Lancashire nostalgia in 2001: Foot-and-mouth; Popstars rejects; and TV swingers

Deadly farm animal plague hits Lancs

The foot-and-mouth epidemic has hit Lancashire.

Government officials confirmed the disease had been discovered at a farm near Chorley.

The farm, in Withnell, was sealed off after agricultural experts made a positive analysis of the disease that is sweeping the country.

Unconfirmed reports named the location as Ollerton Farm.

Chorley Council leader Coun John Wilson said: “I have had a meeting with our chief executive to put in place necessary requirements as far as the council is concerned and we are working with other agencies on this matter.

He added: “I would put out a plea for people to stay away from the farm land and act responsibly.”

It emerged that walkers were still putting farms at risk by ignoring warnings not to go into the countryside. Veronica Waller, of the Lancashire NFU urged people to use their common sense.

Away from the countryside the epidemic will hit families hard as butchers prepare to increase meat prices.

Butchers in Preston also warned that supplies were running short.

Nearly Popstars aim to top famous five

Reject Popstars who failed to strike it lucky in the fame game are set to make their TV debut with their rival band.

The group’s exploits since leaving Popstars will be revealed to viewers in a special one-hour TV show.

Wannabe pop singer Jessica Taylor, 20, of Mulberry Avenue, Penwortham, near Preston, took part in the hit TV show Popstars but fell at the final hurdle, despite making it to the last 10.

Kevin Simm, 20, of Abbey Village, near Chorley, also failed to make the final five.

The rejects’ new pop group will give the winning singers a run for their money.

Jessica said: “We’re absolutely delighted. We’re all very lucky to have been part of it.”

Kevin Simm, says the new group is now trying to find the perfect band name.

The king and queen of the swingers bares all for TV...

An extrovert couple are set to tell more than a million people how they became the kings of the swingers.

Jim and Fiona Harrison, from Roman Road, Frenchwood, Preston, allowed TV cameras to follow them around Manchester’s Xandau nightclub during a masquerade ball for partners who take caring and sharing to a new level.

The partner-swapping sex life of the Harrisons is one of an eight-part series entitled Party Fever, to be shown on ITV.

The show follows revellers from across the North West as they go in search of carnal fulfilment in many different shapes and forms.

Jim, 38, said: “We have been on Trisha and cable channel UK Living to discuss our life as swingers and really like appearing on television.

“We started swinging around eight years ago after a friend told us it was a lot of fun. We were hesitant at first but found we got a real buzz from it. We tend to meet a lot of people through the Internet and emails. The makers of Party Fever had heard we had been on TV before and thought we would fit in with their plans for the show.

“We hope more couples will realise that swinging can take their relationships to another level.”

Ambitious Jim said he and Fiona, 36, would love to present their own adult show on satellite television and organise their own parties.