http://www.champnews.com All the latest Ormskirk news from Champion Newspapers en-uk Copyright 2007 Champion Media Group. All Rights Reserved http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8124 West Lancashire councillors are thrashing out ways to deal with some of the borough's worst parking spots in an effort to end misery for many of the region's motorists. Last night (March 9, 2010) the borough council's Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee met to consider a report into some of the trickiest spots for residents to park up, and advocated using vacant council-owned land and garages in an attempt to allievate pressure on some of the worst-affected areas. “The Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee at West Lancashire Borough Council carried out a review on Car Parking in West Lancashire the purpose of which was to consider the diverse parking problems experienced in the Borough particularly as it affects residential areas near to centres of employment and schools who do not have space available to accommodate vehicle parking,” said Up Holland borough councillor Terry Rice, the committee's chairman, in his foreward on the report into the parking problems. “We started the scrutiny project in July 2010 and have learned much from our enquiries. In Autumn 2009 we surveyed our own Members through a questionnaire to hear their views on parking "hotspots" in their Wards. The evaluation of the results and our enquiries has assisted us to explore the issues of the review topic and inform the Committees recommendations.” Several locations across the borough have been highlighted as being particularly bad in terms of parking, with Ormskirk having the most places which have been identified as being priorities for any work the council undertakes to ease pressure on car parking spaces. The West Lancashire locations the committee considers as being its highest priorities in easing parking problems are: Ormskirk, in the vicinity of Tower Hill Ormskirk, in the vicinity of Edge Hill University and Ormskirk Hospital Ormskirk, around the town centre Sandy Lane Centre, Skelmersdale Linacre Lane, Halsall Burscough Village Centre Aughton Town Green Lane Shops/Aughton Village Hall Ormskirk, Burscough, Aughton, Appley Bridge and Up Holland railway stations The council has already considered several solutions to problems with parking in the borough, including allowing vacant garages it owns to be used by residents to store vehicles, and allowing empty council-owned sites to be used as temporary extra car parks. It also advocates working more closely with Lancashire County Council to improve the borough's public transport, particularly park and ride schemes, to lessen residents' reliance on their cars and reduce the number of them driving into towns such as Ormskirk and Skelmersdale. The final reccomendations from last night's meeting will be considered by the council's cabinet when it meets at its next meeting, due to take place next Tuesday (March 16, 2010). For more information read next week's Champion, due out on March 17, 2010. By David Simister       10/03/2010 09:16:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8123 Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust has blasted claims by the BBC that it “failed” on core standards when its self assessments were double-checked. A BBC Panorama investigation revealed on Monday (March 8) that spot checks by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had found 60% of hospitals in England were not accurately assessing their performance. A report on the BBC's website went on to claim that when just four of the 44 'core standards' in assessments from 28 hospitals in 2009 were double-checked, Southport and Ormskirk “failed in three of the four areas checked. The only other hospital to fail in three standards was Peterborough, meanwhile six were wrong in two out of the four standards and nine got their assessment wrong in one of the four standards. A spokesman for Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust told The Champion: "The article on the BBC website entitled 'Spot-checks reveal mistakes when hospitals self-certify' is somewhat misleading. “In the annual Healthcheck in 2009 the CQC rated the trust as good. The only criticism we received from the CQC did not impact on direct patient care. "The BBC claims that Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust 'failed' in 3 out of 4 core areas. This is not correct in two ways; first, there are 44 core standards, not four. Second, we did not 'fail'. The Care Quality Commission did not agree with our assessment and said we had not met the requirements. We did meet the requirements of the other 41 of the 44 core standards. "In all three of the core standards where the CQC did not agree with our assessment, the reasons were to do with our recording of what we had done and the processes in place to measure them. It was not a criticism of what we had actually achieved and was not connected to direct patient care. "The BBC list 17 hospitals where there were 'inspection failures' and it implies we are worse that 15 of these hospitals. In fact when the overall rating given by the CQC is looked at, we are better than 13 of the hospitals and equal with three."   By Natasha Young 10/03/2010 09:09:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8119 West Lancashire could have not one but two big National Lottery winners. A mystery winner, known only as Mr T from Lancashire, scooped £577,360.30 in the EuroMillions draw on January 8, 2010. And a Lotto prize of £114,939 has yet to be claimed in the West Lancashire area, so National Lottery ticket players are being urged to check and double-check their tickets. Camelot, who operate The National Lottery, could not say where exactly in Lancashire Mr T was from, but did add he had matched five main and one Lucky Star number. He was playing The National Lottery through an interactive channel, so never had to touch a ticket. The search is now on to find the owner of the winning ticket, bought in the West Lancashire area, who matched five numbers and the bonus ball in the Lotto draw on Saturday, February 20. The winning Lotto numbers on that date were 8, 24, 27, 31, 34, 36 and the bonus ball was 19. Camelot was not allowed to disclose where the ticket was bought. The lucky ticket-holder has until 5.30pm on Thursday, August 19, 2010 to make their claim. If no-one comes forward with the winning ticket before the prize claim deadline, then the prize money will go to good causes. A National Lottery spokesperson said: “We're desperate to find this mystery ticket-holder and unite them with their winnings - this amazing prize could really make a huge difference to somebody's life. "We're urging everyone to check their old tickets again or look anywhere a missing ticket could be hiding. Try checking in the pockets of clothing, in wallets, bags and down the back of the sofa - someone out there could literally be sitting on a fortune! "We have the champagne on ice and our fingers crossed that the lucky winner comes forward to claim their win."  To jog Lotto players' memories, the charity single, Helping Haiti - Everybody Hurts topped the UK singles chart at the time, while Alicia Keys was at the top of the album chart with The Element of Freedom. Local club, Ormskirk FC were romping to a 6-3 win over Atherton Royal, while Skelmersdale United FC were losing 4-1 to AFC Flyde. It was the day Liverpool ground out a 0-0 draw with Manchester City. Anyone who believes they have the winning ticket should call 0845 910 0000.  By Henry James    10/03/2010 08:49:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8118 New controversial Hydropower Turbines could be placed in Banks as Government officials earmark the area as a potential future site. A report has been released this week by the Environment Agency which shows the sites where the new turbines could be placed to meet national renewable energy targets. The proposed turbines could provide enough electricity to power up to around 850,000 homes and produce 3% of the country's 2020 renewable electricity needs. The report shows six possible locations for Hydropower Turbines in the Southport region that have a high sensitivity to harming the areas environment. But the site in Banks was shown in the report to have a low environmental sensitivity rating meaning that this is the most likely site in Sefton where the turbines could be placed. The proposed locations have angered environmental activists who claim that the turbines carry huge risks to sensitive environments. Not to be confused with off-shore wind turbines, the hydropower turbines are built on rivers and are instead turned by trapped water. Plans have been unveiled to use similar tidal power in the Mersey Estuary and concerns have been raised for the safety of wildlife in the proposed areas. Peter Robertson, the RSPB's conservation manager for Northern England said: "The RSPB supports clean renewable energy schemes but only if they do not pose a significant threat to the environment. "Old-fashioned methods of generating tidal power carry huge risks to sensitive environments." But Environment Agency officials insist that the potential turbine sites will be chosen carefully and could even be beneficial for fish migration. "Some hydropower schemes have the potential to deliver low carbon electricity and improve the local environment for wildlife, for example by improving fish migration. But there will inevitably be some sites where the risk to the environment outweighs the benefits of power generation." The Environment Agency project have published a new map as part of the report which shows where hydropower could be deployed in England to help tap into the unused power potential of British rivers. Peter Robertson added: "Rather than waste taxpayers money on feasibility schemes based around old-fashioned tidal energy methods that wreck the environment, this money should be invested in emerging technologies that have a minimal impact on wildlife and precious habitats." By David Raven  10/03/2010 08:46:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8116 Dreamboats and Petticoats, Liverpool Empire Theatre   The sixties were full of fun – remembered for the first man on the moon, England’s World Cup victory and Coronation Street’s first episode being broadcast – among many things. It was a decade of ‘first times’ and Dreamboats and Petticoats on stage at the Liverpool Empire brings back memories of music, youth and love through a fantastic, lively and electric show. It tells the story of young dreamer Bobby, who isn’t scared to strive for what he wants – to be a successful songwriter and own his own electric guitar (with amplifier). Opportunities open up for him to start the journey to his dream, although he is distracted along the way – yes you guessed it – there’s a girl involved (a Runaround Sue to be accurate). Through the youth club he attends, St Mungo’s, Bobby is entered into a competition to win a recording with a top agency – all he has to do is write a hit song. He enlists the help of young Laura, who is madly in love with him, although he’s to busy chasing the girl at the youth club with the biggest bust – Sexy Sue. Unfortunately for Bobby Sexy Sue is chasing cocky ‘real man’ Norman – are you keeping up? The show is packed with no less than 40 sixties songs, all performed in fantastic context with the tale of young love and big dreams With a live and kicking youth club in Essex, a day trip to South End (and the Tunnel of Love) there’s no shortage of action. Each cast member is great apart and sensational together, with the ladies in particular belting out fantastic tunes showing off their powerful voices, teamed with flawless dance moves and brilliant choreography. Featuring hit songs like Teenager in Love, Let’s dance and Let’s Twist Again, it’s no wonder the show partners a best-selling album. The live band, who are also part of the company are on stage throughout the production and are the icing on the cake, particularly Bethany Compson-Bradford on the saxophone. Filled with witty lines referring to today’s society, including the economic downturn and the perdition that the new TV programme Coronation Street ‘won’t last’ there are plenty of laughs. If you’ve ever been young and in love, or had a dream you were determined to follow, this is the show for you. Wear your dancing shoes though – I guarantee packed isles come final curtain.   Champ Verdict – 4.5/5 – Get ready to twist!   Dreamboats and Petticoats runs at the Liverpool Empire until March 13. Box office: 0844 847 2525 www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk.   Rebecca Keegan 09/03/2010 08:10:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8115 Review Stop Messing About, Liverpool Empire Theatre   My first impression was that I would find this play a bit dull – I’m a fan of bells and whistles, changing scenes and big shows, so when the set of a 60s BBC recording studio was clearly the full length backdrop, I was ready to start clock watching. That was until five minutes in, after an audience warm up and introduction to the show had me giggling in my seat and the metaphor-tastic sketches. I can’t say it brought back memories fir me – as I wasn’t yet in the world when the well-known radio series was broadcast, but the education into the ‘good old days’ was fantastic. You don’t have to be a Kenneth Williams fan to enjoy this show, it offers something for everyone – it’s fast paced and full of double entendres – constantly keeping the audience on their feet (or more precisely, on their seats). Some jokes of course, didn’t sink in right away, and during the interval I was surrounded by people explaining various lines to their friends, with further laughter erupting as the punch sunk in. Although there were no big changes to make, the cast of four were constantly running from mic to mic in the recording studio taking on the roll of different, often eccentric characters. Through an instant change in accent, dialect and facial expression, the cast did a fantastic job of completely transforming through characters. This play is cheeky, fun, fast – and sometimes a little close to the edge. Stop messing about and grab your tickets now to this Kenneth Williams extravaganza. Champ Verdict – 3/5   Stop Messing About runs at the Liverpool Empire until Saturday, March 6. Tickets range from £16. Box office: 0844 847 2525 www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk Rebecca Keegan 05/03/2010 05:33:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8106 West Lancashire Borough Council has frozen its Council Tax, but residents will still face a very small rise in their bills this year. The borough and county council have both frozen their Council Tax precept, but the overall bill marginally increases by 0.36% when the costs of the fire and police are added in. Bosses at the borough council have said the decision to freeze their Council Tax and car park fees has been done to help residents through the recession. Fees for pest control, and bulky collections will also be frozen. Someone who lives in a Band D property will pay £1,501.77 per year. Following the budget West Lancashire, MP Rosie Cooper, criticised the council for not using the £22.6m in their reserves to invest in initiatives such as weekly waste collection, concessionary travel and youth provision. Tory finance chief David Westley added: “This is an austerity budget as we expect our income will continue to fall, and we are likely to face funding shortfalls in future years.” Over the last 12 months, the council completed a £1.6m package of efficiency savings and a 10% reduction in the workforce. The council faced a budget gap of only £228,000 in 2010/11 and this will be met through a number of efficiencies including: * Saving £90,000 on human resources management costs through partnership working with Lancs County Council * £30,000 through introducing wheelie bins in Skelmersdale The council has set aside £25,000 in a budget to help deal with problems caused by severe weather. Council leader Councillor Ian Grant said: “The statutory obligation to clear roads and the town centre was Lancashire County Council's - however a small budget has been made available to address some of the snow clearing problems especially in the town centre.” West Lancs have also set aside £2,000 in a new grants scheme for older people. An Empty Homes fund was mentioned too, which will enable the council to address several homes which because of neglect by owners have had an adverse affect on the appearance of a neighbourhood. When asked if the council would have to make any more job cuts? Cllr Grant responded: “It would be inappropriate to say never, because we don't know what will come in Government packages after the election.” In response to criticism from Rosie Cooper on their reserves the council has said that while they had £22.6m at the start of 2009/10, only £8.2m of this was available to support the General Revenue Account budget. And as a result of previous council decisions, £2.8m of the £8.2m reserves will be used in 2009/10, leaving only £5.4m reserves at the current time. By Henry James   03/03/2010 05:20:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8103 A copy of The Champion has been stashed away for future generations in time capsule buried this week at a West Lancashire tourist site. Staff at Martin Mere chose to celebrate the wetlands reserve's 35th anniversary on Monday (March 1, 2010) by burying a selection of mementoes from 2010 - including last week's Champion - for West Lancashire residents to dig up in fifty years' time. “It's the third time capsule that we've buried, after the ones we buried when we 10 and 25 years old. Over the years the things we've put in the time capsules have changed, as the first one had mainly paper-based objects, the second had VHS tapes, and now we're putting in things like DVDs,” said Andy Woolridge, centre manager. “I think the highlight for us is having more than five million people come to visit us, as well as seeing tens of thousands of birds coming here to winter at the site. I think Martin Mere as a site is very important, particularly in the conservation work we do.” Among the items included for burial in the time capsule was a copy of last week's Champion, which included an article on Martin Mere's plans for its 35th birthday, including coverage of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's plans to bury the time capsule at the site. Mr Woolridge said that since its inception in 1975 Martin Mere had more than doubled in size and has further plans to expand its activities, including proposals to bring a restaurant and facilties for canoe tours to the Burscough site. For more information on Martin Mere's future activities contact 01704 895181 or visit the Martin Mere website at www.wwt.org.uk/visit/martinmere. By David Simister 03/03/2010 05:00:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8100 Investigation files into a mystery UFO spotted over Banks in Southport have been released for the first time as part of a national Ministry of Defence project. A number of eye witnesses came forward and claimed to have seen the triangular-shaped craft in the early hours of February 24 1996. The files detail how a mystery object hovered in the sky in Banks making a loud and intense noises and shaking the ground before disappearing. Documents have been released that show letters from the Ministry of Defence investigating the issue as well as transcripts of interviews with the witnesses. One said in the interview: “I awoke to hear a very loud noise which was shaking the house and windows. I opened my blinds to see a UFO very close to my window. It was a large triangular craft that was stationary for about 10-15 minutes before disappearing extremely fast.” While another said: “There was a noise coming through the vent in my bedroom and the place was vibrating - I thought the house was going to blow up! I expected a large lorry to be outside but when I looked there was a large triangular stationary object in the sky with three lights over the fields.” The details have been released as part of a three year project between the Ministry of Defence and The National Archives. The officer investigating the case said that one explanation could be a British Aerospace Stealth Bomber as it was reported that the company was testing stealth technology at the time. A letter from the Ministry of Defence confirmed that there was a possibility that it could have been aircraft from the BAE plant in Warton undergoing routine tests. More than 6,000 pages of reports released describe thousands of UFOs that have been spotted in the UK in the last 20 years. By David Raven   26/02/2010 10:47:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8098 Moves to reinstate a railway linking Southport with Ormskirk and Preston have been snubbed by Network Rail in its vision for the region's train travel. A study looking into how to improve rail links between the North West cities, released last week as part of a £530m investment from Network Rail to improve travel across the North of England, makes reccomendations of several projects across the North West but omits any mention of the campaign to bring back the Buscough Curves, which would connect both towns with each other and the Lancashire city. “Network Rail have missed out on something that would greatly benefit this part of the North West, as it would have joined Southport and Ormskirk by rail, as well as joining both up with cities beyond that. It's a shame it hasn't been considered in this study,” said Sefton council and Merseytravel committee member David Sumner. “We will continue to campaign for the Burscough Curves through the Local Transport Plan, and hopefully we will still see this important rail link reinstated in the near future.” The Network Rail Northern Hub Study, released last week, makes a number of reccomendations for the North West region, including direct links between Liverpool and Bradford for the first time, but the majority of the proposals are concentrated in the Greater Manchester area to improve links to and from that city. “Most of the railway in the North was built in the 19th Century by a number of competing companies. Unlike today, there was no single company like Network Rail responsible for planning the rail network,” said Network Rail in the study. “In the 1960s and 1970s, with fewer people travelling by rail, many lines in the North were axed. However, more people now choose to travel by rail than at any time since 1945, and increasing amounts of freight are transported across the North. This growth is expected to continue over the next 20 to 30 years and beyond.” Campaigns to bring back the Burscough Curves, a half mile stretch of abandoned track which would link the Southport to Manchester and Ormskirk to Preston lines together, have already attracted the support of West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper and Southport MP John Pugh, as well as members of both Sefton Council and West Lancashire Borough Council. Along with linking the two towns to Preston, any Burscough Curves work would also raise the possibility of bringing towns on Merseyrail's Ormskirk branch line, including Maghull and Aintree, into a direct rail link with Preston. Councillor Sumner has also launched a petition on the Downing Street website to garner regional support for the Burscough Curves. To sign it visit the petitions website at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/BurscoughCurves. By David Simister       24/02/2010 06:27:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8095 More than 40% of young families in West Lancashire have to look at renting because they can't afford to buy a home - despite a drop in property prices. That's according to statistics from a Government housing advisory body, which show that 41.5% of families under 40 could not afford to buy a home. The actual statistics for families under 40 in West Lancashire could be worse because the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) figures, which are for 2008, assume that buyers would only be looking at a five per cent deposit. Although the figures for West Lancashire are better than the statistics for England which showed 73.9% of young families can't get on the property ladder. The study concluded: “During the past decade there has been a deterioration in the affordability of home ownership.” Housing charity Shelter have called the figures “shocking” and wants the topic of affordable housing to be a key political issue in the run up to the General election. The Conservatives have been critical of the Government following the release of the figures. Grant Shapps, Tory housing spokesman, said: “Thanks to Gordon Brown, three out of four young families have been kicked off the first rung of the housing ladder, urged on by Labour ministers who want to attack the aspiration of home ownership.” NHPAU is linked and sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and its aim is to try and ensure homes are more affordable in England. A DCLG spokesperson said they have schemes in place for householders earning up to £60,000 who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford to buy. By Henry James   24/02/2010 06:12:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8091 The chap leaning out of his milk float said it all. Normally, if someone shouts a couple of words at you which can't be repeated in a family newspaper, you'd be within your rights to feel a bit offended, but for a change I could see where he was coming from. This was Lord Street on a bright weekday morning, and I was walking down it wearing pyjamas. I have felt less conspicuous. It seemed like such a good idea in The Champion office last Friday. There's been a lot of talk lately about whether it's right to wander into your favourite shop wearing nothing more than your nightwear, and as the only one of us who actually admitted to having done it before, I took on the challenge of trying it out for an entire day. It is, after all, only nightwear! But lots of you don't agree, and reckon people putting on PJs for the trip to the shop is about as sensible as going to bed in your best suit. “They aren't setting a good example to their children, as now their children are doing the same thing. When I see these young women they are making us know they are on the dole, lazy and unkempt, why can't they get dressed and look smart, as visitors to Litherland think this is terrible,” said Litherland resident Marie Williams, after complaining of female residents wearing pyjamas during the daytime. “You don't see men walking around in their pyjamas, so have have a bit of respect.” Actually, you do now, although I suspect this is only because no woman in our office is foolish enough to try walking through Southport town centre wearing long jimjams, slippers and a dressing gown. I'll happily admit that at 3am, I have been to branches of Tesco before, usually to pick up essentials on a five minute dash because nothing else is open. I'd like to say strolling into a supermarket at 10:30am in the morning is a completely different kettle of fish, but I can't. The staff wouldn't let me in. What's worse is that our Champion photographer insisted on heading off in front so he could turn around and catch me walking past stunned shoppers, but this meant lots of loitering around looking very suspicious. This wasn't shopping made easier. This was looking like I'd escaped from somewhere and had arrived in an alien world, completely confused and out of place. The point I was trying to prove is that it's a free country and if you want to go shopping in your pyjamas, there's nothing stopping you. I'll carry on nipping timidly into late night stores in my nightwear if the emergency calls for it. But I can only conclude one thing from doing it for an entire day, when you've got an entire wardrobe's worth of gear to wear. Why would you? It's a stupid thing way to spend the day wandering around, but if you're proud to parade around in pyjamas, I'm not going to stop you. I suspect I may get some abuse for this... By David Simister   24/02/2010 05:49:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8090 The region's guiding leaders are urging aerial photographers to come to their aid to help pull off a spectacular centenary stunt on Ainsdale Beach this summer. Members of Sefton's guiding community told The Champion on Monday, January 15, 2010, that they are planning to create a giant “100” figure out of 1,000 of their own members as part of their centenary celebrations, but need the help of a skilled aerial photographer to help capture the event when it takes place later this year. “This will be a once in a lifetime event, which will give guides, brownies and leaders alike the chance to celebrate 100 years of guiding with an amazing one-off event,” said Natalie Simmons, leader of the 74th Brownies, based in Kew. “We're looking for an aerial photographer to take pictures of the event, which will see 1,000 brownies and guides arranged into the shape of a number '100' on the beach. It's part of as challenge they're taking part in to help celebrate 100 years of guiding, and doing this will help them gain the maximum number of points and help them complete that challenge.” The guiding movement was first established in 1910 by Scouts founder Robert Baden Powell, who believed that girls' activities should be different from the boys' activities in the Scouting movement, which led to the establishment of the first units. Sefton's branch of the girl guiding movement has decided to celebrate the centenary in a number of ways throughout 2010, and is proposing the beach display as a memorable stunt to help commemorate the anniversary and promote the region. If you think you can help, contact Natalie Simmons on 07590 114539 or go to the Sefton girlguiding website online at www.girlguidingsefton.org.uk. By David Simister 18/02/2010 11:37:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8089 Health bosses are promoting awareness of their bowel screening programme as part of national bowel cancer awareness week. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK and over the next two years all men and women aged 60 to 69 who are registered with a GP will receive a screening test kit through the post. Dr. Mark Hendrickse, Clinical Director of the Lancashire Screening Programme believes that the kits can save lives. He said: “Screening through the use of the test kit is extremely important and potentially life-saving. ”It is estimated that around 90% of bowel cancer cases could be treated successfully if caught early enough. “Therefore, I would urge people to use their test kit when they receive it it could save your life. ”Research has proven that regular bowel cancer screening can reduce deaths by as much as 16%.“ For further information on the campaign dubbed be loud be clear call 020 8973 0019.   17/02/2010 07:22:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8087 An amateur horse rider from Bickerstaffe will compete against the daughter of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch at this year's Cheltenham Festival. Elaine Curran, 33, is one of 12 ladies that have been picked to take part in a charity race on the Ladies' Day of the festival (March 18), raising money for Cancer Research UK. She has previously taken part in fundraising runs for the charity, having lost her 42-year-old father John Birch, and more recently her 62-year-old auntie Caroline Woods to cancer, and admitted to The Champion that she is “petrified” of the race because of the “sheer enormity of the event”. Married Elaine, who works full-time selling cleaning services, enjoyed showjumping when she was younger and now takes part in the amateur steeplechasing sport Point-to-Point but said: “It's just something I do for pleasure.” With the competition requiring participants to raise a minimum of £5,000 and use their own horse to race on, Elaine is now having to dedicate more of her time to preparing herself and her horse, Intersky Emerald, for the event. Luckily she has plenty of support from family and friends as she added: “They all think I am barking mad but they are all right behind me.” Elizabeth Murdoch, Georgie Browne; the partner of top trainer Paul Nicholls, Britain's youngest female trainer Amy Weaver, and trainer Nicky Henderson's daughter Camilla will be among Elaine's 11 fellow competitors. To sponsor Elaine, log on to www.justgiving.com/Elaine-Curran. 17/02/2010 07:07:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8081 A man in his fifties has been killed after being hit by a train as it passed through the Aughton area yesterday (February 16, 2010). Merseyrail services on the Northern Line between Liverpool and Ormskirk after the incident, which happened just before 6.30am after the man climbed onto the line between Town Green and Aughton railway stations. British Transport Police confirmed yesterday that the man, who has not been identified but was understood to be in his fifties, died shortly after being hit by a service running between Ormskirk and Liverpool Central. "At 06:29 on Tuesday, 16 February, the driver of the 0620 Ormskirk to Liverpool Central service reported striking a man on the line between Aughton Park and Town Green. The train came to a halt 600 metres before Town Green station," said a spokesperson for British Transport Police. "Third rail power was switched off in the area between Ormskirk and Aintree and paramedics attended. The man, probably in his 50s, was declared dead at the scene. "The train was approaching Town Green station when he saw a person on the line. He applied the brakes but was unable to stop in time. This death is currently being treated as unexplained." It is believed that the incident took place on a curved section of track where the train's driver was not able to see the man on the tracks until the very last moment, and despite desperate attempts to brake in time the train struck him. He was not carrying any documents which would have identified him, which have delayed police efforts to formally identity the man's body. "These events are obviously tragic for everybody involved when they happen," a spokesperson for Merseyrail told The Champion. "It caused a lot of disruption for commuters travelling into Liverpool, although we did work to minimise disruption by putting on rail replacement buses. We don't know the exact circumstances of the incident but we are helping British Transport Police with their investigation." Rail replacement buses were brought into operation on the line between Ormskirk and Walton railway stations after Merseyrail services were suspended following the incident, but at around 10am rail services between Liverpool and Ormskirk were reinstated following British Transport Police's investigation of the incident. Do you know anything more about the incident? Contact The Champion on 01704 392400 or email us at editorial@champnews.com. By David Simister   17/02/2010 06:21:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8080 Council tax should be frozen to give West Lancashire residents a chance to get over the worst of the current economic crisis, the region's MP has argued this week. West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper called on Monday (February 12, 2010) for any rises in council tax to be postponed for at least a year to help give families a helping hand, but her proposals have been given a cold reception by Conservative councillors who say of that Labour councillors have been behind previous rises, some as much as 15%. “It is now important that local government plays its part in supporting its rate payers, and in West Lancashire's case, this means a council tax freeze. It is an easily affordable policy to implement for our council, which has built up an astounding £23 million in reserves over the years,” she said. “The Tory administration has piled up this mountain of cash on the back of the local community. They now have a responsibility to invest that money back into the community. There is certainly no justification for a further attack on vital services, nor indeed to seek any additional monies from local council tax payers. £23 million is a significant amount of cash to have salted away. It's about time the Tories started investing it on services that matter.” Ms Cooper also said that the Conservative-run borough council should use its funding surplus to invest in several schemes, including a free rail travel scheme for pensioners, free swimming options for younger residents, and reinstating weekly bin collections across the borough. She also encouraged Lancashire County Council, which is also Conservative-controlled, to use some of its own funds to arrange more efficient gritting policies for West Lancashire, following complaints throughout December and last month that a lack of gritting left many roads in icy and dangerous conditions. But Adrian Owens, Derby borough councillor and the Conservatives' parliamentary candidate for West Lancashire, told The Champion that Lancashire County Council has already frozen council taxes, and that Labour had a history of raising council taxes in West Lancashire rather than freezing them. “It is longstanding national Conservative policy to freeze council tax for two years if the Conservatives win the General election, so I welcome Ms Cooper’s late conversion to this idea.  What a pity that her Government doesn’t practice the same financial rigour operated by the Borough council, then we wouldn’t be borrowing £6000 every second with a threat to our credit ratings and the higher mortgage rates and business costs that would bring," he told The Champion.   "Labour rejected a Conservative proposal for a council tax freeze last year at the county council and West Lancashire Labour council group have failed to present an alternative budget for several years. "The last time they ran West Lancashire they increased the council tax by 15% in one year and promptly lost the next local election, so I don’t think we should take any lessons from Ms Cooper.  I know the Borough council is bearing in mind the financial difficulties people face as it prepares its budget.” West Lancashire Borough Council's own announcements on council tax are expected later this year. By David Simister       17/02/2010 06:01:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8079 Connoisseurs of classical music were in for a treat last weekend when two talented musicians journeyed to Parbold for a performance in the village. Violinist Victoria Sayles and pianist Martin Cousin treated West Lancashire fans to note-perfect renditions of pieces from a wide variety of composers, including works from Beethoven and Elgar, as part of the ongoing Douglas Music series of concerts from established groups and soloists alike. Anyone unfamiliar with the duos work might wonder how they do pieces by some of historys most memorable maestros justice with just two instruments, but as soon as the pair prized into Tomas Antonio Vitalis Chaconne in G Minor you knew the rest of the orchestra were redundant for this particular performance. Both instrumentalists also impressed with their treatment of works by Beethoven and Lutoslowski, but by far their most impressive piece was a powerful and profound performance of Vaughan Williams masterstroke The Lark Ascending. All of the duo's efforts left you with the impression that it wasnt so much music to be listened to, but a delicate and velvety sound to be savored by every note, and with The Lark Ascending they showed their ability to give a genuinely moving rendition of an already iconic piece. While Douglas Music might be tailored for audiences with finer tastes but if you appreciate hearing classical at its freshest and most sensitive, youll enjoy the artists its lucky to collaborate with. Douglas Music's next performance is from acclaimed pianist John Lill on March 6. For more information and to book your tickets contact 01257 421526. By David Simister 12/02/2010 05:04:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8066 An Ormskirk teenager has been arrested this week after a hit and run which saw a member of the region's police struck down by youngsters on a motorbike. Lancashire Constabulary confirmed that it has arrested a 16-year-old male from the Ormskirk area following the incident, which saw a Police Community Support Officer being run down in Buscough last Friday afternoon (January 29). “Police are appealing for anybody who may have witnessed this incident to contact them or indeed anybody who thinks they may have seen the motorbike being driven in the area prior to the incident,” said a spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary. The collision, which took place at 1.30pm in Crabtree Lane and Moss Nook area of Burscough, saw the PCSO run down by two youths on a motorbike after being sent to the area after the police received complaints of a nuisance being created by motorcycle riders in the area. He was later taken to Southport Hospital with head injuries, although Lancashire Constabulary has said that the nature of his injuries are not serious. The male pillion passenger of the motorbike was also taken to the hospital with head injuries after being thrown from the machine during collisions, although again his injuries are not thought to be serious. Lancashire Constabulary said that a 16 year old male has been arrested in relation to the incident, on suspicion of wounding, dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident. Do you have any information about the collision? Contact Lancashire Constabulary on 01772 614444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. By David Simister 04/02/2010 06:21:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8065 Imagine walking past Sefton Park or Botanic Gardens and instead of seeing fields of lush greenery, birds and butterflies, you came across a car park, a supermarket and more plain houses. Or if you drove through the farms in Burscough and Ormskirk and instead of passing cows, trees and fields of corn, you stumbled upon ASBO teens, a power plant and an industrial estate. Well these are the kinds of scenarios that are being presented if it wasn't for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) who have fought to protect the countryside for the last 84 years. The Champion can reveal for the first time the Green Belt areas in which we cover. The CPRE work behind the scenes to put a halt to any planning application that tries to build in an area's designated Green Belts. So what is a green belt? A Green Belt is an area that is created to protect countryside or undeveloped land from urban exploration. The North West contains more Green Belt areas than any other area in England and makes up 10% of all the country's parks. And the first major survey into the benefits of Green Belts was published this week alongside a diagram that shows their breakdown outside urban areas. The secretary for the newly-formed Sefton District Group of the CPRE, Nick Thompson of Waterloo said: “Around 30 years ago the Government passed a legislation to protect Green Belt land around Merseyside and to restrict the expansion of homes and businesses into the areas. ”A Green Belt is basically just a restriction in planning law and our aim is to make sure that every building that gets approved doesn't damage the environment in any way, shape or form. “For example we would oppose plans to build a block of flats in an open field to make sure that we protect the environment and the countryside in every way possible. ”We have also made constructive comments on a number of essential developments inside the Green Belt in the Sefton area. “They are essential to protecting parts of the environment which we care for and enjoy.” Survey results When asked what Green Belt activities they would like to undertake in the next year, people in the North West most commonly chose visiting the land on a day out or to get peace and quiet and were keen to see more nature reserves, more woodland walks and more new parks. By containing urban sprawl, the Green Belt has been a success story of post-war planning and if managed effectively it can also help tackle climate change, support wildlife and provide health and leisure opportunities for local residents to enjoy. Numbers facts 28,038 hectares of grade 1 land in the North West (highest in England) 79% of people in the North West would rather buy food produced in a Green Belt than produced elsewhere 6,251 is the number of square miles of Green Belt in England. 30 million people live in or next to Green Belts 13% of England's land surface is covered by Green Belts 100 acres of US farmland is lost to developers per hour 03/02/2010 10:09:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8062 A Mawdesley man who is suffering with terminal cancer had to be readmitted into hospital after vandals caused £10,000 worth of damage on the house he is having built for his family. Mark Winstanley, 45, was distraught on finding out about the vandalism, which police have said happened between the evening of Friday, January 22, 2010 and the morning of Monday, January 25. Hand crafted, sandstone window lintels, columns and door jams of the rural unoccupied property on Back Lane were damaged by what appears to be a chisel and will have to be removed and re-made by hand. Mark's wife Sarah, 43, said: “This is a mindless attack and there seems to be no reason for it. My husband is terminally ill with stomach cancer and he wants a place for his wife and children. He has been in hospital since the vandalism. "We demolished the original property and are having this house built. We started building it in December 2008 and it is taking a long time to get right. My husband is trying to get it finished before anything happens. We didn't need this extra shock and this has not helped matters." Lancashire Police's Community Beat Manager for Mawdesley, Loz Elphick said: ”This is a mindless and cowardly act of vandalism that has affected this family financially and has caused significant stress for them. “I would urge anyone with any information at all, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and contact the police on 01704 822277 or 08451 25 35 45.”   03/02/2010 06:59:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8061 Calls are being made for the council to replace old storage heating systems in 1,200 council homes following complaints from tenants that they are breaking down on a regular basis. Digmoor borough councillors Jackie Coyle and Terry Aldridge want the council to provide new heating systems to the affected homes, after they received calls from residents, who said their heating systems had broken down, leaving them in the cold. Jackie Coyle and Terry Aldridge said: “For some time now we as councillors have been receiving complaints from tenants regarding their old storage heating systems which are breaking down on a regular basis. "During the sub zero temperatures these complaints have increased, and the old and obsolete systems can't meet the demand of tenants trying to keep their homes warm, which has meant a number of families have spent days without any proper heating at all. “Even after they have been repaired, tenants face another 24 hour wait until the heat is stored up in them again before they get the benefit of any heat. "These systems in some cases are over 40 years old, it cannot be cost effective to keep patching them up for them to break down again a few weeks later. This upgrade is needed as a matter of urgency." Pensioners at Beechwood Court residential home in Digmoor are among the people to have problems with the old storage heaters. Councillor Terry Aldridge commented: "They need new gas central heating in there. The residents have signed a petition to get the system changed." A spokeswoman for the borough council responded: "The old storage heating systems still function and do actually meet the Decent Homes Standard criteria and so they are not identified for replacement. We also realise that these heaters are not as efficient as new storage heaters. "Last year, as part of consultation with our tenants this issue was raised and our Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Val Hopley, listened to their concerns and has stressed the need to direct more resources into energy efficiency initiatives such as double-glazing and upgrading old storage heaters rather than into new Kitchens and re-roofing. "This matter will be debated in detail at the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee this Thursday (February 4) when the draft Capital programme for housing improvements is presented for 2010/11. There may be scope to include some upgrading works, however, this will be for councillors to decide." By Henry James 03/02/2010 06:54:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8053 The drink/drug driving figures for West Lancashire over the festive period have been released and police have revealed that the results show a problem with the under 25s. During December in Lancashire Police's Southern Division (which includes West Lancashire) 1,170 tests were administered, with 41 people testing positive or refusing to provide a specimen. This compares to 2008 when 1,281 tests were carried out with 51 individuals testing positive or refusing to provide a specimen. For the whole county the number of people caught drink/drug driving has fallen again following the annual campaign. In Lancashire during December, 11,407 tests were given with 244 people testing positive or refusing to provide a specimen. This represents a failure/refusal rate of 2.2%, which is down from 2.5% for the 2008 campaign. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has said the number of people caught drink-driving over Christmas in England shows a review of drink-drive laws cannot come too soon. The safety charity has for many years called for a reduction in the legal alcohol limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, a move which, they say, would save around 65 lives and 230 serious injuries on Britain's roads each year. Assistant Chief Constable Andy Cooke commented: "It's really pleasing to see the figure fall for the third year running and I think it shows that the vast majority of people don't drink and drive because they know it is unacceptable. "On the downside, the results still show we have a problem with the under 25's with a third of those failing or refusing falling into this category. "We will continue to work with our partners to get the message through to these young people that drink/drug driving is illegal and you will face the severe consequences when caught." 28/01/2010 12:05:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8048 Burscough residents have come up with a novel approach to a lack of lighting in their street - if you want something doing properly, do it yourself! The people living on Langdale Drive have become so incensed with Lancashire County Council failing to mend one of their streetlights that they've had the bright idea of putting in their own houshold lamps instead at the same spot. One of the residents, John Haggart, said: “How long does it take to change a light bulb? Because the light out side our home in Langdale Drive Burscough went out in early December and has still not been repaired, despite e mails and phone calls to Lancashire Highways customer service centre. "We appreciate that the recent adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the delay, but to be waiting six weeks for repairs to be carried out cannot be justified." “I understand Lancashire says it is a county ”where everybody matters“, however perhaps not the elderly and vulnerable residents of Langdale Drive. "We hope a little humour may help our cause." The residents' replacement for the defunct lamppost is an ordinary household light powered from an ordinary socket in a nearby house. It was installed following complaints that Lancashire County Council, the authority responsible for maintaining the streetlights, had failed to respond to residents' woes. The Champion asked Lancashire County Council to throw light on the matter but it was unable to respond before this week's editon went to press, although it is expected to make a statement later this week. By David Simister 27/01/2010 05:25:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8037 UniBond League Challenge Cup 4th Round   Burscough 0 Kendal Town 2 By Stan Petherbridge   Kendal started the better of the two sides and deservedly took the lead in the 12th min with Danny Wisdom forcing the ball home from close range.    Burscough’s defence looks a little frail now that James Connolly and James McCulloch  have moved on, although Ashton Bayliss and Dave Roberts were both performing well in the heart of the defence and with Dominic Morley returning from a long spell out injured, encouraging all around him in the middle of the park, there were signs that things could improve.   After 28 minutes, Gary McEvatt produced the Linnet's first serious threat, but did not trouble ex Burscough keeper David Newnes. In the 38th minute a shot from Lewis Field from outside the penalty box forced the Kendal keeper to produce the quality he is known for at Victoria Park, Newnes acrobatic save resulting in Burscough’s first corner.   Burscough finished the stronger looking team as the first half closed and hopes were high among the home support during the interval.   The second-half started with Burscough continuing in the ascendancy.  Dave Roberts soon forced another corner early in the second-half, but Kendal’s defence cleared. While Newnes was again the equal of anything Burscough’s forwards could muster, with another pair of good saves.   When, on the hour, Kendal got their second and killer goal it was arguably a little against the run of play. Dave Foster beating Burscough keeper Kyle Clancy with a shot from just outside the 18 yard box, after Kendal’s quick break caught the home defence out. The goal left the Linnets a mountain to climb. . Having established a two goal advantage, Kendal now took control of the game and allowed Burscough few opportunities to salvage anything from the game. Former Skelmersdale player Carl Osman went close for Kendal in the latter stages, being kept out and a third goal prevented by a good save from Clancy as the home keeper left his line and spread himself well.   The scoreline reverses the Lancs Co-Op Cup result when the two sides met in September.    Burscough: Clancy, Taylor, Holden, Morley (Wilson74) Bayliss (Grisedale 82), Standley, Field, Roberts©, Byers (Bathurst66) McEvatt, Brookfield, Subs (not used) Black, Christopher   Kendal: Newnes, Walmsley, Byrne, Melling, Steel©, Stoppforth (Warburton 68), Osman, Foster, Taylor (Beattie 71), Kilford, Wisdom (Mulvaney 49), Subs (not used) Green, Hinchcliffe,   Attendance 88 21/01/2010 11:10:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8036 A Lathom farmer has warned that people could face a shortage of vegetables in the region as farms recover from the big freeze. Potatoes and carrots will be among the worst vegetables hit by the freeze as farmers struggle to supply emergency food and water to their livestock. The low temperatures have frozen essential food and water supplies for cattle and have killed off nearly all planted crops. Rodger Webster who owns the 300-acre farm off Hall Lane said: "Farmers' crops have no chance of recovering. "Potatoes and carrots will be worst hit in the freeze and pigeons are now resorting to attacking greenery. "But we are doing everything we can to save all of our 150 cattle. "It is a rush as every day we go through 2,000 litres of water because our original supplies have frozen." 21/01/2010 10:53:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8035 Suspected cases of the winter vomiting bug, norovirus, are causing disruption at Southport hospital and have caused the closure of one ward and forced restrictions on three others. One ward at Southport hospital is closed to new admissions and discharges and three others have been affected. Last weekend more than 140 wards at hospitals across the country were closed in an attempt to contain norovirus that was reported to have claimed up to 500,000 victims. Norovirus brings on nausea and projectile vomiting. A spokesman for Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust said: "The Trust has one ward closed at Southport hospital to new admissions and discharges, while three other wards at the same hospital have bays with restrictions on as precautionary measures following suspected norovirus cases. "None of these cases have been confirmed as the virus at the present time. "When a ward is closed we don't take new patients or discharge patients from the ward until the last person has been clear of diarrhoea and vomiting for 48 hours." There was an increase in norovirus cases last November and there is now believed to be a second stage. Throughout January last year there were 46 ward closures in the country for norovirus, although last weekend at least 141 were shut in England. The norovirus bug is another problem for NHS trusts who faced disruption during the Big Freeze. But the Department of Health has said: "Norovirus is not new, it is not a 'superbug' and the vast majority of people recover with no long-term effects. "The NHS deals effectively with norovirus outbreaks all year round and this year is no different." 21/01/2010 10:37:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8030 More than £20,000 has gone missing from a West Lancashire sports centre run by a private contractor working on behalf of the borough council. That's according to Councillor Paul Cotteril, leader of the council's Labour group, who claims that as much as £22,000 has disappeared from the accounts of Burscough Sports Centre, which is run for West Lancashire Borough Council by private firm Serco under the West Lancashire Community Leisure Trust name. “This is a major embarassment for Serco Leisure Operating Ltd, who were contracted in 2005 by the Tory council to run five sports facilities for the next 15 years,” he wrote in an entry on his blog. “We shouldn't get carried away. If it is confirmed as theft, then theft is theft; it happens, and it may not be Serco's fault that its had a thief on the premises, either as an employee as a visitor. "But there is a legitimate question to be asked about whether this would have happened if the council had not privatised its services, and thereby allowed financial management to be taken up by a massive company whose financial systems are beyond its reach." According to Cllr Cotterill, the money disappeared from the centre in the four month period leading up to last Christmas, although it is not currently clear whether the money has been lost or stolen. Serco entered into an agreement with the council in 2005 to provide services at a number of its gyms, swimming pools and its sports centres, including Burscough Sports Centre, based on Bobby Langton Way. West Lancashire Borough Council responded by saying it could confirm that a number of thefts have taken place at the centre, but that it was a case that dated back to 2008 which remains open rather than any more recent cases. ”A number of thefts had taken place over a period of time at Bursough Leisure Centre. When this was uncovered, it was investigated thoroughly and the matter reported to the police in February 2008. Unfortunately, at that time the Trust could not identify the person or persons responsible for the matter. “The case remains open and if any new information comes to light we would pass this over to the police to investigate further,” said John Bullock, Chairman of the West Lancashire Community Leisure Trust. "As a result of this regrettable incident we have reviewed all of our financial processes and new, even tighter procedures have been put in place to prevent any re-occurrences of this unfortunate nature. "I must stress that this will not impact on council tax payers because the trust's partner Serco Leisure fully indemnifies the trust for any losses." West Lancashire Community Leisure Trust's own website currently makes no mention of the alleged dissapearance of funds at the centre. By David Simister     20/01/2010 11:44:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8025 Police in West Lancashire are urging residents to remain vigilant to the threat of burglary. The warning follows an increase in offences over this month as a result of homeowners leaving front doors insecure or garden tools in their gardens which are then used to force windows and doors. There have been nine burglaries already this year in the Ormskirk policing area where police have seen spades and hoes used to force entry, or where a window or door has been left unlocked. Offences have been committed in Burscough, Ormskirk, Aughton, Bickerstaffe, Lathom and Halsall. Police are warning that insecure windows and doors are an open invitation to thieves offering them easy access to your home, often they are in and out without their victims even noticing. Offences committed due to insecure windows or doors can also lead to insurance companies nullifying any subsequent claim. Detective Inspector Graham Hill from West Lancashire CID said: "The advice is to lock and secure your home at all times even when you are in. "Avoid leaving items of value on display which can be seen from outside and ensure you lock garden tools away in a secure shed or garage. "Criminals have no scruples and if you present them with any easy opportunity they will take advantage, even if it is during the middle of the day. "Burglary is at an historic low in West Lancashire and we need the public's help to keep it that way." Anybody with information about any burglary offence or other crimes is urged to contact Lancashire Police on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 14/01/2010 10:49:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8021 Hazardous radioactive waste could be treated at a landfill site in Skelmersdale under proposals by Lancashire County Council. A number of residents and councillors contacted The Champion over a consultation launched by Lancashire County Council into future use of the county's waste sites, which has advocated expanding the Whitemoss Landfill Site, on Whitemoss Road, and increase the amount of hazardous waste it deals with. “I am a local, living as I do but a smell away from the landfill, and yet I have no idea what type of hazardous waste goes into this site. If they had some kind of accident over there, and if the prevailing wind was in the direction of Pennylands, would we residents be in extreme danger?,” said Pennylands resident Bill Clarke. “Why was this hazardous site put so near to housing and not in a remote area of the county? The industrial tragedy that occurred at Bhopal, India comes readily to mind. Could that sort of tragic event happen here?” The concerns come after a consultation was launched jointly by Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council, which examines where both hazardous and non-hazardous waste for the entire county of Lancashire can be either treated or landfilled. However a document outlining the consultation has advocated increasing the size and scope of the Whitemoss site to deal with the county's hazardous waste, including low-level radioactive waste from the BNFL (British Nuclear Fuels) site at Springfields, near Preston. “Landfill is the last resort for hazardous waste management, and stringent technical requirements apply to both the site engineering and the operational aspects of waste acceptance and emplacement,” the report states in its conclusions. “The Whitemoss Landfill site in Skelmesdale is one of only two dedicated hazardous waste landfills in the north west and whilst the amounts of waste accepted are small in landfill terms it nontheless provides a regional facility of strategic significance.” The Whitemoss Road area has also come to the attention of nearby residents throughout the past year who claim that waste is being left near the landfill site, although this has been linked to a nearby travellers' site rather than the landfill site itself. The Champion attempted to contact Whitemoss Landfill for a statement on the issue but nobody was available before going to press. By David Simister 13/01/2010 08:57:00 http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=8015 All outpatient clinics at Southport and Ormskirk hospitals have been cancelled this afternoon (Tuesday January 5), due to bad weather conditions. A spokesman for the hospitals said: "We will contact those patients who we need to see urgently to arrange a new appointment as soon as possible.  All other patients will be contacted in due course." 05/01/2010 07:36:00