Driver flees accident
A driver fled after his car flipped on to its roof on a motorway sliproad.
999 crews were called to the northbound side of the M61 where it meets the M65 at junction nine and found the empty silver Renault Laguna overturned at 8.36am on Saturday.

3,000 people rescued by fire service in nine years
Firefighters in Lancashire have rescued over 3,000 people from fires and car crashes in nine years, new figures have revealed.
Research carried out by the Fire Brigades Union shows between 1997 and 2006, 1,619 people were rescued from fires and 2,960 were pulled from cars.
Across the North West an average of 150 people a month are rescued.

Prisoners help construct chalets
Prisoners at HMP Kirkham have helped construct "chalets" to be used at the town's market.
A business group in the town was awarded a £4,000 grant for the continental-style huts which will be used for the first time on September 20.
It is hoped the flat-pack wood huts will provide a better shelter for traders who have had to endure being exposed to bad weather.

Charity use for tyre yard
A former tyre fitting depot could be transformed for a Preston charity.
Homeless charity Emmaus Preston wants to use the old Goodyear Tyres building in Stanley Street to refurbish and sell second hand furniture and white goods.
People living in the Emmaus shelter in Ribbleton Lane will work at the centre.

School set for extension
A school is in line for an extension.
Broughton Church of England Primary in Church Lane, Broughton, near Preston, will get a single storey addition to the back of the premises, if council bosses give the go-ahead.

Hospital fears
Steam from a boiler triggered the fire alarm at Chorley and South Ribble General in Euxton Lane, Chorley, on Saturday.

Ramble to the shops
A walk to the city centre is being lined up from Lostock Hall.
The two-and-a-half mile hike will start in the car park behind Hope Terrace at 10.30am this coming Saturday.
Walkers will head into Preston City Centre where they can do some shopping and either get the bus or walk back home.
Call 01772 422316 to reserve a free place.
Walkers are advised to wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring their own refreshments.

Quackers volunteers
YMCA Lancaster is on the hunt for strong swimmers to take part in this year's Don't Duck the Issue' challenge.
The team will have to retrieve 120 rubber ducks from Lake Windermere on October 11.
The ducks represent the estimated 120 young people affected by homelessness in Lancaster.
To take part, visit lancasterymca.co.uk.

Village gets best kept title
Lancashire's best kept village is ... St Michael's on Wyre.
It has come out as the overall champion of this year's Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition.
Almost 100 entered the competition with prizes handed out in a range of categories.

ME group to meet at clinic
People are being invited to a meeting of the Central Lancashire ME/ CFS Support Group.
It will take place at Fulwood Clinic, Lytham Road, between 7pm and 11pm on Thursday.

Walkers off to the pikes
Wyre Ramblers will tackle one of the most picturesque parts of the Lake District for their latest walk.
The group are heading to Langdales on Sunday September 28. To join in, call 01253 876676.

Local cyclists coast to cash
Staff from Lancashire-based Training 2000 and North Lancs Training Group netted £10,000 for Cancer Research UK from a Coast to Coast bike ride last month. Groups from both companies cycled 140 miles in three days, from Whitehaven to Newcastle.

Ride offers bike's-eye view of city
A guided bike ride taking in Lancaster's historic buildings and sites has been organised for this month.
The six-mile tour will call at Dalton Square, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, the 121-year-old Ripley Chapel and Williamson Park before finishing at the Town Hall.
The free ride is suitable for people of all cycling abilities and will take on Saturday, meeting at Millennium Bridge at 11am. For details call 01524 582392.

Man in hospital after car hits lamppost
One of Preston's busiest roads was closed after a car collided with a lamppost. Police were called to Ring Way, near St Paul's Road, at 10.45am on Thursday.
A man was taken to hospital after his Citroen Saxo hit a lamppost. He is not believed to have suffered serious injuries and the road was re-opened an hour later.

Crime falls – say police
Crime in Preston rural north area has fallen by 27% over the last year, police claim.
Broughton community beat manager PC John McCartney said the only area which has seen a rise – of 1% – is Woodplumpton/Catforth.
Broughton, Barton, Grimsargh and Goosnargh all saw their crime figures drop, according to police figures.

Safety the key in sands walk
Firefighters will be showing people how to cross Morecambe Bay safely with a charity walk later this month.
The town's firefighters will lead the way from Arnside Pier alongside Cedric Robinson, the Queen's guide to the sands.
The event, which begins at 9am on September 21, is open to anyone wishing to join in.
Any money raised will go towards the firefighters' charity, www.firefighterscharity.org.uk.

NHS staff boost charity
NHS staff in Lancaster and Wesham have rasied more than £1,500 for the youth charity The Prince's Trust.
Staff based at the NHS North Lancashire Primary Care Trust headquarters on Moor Lane Mills in Lancaster and offices at Derby Road, Wesham, took part in a number of sponsored events.
A spokesman for the PCT said: "The fundraising has been really successful and we are proud to be able to support the Prince's Trust in helping to raise money for such a good cause."

Close call on motorway
Traffic was delayed when two cars collided on the M6 on Friday.
Police closed lanes three and four of the northbound side, just before junction 31 at Samlesbury, near Preston.
One vehicle had hit the central reservation and spun round.

Walkers on way to health
Two health walks take place in the county this month.
The Priory in Scorton will be the starting point for a Walkin' Wyre Health Walk at 2pm on Thursday.
Garstang Discovery Centre is the place to meet for the second walk on Wednesday, September 17, at 1.30pm.
Call 01253 863100 for more information.

Church issues invite to pets
A church service for pets will be held tomorrow.
St John the Baptist Church in School Road, Pilling, will play host to the event from 10.30am.
Churchgoers without pets can bring favourite soft toys, the church said.
Call vicar George Billington on (01253) 799170 for details.

PNE fans get special invite
Preston North End is throwing open its doors so fans can enjoy the new Invincibles Pavilion.
People will be able to explore the Guild Lounge and Invincibles Lounge whilst enjoying complimentary bucks fizz and canapes.
Chairman Derek Shaw said: "The feedback we have had on our new hospitality areas has been magnificent, so too has the general feedback on things like the concourses and the improvements we have made.
"We have got good modern facilities for the supporters."
The event takes place on Thursday September 11 between 6pm and 9pm. Free parking is available.

Charter Mark for road group
Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group has retained its prestigious government Charter Mark. The Road Safety Group promotes safety through education, training and publicity, and was awarded the Charter Mark Standard in 2007.

In God we Trust funds
A Preston academic will hop into the saddle to tour historic churches for charity.
Dr Peter Lumsden, a teaching and learning co-ordinator at the University of Central Lancashire, will raise cash for churches in the county by setting off on an Historic Churches Trust cycle ride on September 13.
Dr Lumsden will visit 32 churches, starting at St Michael's Church, Ashton, and cover around 60 miles.

Now to get Vision online
A county newsletter is now available to view online.
Vision, which is posted to Lancashire households, features news and opinions on county council activities.
Highlights include the Ask Shirley advice column and the You're Telling Us letters page.
Visit local authority site www.lancashire.gov. uk/corporate/vision to take a look.

Three to join new board
Business brains are joining together in a bid to boost Leyland's economy.
South Ribble Borough Council is to decide which of its three members will sit on a new 12-member Leyland Forward Board, a body which is hoping to attract new funding and investment to South Ribble.
The idea will be discussed at Leyland Civic Centre from 6pm on Wednesday.

You too can watch ZU2
A leading U2 tribute band is set to play in Preston.
ZU2 will perform at the Guild Hall and Charter Theatre on Thursday at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £15 and Friends of the Guild tickets cost £13. Call 0845 344 2012.

Set off from big screen
Popcorn will be nowhere in sight for a health walk.
The 2.5-mile hike will start at Vue Cinema in Walton-le-Dale from 1pm Tuesday.
The walk is free. Call 01772 422316 to ensure a place.

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