste. Why should non-elected people decide what we should have in our water? When it goes in the water, what choice
I WOULD like to protest about putting fluoride in the water system. It is a poison and not everyone will be OK with this addition to the water. It is another way the government want to sell off waste. All it needs is for someone to make a mistake with
Once again fluoride in our water is being threatened by the authorities. As stated in The Bolton News' comment, children's teeth are bad because their parents do not say no to sweets and fizzy drinks. A lot of pensioners of my age still have their own
FEARING that the pro-fluoride lobby will slowly and inexorably succeed, I am registering my total disapproval of the idea. I feel sure that professionals (dentists) who feel there is moral justification for supporting the plan, do so knowing the obvious
FARNWORTH cycling prodigy, Jason Kenny, will be part of the Great Britain cycling team going for World Cup glory at the weekend. He is in the team to compete in the final round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at the Manchester Velodrome. The 18-year-old
UEFA officials have launched an inquiry after Manchester United's victory in Lille last night was marred by a frightening crushing incident involving their fans standing on terraces behind a goal.p> In a chilling reminder of the Hillsborough and Heysel
BOLTON Wanderers today became the first Premiership club to announce it is to cut season ticket prices. In an initiative destined to be followed by a number of top flight rivals, the Whites have revealed that Reebok regulars will pay 10 per cent less
