Business owners are being urged to protect the future of their company by using a legal process normally associated with wills and probate.

Vincent’s Solicitors is encouraging greater use of Lasting Power of Attorney, a process which sets out what should happen in the event of someone being unable to manage their own affairs.

Solicitor Lisa Lodge, head of the Garstang office, is calling for small and medium sized businesses to use the process as part of their future business planning.

She launched the service with a special client, her sister Heidi Hopkinson, owner of the newly opened Serendipity House in Kirkham.

Lisa said: “No one wants to think about the worst happening, but that fear could leave your business exposed, your employees at risk and your customers out in the cold if measures are not put in place ahead of time. For solo business owners in particular, an LPA for property and finance should be considered.”

An LPA for property and financial affairs outlines who should take over the day-to-day operation of the business, make decisions and give access to bank accounts, insurance, investments, and assets.

Heidi, whose shop sells home accessories, gifts and jewellery, said: “Establishing Serendipity House has been an exciting journey for me. It’s something I always wanted to do and last year finally had the courage to leave a job in financial services and open the shop. The last thing I want to do is risk its future because I failed to put the right things into place. You never want to think about the worst happening but, with the business’ success so dependent on me, a period of incapacity could spell the end of the dream, so an LPA was a vital piece of paperwork to give me peace of mind and protect the future of the business.”

Westinghouse Electric Company’s UK’s nuclear site in Lancashire has reached a momentous manufacturing milestone with the production of its seven millionth Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) oxide fuel pin.

Fylde MP Mark Menzies, South Ribble MP Seema Kennedy and Roger Float, nuclear fuel strategy manager at EDF Energy, visited the Springfields site.

Following a tour of the most modern, multi-million pound Oxide Fuels Complex to witness AGR fuel being manufactured, the seven millionth fuel pin was officially presented to EDF Energy.

“This tremendous achievement would not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of all our employees over the years,” said Mick Gornall, managing director, Westinghouse UK.

“It would also not have been possible without EDF Energy continuing to operate the AGR stations safely.

Managing director UK Fuel Operations, Simon Marshall, said that production of AGR fuel had laid the foundations for future fuel production.

“Springfields has provided all the fuel for the AGR stations and through continued investment in new technology we are ready to provide Light Water Reactor fuel for the next generation of reactor to be built by Westinghouse in the U.K., the AP1000, three of which are already planned for the Moorside site in Cumbria.

“Springfields would also manufacture the fuel for any Westinghouse Small Modular Reactors built in the U.K. and we are currently actively involved with a number of parties, including the UK Government, on the development and introduction of this exciting new reactor design.”

To produce the same amount of energy from the seven million pins produced at the Westinghouse site would take over 600 million tonnes of coal. The environmental benefits of seven million pins are enormous. Generating electricity by using this AGR fuel has saved over one and a half billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released if coal had been used.

MP Mr Menzies said: “This production milestone continues Springfields’ proud history in nuclear fuel manufacturing. They have the experience and technology to produce fuel for all major designs of nuclear reactor and I am confident they will continue to provide quality fuel for customers across the globe, as well as continuing to benefit the local economy.”

Roger Float said: “It’s an outstanding achievement to have produced seven million fuel pins.

“Safety and quality are an overriding priority both for EDF Energy and Westinghouse to ensure the continued operation of the AGR power station and Springfields should be congratulated for their excellent record.”

The fuel provided by Springfields in our AGR reactors provides around one sixth of the UK’s electricity and we look forward to working with Westinghouse for many years to come.”

Blackpool’s thin blue line is being stretched to the limit dealing with mental health issues, the police union has claimed.

Five police cars lined up outside accident and emergency on Monday afternoon – and the Police Federation says the officers were all dealing with non-criminal matters.

The Federation published the image of three police cars and two vans parked outside the hospital.

And Rachel Baines, the chair of the Lancashire Federation, is concerned at the number of officers taken away from front line duty to deal with social and mental health issues.

She said: “This picture was taken at tea time on a normal Monday. It isn’t 2am on a Sunday morning.

“But this is more and more what we are dealing with.

“We have made enquiries as to why these officers were at the hospital and it appears they were mostly dealing with issues such as missing persons and mental health issues.

“While these are important, it does demonstrate the difficulties we are facing on a daily basis.”

Figures released by the Police Federation last week showed there to be one police officer on duty at night for every 10,000 UK residents.

And the organisation is concerned how many of Blackpool’s resources were in one place.

Ms Baines said: “You have police so stretched.

“This potentially represents a significant proportion of officers available in Blackpool.

“While they are at the hospital carrying out these duties they are not doing what the public expects them to be doing and fighting crime.”

Figures provided to The Gazette by Lancashire Police show just 20 per cent of incidents between April and September 2016 were classed as ‘crimes’.

The highest proportion, 33 per cent, fell into the category of ‘public safety and welfare’.

The Police Federation is concerned officers are being put into situations for which they are not adequately trained.

Rachel Baines said: “This is a major issue. More and more of our time and resources are being spent dealing with issues which would have, in the past, been the remit of other agencies.

“As funding for services has been cut the pressure on police has increased.

“We are not trained mental health practitioners.

“Police officers are really not the best people to be handling these situations.

“They will always do their best.”

Lancashire Police was made aware of the image but was unable to say why the officers had been at Victoria Hospital at the same time.

But senior officers in Blackpool have raised concerns over the amount of resources being devoted to dealing with social and welfare issues.

It’s a concern shared by charities working with vulnerable people in the resort, including the Ashley Foundation, which provides specialist care for the homeless.

The foundation supports 100 people every night across its three hostels and 40 move-on flats in Blackpool.

Three out of every four of its residents suffer mental health problems including one in four who self-harm. A recent survey of hostel residents found 22 per cent had been taken to A&E or been admitted to hospital in the last six months.

Support officer Sue Tweedle said: “The issue is when people, who are isolated and vulnerable, living on their own but with serious mental health problems, will call the emergency services when they are in a situation that is very much an ‘emergency’ to them.”

Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said the image highlighted concerns.

He said: “Firstly I would wonder whether this shows an increasing trend for Accident and Emergency being used for purposes other than intended.

“But it also begs the question whether preventative measures are not there as a result of funding cuts.

“I would hope that if this is to become the norm there would be protocols put in place between police and the hospital trust to minimise the amount of officers’ time spent at the hospital.”

Blackpool’s Conservative group leader Tony Williams called on services to develop closer working to tackle the issue.

He said: “It is a concern to me that police are being taken away from patrolling the streets of Blackpool.

“But why are there so few officers when budgets have not been cut?

“I don’t want to blame police or social services or any other groups.

“But they need to find a way of working together to better deal with these issues.”

Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court from November 1.

Peteris Uzulans, 45, driving with excess alcohol

A builder was almost three times over the alcohol limit when he was pulled over in Kirkham by police on a Sunday afternoon.

Peteris Uzulans, 45, of Nookwood Cottage, Blackpool Road, Kirkham, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

The court proceedings were relayed to him in Latvian by an interpreter.

Martine Connah, prosecuting, said police stopped Uzulans as he drove a Honda Accord on Freckleton Road, Kirkham, on September 25 at 4pm.

A breath test showed 95 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit. Uzulans had a previous conviction for being drunk in charge of a car in 2014.

Through the interpreter, Uzulans said he had drunk a lot of alcohol the previous evening but believed when he went to pick up the car the next day he was not over the limit.

A driving ban would have a massive impact on his life as his daughter lived in another town and he had to drive in his job building Latvian log cabins.

Uzulans was sentenced to a 12-month community order with up to 10 days’ rehabilitation to be supervised by the Probation Service, banned from driving for two years, fined £100 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £85 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Simon Cooke, 44, two charges of possessing a blade in public

A martial arts enthusiast stopped after police saw him searching in a skip was found with two knives when he was searched.

Simon Cooke, who had a butterfly knife and a lock-knife on him, had a previous conviction for having a Samurai sword in public.

Cooke, a carer, 44, of Anderson Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to two offences of possessing a blade in public.

He was sentenced to six months’ prison suspended for 12 months, ordered to do 200 hours’ unpaid work for the community and told to pay £115 victims’ surcharge by magistrates, who ordered the destruction of the knives.

Presiding magistrate, Simon Bridge, told him: “Carrying knives is a very serious matter and we have to send that message out.”

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police saw Cooke removing items from a skip on Rydal Avenue on July 7 at 12.10am. Officers questioned him and found the two knives, one in a wallet, the other in his rucksack.

When interviewed, Cooke said he had bought both knives from a young man for £7 and he had forgotten he had them on him. He added he used to do martial arts and was interested in such weapons, but he had bought them to prevent them being sold to youths and someone being harmed.

Steven Townley, defending, said his client had been looking for abandoned tools in the skip. Neither of the knives had been on view and there was nothing dangerous about the circumstances in which they were found.

Cooke had not been arrested at the scene, but asked to attend the police station voluntarily for an interview, which he did.

Craig Connell, 33, restraining order lifted

A woman who was the victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her boyfriend but pleaded with a court to be able to see him again has got her wish – despite warnings from probation officers.

The woman asked the court to lift the restraining order on Craig Connell, 33, of Redbank Road, Bispham, which bans him from contacting her and going to her home or workplace.

She added that at the time of the domestic abuse incident they had both had a lot to drink.

She told magistrates: “I love him. I am so down. It’s making me so unhappy not to be able to see him.”

Blackpool magistrates agreed to lift the restraining order against Connell after hearing from the police and probation service.

A spokesman for the Probation Service, said Connell had previously breached the restraining order and been sentenced to 14 weeks’ prison. He was now out of jail on licence.

The spokesman said: “He has a history of violence against the public and partners.

“He is currently assessed as posing a high risk of harm to Ms Ramsay, the police and any new partner who may come into his life in the future.

“His officer is aware he has been in touch with Ms Ramsay. He has previously been deceitful about his relationship with Ms Ramsay and the contact he has been having with her.”

Michael Hufton, 58, breach of the peace

A man was arrested after he refused to leave the home he had lived in for the past six years.

Michael Hufton, 58, of Ellisland, Marton, admitted breach of the peace.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police got a call from Hufton’s girlfriend saying their relationship had ended and she had asked him to leave her home but he had refused in the early hours of October 31.

A police officer spent hal an hour trying to persuade Hufton to leave. His girlfriend even gave him £30 for a bed-and-breakfast but he threw the money on the floor, the court heard.

Steven Townley, defending, said Hufton, who had lived at the address for six years and contributed to the household, had nowhere else to go.

Hufton was bound over in the sum of £100 for 12 months by magistrates.

Joanne Humphries, 36, theft

A grieving woman whose partner died at the end of last year was caught stealing perfume.

Joanne Humphries had been unable to cope with her bereavement and had started taking crack cocaine, a court heard.

Humphries, 36, of Park Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to theft of perfume valued at £166 from TK Maxx.

She was sentenced to 14 days’ prison suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £115 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Presiding magistrate, Simon Bridge, told her: “You have a horrendous record of previous convictions. You are a thief and go out to steal.”

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said Humphries was spotted on CCTV stealing the perfume at TK Maxx on October 2 at 11am.

When interviewed by police, Humphries said she intended to steal so she could buy drugs. She had numerous previous convictions for similar thefts.

Gerry Coyle, defending, said Humphries, who had been scheduled to go to college, found it hard to cope after the death of her long-time partner from a drug overdose at the latter part of last year.

She had started to use crack cocaine – a drug she had never taken before. Humphries had not received the documentation telling her her court date. She missed it, was arrested and had spent two nights in custody.

A total of 140 knives were handed in during a fortnight-long surrender that took place last month across Lancashire.

From Monday October 17 to Monday October 31, Lancashire Police held the surrender as part of a national initiative to tackle knife crime and to remove weapons from Lancashire’s streets.

In total, 41 weapons were handed in across Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde and North Lancashire.

A further 30 knives were handed in across Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and Skelmersdale, while 69 knives were handed in in East Lancashire. Among the weapons given up were penknives, machetes, swords, axes, ‘zombie’ knives, kitchen knives and large blades.

Officers will now safely dispose of all of the items that were handed in.

Test purchasing operations were also carried out as part of the action against knife crime, with the force using police cadet volunteers to check on businesses selling knives or blades.

The majority of premises across the county were compliant, the few that failed are now working with officers and Trading Standards to resolve the issues, improve their standards and amend the training that staff receive while working for them.

Police say people can continue to hand in any knife at any police station with a front counter.

Chief Insp Mark Baines said: “We’ve been delighted with the response from our communities throughout the surrender, and it’s really pleasing to see all of the items passed to us are now in safe hands and can’t cause harm to anyone.

“I would still like to appeal to youngsters that carrying a knife doesn’t offer them protection, and not only is being in possession of a knife in a public place a criminal offence, young people are also more likely to be stabbed and seriously injured with their own weapon.

“We don’t want this to happen to anyone in Lancashire, and you can still hand in a weapon at one of our front counters to dispose of it safely.”

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “Yet again we have had an excellent response from the people of Lancashire and our streets are safer as a result.

“Knives can be lethal weapons and this type of crime can have devastating effects on people’s lives, which is why I will continue to support projects that help prevent vulnerable people getting involved in gangs and entering a life of crime.

“I have no doubt lives will have been saved as a result of this knife surrender – but it is not too late to hand knives over to the police, where they cannot be used to inflict injury or worse.”

Young people are encouraged to log onto the Trust Ed website – www.trusted2know.co.uk – to find out more about knife crime and the dangers of carrying a knife on Lancashire’s streets.

Lancashire County Council today hailed the opening of the new Bay Gateway link road as a catalyst for the region.

The £140m project linking the Heysham peninsula to the M6 at junction 34 is the biggest new road to be built in Lancashire for decades – and the authority said it is expected to boost economic growth by providing better access to the peninsula from the Fylde and elsewhere.

Funded by £29m from County Hall and £111m from the Department for Transport, the road has been under construction since January 2014 by Costain.

The 4.8km-route completes the connection from the Heysham peninsula directly to the M6, providing better access to Morecambe and industrial areas which include the Port of Heysham and the Heysham power stations.

It will also help to ease congestion in Lancaster city centre.

The road has already been credited with bringing economic benefits to the area, with more than 100 local long-term unemployed people being trained and employed during construction.

It is predicted that for every £1 invested in the road, the local economy will benefit by £4.

The project has seen 2m cubic metres of earth moved and 11 major new structures being built to cross existing roads, the West Coast Main Line railway, the Lancaster Canal and the River Lune.

Efforts have also been made to reduce environmental impact, with the scheme’s nine habitat creation areas ensuring an overall gain in biodiversity following construction, and 13 new trees due to be planted for every one felled.

Work on the entire project is due to be completed during spring 2017.

Blackpool and The Fylde College has cooked up a route to a successful career in the catering industry with a course designed specifically for jobseekers.

The five-week Department for Work and Pensions – Job Centre Plus partnership project courses have seen students attend College for two days each week, and learn introductory skills including cooking a wide variety of dishes and health and safety in the workplace.

Five of the students on the latest course have now signed up for the College’s fast-track course which will lead to them achieving a Level 2 NVQ in hospitality and catering – and potentially moving on to a Level 3.

Tutor Carol Davies said: “The students have all really enjoyed the classes and said they felt it gave them important skills for the job market.

“From this course alone, five of the students have now signed up to do a full-time course at the college which shows what a valuable programme this has been.”

Hospitality, Tourism and Sport Programme Leader Steve Alexander said: “These courses have been really well received and we have had a 100 per cent success rate with those taking part.

“As well as increasing self-esteem and confidence, students have said how proud they have been to take home the food they have produced, which is great to hear.

“They have also taken part in an industry placement to learn what it is like to spend time in a professional kitchen environment.

“With this course the College is really fulfilling a requirement in our community for these kinds of industry-focussed courses which lead to employment.”

The course – which ended with the students all receiving their certificates – followed on from successful programmes throughout the summer.

As well as taking away essential new skills designed to meet industry-standards, the students also received a set of “whites”.

They came ‘bark’ by ‘pup-ulour’ demand – and in much greater numbers.

For Blackpool’s Lightpool Festival literally went to the dogs on Sunday – illuminated dogs with attitude.

Following a series of workshops in various locations throughout Blackpool in September and October to help pet owners create their own illuminated doggy fashion items, a parade was held as part of this year’s festival, as it was last year.

And beloved pooches looked spectacular as they took part in a mass illuminated dog-walk through the resort.

Following the parade, there were some canine special guests at a staged event in St john’s Square.

Headlining was Trip Hazard from Britain’s Got Talent as Crufts meets cabaret.

Tonight sees LED drummers, Spark! in a unique, captivating and outstanding show. Exclusively to LightPool, the third year Musical Theatre Degree students from Blackpool & Fylde College have created a bespoke new show. Starting at 9.30pm, the event starts at the Comedy Carpet and moves to St John’s Square for the finale.

Police are appealing for information to find a Preston woman who has been missing for almost two years.

Victoria Cherry, 44, from Fulwood, was last seen by family members in December 2014 but has not been in contact with them since then.

She was only reported as missing to police last Monday, October 24, after her family made unsuccessful attempts to find her.

She is described as white, 5ft tall, of medium build with short hair dyed purple or red, with piercings in her nose and lip.

She is thought to have links to the Preston and Blackburn areas.

PS Mike Horton, of Preston Police, said: “Victoria lives a chaotic lifestyle and while it is not unusual for her to not make contact with family for some time, her mother has made a number of her own inquiries to find her and has been unable to do so.

“She is now getting increasingly concerned about her welfare and has reported her as missing to us.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen her or who has any information about where she might be to get in touch with us.

“Similarly, if Victoria sees this appeal, I would urge her to get in touch with us or her family to let us know she is okay.”

Anyone with any information on Victoria’s whereabouts can contact police on 101 quoting log 354 of October 24.

Workers in the North West are among the most stressed in the country, new research has found.

Research from Aviva found that 30-35 per cent of people have taken time off work with stress but blamed it on a physical illness.

Across the UK, 25 per cent of those surveyed have taken a day off because of stress at some stage of their career. Based on the number of people working in the UK, it suggests that nearly eight million people are suffering in silence.

Released to coincide with National Stress Awareness Day, the study found that money is the most common cause of stress, followed by relationships.

Aviva’s research also found that 25-34 year olds were the most likely to have taken time off (46 per cent). The over-55s were least likely to need time off work (25 per cent).

More than half of men (53 per cent) who had taken a day off work with stress at some stage in their career said they had done so in the last year, compared to just a third of women (34 per cent).

Those who took time off work with stress in the last year took an average of six days off - the most common response was 1-2 days (31 per cent), but 6 per cent of people said they had taken 11 days or more.

More than a quarter of people cited money as their main cause of stress (27%), followed by relationships (15 per cent), health (13 per cent) and work (13 per cent).

However, one in five people (20 per cent) said that they have no causes of stress in their life at all.

However, one in five people (20 per cent) said that they have no causes of stress in their life at all, and there is some evidence that stigma around stress and mental health problems is being reduced - a third of people (33 per cent) said they would now feel more comfortable talking about it than they would have done five years ago, compared to just 1 in 8 (12 per cent) who said they would feel less comfortable.

Steve Bridger, Managing Director of Group Protection at Aviva, said: “In 2016 people should not feel that they have to hide their stress away and suffer in silence.

“Feeling that you can’t be open about a problem is likely to make it worse, not better. People don’t raise an eyebrow if a colleague is off work with flu, but anything to do with mental health still appears to be taboo.

“The most recent government figures say that 15 million working days a year are being lost because of stress and mental illness so this is clearly something employers need to focus

Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court from November 2.

Colin Clapp, 31, breaching a criminal behaviour order

A man accused of breaching a criminal behaviour order by entering Blackpool’s Abingdon Street failed to attend court.

Colin Clapp, 31, of Cheltenham Road, North Shore, had a warrant without bail issued for his arrest by Blackpool magistrates.

Wayne Jones, 39, driving while disqualified

A man accused of driving a Mercedes in Lytham while disqualified without insurance has been put on the wanted list.

Wayne Jones, 39, of Bannister Street, Lytham, had a warrant without bail issued for his arrest.

Robert Aspinall, 19, and Paul Ashcroft, 19, theft

Two Kirkham teenagers were caught selling DVDs they had stolen from a shop.

Robert Aspinall, a 19-year-old business course student, and Paul Ashcroft, 19, both of Fylde Street, pleaded guilty to theft.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said Aspinall was seen taking seven DVDs and Ashcroft, one DVD, from the Blackpool branch of Primark on October 17 about 2pm.

At the time of the offence, Ashcroft was on a suspended prison sentence for an offence of burglary.

Steven Townley, defending, said Aspinall had stolen the discs to help out his friend Ashcroft because he had no money and was homeless.

Aspinall was sentenced to 20 hours at an attendance centre and ordered to pay £85 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Ashcroft was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on November 30 for sentence.

Mark Williams, 41, drunk and disorderly

A man who said he had never had a drink before hurled vile abuse at police officers and was arrested after having some alcohol.

Mark Williams threatened to spit in police officers eyeballs, bite their noses and give them HIV and Hepatitis C, the court heard.

His behaviour was so appalling, officers had to wear protective clothing and in the end were forced to use a stun-gun on him to bring him under control.

Williams, 41, of Rawcliffe Street, South Shore, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs with £20 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police were dealing with an incident when Williams came up shouting, “There are smack heads in there,” on October 15 at 7.30pm.

He then became abusive telling female officers he would burgle their homes and give them infectious diseases. In the police van and at the station he was spitting and kicking out. At the time of the offence he was on licence from prison.

Williams told magistrates: “I have never drunk, but I got a bit of bad news that day and I had a drink. I apologise.”

Adam Shuttleworth, 20, malicious wounding and theft

A 20-year-old Blackpool man has been remanded in custody charged with malicious wounding.

Adam Shuttleworth, of Lonsdale Road, is also charged with theft from the same person.

He is alleged to have stolen a mobile phone, three watches and two gold rings valued at £5,000.

District Judge James Hatton remanded Shuttleworth in custody pending his appearance at Preston Crown Court on November 30.

Jamie Turner, 31, grevous bodily harm

A man alleged to have hit his victim so hard that he had to have three metal plates inserted in his jaw has appeared at court.

Jamie Turner, 31, of Scorton Avenue,Blackpool was granted bail.

Turner denied the charge and was sent for trial at Preston Crown Court where he will appear on November 30.

Joseph Seeley, 47, drunk and disorderly

A man has denied being drunk and disorderly outside Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Joseph Seeley, 47, of Linden Place, Blackpool, was bailed by Magistrates until December 22 when his trial will take place.

Angela McGuire, 47, breach of the peace

Police were called after a couple were heard arguing in a caravan at a holiday village in Wrea Green.

Angela McGuire was arrested after she used bad language in front of a police officer as her female partner prepared to leave.

McGuire, a supermarket worker, 47, of Northfield Road, Bootle, pleaded guilty to breach of the peace and was bound over in the sum of £200 for 12 months by Blackpool magistrates.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police were called to Ribby Hall Holiday Village to a report of two women arguing on October 30 at 10.20pm.

McGuire, who was drunk, was in the bedroom of a caravan and told police she and her partner had argued but everything was now okay.

Her partner was collecting her belongings ready to go to the train station. McGuire started calling to her and another row started. The court heard the defendant was told to settle down but was rude and aggressive to the officer.

Steven Townley, defending, said the couple, who had been staying in the caravan for two days, had been drinking. McGuire had not understood awhy the police should be called to the argument.

Leighton Faith, 40, sexual activity in a public place

A man found guilty of exposing himself in the public toilets at Blackpool’s town centre Mc Donalds store has had sentence on him delayed.

Blckpool Magistrates remanded 40-year-old Leighton Faith of Carshalton Road,North Shore in custody pending the preparation of pre sentence reports on him by probation.

Faith wil next appear before the court on November 18.

Andrea Fishwick, 45, assault charge dismissed

A woman had a case of assault she faced dismissed by a court after the man accusing her – a circus fire eater – failed to give evidence.

The main prosecution witness was due to give evidence for the prosecution against 45-year-old Andrea Fishwick of Midgeland Road, Marton.

Fishwick was accused of assaulting him more than 12 months ago.

At the fifth hearing of the case, magistrates ruled it should not go ahead after the prosecution said that despite phone calls, two witnesses had failed to attend.

Residents have spoken of their shock after a police officer was seriously injured in a stabbing near their homes.

The officer was attacked after pulling over a Peugeot van on Westmorland Avenue in Cleveleys.

The motorist got out of the van and attacked him with a knife, then drove off, leaving his victim with serious injuries, including a stab wound to his torso and facial injuries.

The North West Ambulance Service said a helicopter, understood to have landed on a nearby patch of grass, was used to get him to a specialist unit at the Royal Preston Hospital.

A man was in custody last night where he was being questioned by detectives.

Following the attack, which happened at around 10am, officers cordoned off a section of Westmorland Avenue while forensic experts worked to gather evidence from the scene.

Richard Bland, who lives in Kendal Avenue, was walking by with his dog at 10.30am when he realised something was amiss.

He said: “We saw a lot of police vans and then an ambulance pulled up. Then we saw the air ambulance land just across the street.

“There must have been about six or seven police vans. We saw them putting the officer onto the stretcher.

“He was talking and seemed to be in good spirits. He was sitting up and they didn’t have him in a neck brace or anything.”

Nigel Crossthwaite, who lives in nearby Penrith Avenue, added: “Why anyone would stab a police officer is beyond me. It’s usually a quiet area.

“The chances of it happening again have got to be a trillion-to-one.”

Police tape also stretched across the gym car park, before a white van was towed away.

The van was not stolen, police said. .

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw wished the officer a speedy recovery, and added: “It’s shocking that an officer doing their duty should be attacked so violently.

“They are serving our communities and there can be no excuse for this.”

Lancashire Police Federation said government statistics that showed 515 officers were assaulted on duty in the county last year.

Police Federation chairman Rachel Baines said: “Our thoughts are with this officer, family and colleagues at this time.”

Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, said he was shocked by the incident.

He added: “This shocking incident demonstrates all too vividly the risk that our police officers run on a daily basis.

“We should be thankful the officer was not killed but it should mean we never forget the bravery that the police do need to show.

“This shows it can happen on any street corner in any town.”

A 39-year-old Blackpool man was arrested after the incident in the car park of gymetc, off Garstang Road, in Poulton, on suspicion of attempted murder . He was still in custody late last night.

A BMW X5 had its windscreen smashed with a pick-axe during the arrest, police said.

A teenaged footballer who was hit by a train told her sister she loved her and “everything would be okay” less than an hour before she died, an inquest heard.

Zoe Tynan, 18, who played for England Women’s U19s, was seen on CCTV “calmly” climbing down from the platform of West Allerton railway station on August 30.

The inquest at the Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool on Tuesday heard Zoe’s sister Beth had described her as acting “out of character” before she left the family home in Mossley Hill.

The court was told Zoe, who was registered with clubs AFC Fylde and Manchester City, had just received good A-level results and was hoping to become a professional footballer.

Area coroner Anita Bhardwaj said: “Zoe was last seen by her sister at 3.40pm on August 30, when she unusually told her sister she loved her and everything would be okay.”

The court also heard Zoe’s friend received a text message which was “suggestive of Zoe’s intention to end her life” at 4.09pm – just five minutes before she was hit by the train, which was travelling from Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street.

Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Ms Bhardwaj said: “These actions were unexpected and out of character for Zoe, however these actions, together with her general demeanour and texts sent that day, clearly demonstrate Zoe intended to take her own life.”

She recorded that the teenager died of multiple injuries and had taken her own life.

Toxicology tests showed no traces of drugs or alcohol in her system.

In a statement released by British Transport Police after her death, Zoe’s family said: “Zoe was the most loving and caring daughter and sister anyone could wish for. She was a vibrant, generous and fun-loving girl who always knew how to cheer anyone up, and was a loyal, straight-talking friend to many.

“She was a dedicated athlete, never happier than when she had a ball at her feet and was the ultimate team player. She touched so many people’s lives and will never be forgotten.”

Zoe joined FA Women’s Premier League side Fylde Ladies in August.

Schoolboy Daniel Burke succeeded beyond his expectations when he decided to hold a fund-raiser for Fleetwood Lifeboat.

The 12-year-old, who lives in Thornton and attends St Aiden’s School in Preesall, expected to raise just a few pounds.

But the event, at Daniel’s home, attracted more people than he expected and he ended up raising £175.

And it culminated in him being invited aboard the port’s new £1.2m lifeboat, Kenneth James Pierpoint.

Daniel was particularly keen to help the charity because his dad, Gavin, is a crew member at Fleetwood.

David Eccles, Lifeboat operations manager for Fleetwood Lifeboat, said: “This is a fantastic donation from Daniel. It’s great to see someone so young getting involved in the local community.”

Couples in long-term relationships, marriages or civil partnerships must make sure they are ‘legally prepared’ for the possibility of the relationship ending, a family law specialist said today.

Gill Graveson, partner at Preston-based Birchall Blackburn Law and head of family law for the firm’s seven offices, was commenting following a landmark ruling in favour of the partner of a property millionaire who had hid assets.

Helen Roocroft was in an 18-year relationship with property tycoon Carol Ainscow when they separated in 2009. Ms Ainscow died in 2013 and had not made a will setting out her wishes.

Following her death, evidence was discovered that Ms Ainscow may have misled the courts about her true wealth during the dissolution of their civil partnership, which led to Ms Roocroft accepting a much lower settlement than she was entitled to.

The judgment handed down in October said that Ms Roocroft had submitted evidence suggesting that “the deceased’s income at the time of the consent order was three times that which she had stated in her Statement of Information”.

Gill said: “This is a stern warning about being honest and also a reminder to people who do not want a Judge to tell them how their assets are to be divided upon separation about the importance of setting out their wishes in black and white at the commencement of their cohabitation, whether it’s a couple living together, a marriage or civil partnership.

“It might not seem the most romantic of ideas but one day a cohabitation agreement or a pre-nup might turn out to the best thing you ever did. If there’s no formalities in place and the separation ends up in a court arena, the judge’s starting point, whether it’s a long marriage or civil partnership is equality.”

Earlier this year new figures showed that the percentage of cohabiting couples had increased from 6.8 per cent of the total population in 2002 to 9.5 per cent in 2015, reflecting a decrease in married couples: from 54.8 per cent in 2002 to 50.6 per cent in 2015.

Leading Lancashire businesses have been unveiled as Northern Powerhouse partners.

A raft of firms have signed up to the new government scheme, with many others in the pipeline.

That means the number of Northern Powerhouse partners has surpassed the 30 mark.

Each of these companies has committed to join forces with government to help the North achieve its full potential – and attract new jobs and investment to the region.

The businesses taking part in the Northern Powerhouse Partnership Programme – which range from infrastructure specialists and PR agencies to banks and universities – will join a new network of leaders who strongly believe in the potential to grow the Northern economy and are committed to delivering this growth.

By pledging their support, this dynamic new network will now champion the North’s strengths, as well 
as promote new and exciting local developments across transport, skills and 
innovation, culture, and devolution.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke, said: “We are determined to create a Northern Powerhouse and are clear we must work closely with businesses to pool the abundance of talent across the North to make this a reality.

“Today dozens of bold businesses are sending a clear message by joining join us in this quest to make the Northern Powerhouse an even better place to live, work and invest in.”

New partners announced today include Peel Ports; Marketing Lancashire; University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN); the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce; Downtown in Business; and Recycling Lives.

As we make the chilly transition from autumn into winter, it’s not uncommon for people’s moods to dip along with the temperatures. It’s cold, the days are short, work or education is in full swing, and the Christmas holidays are still too far away to provide much comfort.

According to the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association, about 20 per cent of the UK’s population suffer from what’s often called the”winter blues”, a noticeable decline in mood characterised by grumpiness, a lack of motivation and lethargy.

In addition, around 3 -5 per cent of the population suffer from a more severe condition, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which constitutes a seasonal form of depression. We spoke to Richard Colwill from the mental health charity Sane, and Leah Parker-Turnock from Mind, to find out some simple, practical things you can do every day to keep your spirits up during the depths of the winter months.

Make time for natural light

While no-one is exactly sure of the causes of seasonal depression, most experts agree that it’s linked to our lack of exposure to natural light, particularly in the Northern hemisphere. “It is worthwhile trying to ensure your daily schedule allows you as much direct exposure to sunlight as possible at this time of year,” says Colwill.

If you work in an office, this means taking a break from the ubiquitous desk lunch and ensuring that you take the time to have a walk around outside, even if just for a few minutes. This is particularly important in winter, as most people commute when it’s dark.

Stock up on your vitamins
“As the festive season approaches, many of our diets will be high in stimulants such as sugar, caffeine and alcohol,” says Parker-Turnock.

“As tempting as it is to reach for comfort foods to cheer you up, eating lots of foods high in fat and carbohydrate can often cause blood sugar levels to crash, resulting in sluggishness. It may also increase your anxiety levels.”

“A healthy balanced diet is as important for your mental health as your physical health, so it’s best to include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as fatty oils such as omega-3 and 6. Some people find that taking extra vitamin B12 is helpful.”

Do something creative

Perhaps surprisingly, Parker-Turnock explains that creative activities are particularly therapeutic because they help you switch off from day to day pressures, and turn negative thoughts or feelings into something positive: “Activities such as therapeutic knitting, crocheting and colouring-in – there has been a huge influx in adult colouring books in the last few years to help people with their wellbeing and mindfulness – have all been shown to have great positive impact for people experiencing all forms of depression including SAD.”

Exercise – even just a little

“While you may not feel like it during the winter, physical activity can be very effective in lifting your mood and increasing your energy levels. It doesn’t have to be anything particularly strenuous – doing housework, gardening or going for a gentle walk can all help,” says Parker-Turnock.

“Research shows that outdoor exercise, such as cycling or jogging, can be as effective as antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression. If running in winter isn’t for you, activities such as Zumba, dance classes and even trapeze classes have been shown to have many positive benefits with mental health.”

Spend time with friends or family

Although cold weather makes many of us feel like hibernating and shutting the world away, sharing your thoughts with friends or family can be invaluable for lifting your mood.

“If you know you find it hard to leave the house in extreme weather, make plans to speak to friends and family on the phone or ask if they can come and see you,” says Parker-Turnock.

“Talk to them about how you are feeling. If it’s just the cold that is putting you off, try to keep in mind that social contact could lift your mood and make arrangements during the day when it’s warmer and lighter.

Blackpool Football Club owners Karl and Owen Oyston dropped their defamation case against a fan on the day it was due to be heard in a Liverpool courtroom.

Supporter Jeremy Smith was sued by club owner Owen and chairman Karl after he held aloft a front page of the Gazette with an Owen Oyston interview stating “We are not thieves” which had been doctored.

While some media outlets carried a picture of Mr Smith holding aloft the page, The Gazette did not use the image.

As the defamation case was about to start, with Blackpool fans protesting against the Oystons outside the court, the case was dropped.

A statement from the club was issued and says: “Following lengthy discussions between majority shareholder Owen Oyston and Chairman Karl Oyston, it has been agreed that to continue a case against supporter Jeremy Smith is not in the best interests of the club or wider support base.

“The club has been encouraged and coerced by the FPG and BSA to do all in its power, where possible, to cease legal action against any supporters of the club.

“Both Owen Oyston and Karl Oyston consider Jeremy Smith to be a life-long fan who, along with his parents, has supported the football club over many years.

“It is accepted that the club’s supporters may sometimes air their views inappropriately, and those expressions are borne from the same frustrations the club’s owners bear.

“Owen Oyston recently made a commitment to supporters during an open meeting that no new legal actions would be taken by the club. At the meeting Owen Oyston was made acutely aware that existing court actions should be settled, where possible. He explained that this was a two-way street understanding that needed to be supported by all supporters’ groups.

“This statement is a signal to all supporters that the club will look to conclude legal matters so that all of us can concentrate on the future and not rake over the past, which has been counter-productive and damaging to us all. The club urges all supporters, both those attending matches and those choosing not to, to now support the manager and players to achieve success once more.”

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The High Court has ruled in favour of a legal challenge that the Government cannot trigger Brexit without an MP vote.

Campaigners led by businesswoman Gina Miller and hairdresser Deir dos Santos, who are both British nationals, won the landmark victory over Theresa May this morning - but what does it mean for the referendum result?

Blackpool’s stunning Lightpool Festival has come to an end – and the Illuminations follow suit on Sunday.

This year’s festival saw artworks scattered around the town, and performances every night, attracting huge crowds to the resort.

For six nights, Blackpool’s town centre was transformed into an arena of light and fire, with performance art and installations dotted around.

More than 30 installations and performances were seen by thousands of visitors to the festival.

Illuminated drummers, illuminated dogs, a New Orleans funeral band and Captain Kronos’ return to planet Earth all featured in the final week of events in Blackpool’s Illumination season.

Council bosses say visitor figures will be revealed next week, to see what kind of impact the festival has had on the town’s economy.