THE Fleetwood family of a little baby who tragically died before Christmas have thanked local people for their help in an amazing fund-raiser at the weekend.

Paighton McKenzie Bradford was just nine months old when she died on December 8 last year.

The brave little battler had spent seven months of her short life in the Manchester Children’s Hospital, after she was born with the condition, gastroschisis.

Gastroschisis is a birth defect which results in a protrusion of the intestines, and Paighton’s case was quite severe.

She underwent a number of operations at the special hospital, after which her prospects dramatically improved.

When she was taken home in October she seemed to be making excellent progress.

But unexpectedly, she passed away in her sleep just weeks later.

Coming just before the festive season, it came as an especially cruel blow to her parents, Scott Bradford, 23, and Kayleigh Webster, 22, of Eamont Place, on the West View estate.

They had to attend her funeral just four days before Christmas Day.

Despite the tragic event, both families of little Paighton were grateful for the wonderful care and support they received at the Manchester hospital.

On Saturday night, they staged a charity night fund-raiser for the hospital at Additions cafe bar on Bold Street, Fleetwood.

The event raised an impressive £1,111 in just a few hours, through an auction of numerous prizes, many of them donated by local companies.

Main organiser was Paighton’s aunt, Claire Webster, who is the sister of the baby’s mum, Kayleigh.

Claire told the Weekly News: “We just wanted to do our bit to help the hospital. The staff there were brilliant and did a really good job caring for Paighton. This was just the two families’ way of saying thank-you.

“We didn’t set a target, we just hoped we could raise as much as we could. I thought we’d raise about £400.

“To make this much is brilliant and it’s down to the generosity of Fleetwood people.”

Paighton’s nan Christine Smith, who is Scott’s mum, said: “When we heard at the end of the night how much had been raised, I burst into tears, it was so brilliant.

“When Paighton died it was such a shock. She had been doing so well. She was always smiling and laughing and in her short life she made a huge impression on everyone she met.”

Scott and Kayleigh have two other children, five year old twins Ellis and Taylor.

An open day is being held to inform residents about the new observation tower currently under construction at Rossall Point, Fleetwood.

Wyre Council and Parkinson building contractors will be at Fleetwood Golf Club on Wednesday February 29 from 3.30pm - 6.30pm and residents are encouraged to drop in for an informal consultation about the project.

Councillor Gordon McCann, Cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration said: “We would like as many residents as possible to call in and find out more about the observation tower and how it will benefit the community.

“It’s your chance to see our plans and ask questions.”

Meanwhile, volunteers are required to man the new tower, which will have educational facilities and a viewing platform at the top but will also continue as Coastwatch HQ, the only voluntary lookout in the North West of England.

A new Coastwatch training course is due to start at Fleetwood Nautical College in March to teach volunteers the skills they need, including radar and radio communications, as well as chart work.

Anybody interested in joining Coastwatch for this voluntary service should log on to {http://www.ncirossallpointfleetwood.co.uk|www.ncirossallpointfleetwood.co.uk|Click here to visit the Rossall Point website} or ring (01253) 874804 for further details.

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HOW about this for a pukka send off? Fleetwood man Darren Abey has come up with a novel funeral hearse which is completely unique.

Darren, 45, of Oxford Road, already owned a yellow three wheeler Reliant Regal van, one of several used in classic sitcom Only Fools And Horses.

Then last year he hit upon a lovely jubbly idea after he obtained a yellow Reliant trailer to pull behind it for charity fund-raising missions.

Darren is a massive fan of the TV comedy series about wheeler dealer Del Boy who owns an old yellow Reliant, and he told the Weekly News: “Someone joked that I could use the van for funerals, and I thought it was a brilliant idea.

“And ever since then I have spent a lot of time and money making it happen.

“I had the trailer extended, re-painted and have worked with some of the best local craftsmen in the area to create a beautiful hearse.

“I have spent £13,000 altogether, but I think it’s worth every penny.

“These days some people seem to want their coffins and funerals to be more light-hearted, so I think there will be a lot of interest in this. It will bring a smile to loved ones’ faces.

“Only Fools and Horses is probably the most popular British sitcom ever, and there isn’t a hearse like this anywhere in the world.”

HGV driver Darren is all set to hire the vehicle out for funerals on the Fylde coast and all over the country, and has aptly called the business Only Fools and Hearses.

He has also set up a website to explain what’s on offer, and had the idea copyrighted.

He added: “I couldn’t have done this without the help and advice of Fleetwood undertaker Jason Dell and also monumental mason John Wilson, of Wyre Memorials. They have given me lots of advice about the funeral business.

“Similarly, local firms like joiners C & G Joinery and Northern Express Glass worked on the interior and windows to a massively high quality.”

Darren has already raised lots of money for charity Help For Heroes through the Reliant van, which he bought for £2,000 five years ago. Now the 1972 vehicle and the beautifully upholstered trailer are all ready to start a new career.

For details, visit {http://www.onlyfoolsandhearses.com.onlyfoolsandhearses.com|Click here to visit the website}.

A FRESH approach has been made to ensure that Fleetwood sparkles this Christmas.

A new Christmas Lights committee has been formed to take on the difficult task of raising enough money to pay for the displays.

In recent years it has been a struggle to pull together enough funding for the Christmas lights, so much so that last year was deemed dismal.

But new ideas have been thrown into the pot, innovative ways to get the money in which will also pull the whole community together.

Committee member Karen Leo from Russell’s hair fashions in Blakiston Street said: “Times are hard, businesses are struggling and people are finding it hard to make ends meet. Because of that, we are not going to ask for one off donations.

“Instead we have decided to sell paper Christmas baubles for people to write messages on. They will be sold in five categories – in remembrance, hopes and wishes, communities, fishermen the lifeboat and the sea and the Armed Forces.

“They will cost £5 each and once the message has been written on, we will laminate them and they will be displayed in shop windows.

“Instead of asking shops and businesses for money, we would like to ask them to help in any other ways they can. Whether it is by donating their time, or helping by offering something they produce.”

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Instead of having strings of lights across the streets, this year the committee would like to see Christmas trees lit and placed above shops all over the town.

The money raised through the bauble appeal will hopefully contribute towards that. Other lighting themes are also been looked at.

“By having trees, no business feels like they have been left out when the lights finish at the end of Lord Street,” said Karen.

“We are also hoping to have a memory book placed for a week in each of the churches in the run up to Christmas for people who have bought baubles to write their messages.”

Hopefully the baubles will be ready for sale by the end of next week and will be available in shops and businesses throughout Fleetwood.

Local schools are also being drafted in for pupils to design posters to promote the campaign.

“We just want the whole community involved.”

Warren Ward Councillor Emma Anderton added: “It was great to see a good turn out at the meeting we had this week.

“We have a full new committee and there are loads of ideas to get things moving.” The committee meet next on March 29.

THE work of a Fleetwood Royal Marine in Afghanistan has been described as the ‘bedrock’ from which his company operated.

Now Marine Luke Jordan, who serves with 45 Commando, has been awarded the Joint Commander’s Commendation for his work in developing a deep and sophisticated understanding of his company’s area of operations.

Marine Jordan, who’s 23 years old, is now back at base in Arbroath, Scotland, but his efforts during operation Herrick 14 in the Helmand Province did not go unnoticed.

Along with comrades from his unit, Marine Jordan engaged in a courageous campaign against the Taliban and brought the first summer in recent memory where the south of the province was not a battleground.

The men received top national honours for their efforts in bringing peace to the district, which has been blighted by the destabilising effect of the Taliban for years.

The military success on the frontline was unprecedented and suffered no fatalities.

A spokesman for 45 Commando said: “Thanks to the efforts of Marine Luke Jordan and his colleagues, the local population emerged more confident, more willing to stand against the insurgent and eager to play a part in rebuilding their livelihoods.”

The unit’s operational skill also led to an 86 per cent reduction in the amount of Taliban attacks.

Marine Jordan joined the army in 2008 and passed out as a Royal Marine in 2009.

His posting to Afghanistan was the first deployment for the former St. Wulstan’s Primary School pupil and Cardinal Allen RC High School pupil.

Back at the family home in Larkholme, his mum Ruth Jordan expressed her pride in her son’s achievements.

She said: “He is doing what he wants to do and I am very proud.”

Before joining the army, Marine Jordan enjoyed sport in Fleetwood. He boxed at Fleetwood Gym, helped train the Fleetwood Town youth sides and also at Fleetwood High School.

The honours within the unit included an OBE to the former commanding officer, two MBEs, two Queen’s Commendations and five commendation from the Commander of Joint Operations.

THE future of Thornton Little Theatre is safe – that’s the message from Wyre Council

The Victoria Road East venue is undergoing a massive period of change after the Paul Nicholas School of Acting – which managed the theatre – terminated its contract.

A tightening of policy around commercial hire rates has also seen many community groups quit the site.

But council leaders have reassured residents and have promised an exciting programme of events is to come.

Coun Lynne Bowen, Cabinet member with responsibility for theatres at Wyre Council, said: “Thornton Little Theatre is a jewel in Wyre’s crown and a highly valued community venue. “We’re committed to it and invested £226,000 in 2010 to provide a new foyer, studio and kitchen facilities.

“We’ve developed a diverse programme this year that provides something for everyone to enjoy, from a variety of both amateur and professional productions, to live music and comedy events. We’re proud of the inclusive nature of the theatre and are committed to protecting and nurturing community groups and ensuring that it remains a community venue.”

Karen Roberts from the Paul Nicholas School of acting blamed the increased hire costs as her reason for stepping down from the management role.

Other groups including a jazz band, a zumba teacher, a karate teacher and a music school have also pulled out saying rent increases of more than 300 per cent had made their position untenable. But Coun Bowen defended the changes. She said: “We have not increased our charges, we are simply making sure that private businesses, who make a profit from using the council’s facilities, pay commercial rates. “Some commercial operators have been paying significantly less than they should have which ultimately resulted in higher charges for those less able to pay. “The use of commercial rates where appropriate is essential to continue to subsidise rates for community groups and keep council tax as low as possible.” The council is in the process of investing a further £35,000 in a modern electronic box office system for both Thornton Little Theatre and Marine Hall in Fleetwood.

PLANNING for a complete facelift for Fleetwood’s Memorial Park has got the green light.

Wyre Council has gained initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery and with it £102,600 to help put plans together.

There are two years to get a scheme prepared and hopes are high the National Lottery will stump up for a multi-million-pound scheme.

The project would see essential conservation work carried out including restoring the entrances, war memorial, water garden and pathways.

There would be a greater range of sports and play facilities and a programme of community activities aimed at exploring the park’s history, the stories of those commemorated on the war memorial and Fleetwood’s maritime past.

Coun Lynne Bowen, Wyre cabinet member with responsibility for parks said: “Memorial Park has been at the heart of Fleetwood for almost 100 years and it’s great to know that we are a step closer to preserving it for another century.

“I’m delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund have pledged their support for this project and look forward to developing it with the help of the local community.”

Michelle Hargreaves is a member of the Friends of the Memorial Park and has researched its history.

She said: “It’s fabulous news.

“I got involved because of the mess the park had become and because money needed spending on it.

“It’s a good indicator we could get the park refurbished.

“It was worth it to put the effort in to make the park more high profile so people will care about it again.

“It‘s coming up to 100 years since the start of the First World War and there are only three such parks in the country so it would be the right time to do it.

“All the gates are original and they need restoring to their former glory.”

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Since a new rose garden was opened last year, more people had begun using the park.

She added: “People come to me and say how nice the park is looking, but I think it could be a lot better. This is a start.”

Sara Hilton, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “Today’s initial Lottery support will mean that major redevelopment plans can get underway that, once completed, will make this important green space a high-quality resource that local people and visitors alike can enjoy. We are looking forward to working with the Council on these exciting proposals.”

Designed and built in 1925 by Sir Patrick Abercrombie, a well renowned town planner and civic designer, the park is the oldest registered First World War memorial landscape.

Wyre will be seeking the views and ideas of local people before a second and final lottery application.

Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Mark Fenton at Wyre Council on (01253) 887612 or email Mark.Fenton@wyre.gov.uk.

There will be more information at a fun day in the park on July 21.

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ONE of Fleetwood’s oldest surviving pubs has a new management team at the helm.

The Steamer on Queen’s Terrace, which dates from the 19th century, is now being run by couple Alan and Heather Ainsworth.

They took over as managers at the end of last month after the departure of predecessors Ian Wright and Emma Jardine, and have signed up for a 20 week lease.

It is an exciting new career development for the pair – they have never run a pub before.

They say regulars at the pub, which is owned by brewery Scottish and Newcastle, have been very welcoming.

Alan, 58, worked for B&M Bargains, while Heather, 57, was a receptionist at Tiffany’s Hotel in Blackpool.

Heather told the Weekly News: “Our son and his wife, Phil and Emma Ainsworth, run the Gynn pub on North Shore. Their pub is run by Lancashire Leisure Solutions, which happens to be the same holding company which Scottish and Newcastle have leased The Steamer to.

“When Lancashire Leisure asked Phil and Emma if they knew a suitable couple to run The Steamer, they suggested us, because they knew we were interested.

“Phil and Emma have been a brilliant help to us in the first few weeks. It has been hard, but we’re enjoying it.”

Heather added: “The Steamer is a beautiful old building, with so much history.

“You can just imagine the old fishermen coming here when the trawlers were in the dock.

“The building is huge, and ideally would need a lot of money spending on it to get it to its full potential.

“We’ll be here for the next 20 weeks, and then take it from there.”

John said: “It’s a proper regulars’ pub, with very little passing trade.

“People come to The Steamer because they want to come here, they’re not just passing through.”

Despite the change of hands, John and Heather will continue with the programme of live music on Saturday nights.

The Steamer is battling on at a particulary tough time for the pub trade.

Fleetwood has lost no less than seven hostelries in recent years.

The latest to go is the Jolly Sailor on Radcliffe Road which has been empty for months and has been sold to developers who want to turn it into six two-bedroomed flats.

The Broadway Hotel closed in 2004 and the town has since lost the Cutty Sark, Gullivers, Victoria Hotel, Fleetwood Arms and the Ship Inn.

IT can blight communities and leave individuals in despair – but police in Fleetwood and Wyre are taking antisocial behaviour seriously.

Thatthe call from Insp Steve Bell, of Fleetwood Police, who has described the issue as “a key area” of local policing.

Insp Bell spoke on the issue after a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) praised Lancashire Police for not only maintaining its high standards in tackling anti-social behaviour, but for exceeding them.

HMIC found that Lancashire had not only sustained its performance since the last inspection in 2010 but actually continued to improve and develop its work with partners and communities.

Chief Supt Bob Eastwood, the Constabulary’s lead for anti-social behaviour, said: “In Lancashire, the police and other partner agencies are putting significant resources into tackling the issue, and making sure victims, particularly vulnerable victims and repeat victims, get the right help and support.”

And Insp Bell said it was this partnership work which was proving so effective in dealing with the issue across the county, including Fleetwood.

He told the Weekly News: “It is just not acceptable if people cannot go home without having to be subjected to loud music from neighbours, problems with drug dealing or having stones thrown at their windows.

“This is a key area of our work, because it effects people in their everyday lives.

“We are able to tackle this in various ways. At our regular PACT meetings, residents are able to raise their concerns - and they are doing. If they don’t tell us about their problems, we cannot do anything.

“Another major part of it is working with partners such as Wyre Council and the local housing associations.

“We cannot deal with these problems by ourselves, they have to be dealt with through agencies working together.

“At Fleetwood Police Station, we work through the Anti-Social Behaviour Risk Assessment Committee, joining with the other agencies to look at how best to tackle certain problems. That approach is working.”

Insp Bell cited the example of the recent closure of a property on Shakespeare Road, where a drug den which caused misery to neighbours was shut down.

Anti-social behaviour can have tragic consequences.

In Barwick, Leicestershire, mum Fiona Pilkington killed herself and her vulnerable daughter after a decade of abuse from local youths.

FLEETWOOD’s new fire station has opened and it’s all change for the fire crew.

As well as enjoying state-of-the-art facilities, those ensuring the safety of the public are now working 24-hour shifts.

And with the choice of running shifts together they can often spend days at a time living at the new £2m station on Radcliffe Road.

Crew manager Nick Robinson said: “It’s good and only those who wanted to work the new shifts are here. The others have gone to other stations.

“It means you get more quality time at home – you get a longer stretch at home.

“The fire service is a second family, we are very close because you are working with the same people.

“But you might not see some people for a long time because of the shift patterns.

“It keeps things fresh and it’s really good.”

Working the shift system are 14 staff who have to work 15 days per month and the new arrangement means there has been a saving of £400,000 per year in Fleetwood.

The result is the new station has an accommodation block and a new recreation room and state-of-the-art gym and, for the first time in Fleetwood, the traditional fireman’s pole.

A gleaming new canteen and kitchen are also in the new building which has replaced a 1960s property which was past it sell-by date.

A key part of the development is a meeting room which will be open to outside groups as the brigade bids to reach out into the community.

Crew manager Robinson said: “Moving in while staying operational has been a problem but we have made it and were are looking forward to using the building.”

An official opening of the building is being planned and there will also be a community open day, probably in September after schools have returned from the summer holidays.

THE smiling faces say it all!

For these youngsters from St Wulstan’s RC Primary School were over the moon to receive third place in last week’s Fleetwood Carnival.

They piled on to the back of the float dressed in sports gear to tie in with their superb Olympic-themed float.

Parents and children had spent weeks preparing the float to make sure it was ready for the big day.

They worked on sections using tissue paper to depict a sporting theme of boxers, synchronised swimmers, rowers and athletes.

And on the back of the float they displayed the symbolic five rings of the Olympic movement, and flags of all the nations taking part.

Sandra Byrne, who co-ordinated St Wulstan’s carnival entry, said: “We were all so proud to take part in this year’s Fleetwood Carnival.

“The children had so much fun despite the weather.

“I’d like to thank all family and friends who helped make our Olympic float look fantastic and look forward to creating an even better float next year!”

This year’s Carnival was judged one of the best for years by organisers despite the heavy rain.

And the event raised £1,550 for local good causes.

FIREFIGHTERS were called to a suspected arson attack at a house in Fleetwood this morning.

A woman, 25, received medical attention at the scene and was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in a stable condition by paramedics.

She was later released and arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Crews were called out to the address on North Church Street at 1.25am today.

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FLEETWOOD’S Marine Gardens have been opened after a £1m revamp.

The two-year refurbishment includes a new outdoor performance area, landscaping and a water fountain play feature.

Families were encouraged to take picnics along to help celebrate the occasion.

The gardens were opened by Doreen Lofthouse, from the Fleetwood family which makes the famous Fisherman’s Friend sweets, on Saturday.

Chris Wyatt from Wyre Council said he was “very, very proud” of the refurbishment, which aimed to recreate the atmosphere of the garden’s 1930s heyday.

“It’s the people’s gardens and we really want to encourage local people to use the garden in their own right,” he said.

FLOODING has caused misery for residents as heavy rain and fearsome winds battered the Fylde coast.

And there is no sign of the wild weather letting up with the Met Office warning people to “be prepared” for poor conditions throughout today.

Residents on Sunnyside Terrace, Cartgate, in Preesall, found around 100 sandbags had been dropped outside their houses by Wyre Council yesterday morning.

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the River Wyre.

A vehicle was was left stranded on the A583 Blackpool Road, near the Bell and Bottle pub, just before 7.30am after its engine cut out as the driver attempted to drive through water on the road, causing a build up of traffic.

A Blackpool police spokeswoman said they had received reports of standing water on many roads but there were no road closures in place.

n Staining, cars were unable to drive through the village’s main roads after the heavy rainfall.

The water rose so high along Chain Lane, cars had to be pulled out and taken to the village hall car park to dry out.

John Singleton, councillor for Staining, said: “The main road through Staining was impassable at 8pm yesterday. At least one car owner was left stranded in the middle of the lake.

“The water was extremely high. Cars had to turn around on Kings Close before they even got to the village.”

A spokeswoman for Wyre Council said its flood plan had been put in place.

She said: “We will be doing all we can to respond to calls as and when they come in and we would also ask residents to take all necessary precautions to protect individual properties.”

Blackpool Council said it was “keeping a close eye” on the situation, although no roads were closed due to flooding, while Fylde Council said it had “no arrangements” for precautionary measures such as sandbags to be delivered.

Dave Britton, from the Met Office, said: “Rain will persist across Blackpool and Lancashire.

“It will be a very wet day with some strong and blustery winds.”

Meanwhile Blackpool FC called on Lancashire County Cricket Club to secure the use of a water hog, used to soak up excess water, to ensure the pitch was fit for play against Huddersfield Town.

AN urgent bid for £55m is being made to completely re-build Fleetwood’s crumbling sea wall – via the Weekly News.

In an unprecedented move for the area, Wyre Council is asking Fleetwood folk for their assistance in the cash application, via the Weekly News.

The council has been working on the sea wall bid for the last two years and is now ready to apply to the Environment Agency for the massive grant - arguably the biggest sea wall cash bid in the UK.

And efforts to get the sea wall re-built cannot come soon enough; the wall is cracking at various points, including the top end of Chatsworth Avenue.

Wyre is keen to reassure residents they are not in danger of imminent flooding, but the council says the bid needs to be successful at the first attempt to get the work done more quickly. Wyre Council will present its case in London in November for money to improve the sea defences at Rossall – and save 7,495 properties in the area from coastal flooding.

See this week’s Weekly News for details on how you can help, and the full story.

IT’S a pukka job!

Fleetwood man Darren Abey is helping to give one family a funeral send-off to remember this week.

Last year , The Weekly News reported how Darren, a huge fan of classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses, managed to make a lovely jubbly idea become a reality.

Darren, of Oxford Road, created a unique funeral vehicle after shelling our £13,000 to transform a yellow Reliant van into a trailer hearse.

The 46-year-old then planned to pull the trailer with the three wheeler Reliant Regal van he already had, and use it for funerals.

The eye-catching van is one of several vehicle’s actually used in the classic sitcom featuring wheeler dealer Del Boy.

Darren reckoned it would be great for funerals where people wanted to leave loved ones with a smile as well as a tear.

See this week’s Weekly News for the full story

A FORMER Poulton man has been jailed for his part in a £134m cocaine smuggling racket.

And police have pledged to hunt down John Alan Brooks’ cash.

Former car dealer Brooks was the ringleader behind a plot to smuggle 1.5 tonnes of the drug into the UK – the culmination of a criminal career stretching back almost 30 years.

The 61-year-old, who lived in Garstang Road East, Poulton, before fleeing to Marbella, evaded justice for three years after the luxury yacht Dances with Waves and her crew were seized along with the massive estimated £134m drugs haul en route to Liverpool in 2008.

But the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) – dubbed Britain’s FBI – finally got their man when he returned to Marton to visit family in November last year.

He was locked up on Monday for 28 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to import cocaine at Birmingham Crown Court.

SOCA described Brooks, who had been living the high-life in a million Euro Spanish villa, as an “international fixer” with links to organised crime gangs worldwide. He had previously evaded justice by escaping from a Moroccan prison. It is believed he fled from Africa to Europe by crossing the Gibraltar straits on a jet ski.

Sentencing Brooks at

Birmingham Crown Court Mr Recorder Sanghera said: “You have been convicted of a very serious offence, of the trafficking of a large amount of Class A drugs into this country

“You have similar convictions in other countries the evidence I have heard leads me to believe you have played a leading role in this conspiracy.

“Your involvement was with no other just cause other than greed and I believe you pose a significant risk to the public.”

Brooks is known to have had addresses previously in both the Common Edge Road area of Blackpool, around Poulton, and in Lytham and St Annes.

Dances with Waves was intercepted in November 2008 as she travelled to the UK from Trinidad by the Irish Authorities, as part of a multi-agency operation led by SOCA.

Brooks had been responsible for assembling the crew to charter the luxury yacht, which he bought in Trinidad using a false identity.

The yacht had stopped in Venezuelan waters before heading for Liverpool, but she was intercepted after she got into difficulty around 170 miles off the Irish coast.

SOCA’s regional head of investigations Matt Horne added: “Brooks was the go-to man for organised crime groups as he was an expert in arranging the transportation of huge quantities of drugs.

“His criminal career stretches back 30 years, during which time he has travelled extensively using false identities and has been imprisoned on a number of occasions.

“Now he’s back in prison where he belongs and we’re going after his money.”

After he has served his UK sentence the French authorities are waiting to extradite Brooks to serve a 13-year jail term which dates back to 1996, when he was sentenced in his absence after 4.2 tonnes of cannabis was seized.

POLICE officers raising awareness of child sexual exploitation say a roadshow in Fleetwood this week was a huge success.

Officers spent a day outside Asda talking to members of the public about the issue and to try and increase understanding of how young people can be groomed and manipulated into sexual activity and how they can be protected.

Fleetwood Det Sgt Simon Coates said: “It went very well.

“It was mainly about raising awareness of child sexual 
exploitation and how parents can help protect their children.

“People hear about the 
dangers of the internet and social networking sites but they don’t think it will happen to them.

“But it is everywhere.

“When a child is in their room on a computer for four hours, don’t be fooled into thinking they are safe, they can easily become embroiled in a very vulnerable situation.

“Parents need to be aware of what their children are doing on the Internet and put provisions in place to safeguard them.

“Children need to use computers to learn, it is part of everyday life, but it’s a thin line. We had some good feedback from members of the public, they are always very supportive with these kind of issues.

The event was part of a county-wide week-long campaign organised by the officers from Operation Breakthrough which investigates child sexual exploitation crime.

DOUBLE help is available for people in Fleetwood who need financial advice and help in the run up to Christmas.

And the message is clear: don’t turn to loan sharks.

Debt crisis advisers fear hard-up residents are turning to high-interest payday loans to get them through tough times.

However, instead of struggling with loans they can’t repay, they are urged to go to the credit union in Fleetwood.

And in addition, a special advice day is being staged in the town by the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB).

The CAB session is being held at the Wyre Clubhouse mental health centre on Lord Street, Fleetwood, on Thursday November 8, from 2-4pm. The session is being run by Graham Wallwork, a finance adviser working with the CAB.

He said: “There is a bigger issue with debt now than at any time in recent years.

“The first port of call when they have money problems should never be these loan companies who generally charge very large rates of interest. It is only a quick fix solution and often these people spiral into even further debt. People don’t have to do that.”

Graham will be providing a wealth of information on the day about how to manage finances, and for those who have severe problems he can arrange one-to-one visits by an expert CAB adviser.

Those who want to attend the session should make as note in their diaries and simply call in on the day. Meanwhile, the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Credit Union holds two sessions a week at the West View Community Centre on Eden Avenue, Fleetwood. Vice-chairman of West View Community Association Shaun MacNeill, said the not-for-profit credit union was set up to help those in need.

He said: “The credit union comes to our centre twice a week and there is always a queue. There is a definite need. If someone runs out of money late at night and someone says they have a friend who can land you £10 or £20 it can lead to problems.”

Mr MacNeill revealed how community centre bosses had seen first-hand the despair caused by people getting into debt. He added: “We have people who have been in tears. I have seen people very upset because of debt – it’s a big issue. People get to Christmas and borrow money and spend the rest of the year re-paying it.”

The credit union meets potential clients by appointment at the West View Community Centre on Eden Avenue every Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Phone (01253) 478827.

BUILDING hold-ups mean the new £600,000 Rossall Point lookout at Fleetwood has still to be opened.

It had been hoped there would be an opening ceremony and naming of the tower in August, but now Wyre Council isn’t able to put a date on when the public will have access.

A Wyre Council spokeswoman said: “The biggest setback to the observation tower has been the inclement weather we’ve experienced this year which delayed the external rendering to the building.

“However, the construction work is now complete and we are progressing internal works including installing signage and artworks.

“We’re also ensuring that the building meets operational needs before it opens to the public.”

As keen as anyone to see the tower open are the volunteers of the Coastwatch service who moved out of the old tower before its demolition in September last year.

Coastwatch deputy manager Dave English, said: “We have new equipment in storage and everybody is itching to get started as soon as we can get in there.”

The new tower is built at an angle to give the impression it is leaning into the prevailing wind.

It is set to become part of a walking and cycling trail between Fleetwood and Cleveleys which will include art works linked to the specially-written children’s book Sea Swallow.