A keen cyclist setting out to fund-raise for charity was left for dead after being struck by a hit-and-run driver.

Veronica Lester said she feels lucky to be alive after being knocked to the ground off her bike on Breck Road, Poulton.

The 62-year-old was left with a fractured skull, needing seven staples, and serious internal bruising and spent six days in Royal Preston Hospital’s trauma unit.

But the driver of the light blue hatchback, which fled the scene onto Moorland Road, is yet to come forward.

Now the mother-of-one and her husband, Simon, are appealing for any witnesses to come forward and for the driver to ‘do the right thing’.

Mrs Lester said: “For someone to have hit me and not stopped is just unbelievable. It’s very callous, the driver would have felt hitting me.

“I feel violated.

“I’ve no memory at all of what happened but I believe some children witnessed it, which isn’t nice.

“My bike isn’t that damaged but I’m really bruised so it looks like the car hit me and knocked me off and my bike has landed on top of me.”

Today the £2,000 bicycle bears little damage, but Mrs Lester’s £160 helmet is smashed and her professional clothing, worth hundreds of pounds, has been ruined.

She said: “I’m not just someone who doddles along on a bike.

“I’m a bold cyclist, to avoid this sort of thing.”

The cyclist had just completed a 20-mile training ride, ahead of a 100-mile London to Surrey charity ride in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in October.

She was just a few hundred metres from her home on nearby Derby Road when she was hit at around 11.45am on July 15..

A passing tradesman rushed to her aid, and emergency services were quickly on scene, closing off the main road while attending to the estate agent, who had lost consciousness.

But as yet no witnesses to the crash have come forward - and nor has the driver who fled the scene. Police have appealed for the driver of another car, which overtook Mrs Lester seconds before the crash, to also come forward.

Mr Lester, 63, told of his horror to be called by police officers from his wife’s phone, telling of the accident.

He said: “I got a call to say my wife was on her way to the trauma unit - to say it was a shock would be an understatement.

“You think, has she been paralysed? Has she lost 10 pints of blood?

“When I saw her it was really frightening but the doctors said she’d been very lucky and the helmet had protected her greatly.”

Mrs Lester, who has a young grandson, was unable to move for her first few days in hospital and will now undergo physiotherapy.

While she is determined not to let the incident put her off cycling she has stressed the importance of cyclists being confident and properly equipped on the roads, as well as for drivers to be mindful of other road users.

Mrs Lester, who is a member of the Fylde Coasters cycling club, said: “The idea is that cars overtake a cyclist like they would any other vehicle, but they don’t and that’s when these things happen.

“We have near misses all the time. Drivers just skim past.

“Cyclists must wear helmets and drivers need to give more thought to them.

“It’s nice to cycle in a group because you’re taken more seriously but it shouldn’t stop you being able to go for a ride on your own.

“I feel angry about what’s happened. It shows a real lack of respect not to stop, you shouldn’t leave someone lying in the side of the road unconscious.

“As it is, I’m lucky to be alive.”

PC Nigel Rowland, from Blackpool’s road policing unit, said: “CCTV enquires have shown a blue coloured car, possibly a Renault Clio orMegane, driving towards Garstang Road around the time of the collision. We would like to trace the driver of this vehicle as part of our enquires.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

Stargazers are set to see a rare blue moon phenomenon tonight in the skies over Lancashire.

The sight being so rare, the phrase ‘once in a blue moon’ was coined because of it.

But rather than the moon actually changing colour, a blue moon refers to when two full moons appear in the same calendar month.

The first full moon was spotted on 1 July and the second will appear on the last day of the month – Friday, 31 July and should be visible from around 8.50pm.

timeanddate.com on blue moons: “A Moon that actually looks blue, however, is a very rare sight. The Moon, full or any other phase, can appear blue when the atmosphere is filled with dust or smoke particles of a certain size.

“Eruptions like on Mount Krakatoa, Indonesia (1883), Mount St. Helens (1980) and Mount Pinatubo (1991) are all known to have caused blue moons.”

This appearance is the first such occurrence in three years since the last blue moon month in August 2012, the next will not be until 2018.

Astronomers predict it will only happen on 12 occasions between now and 2043.

Friday’s weather is set to be partly cloudy in the North West, so there is a chance of getting a view of the phenomenon.

If you miss this Friday’s blue moon, here are your next opportunities:

31 January 2018

31 March 2018

31 October 2020

31 August 2023

31 May 2026

31 December 2028

30 September 2031

31 July 2034

31 January 2037

31 March 2037

31 October 2039

31 August 2042

More about {http://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/blue-moon.html|blue moons at timeanddate.com|go to timeanddate.com}.

A cyclist has been brought to justice after riding his bike on the pavement straight into the path of a three-year-old girl in a horrific hit and run attack caught on shocking CCTV footage.

Lucie Wilding was left badly cut and bruised after Andrew Holland, 24, ploughed into the tot as she stepped out of her front gate, dragging her 12ft.

Holland, of Campbell Avenue, North Shore, left the scene following the incident, but was caught after Lucie’s mother Lauren Howarth posted an image of him, taken at the scene in Layton, on social media.

In dramatic CCTV footage played to Lancaster Magistrates Court, Holland, wearing a bright orange jacket, is seen hurtling down the pavement on Collingwood Avenue, Layton, moments before colliding with Lucie, sending the youngster flying.

Lucie’s dad Matt is seen leaping over the garden wall before picking up the youngster and carrying her into the family car.

Explaining the footage, Mike Wallbank, prosecuting, said: “At about 3.10pm on May 18 you saw Lauren Howarth come out of the house where she lived and it was her intention to check everything was clear for her partner to go out to the car.

“You then see Lucie step out onto the pavement where she is hit and dragged along.

“You then see the mother’s partner jump over the wall. He collects her and takes her straight to the car.

“Her face was covered in blood and she was taken straight to A&E.”

In a victim impact statement read to the court Ms Howarth said: “Since this incident my daughter suffers from anxiety, especially when leaving the house.

“She refuses to walk to the car and has to be carried.

“Every time she sees a bike now she runs to me and wants ‘up’.

“She used to have nightmares about it and would wake up screaming.

“The incident has knocked her confidence.

“She used to do ballet every Saturday but now it is a struggle to get her up to do it.”

Ms Howarth added Lucie had been covered in “scrapes, bumps and bruises over her face and head”.

Paul Robinson, for Holland, who previously denied cycling dangerously, said: “This is clearly a terrifying incident for the parents and the child and no wonder the child is suffering psychological harm as a result.

“As a parent of four children I would be horrified if this happened to my child.

“It is heart-stopping to see that CCTV footage and it is a great relief to us all that this young girl was not seriously hurt.”

Deputy District Judge Pam Baldwin told Holland: “You have admitted you rode a bicycle in a manner that falls below that of a competent cyclist.

“You were riding on a pavement in a residential area and the footage shows the road condition was of no danger to you.

“There was no indication that you slowed the vehicle or took evasive action.

“It was very lucky indeed the child avoided very serious injury.”

Subway sandwich shop team leader Holland pleaded guilty to riding a bicycle dangerously and was ordered to pay a total of £829 in fines and costs.

Speaking after the hearing, mum Lauren Howarth said: “We are happy he has been found guilty and it is just a shame it has got this far.

“It is a lesson to cyclists that you shouldn’t be on the pavement.

“We are happy it is over and done with and can now focus on Lucie.”

Vets are taking part in the Big Tick Project, a nationwide collection of ticks from dogs in a bid to help scientists track what is feared to be a growing threat to people and their dogs from tick-borne diseases.

Tick bites can transmit serious infections, such as Lyme disease, a serious and debilitating illness that can cause long term health problems in dogs and people.

In the UK, Public Health England estimates the number of new Lyme Disease cases each year at around 3,000 while Lyme Disease charities say the figure could even be as high as 15,000 annually. However, the majority of people are unaware this potentially debilitating condition also affects our pet dogs.

The University of Bristol’s Big Tick Project is being supported by TV presenter, naturalist and dog lover Chris Packham, and aims to raise awareness of the risks and symptoms associated with tick-borne disease, and to educate owners how they can reduce their dog’s exposure to ticks and the diseases they carry.

Any ticks found on dogs will be collected and sent to Bristol University laboratories to help advance the knowledge of tick-borne disease, benefiting both veterinary and human medicine.

Chris Packham feels the challenge of keeping dogs and people tick-free has never been greater,

He said: “Research highlighted by the Big Tick Project experts at Bristol University suggests that ticks are a growing problem, especially in areas such as urban parkland, woodland or open country.

“While I find both ticks and fleas interesting creatures, I don’t want them on my dogs, in my house, or on me.

“I want the best advice and treatment available and I know I can get this by talking to my vet.”

Ticks are hard to spot when small but can transmit infections as they feed off the blood of their host. Dog owners often see ticks when they have increased in size as a result of their blood meal but by then the damage may have been done.

Tick facts:

A single female tick can lay several thousand eggs at a time.

It can take up to 3 years for the adult tick to develop.

Tick saliva contains an anaesthetic, so your dog will not feel the bite and neither will you!

Check your pet’s skin starting from its head then work your way down its forelegs and the rest of its body, searching for any lumps on the skin surface.

The place where the tick attaches may or may not be painful and there may be skin swelling.

If you find a tick on your dog’s skin:

The ideal device for tick removal is a specially designed hook with a narrow slot which needs to be slid with care under the tick at skin level so as to grip the head of the tick

Secure the hook in place around the head of the tick, ensuring it is not entangled in hair. The hook is then rotated around its axis several times until the attachment is freed. The loose tick will then be easily detached and removed without putting either the tick or skin under tension

When attempting to remove a tick avoid handling the parasite directly without gloves - remember ticks carry unpleasant infections!

DO NOT attempt to burn, cut or pull the tick directly off - If you do so it is likely parts of the tick head or mouthparts will be left behind.

Tips on keeping your dog tick-free

Groom your pet regularly - checking for evidence of new tick infestations.

Discuss the risks posed from ticks and other common pet parasites with your practice and follow their recommended approach to ensure optimal control for your particular circumstances.

Follow your vet’s treatment recommendations fully and at the correct intervals for the product in question.

New advances and treatment innovation means that there are a number of ways that vets can control ticks, including the use of spot-ons (typically applied every four weeks), sprays, collars and oral chewable formulations which can last up to 12 weeks.

That means there should be an easy and practical solution for every owner who wants to help protect their dog against ticks.

Dog owners wanting to take part in the Big Tick Project with a tick check for their dog(s) or to find out more about the risks from tick bites can {http://www.bigtickproject.co.uk|visit www.bigtickproject.co.uk|go to www.bigtickproject.co.uk} or contact their local vets.

Dog owners are being encouraged to get their young pets microchipped ahead of a new law in 2016, or risk a £500 fine.

From 6 April 2016 it becomes law in England and Wales that all dogs have to be microchipped by eight weeks old and registered to an approved database.

Chipping is seen as an important part of responsible pet ownership, helping to increase the chances of a missing pet being returned safely to its owner.

It can also help enable veterinary surgeons to contact dog owners for emergency procedures.

Anyone breeding dogs will be responsible for microchipping their puppies before they sell or give them to new keepers. All imported dogs will need to have a microchip.

The RSPCA welcomed the new law, but said it doubted that it alone would “make owners more responsible or ensure fewer dogs bite people”.

But Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today magazine, said the scheme was flawed: “People don’t know how to update their records. The chip is invisible - once it’s in there people forget it’s there.”

Get chipped

The small chip, the size of a grain of rice, is inserted between the shoulder blades of a dog using a sterile needle and does not require an anaesthetic being no more painful than a standard vaccination.

The {http://j.mp/1H9T1WX|Dogs Trust have a map of places offering free microchipping|go to Google Maps}.

£500 fine for non-compliance

Under the regulations, if a dog is not microchipped or the keeper’s details are not registered on an approved database, then it will be considered as not complying with the regulations and a notice may be served.

If the keeper does not microchip their dogs within 21 days of the served notice, then they will be liable to pay a fine of £500.

Update keeper details

The Dogs Trust has advice to all dog owners, referred to as ‘keepers’ under the law: “Don’t forget to update your details; if you do not, then the microchip is useless.”

“It’s simple to update the details for your dog’s microchip, you can do it online, by telephone or by post – depending on which database your chip is registered to.

“Charges for updating your chip details also vary across the microchip databases.”

You will need to know which microchipping database your pet is registered to in the UK. Then you can contact the database directly to make your changes.

Check your chip now {https://www.petlog.org.uk/|at petlog.org.uk|go to www.petlog.org.uk}.

More microchipping information and a list of UK Microchip Databases at {https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/microchipping/|dogstrust.org.uk|go to dogstrust.org.uk}.

The Government is to take a fresh look at how to get behind the Eurofighter Typhoon and help BAE Systems increase sales across the world.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon revealed the move during a visit to BAE Systems’ Lancashire sites to mark the completion of the 200th rear fuselage for the F-35 Lightning II programme.

Lancashire planemakers at Samlesbury and Warton produce both the Typhoon and Hawk trainer jet, and part of the American F-35.

BAE Systems says it has a £37bn order backlog for its planes and is actively pursuing new orders in a “competitive” market.

Mr Fallon said: “We are having a fresh look at how we promote Typhoon sales.

“The work of BAE Systems is very important both to the local economy and to UKPLC.

“All senior ministers who travel, and that includes the Prime Minister, promote Typhoon to potential buyers.”

BAE Systems workers in Samlesbury ’s assemble the aft fuselage of the F-35 before it is transported to Lockheed Martin’s final assembly facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

Mr Fallon said: “These fuselages, built in the North West, make up a significant amount of the manufacturing work on every aircraft, and will be supplied to all nine of the nations involved in the F-35 programme.

“That’s not only a huge achievement for the British Defence industry on the world stage, but work on this cutting edge aircraft is also boosting the UK economy, supporting thousands of jobs across the country.”

Jon Evans, head of F-35 Lightning II Production Delivery for BAE Systems at Samlesbury, said: “The completion of the 200th aft fuselage is a significant milestone.”

Singer-songwriter Rae Morris proved the perfect opening act for the newly rebranded Lytham Festival.

Singer-songwriter Rae Morris proved the perfect opening act for the newly rebranded Lytham Festival.

In a set featuring her singles Don’t Go, Cold, Closer, Under The Shadows and Love Again as well as tracks from her debut album Unguarded, released in January, Rae perfectly blended a husky lower register with soaring melodies.

And she proved her class as a live act, with three-piece band, as one of those rare talents who sounds even better live than through the recording studio speakers and trickery.

The sell-out audience included a large crowd of friends and family, headed up by mum and dad Lesley and Neil, both bursting with pride as always - ending the night, hoisted over the crowd on a couple of well-wishers’ shoulders, much to Rae’s surprise from the stage.

Between tracks the young star, something of a darling of Radio One having risen through the BBC Introducing ranks, paid tribute to her home town and her ‘proud’ Blackpool roots as well as her connection to ‘the posh bit’ Lytham, where her nana - also in the crowd - lives.

New BBC Radio Lancashire Introducing favourites Kiings, initially launched last summer as Golden Wings, provided support, with a mature-sounding set for such a relatively new act.

The five-piece from Blackpool, who played a mix of original material and covers, can hopefully take inspiration from Rae’s career so far and the humble beginnings of a similar support slot.

Former St George’s High School pupil Rae took a brief moment to look back on her success - remembering playing Lowther four years ago, as an unknown artist competing for a chance to support Status Quo at the then-Lytham Proms.

“I didn’t win,” she admitted, laughing. “I was gutted.”

But it’s hardly stifled her career and we can only hope that in another couple of years she’ll be headlining the main stage.

* Read more and see more photos in tomorrow’s Gazette.

Tesco is revamping its self-service checkout machines in a move that will bring to an end the dreaded “unexpected item in the bagging area” phrase.

Following feedback from customers, the supermarket giant said it is rolling out a new audio voice to machines that will be “friendlier, more helpful and less talkative.”

Tesco conceded that its current system had “become a source of frustration” for customers, with some describing it as “shouty”, “irritating”, and putting them under pressure as they finish their shop.

The new system aims to ease those frustrations by offering softer phrases and being more customer-friendly.

As well as changing “unexpected item in the bagging area”, six unhelpful phrases including “please take your items” have been removed and “thank you for shopping at Tesco” has been added.

The system has already been rolled out to a small number of stores. It will be introduced in all of Tesco’s UK stores by the end of October.

James Dewen, self service checkout operations manager at Tesco said: “Customers really like the convenience of our self-service checkouts, especially when they’re just popping into store to pick up lunch or a few items after work. But for some, the voice leaves them a bit frustrated.”

“It’s listened to by millions of customers every week, so we’ve acted on customer and colleague feedback and worked hard to get the new voice right to improve the shopping trip.”

Tesco first introduced self service machines in 2003, and currently has more than 12,000 in operation.

Freeport Fleetwood shopping outlet is celebrating its 20 year anniversary by inviting customers to submit their anecdotes and special memories in the form of stories, videos or images of visits to the centre from the past 20 years to help it compile a special memory wall which will be erected in the centre.

The centre opened its doors back in 1995 on the site of the former Wyre Dock with brands including Regatta, Double Two and Hallmark. It has come a long way since then and is enjoying a highly successful trading period as it continues to go from strength to strength in terms of brands on site and an increased number of shoppers who visit on a regular basis.

To help with the celebrations, the outlet is inviting the local community to submit pictures, videos or stories of their best memories at the centre over the past 20 years.

From shopping selfies, to first-shoe-fittings, prom-dress-picking trips, McDonald’s first dates and even classic catch-ups in Costa; whatever the memory, story or snapshot, the Centre management team wants to see it.

The submissions will then be used to compile a striking memory wall which will launch at the centre’s Best of British event on September 12. Stories and images can be submitted via Facebook and Twitter (@FleetwoodOutlet) using the hashtag #FFis20 or by email at: freeportfleetwood@downatthesocial.co.uk.

Freeport Fleetwood has also seen generations of families flow through its workforce including current employees Michelle Clixby and her mother, Irene.

Irene has worked at Pavers Shoes at the centre since it opened 20 years ago and Michelle has been working at the centre since February 2000. Michelle now works in the centre management office.

Michelle said: “Freeport Fleetwood is part of our family as both me and my mum have worked here for such a long time.

“It’s such a great atmosphere and we genuinely look forward to coming into work every day.

“The 20-year celebrations, especially the memory wall, are a great way to encourage everyone to get involved and submit their memories – whether it’s a first date which eventually led to a wedding, or simply someone buying their favourite ever pair of shoes we would love to hear from the community.”

Centre Manager, John Magee, said: “I have only been here for a year but I already have so many special memories. Plus it’s great to hear the stories from staff like Michelle and Irene who have been here such a long time. The memory wall will enable us to celebrate 20 years along with our customers and I can’t wait to hear and see all the memories that are submitted. The Wall will be launched October half term?? Is that too late?? so everyone has weeks to send us their submission.

“The birthday celebrations will culminate in our second Best of British event on Saturday 12th September which will be a great big party for staff and customers to enjoy!”

To commemorate this special landmark in its history, earlier this year Freeport Fleetwood worked with the local community to create the Fleetwood Heritage Trail. The trail is formed of 22 boards which explore the area’s attractions and commemorate Fleetwood’s rich heritage. Subjects covered by the trail include the history of the town, the birth of the fishing industry, birds that can be seen in the area, shipwrecks and famous people from Fleetwood.

The mini heritage attraction has been installed on the marina fence that runs through the Freeport Fleetwood site. The artwork is a permanent fixture and is accessible, free of charge, during the centre’s opening hours.

For more information visit @FleetwoodOutlet #FFis20 http://facebook.com/fleetwoodoutlet http://www.freeport-fleetwood.com/

A total of 2,500 jobs are set to be lost at Lancashire County Council by April 2018, as the authority faces an extra £223m in cuts.

County Hall bosses have announced they need to make the extra savings by April 2020, to tackle a funding gap caused by reduced government funding and rising demand for services.

The cuts come on top of £152m savings announced in the three-year budget agreed in February this year.

The extra savings mean that between 2011 and 2020, the council will have to have delivered savings of £685m.

The cuts will impact on the council’s staff, and the leader said she was “no longer confident” that the workforce could be reduced on a “purely voluntary basis”.

County Coun Jennifer Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “These are the most challenging times for local government in living memory as we face the combination of severe central government cuts and rising demand for our services, particularly those serving vulnerable people.

“Although good progress has been made with our current three-year budget plan, there are still significant savings to be identified in that period and other areas where we know the scale of reductions required but have more to do to implement them.

“At the same time, the new Government will be making further substantial cuts to council budgets over the coming years.

“This continues at a time when, as the population ages, demand on many services will increase so that we’d be facing financial pressures even if the budget wasn’t being reduced at all.

“The scale of the challenge means that we are having to make ever more difficult decisions.

“We will do all that we can, but there is no doubt that the services we provide to our communities will have to be reduced in this period and people will notice the difference.

“Our priority will remain to protect the most vulnerable people in communities across Lancashire.

“Regrettably I’m also no longer confident we can reduce our workforce as much as we need to on a purely voluntary basis.”

The council’s cabinet is expected to consider and consult upon proposals to deliver the latest savings programme over the winter, with decisions made by February 2016.

Changes to services and staffing levels will then be implemented as soon as possible.

The additional savings will have an impact on the county council’s workforce.

A reduction of 1,400 posts had been planned as part of a transformation process already underway.

It is now expected that a further reduction of 1,100 jobs will be necessary, making a total of 2,500 by April 2018 compared to March 2014.

It is hoped that the bulk of these reductions can be made on a voluntary basis, and the council will continue to invite employees to apply for voluntary redundancy.

More to follow.

Tuition fees at some universities could reach £10,000 a year by 2020, a new study has been suggested.

The Independent Commission on Fees warns the Government should be “extremely wary” of major increases or lifting the fee cap entirely, citing concerns about the impact on students and the taxpayer.

It comes as new polling published by the panel suggests many teenagers are worried about how much they will have to pay out to gain a degree, with 78% of the more than 1,000 UK sixth-formers surveyed saying they are very or fairly concerned about living costs as a student, 68% concerned about tuition fees and 58% worried about repaying loans after graduation.

In its final report, the Commission, set up in 2011 to monitor the impact of the new fee system on English universities, calls for the Office for Budget Responsibility to launch an investigation into the current student loan system to examine whether it is providing value for money for undergraduates and the public purse.

Tuition fees were trebled to a maximum of £9,000 a year in 2012, with students starting to repay government loans once they are earning £21,000.

In his budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced further reforms to the system, including allowing universities offering high quality teaching to increase their fees in line with inflation from 2017/18.

The Commission calculates that, based on compound interest at 3% from 2017/18, this move could mean fees at some institutions reach £10,000 in five years time (by 2020/21)

In its report, it says: “The Government should be extremely wary of substantive increases in fees or removing the cap on fees completely.

“Our concerns about the impact on students and the taxpayer (through loans) suggest extreme caution should be taken in placing any further strain on the loan system by any substantive increase in fees, or lifting the cap completely as some have suggested,” the report adds.

“Evidence to date shows there has been no move to a real market in fees, but rather a clustering at the top end of allowable charges, with insufficient understanding of the long-term effects of the debts incurred in this process.”

The report does note there has been “no obvious detrimental change” in the numbers of school leavers going on to university.

But it goes on to say there is still an “unacceptably high” gap between the numbers of disadvantaged sixth-formers going into higher education, especially selective institutions, and a widening gender gap between poorer students, with 14.7% of boys from the poorest neighbourhoods studying for a degree in 2014, compared to 21.8% of girls - a gulf of seven points, compared to five in 2010.

It also raises concerns about significant drops in part-time and mature students, saying it believes the new fee system is a major factor in the decline

Commission chair Will Hutton said it is good news that the number of young people going to university does not appear to have been affected by the 2012 fee hike, but added there are still problems in the new system.

“Debt is likely to become a bigger issue,” he said.

“Under the current system, nearly three-quarters of students will fail to clear their student loans before they are written off after 30 years, and the large majority will still be paying off their loans well into their 40s, figures that will increase with the abolition of grants and increase in fees. It is not clear that students will continue to disregard debt.

“At the same time, it looks increasingly likely that any anticipated gains to the Treasury will be largely wiped out by these non-payments. It’s absolutely vital the OBR establishes what the knock-on effects of the student loan system will be in the future on both students and the national finances so we know whether the current system is offering us value for money and economic security.”

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said: “As the Commission demonstrates, higher tuition fees in 2012 have not deterred young people from applying to university. This important and welcome finding is consistent with the conclusions of the independent Student Funding Panel, which reported in June 2015.

“The Student Funding Panel reviewed the current student fees and loan system in England and concluded the system was broadly fit for purpose and needed to be given time to work.

“During the course of its work, the Panel took evidence from over 3,000 students. This evidence showed students were more concerned about the level of maintenance support they receive while studying, than they were about the longer-term repayment of their student loans.

“Allowing the value of the fee to be maintained in real terms is essential to allow universities to continue to deliver a high-quality learning experience for students.”

A Business Department spokeswoman said the Government is committed to giving everyone the opportunity to gain a degree. “Students will get more money in their pockets to help with living costs and lifting the cap on student numbers means more people will be able to benefit from higher education than ever before,” she said.

“The Budget was clear that only institutions offering high quality teaching will be able to increase tuition fees in line with inflation from 2017-18.”

Professor Anne West, director of the Education Research Group, at the London School of Economics, said: “The research published by the Independent Commission on Fees raises serious concerns about the current student loans system. Moreover, the planned changes to fees and to student financial support are likely to have far-reaching negative effects on students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who have been beneficiaries of maintenance grants, which reduce later indebtedness.”

Thieves who target rural areas anticipating rich pickings with relatively little resistance are finding they are coming up against more determination within communities to fight crime.

The traditional stereotype of the countryside conjures up sleepy villages which are attractive to criminals with designs on expensive farm machinery. But the reality is that more people are waking up to the fact their property is at risk unless they take steps to protect their homes and businesses.

This growing awareness has resulted in a fall in the cost of rural crime. According to NFU Mutual’s annual claims data, the cost to the UK economy in 2014 was a not-insignificant £37.8m. However, this was down from £44.5m., or 15%, on the previous year.

In Lancashire claims last year Lancashire totalled £1,400,000, down from £1,700,000 in 2013.

Tim Price, of NFU Mutual, said: “There are now padlocks on gates, security lighting in yards and in some cases CCTV. Farmers and their families are feeling incredibly vulnerable to rural crime — it has become a major obsession and affects the way they live.

“This is an organised criminal enterprise. Before 2010, most cases were local and involved up to a dozen sheep - now 100 or more are being stolen at a time. People are coming equipped with a vehicle capable of carrying them and the skills to round them up.

“The suspicion is that at least some are being slaughtered outside the heavily regulated meat processing industry and then fed into the food chain.

“The groups also appear to move from one area of the country to another depending on the level of awareness and police attention,” Mr Price added.

“There was a big rustling problem in Lancashire recently but after a concerted effort by farmers and the police it has fallen. Now it is rising in other areas, such as the east of England.”

Quad bike thefts have jumped from £1m. in 2010 to nearly double that in 2014

“Five years ago most tractor manufacturers supplied a key that would fit any model — that was convenient for farmers but also for thieves.

“Now they have same sort of security as an expensive car, including immobilisers and tracking systems. However, quad bikes are much harder to secure.”

“They are a criminal’s dream - they are worth a lot of money, they can easily fit in the back of a Transit van, and there is demand across the world,” Mr Price said.

A fraudster who callously stole cheques from a children’s nursery in a bid to pay off drug debts was branded “a dishonest, lying man who blames everybody but himself for what happened.”

The remark was made by District Judge Rod Ross and he handed 29-year-old Duncan Stirzaker, of no fixed address, a 20 week jail term suspended for 18 months.

He also ordered Stirzaker to do 30 days rehabilitation after the defendant pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud one involving a cheque for £2,000 and the other a cheque for £2,500.

Stirzaker had taken the cheques which belonged to the Scallywags Children’s Nursery based at Stanah School, Thornton.

Stirzaker told the judge:”I regret what I have done and feel ashamed for putting my family through this.”

Pam Smith, prosecuting at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court said that Stirzaker’s mother was alerted when a woman called at her home making a comment about a cheque she had been given.

When Stirzaker was arrested he made up a story about being abducted and how he needed to pay money to drug dealer release.

Police are warning of a rise in the use of devices known as a ‘Lebanese loop’ to steal ATM users’ cashpoint cards.

A Lebanese loop uses strips or sleeves made out of metal or plastic, which block card slots at ATMs. Victims’ cards are trapped and retained, to be retrieved by the criminals later on.

Some criminals even offer to help, watching and memorizing the number as the victim re-enters their PIN.

In the past, the thieves had to hang around and try to watch as the victim tapped in their PIN. Now, they can use an iPod to video the number as it’s entered.

According to the police, thieves rarely leave the devices in situ for long, returning after dark to retrieve the stolen cards and the iPod with the PIN numbers recorded. Prime sites tend to be near pubs and restaurants.

The devices aren’t necessarily obvious, but may stick out further than the genuine parts of the machine. In the picture accompanying this story, for example, the fake card slot slightly overlaps the arrows below.

Last month one man was sentenced to 12 months in prison for a series of frauds using Lebanese loops in London that netted him £4,373.

Sean Walker, Business Against Crime in Leeds (BACIL) manager, said: “We are urging ATM users to be extra vigilant when withdrawing cash, by shielding the keypad whilst they enter their PIN and to be aware of anyone acting suspiciously around them.

“If your card does get swallowed for no apparent reason then stay by the machine while you ring your bank to cancel it and notify the police.

“You cannot usually see ‘Lebanese Loop’ devices; however, you may be able to feel something unusual over the slot or above the machine itself.”

Protect yourself from cash point fraud

Always look closely at the card insertion point of a cash machine before using it. If it looks like it may have been tampered with, do not use it.

If you realise the machine has been tampered with after you have inserted your card, call your bank while still standing at the cash machine if it is safe to do so.

Always shield your hand when entering your PIN into a cash point keypad.

More advice at {http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/|actionfraud.police.uk|go to actionfraud.police.uk}.

Anybody that thinks they’ve spotted a Lebanese loop or other suspect device should avoid using the ATM and call the police on 101.

We would all like to forget some things in our lives

When we were at school, most of us studied history. This information usually came in the form of a book, through the words of our teacher, by watching films and if you are a young’un, via interactivelearning technology transmitted via a whiteboard or desktop tablet. (Yes , I know..)

This information did not magically appear via history you will unamazed to hear, it was authored by someone, somewhere, who probably garnered his or her information from another dusty tome, itself put together from sources unknown and undoubtedly unverified. The point is that history, is in the telling and interpretation - in the re-invention. 
But by general rule , the more contemporaneous, the more accurate.

So in these days, of super scrutiny and lines of checking, it makes the immediate news report one of the most accurate methods of recording history. One made of course, by journalists schooled in facts - a recording of events rather than a highly coloured retelling of information influenced by prejudice and opinion - something history books can be guilty of.

Of course these days while news is more immediate, it is also widely circulated and available online, not just via old newspapers and rolls of film. Which is where the EU ‘Right to be forgotten’ ruling comes in. This allows people to request ‘inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant information’ to be taken off search engines and sites

But the question is - should history be edited? Relevance is a difficult argument - Julius Caeser is not relevant today but should hardly be removed from historical records, for example. Should every criminal who has completed their sentence get the right to take away any recording of the fact taken off the internet?The victim does not escape the lasting impact of a crime, after all. It can also be construed as censorship. But where do human rights begin or end? Reality is , it is almost impossible to remove something entirely from the web, it is generally cached or recorded somewhere. We cannot ever entirely escape history, whether we like it or not.

A Blackpool man threatened to take his newborn baby son from his mother.

Darren Emery had rowed with the woman after taking a decision to go to his brother’s wedding rather than stay with the mother who had givenbirth to his baby that day.

When he returned to the house after drinking the couple rowed and Emery, 34, of Bardsway, Thornton, said he wanted to take the newborn child away.

Emery – subject of a suspended jail term imposed for a previous offence – admitted criminal damage to the woman’s glass front door.

He used a set of car keys to break the glass panel.

His victim had called the police because Emery said he was going to drive when he was clearly drunk.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, told District Judge Rod Ross:”When he returned home the mother of his newborn child could smell drink on him and she was worried about the baby’s safety because he said he wanted to sleep on the couch with the child.”

“At one stage he threatened to punch his partner in the face.”

Trevor Colebourne, defending, said the couple were no longer living together and in her statement to police Calire Newton had said she wanted the father’s help to bring their child up.

The judge extended Emery’s suspended sentence by a further three months and ordered him to do 50 hours’ unpaid work for the community. Emery will also have to pay £210 costs.

The judge told him: “You made nasty threats and it culminated in you recklessly damaging the door.

“You have come that close to going to prison right now.”

Virgin Trains has signed up again for Lancashire’s premier business awards, the Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs), which take place in Blackpool next month.

The award-winning train company, who operate fast and frequency services from the region to and from London and Scotland, is once again sponsoring the Excellence in Customer Service Award.

This much sought after accolade will recognise those businesses in Lancashire who have excelled and gone the extra mile to exceed customer expectations.

Anna Doran, general manager of the Anglo Scottish Route at Virgin Trains, said: “We are delighted to continue our support for the BIBAs. It is an event we look forward to each year and one that is close to our hearts.

“Our customers are at the core of all we do. 

“They are driving our business. Whether that’s when booking their tickets, whilst at the station, when travelling with us onboard or when giving us their feedback, we are always listening.

“And we like to do it all with a smile on our face of course!”

Alison Peters, an onboard manager for Virgin Trains, will head the judging panel consisting of five representatives from businesses in Lancashire.

Alison added: “I’m really looking forward to hearing about all the wonderful examples of great customer service that I know happens day in day out in our wonderful county.

“We’ve been proud to support the region for the best part of 18 years now. The support our customers have shown us has been overwhelming. So we’re delighted to help in any way we can and look forward to a great night that will showcase the very best Lancashire has to offer.”

The BIBA Awards ceremony will take place on Friday September 11 at the Blackpool Tower.

Fleetwood Town FC is planning an exhibition for this year’s Remembrance Day to commemorate an entire playing squad who all signed up to fight in the First World War.

Information has been uncovered showing that all 14 of the Fleetwood FC playing squad signed up in August 1914.

One of the men, Private Hall Sheard Salthouse, was killed in action but the other 13 are believed to have survived.

Indeed, Private William Gibson did more than survive – he won the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) for several acts of conspicuous gallantry during which he was shot five times.

The club has some details of the players involved but is appealing to local people for any further information about the men – either at the time of the war or later in life, and possibly details of their descendants.

With the centenary of the 1914-18 conflict still being commemorated in many different ways, the club decided to pay a special tribute to the men, many of whom were just teenagers when they enlisted for the campaign.

The world had never seen a conflict on such a scale before – estimates of war fatalities range from 10 million to more than 15 million.

Phil Brown, vice chairman of Fleetwood Town, said: “We know that 11 of the 14 men were born and lived in Fleetwood, two lived in Preston and the other one is not known.

“It is quite something that the whole squad all signed up to fight in the first year and we think it is worth commemorating during this centenary of the First World War.

“We are hoping local people can help us with any information.”

The team was:

n Frank Abbot Bugler, 24, a stove grate maker who lived at 210 Manchester Road, Preston.

n Corporal William Anderton – no further details known.

n Harold Barnes, 18, a stores boy, 9, Pharos St, Fleetwood. n Charles Billsborough, 19, a solicitor’s clerk, 242 St Paul’s Road, Preston.

n James Brooks, 20, a fish packer, 67 Blakiston St, Fleetwood.

n James Croft, 20, a storeman, 26 Church St, Fleetwood.

n William Gibson, 19, a dental mechanic, 52 Claremont Terrace, Fleetwood.

n Robert (Bob) Miller, 21, crane driver, 73 Victoria St, Fleetwood.

n Richard Rigby, 17, an errand boy, 67 Pharos St, Fleetwood

n Sheard Salthouse, 19, a plumber’s apprentice, 38 Milton St, Fleetwood. Killed in May 2015 at Ypres.

n Arthur Singleton, 18, an apprentice iron turner, 76 Poulton St, Fleetwood.

n Robert (Bob) Singleton, 17, an apprentice bricklayer, 75 Harris St, Fleetwood

n James Strickland, 19, a sawmill boxmaker, 4 Albert St, Fleetwood;

n James Wilson, 19, an apprentice. 27 London Street, Fleetwood.

Ten of the 14 men joined the 1st/5th King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.

Two (Brooks and Croft) joined the Royal Naval Reserve. Corporal Anderton joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and Private Strickland joined the Royal Field Artillery. Anyone who might be able to help unearth further information regarding these men should contact Phil Brown on 07976 054398 or by 
email at phil.brown@besutilities.co.uk .

Local authority chiefs are to be given the power to relax Sunday trading laws restricting the opening hours of large stores in their areas under new Government proposals.

Councils in England and Wales will be given the choice of whether they want to ease the current rules limiting shops with over 280 sq m (3,000 sq ft) floorspace to six hours opening on a Sunday.

Ministers are reported to be writing to the Church of England urging it not to oppose the measures which they argue could be worth up to £1.4 billion a year to the economy while ensuring high streets remain the “heartbeat of our communities”.

Under the plans, set out in a Government consultation paper, authorities would have the discretion to decide whether to apply the new conditions throughout the whole of their area or limit them to specific zones where they want to encourage business.

See details of the {https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/devolving-sunday-trading-rules|government consultation: Devolving Sunday trading rules|go to gov.uk} and {https://bisgovuk.citizenspace.com/ccp/devolving-sunday-trading-rules|Respond online|go to bisgovuk.citizenspace.com}.

Traditional high streets vs out-of-town shopping

Potentially, it could mean councils allowing longer Sunday trading in traditional high streets while excluding out-of-town supermarkets.

Communities minister Brandon Lewis said: “This Government is determined to devolve powers previously held in Whitehall to local people.

“We have already taken a range of measures to boost the Great British high street and now we are giving local areas another tool to encourage shoppers to the town centre and get shops to grow and thrive.”

It is a point he will emphasise in a letter to the Church of England bishops, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The paper said he will tell bishops: “The Government has been determined to revive our nation’s high streets to ensure they remain the heartbeat of our communities for decades to come. High streets provide the social, cultural and essential services so many local people enjoy and rely on.”

Under the plans, local government leaders such as elected metro mayors could be given the right to extend Sunday trading hours in their area through individual “devolution deals” which will see a range of powers handed down from Whitehall.

Alternatively the Government could act to enable all local authorities in England and Wales power to ease restrictions in their area.

The publication of the consultation paper comes after Chancellor George Osborne signalled the Government’s intention to overhaul the existing law, which dates back to 1994, in last month’s Budget.

However the proposals were strongly criticised by the shopworkers’ union Usdaw, which argued the current system was working well and did not need to change.

“The Sunday Trading Act is a great British compromise, which has worked well for over 20 years and gives everyone a little bit of what they want,” said union general secretary John Hannett.

“Retailers can trade, customers can shop, staff can work whilst Sunday remains a special day, different to other days, and shopworkers can spend some time with their family.”

Sales of tea bags have dropped as consumers switch to coffee, green tea and speciality blends, market research firm Mintel has found.

Teabag sales have slumped 22% in the past five years, from 97 million kilograms in 2010 to around 76 million kilograms this year, Mintel found.

Sales of coffee and herbal teas, meanwhile, have soared.

Mintel suggested traditional tea had an “uninspiring image” that has left it struggling to compete with more exotic beverages.

“Reflecting a growing ‘foodie’ culture in the UK, people are branching away from standard tea bags and towards these more interesting alternatives,” said Emma Clifford, senior food and drink analyst at Mintel.

13% drop in sales of ordinary tea bags in 2014

31% increase in sales of fruit and herbal tea bags in 2014

50% increase in sales of green tea in 2014

As well as a dip in tea sales, Mintel suggests that biscuits, a classic dunking accompaniment to milky tea, are also falling out of favour.

Biscuit sales fell from 451 million kilograms in 2009 to an estimated 413 million kilograms last year.

Have you abandoned your traditional cuppa for a trendy green tea or a skinny latte?