Transport bosses are launching a major crackdown on bus fraud in Greater Manchester. GMPTE, Greater Manchester Travelcards Limited (GMTL) and local bus operators have teamed up to launch a county-wide campaign warning passengers to think twice about
CONFIRMATION that the Cup of African Nations will impact on Wanderers' Premiership survival bid came last night when Abdoulaye Meite was named in the Ivory Coast's 26-man preliminary squad. With El-Hadji Diouf due to captain Senegal at the tournament
MORE than one third of homeowners in Bolton are risking a £1,000 fine by not updating their TV Licence when they move house, according to new research. A survey commissioned by TV Licensing showed that 38 per cent of people in the borough thought their
A mum who thought a parcel containing her Christmas savings had been lost in the post has been reunited with it - with a little help from The Bolton News. Eileen Murphy, aged 42, of Sharples Park, Astley Bridge, contributed each month towards Park Christmas
PEOPLE in Bolton's most affluent areas are almost four times more likely to drink too much than those in the borough's poorest districts. The results of the Bolton Health Survey 2007 have revealed up to 38 per cent of people living in Astley Bridge,
A 76-YEAR-OLD woman has been struck by a car. Police have closed off Bury Road in Breightmet, at its junction with Garstang Avenue, while they wait for paramedics to attend and help the woman. The accident happened near to Netto at around 5.50pm. The
MUSICAL youngsters entertained pensioners at an extra special Christmas party. Westhoughton Visiting Service, which helps elderly people who are on their own, organises a Christmas party for its clients every year. But a £1,000 donation from Westhoughton
Seven teenage members of a "distraction theft" gang have been arrested by police investigating almost 50 thefts in Manchester city centre. Police have been looking at 46 cases of theft, robbery and shoplifting. A police spokesman said: "In some
BOLTON North East MP David Crausby has welcomed plans for a review of "cashback" contracts being offered by mobile phone operators. Mr Crausby says service providers offering deals which appear too good to be true ought to be made to honour offers by
A morning rush of money for The Listener in the Lexus Chase seemed to suggest something was amiss with hot favourite Denman but the market has settled at 4-9 Denman with The Listener in to 5-2 from 9-2, according to Williams Hill. Hills spokeswoman
SINGER-songwriter Simon Aldred - aka the man behind Cherry Ghost - may have spent the past month on tour with the Manic Street Preachers, but he's determined to spend Christmas at home in Bolton. But after that, the 32-year-old who saw his debut album
THEY might seem more likely to scare small children, but four of Bolton's finest hard rock and metal bands are coming together to raise money for charity. Princess Die, Cupids Revolver, Uncle Rotter and Total Victory will all play a gig at the Dog and
THREE youths who sparked a warehouse blaze which killed a man had downed shots of vodka before the incident, a court has heard. One of the accused made the admission as he told a jury the fires he and his friends started "for a laugh" had been put out
Masked men armed with an axe and a meat cleaver stole cash from a bar in Chorlton-cum-Hardy. The three men, wearing balaclavas, entered the Proof bar on Manchester Road at 6pm on Monday threatened a member of staff and demanded money from the till.
A 36-year-old man has today been jailed for manslaughter after killing his flatmate in a house fire. Stephen Cotton, aged 26, of no fixed abode, but formerly of Marlow House, Hodge Lane, Pendleton, was convicted of the manslaughter of his flatmate
A GANG of crooks stole £1,000 from a till at a supermarket checkout. Detectives believe that up to five men walked in to the Asda store in Astley Bridge last night and managed to open a till - possibly by using a stolen master key. The men took £1,000
Great-grandmother Muriel Owen proves age is no barrier to exercise - she is still working out at 91 years old. Muriel regularly attends Motorcise women's gym in Le Mans Crescent in Bolton town centre, and is urging other elderly people to follow her
CUTS to red tape are saving businesses millions of pounds a year, according to a Government report. But that rosy picture was not reflected in the views of business leaders. Business Secretary John Hutton outlined more than 280 initiatives to tackle
DIGITAL marketing agency Fudge has grand designs for the website of a dressmaker to the stars. Fudge, which employs seven people at its offices in Mawdsley Street, Bolton, will revamp the online store of Manchester-based Gorgeous Couture, whose clients
STRONG demand for Nintendo video game products caused sales figures to surge at retailer Game Group. Game, which merged with retailer Gamestation in May, revealed a 44.1 per cent rise in like-for-like sales in the 45 weeks to December 8, while total
TRAVEL giant Thomas Cook said profits were set to soar ahead of forecasts as it showed further signs of improvement in its UK business. Shares in the German-owned firm soared 6 per cent after it said profits for the year to October 31 would hit £269.5
A COMPANY boss is celebrating after scooping a top award. Chris Claydon-Butler, from Bolton, was chosen ahead of 200 others as the Institute of Directors' Lancashire Director of the Year. She has been managing director of Simon Jersey, an Accrington
LEISURE group Whitbread said sustained corporate demand continued to drive strong growth at its Premier Inn hotels. Whitbread reported Premier sales growth for the 39 weeks to November 29 of 15 per cent, with the figure up by 10.8 per cent excluding
A successful relaunch of the Wispa chocolate bar has sweetened the fortunes of Cadbury Schweppes' UK business, according to the confectionery maker. The October relaunch - and a marketing campaign featuring a gorilla drumming to a Phil Collins track
Wigan Warriors have signed 12 of their young Academy stars on new contracts. The only new signing is Sam Gee who has arrived from Warrington, with the rest having successfully come through the Wigan Warriors Scholarship Scheme. The Senior
DESIGNERS behind Atherton's new-look cenotaph have scooped a major award. Wigan Council's Urban Design Awards feature the best of the borough's design and construction projects. The Atherton Cenotaph Project Group won the award in the environmental
Xfm's Winter Wonderland Apollo, Stockport Road, Manchester Tuesday December 11 MANC legends The Charlatans might have bagged the headline slot, but even they had to take a backseat to young pretenders to the throne, The Courteeners. An impressive
PROGRESS on Bolton Wanderers' youth academy could be delayed after Horwich Town Council demanded its say. The £3 million plans for the former BAe site in Lostock Lane are due to be discussed by Bolton's planning committee tomorrow. But the development
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune 8/10 PlayStation 3 By the time Nathan Drake - the smooth-talking, treasure-hunting descendant of famed privateer Sir Francis Drake - arrives on a teeny island in the middle of the Pacific, you will agree that the Sony PlayStation
THREE cab drivers were arrested after a row over a fare escalated into a brawl. The fight left three passengers in hospital including one man who suffered a broken leg. Police were called when the scuffle broke out near to the Arc Car Wash in Albert
GARY Megson is hoping Wanderers can rise to another derby challenge at Eastlands on Saturday. The Bolton boss, who has already masterminded victories over local rivals Manchester United and Wigan Athletic, knows another good result against Manchester
Staff were threatened with a gun during a robbery at Withington Post Office. Two masked men went into the shop on Egerton Crescent and pointed a gun at staff shortly after midday on Monday. They demanded the staff and customers in the shop lay on
A SCHOOLBOY tearfully told a court he had lied to the police when he said he had not started any fires at a DIY warehouse where a homeless man died. The Klyne and Klyne warehouse in Manchester Road, Walkden, was destroyed in a blaze in February, 2006
A LONG line of philanthropists and a far-sighted Bolton Council have meant that the town has a legacy of beautiful parks. Sadly, as we go into 2008, our parks and their use have altered. As with many other open spaces, they have become a natural meeting
AMIDST all the fuss about teddy bear naming in Sudan, teacher Gillian Gibbons' reaction was just brilliant. "I went out there to have a bit of an adventure and got a bit more than I bargained for," was her assessment of the row that put her in prison
WHATEVER truth emerges from the very strange story of canoeist John Darwin's disappearance five years ago, we cannot help but be fascinated. The idea of anyone simply vanishing from their old life is the stuff of fantasies. It is the very ordinariness
THE whole furore about whether or not schools should stage Nativity plays just makes you feel like you've stepped into a parallel universe. Here's a clue, it's called Christ-mas, it's a religious festivity and it's about celebrating the birth of the
IT IS no surprise at all that the actors on Coronation Street are turning to Bolton firm Damart's thermal clothing to keep cosy while filming. People in this country and abroad have been insulating themselves against the cold for decades thanks to the
ARE you, like me, hooked on BBC1's period drama Cranford? The five-part series is based on three of the works of Mrs Elizabeth Gaskell. She was brought up in Knutsford, which was the inspiration for Cranford, and later lived in Longsight,. Dame Judi
NOT everyone likes Jeremy Clarkson's acerbic comments and anachronistic style. But you have to applaud his treatment of a group of hoodies who were harassing him - he grabbed the ringleader by his hood and lifted him off the ground. Predictably, this
QUAD bikes are fine when they are used in a designated location - a bowling green is not one of these. The bikes are meant to be ridden out in the country or in fields, but youngsters are often seen driving them on busy roads and even in town centres
AN astonishing £1 billion is expected to be pumped into the Bolton economy during the next 10 years. That is the optimistic forecast from the Bolton Vision partnership between the council and around 150 private, public and voluntary organisations that
IF your readers are starting to plan their New Year's resolutions, may I suggest that they think about volunteering? We have seen so much about the problems facing carers in the media recently that maybe it is no coincidence that International Volunteers
THERE is a lot of conflict and argument surrounding recycling, but there are two major points that go undiscussed within this debate. Firstly, that supermarkets are overpackaging their products, and secondly, people buy these overpackaged products because
MY first trip into Bolton since the introduction of the one-way system was a never-to-be-repeated experience. At 1.30pm, Bradshawgate was gridlocked both ways, as was Great Moor Street. And where are all the traffic wardens? Certainly not doing what
AS we enter the festive season and there is a natural increase in the amount of food we buy, I ask readers to please spare a thought for the lives of all those animals - especially the millions of turkeys - reared for Christmas every year. Don't forget
I WOULD like to know who at the council decided that the paper and cardboard collection should now be every two weeks? I recycle a lot of paper and card, and by the end of the second week the new plastic bag is overflowing. My bag is now split from
IN his letter of May 3, Cllr Nick Peel, then chairman of Bolton Council's planning and highways committee, extolled the virtues of the council's e-planning service and how "customers can access an important council activity". Was he aware that with effect
I REFER to the Longcauseway/Albert Road/Buckley Lane Junction in the Farnworth/Kearsley area, I notice that the fencing is down yet again and leaning well over the public footpath. It now seems to be down on a weekly basis and yet, indirectly, we, the
RAMBLERS can walk off the Christmas pudding in a leisurely four to five-mile stroll taking in new woodland near Sharples and the Sweetloves area. Meeting point for the walk, which promises stunning views, is Smithills Hall, at 2pm on December 30. For
A SUSPICIOUS fire which tore through a garage was put out before it could spread to surrounding shops. Firefighters were called to the garage in Cobden Mill, Gower Street, Farnworth, at around 5.05am yesterday morning. It is thought the fire started
A SOLDIER whose foot was blown off as he helped an injured comrade has described his pride at being honoured by the Queen. Andy Barlow, from Breightmet, was at Buckingham Palace yesterday to collect the George Medal, the second highest military award
VANDALS wrecked a popular bowling green by driving a vehicle over it. Pensioners who use the green at Barlow Park, Sharples, are devastated by the damage, which will cost thousands of pounds to repair. It is believed that youths drove either a car or
Clitheroe 3 Radcliffe Boro 2 BOROUGH have only themselves to blame for blowing a 2-0 half-time lead which should have seen them notch that elusive first league win. It's almost as if they don't believe a victory is possible. There is no other explanation
FORGET Led Zeppelin. The hottest ticket in town is the Arctic Monkeys. They proved once again why they are rated as one of the best British bands of the last five years. They sell out wherever they go and it is a measure of their talent that Manchester
Police are appealing for witnesses following a hit and run which has left an elderly Bury man in a critical condition in hospital. Police were called to Lowercroft Road, Bury, at about 4.40pm last night to investigate reports that a car had hit
A MAN put up posters across Bolton advertising a nightclub event in return for a share of the door receipts. But the dance night at the Fluid club in Bank Street, Bolton, was cancelled after Anthony Maddox was caught putting up the posters without a
Ashton Athletic 1 Leigh RMI 3 RMI cruised into the semi-final of the United Cooperative Challenge Trophy last night. Fielding a number of youngsters and new players, RMI outclassed the home side, easing into a 3-0 lead before conceding a consolation
ARSONISTS started a blaze which damaged a derelict house in Kearsley. Fire crews were called to the detached house in Bolton Road on Monday night. It is believed vandals had broken into the house before setting fire to the first floor.
TWO brothers who carried out a savage attack on a teenager in a takeaway have been jailed. Gulstan and Usman Azam left their victim with horrific head injuries after threatening him with a knife and battering him with a baseball bat. The brothers were
People in Manchester city centre are being urged to snub beggars, but help them by giving to special charity boxes instead. Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council have worked with the High Sheriff and Chairman of property letting firm
A man is fighting for his life in hospital after a serious assault in Tameside. Five people were arrested after police were called to Ashworth Lane, Mottram at about 4.15pm on Tuesday, following a report of an assault. A 44-year-old man was taken
A teenager has been fined £200 for throwing a cigarette stub on the ground in Bolton town centre. Danielle Scrivener, aged 18, of Rawson Street, Farnworth, pleaded guilty to the offence when she appeared before Bolton magistrates yesterday. The defendant
A CRASH in which left two high-flying A-level students died might have been caused by a tyre defect, say police. An investigation is under way to establish what caused Jonathan Sharples to lose control of his Ford Ka and career in to a tree. Traffic
WANDERERS have slashed prices, including a kids for a quid' offer, for their FA Cup third round tie against Sheffield United. Adult prices have been discounted - £10 for season ticket holders, £15 for others - for the clash with Bryan Robson's Blades
Almost a third of rail passengers feel their fellow commuters could do with a good wash, according to a new survey. The personal hygiene of other rail users is the biggest annoyance faced by train travellers, a poll by IT networking company Telindus
Bolton Association side Golborne are looking for a new professional next season. Anyone interested can ring Geoff Stockon on 07980283107. The club's winter nets start on Tuesday January, 8 at Robin Park (8.30pm). New players welcome.
