Appeal to Gazette readers to help provide every hospital patient with a present on Christmas day

Today The Gazette launches an appeal to brighten up the festive season for those who are in hospital at Christmas.

It is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. A time for family and a time for giving. But for hundreds of unfortunate people along the Fylde coast, Christmas won’t be any of that.

As the winter conditions become increasingly harsh, the likelihood of people being admitted to hospital grows each day with hundreds of families having relatives in hospital on Christmas Day.

For an unfortunate few of those admitted to hospital during that period, they might not have any family to share Christmas with, have anyone to give presents to or have anybody to receive presents from.

That’s where you can help - by joining in our Give a Gift Appeal.

The aim of this appeal is for every single patient, in Blackpool Victoria and Clifton Hospital, to receive a present on Christmas Day.

It’s natural to just think of children when it comes to this appeal. The thought of a child being in hospital during what’s supposed to be one of the happiest times of the year is obviously an upsetting one, but the truth is that the majority of patients in hospital, during winter are over the age of 50.

In fact, of the 682 patients who woke up on hospital last Christmas, 601 were aged above 51 and just 29 were aged 21 or under.

Smyths Toys has kindly offered to donate some toys for the younger patients in hospital, therefore the main focus of this appeal is to try and put a smile on the faces of those older patients in hospital, making sure they’re not forgotten about.

If the hospital receives too many of a certain present, they won’t go to waste and they’ll either be raffled off or saved for future special occasions such as Eid and Easter.

To make a difference, all you need to do is pick up an extra present while doing your Christmas shopping, bring it unwrapped to the hospital of your choice, be that Blackpool Vic or Clifton Hospital and the hardworking staff there will do the rest.

Ann Hedley, head of fund-raising at Blue Skies, the hospitals’ charity, said: “Christmas is a very exciting time of year; one which some people spend months planning, whether it’s having the family over for a festive feast, organising travel to see loved ones or making sure everyone you love from close friends to distant relatives receive a special gift.

“But if you’re in hospital, either as an emergency patient or for a planned procedure, you can’t be with your family around the tree on Christmas morning, swapping gifts and message of festive cheer.

“Your family may be with you during visiting hours, but to wake up in a hospital bed is not among most people’s plans for the big day.

“Here at Blue Skies we want to help make a difference to those people waking up in hospital on December 25, whether that’s at Blackpool Victoria Hospital or at Clifton Hospital in St Annes. That’s why we’re asking the public to back the Give a Gift Appeal and buy one extra gift as they carry out their Christmas shopping for a hospital patient.

“It’s important that people remember it isn’t only children who like a gift at Christmas, and in fact last year we had more than 600 inpatients in our hospitals who were aged over 50.

“We really need the people of Blackpool and beyond to back us in this campaign so we can truly make a difference at Christmas.

“Please help us to put a smile on someone’s face as they wake up on Christmas morning.”

‘Christmas is such a difficult time’

Patient - Michael Barrie Elwell, 78, of Regent Road, Blackpool

“I’ve been in hospital the best part of three years. I originally went in for a pre-op and ended up having a triple heart bypass.

“Christmas is such a difficult time, I haven’t had a proper one in three years.

“Christmas is all down to the kids. I have a grandson, William, he’s 11.

“The big thing about Christmas is everyone does it differently. It’s very personal. My family are from Wolverhampton and they go down to Wolverhampton races every Boxing Day.

“Christmas is not just one day, I know a family and their Christmas starts on the 23rd and finishes on the 4th of January!

“I feel like some people could give more to Christmas. Good luck to you.”

Why a present is so important especially to elderly patients

• Ward manager - Sabila Johnson

“On Christmas, I think it’s so important that they get a present because we have a lot of elderly patients and sometimes somebody won’t even get time to see them.

“Whereas at hospital, they get up in the morning and someone will dress up as Father Christmas and somebody will go along with the trolley and deliver the present and make a fuss. They’ll get their Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’ll be decorations everywhere and it’s a day to remember.

“It’s an anxious time. We have open visiting times in these wards, which is on trial but I think that’s a good thing because it gives families a chance to visit them but I think not giving the patients something for Christmas must be bad.

“Any time being in hospital, it’s like your life’s stopped. We have a lot of deaths at Christmas but if someone’s really ill we still do the same thing for them at Christmas. It helps the family know that we’re in there together on the day. The nurses get very cheerful in the morning, with tinsel in their hair.

“The patient Christmas dinner comes with a cracker, they get their mince pie and a slice of cake. The canteen does Christmas dinner for the staff as well. The team downstairs do some singing as well in the morning. “Lots of elderly patients don’t know if they’ll see next Christmas or not so we make Christmas come to them. We get to know them and as much as we can, if there’s an elderly visitor, we give them food.”

• Matron - Fiona Verenakis said:

“Some patients get upset when they have to go home. Some of them don’t have anyone to go home to. Here they get company, they get a present, people are singing carols around them and they love it. Not just the elderly, we have lots of people in their 30s and 40s who are on their own, without family, if they’re sitting in their flat on their own and might not see anyone for three or four days, they get company, warm, high spirits and it’s nice.”

A gift would make it more ‘a home from home’

Sandra Brookfield, 53, of Cornwall Avenue, Blackpool, daughter to Kenneth McGough, 90, of North Shore

“I would think he would feel included in what was going on here. The staff here are lovely and I’m sure that would continue on Christmas Day. I suppose it would just add to the continuance of what it would be like at home. He (her dad) would be getting loads of presents at home and he has lots of people dancing around him. His grandchildren would be round, me and my two sisters, he’d be holding court. It would make it more of a home from home.

“I think it’s a good idea. I’m a civil servant and we’re doing something similar for children in hospital. You get buy one get one free on a lot of things or you can use your points. I was going to use my Sainsburys points to buy a toy. Or the pound shop, you could easily get a nice little collection for a couple of quid.”

How to get involved

It’s really as easy as picking up one extra present when you’re out doing your Christmas shopping. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive. A lot of places do ‘buy one get one free’ offers at Christmas time, so it could easily be that you end up with something spare anyway that somebody in hospital might really appreciate. Then it’s just a case of taking the presents unwrapped to one of the designated drop-off points.

Confirmed drop-off points

• Blue Skies Hospital Fund, Blackpool Victoria Hospital

• Marks and Spencer, Blackpool Victoria Hospital

• Morrisons, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool

• Booths, Teanlowe Centre, Poulton

• Poppy and Jacks Nursery, Breck Road, Poulton

What to buy

Sabila Johnson, Ward Manager of the Care for the Elderly ward at Blackpool Victoria, recommends toiletries, biscuits, games, books - the list is exhaustive. If in doubt, just ring the Blue Sies Hospital Fund on 01253 957903

What not to buy

There is strictly no alcohol allowed.

Dangerous items such as knives are also not permitted.

Sabila Johnson also added that socks are a bad idea, unless they have grip, due to older patients being at the risk of falls.

Boxes of chocolates may be a bad idea as a number of older patients suffer from diabetes.

Almost 400 patients were put through the agony of a last minute cancelled operation in Blackpool hospitals in the first nine months of this year, according to new figures.

But all the surgery was re-scheduled inside 28 days, honouring a pledge made in the NHS Constitution.

While a total of 395 elective procedures were called off late - some on the day of surgery - the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust performed far better than many of England’s 167 health authorities.

Neighbouring Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust, which runs the hospitals in Preston and Chorley, was rated as one of the worst in the country with almost 1,000 people having their surgery cancelled at the last minute between January and the end of September.

One in seven of those failed to get a new date within four weeks – a figure which drew a public apology from the trust’s operations director Suzanne Hargreaves. In Blackpool the statistics produced by the NHS show that in the first quarter of 2016 there were 190 patients left frustrated by late cancellations for non-clinical reasons such as staffing issues or bed shortages. Between April and June that figure dropped to 90 and in the July to September quarter it increased slightly to 115.

Pat Oliver, director of operations at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, said: “Cancelling operations is only ever done as a last resort and is something we regret deeply, as we realise the distress and inconvenience it causes to patients and their families.

“Despite all our best efforts there are many reasons why operations are cancelled at short notice, for example we do experience a high level of emergency admissions and regrettably this affects some routine surgical patients

“We realise the inconvenience this can cause patients and that is why we do our utmost to reschedule their procedures as soon as possible.”

Last-minute cancellations are classed as procedures called off on the day a patient is due to arrive in hospital, or after they have arrived, or on the day the operation is scheduled to take place.

Non-clinical reasons include no beds available on the ward, no critical care beds, staff not available (including surgeons, anaesthetists and theatre staff), an emergency case taking prioirty in the theatre, essential equipment not working, or an administrative error.

The 28-day re-scehduling period is pledge laid down in the NHS Constitution and covers all planned and booked hospital operations, including day case surgery.It does not cover minor operations carried out at clinics.

Over-50s, arguably the biggest users of the NHS, are finding it particularly hard to book a same-day appointments with their GP.

In a poll of more than 10,000 over-50s, half say they find it difficult to book an appointment to see their doctor the same day they fall ill, while more than a quarter say they struggle to book a doctors’ appointment in advance.

The research from Saga Health Insurance shows that while some over-50s got a same day (29 per cent) or next day (19 per cent) appointment the last time they needed medical attention, more than a third said they waited between one and two weeks for an appointment.

However, despite waiting a couple of weeks to see their GP, appointments only lasted between eight and 10 minutes on average.

Difficulties booking appointments and long waiting times for basic proceduresis taking its toll on the over 50s opinion of the National Health Service and four out of 10 people think it has got worse over the last year.

People aged 50 to 59 find it the most difficult to see their doctor, whether they are booking an emergency appointment (61 per cent) or one for a couple of weeks’ time (35 per cent). This age group also found it the most difficult to see their GP last year.

The suggestion is that those in their 50s are the busiest, working long days, occupied with the school run and/or looking after patients and so find it hardest to fit in a suitable time.

The research also suggests that there is a postcode lottery when it comes to seeing your doctor quickly.

For instance, those living in the East Midlands had a lot more difficulty than those living in Wales to get an urgent doctor’s appointment.

However, it is a different story if they want to book an appointment in advance as one in three say these types of appointments are hard to come by.

A Saga spokesman said: “The last thing people want to do when they feel under the weather is battle to see their GP. We need to be encouraging these people to visit their GP rather than put more barriers in the way so that they can get better as soon as possible and carry on with their normal everyday life.

Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court from November 26.

Craig Rourke, 26, careless driving, failing to stop after an accident, failure to report an accident, no licence, insurance or MOT

A driver who fled from a crash in which two people were badly injured was trapped by his own airbag.

Police removed the airbag from the Audi A5 Craig Rourke had been driving for forensic tests and saliva found on the airbag proved to be Rourke’s.

Rourke, a 26-year-old former soldier, of Warley Road, North Shore, pleaded guilty to driving carelessly, failing to stop after an accident and report it and having no licence, insurance or MoT.

He was sentenced to a 12 months community order with 300 hours unpaid work for the community, banned from the road for three years and ordered to pay £300 compensation with £85 costs plus £85 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said Rourke failed to give way at the junction of Blackpool’s Warley and Dickson Roads on September 13, at 9.20pm, and drove into the path of another car driven by a woman. Both vehicles were badly damaged and ended up on the pavement.

Rourke ran from the scene. A male passenger in his car suffered a broken arm, but would not make any statement. The woman in the other car had concussion, ribs shoulder and back injuries and whiplash.

Steven Townley, defending, said his client had been taking driving lessons following a period of disqualification.

Rourke had kept out of trouble while he was in the Army serving in areas such as Iraq. He had then been discharged because he was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He had applied to rejoin the Army and been accepted. If all went well he should be rejoining in the New Year.

Joseph Egan, 21, resisting arrest, damage

An angry young man had to be pepper-sprayed after he fought to resist arrest and flung two officers away from him.

Joseph Egan was annoyed after a row with his girlfriend, in which he smashed a guitar and punched a hole in the wall, before struggling with the officers.

His bad mood continued after he was arrested and he ripped up a pillow in the cell he was put into.

Egan, 21, of St Heliers Road, South Shore, pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and two offences of causing damage.

He was given a 12 months conditional discharge, fined £40 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £34.80 compensation for the pillow plus £30 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said Egan’s then girlfriend called the police on October 1, saying he was leaving their flat and causing damage.

Egan was repeatedly asked by officers to calm down but failed to do so. As the officers tried to arrest him he resisted violently and all three of them fell to the floor.

Steven Duffy, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had just come out of the shower and could not understand why the police were there because the argument with his partner was over. He was upset and frustrated and behaved in an inappropriate way.

Jamie Aiden, 41, drink-driving

A businessman was over the alcohol limit when he crashed into a car with a mother and child inside.

Jamie Alden, 41, of Orchard Avenue, South Shore, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from driving for 14 months and fined £350 with £85 costs plus £35 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said police were called to an accident on Abbey Road on November 4, at 8.20pm, where Alden’s Mercedes had collided with another car.

A breath test showed 55 micrograms of alcohol in her body – 35 is the limit.

Alden said he had drunk three pints in the early evening at the pub then drunk a large glass of white wine with his meal.

He normally did the shopping that night of the week.

He added he had made an horrendous miscalculation about his alcohol level before he set off.

Alden did his utmost to make sure the mother and child in the other car were OK.

Jeremiah Dennehy, 26, driving while banned, no insurance, failing to stop

Police had to chase a man who sped off after they had asked him to stop a BMW he was driving.

Jeremiah Dennehy then fled twice on foot as officers tried to apprehend him.

Dennehy, a 26-year-old former shop worker, of Topping Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to driving while banned without insurance and failing to stop for police.

He was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, put on a 12 months community order with up to 20 days rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service, banned from the road for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs with £115 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said police became concerned about the manner in which Dennehy was driving in the early hours on November 23

They signalled for him to stop but he would not and led police on a pursuit round Blackpool for five minutes. He then got out of the car and ran off twice.

It was his third conviction for disqualified driving in three years.

Hugh Pond, defending, said his client had borrowed a car from a friend to drive a short distance to a cash machine because he had no money. Dennehy had no recollection of being disqualified and it was suspected he could have been banned in his absence.

Natalie Felton, 24, threatening behaviour, criminal damage

A woman banged on two doors shouting to be let in and threatening to smash windows if she was not.

Natalie Felton, a carer, 24, of Red Bank Road, Bispham, pleaded guilty to two offences of threatening to damage property.

She was fined £120 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said a mother and her two-year-old child were asleep when they were woken by Felton banging on her door on November 5, about 4am, shouting to be let in and saying she would break windows if she was not.

Felton who then did the same thing at a nearby address told police she had no recollection of what she had done.

Suzanne Mugford, defending, said her client, who had no previous offences, had been drinking that night. She acted out of character after arguing with her boyfriend, who she believed was drinking at one of the addresses.

The accident, which involved two lorries and one car, happened at around 11.30am this morning (28, November).

Two lanes are currently closed between Middlewich and Sandbach and traffic is queuing for nine miles following the collision.

All lanes between junctions 18 and 17 were closed earlier while emergency services worked at the scene.

More to follow.

Paedophile football coach Barry Bennell has been taken to hospital after police responded to a "fear for welfare incident" at an address in Stevenage on Friday night.

Bennell, a youth coach who worked for Crewe, Manchester City, Stoke and several junior teams in north-west England and the midlands, was given a four-year sentence for raping a British boy on a football tour of Florida in 1994 and then a nine-year sentence in 1998 for 23 offences against six boys in England.

Former Crewe player Andy Woodward waived his anonymity earlier this month to speak about the abuse he suffered at the hands of Bennell, which has led to a number of other former footballers coming forward to make further allegations of abuse.

A statement from Thames Valley Police said: "Police officers attended an address in Knebworth Park, Stevenage just before 11pm on Friday, November 25 in connection with a fear for welfare incident.

"A 62-year-old man was located and was taken to hospital in order to receive medical treatment, where he remains.

"At this stage of enquiries, it would be inappropriate to comment further."

Blackpool’s fleet of gritting machines are primed for action with November set to end with a freezing finale.

Despite a mild start to the winter, the council’s four gritters have already been out four times spreading up to 120 tonnes of rock salt on the borough’s roads.

The Met Office forecasts cold conditions for the next few days with freezing spells.

Despite sunshine it will be very cold, forecasters said yesterday.

But council chiefs say they are well prepared to keep roads open and safe, using a stockpile of more than 600 tonnes of grit.

Coun Fred Jackson, cabinet member for highways, said: “We are well prepared again ahead of this winter, the service is ready now and on standby until the April.

“As the winter weather arrives, we regularly monitor the weather forecasts and temperature predictions to make an informed decision on whether to go out gritting or not.

“We remind residents to be prepared and take care when driving in wintry conditions, and please be patient with gritters out on our roads.

“Residents can stay notified when we choose to grit by following the Council’s Facebook and Twitter page.”

Lancashire County Council’s 49-strong fleet of gritters covers more than 1,500 miles of road on every run and keeps more than 30,000 tonnes of salt in stock throughout the winter.

Roads are gritted 25-tmes-a year

• The Council has four gritting machines.

• The majority of gritting takes place overnight.

• On average the roads are gritted 25 times a year. However in winter of 2012 the team went out almost 50 times.

• The amount of rock salt used each year varies depending on the weather conditions.

• During the Christmas of 2009, more than 1,300 tonnes were used whereas as 2013 was unusually mild when the team only went out nine times using 100 tonnes.

Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court from November 28.

Nicola Lord, 39, theft

A woman who last year won £250,000 on a scratchcard went shoplifting because she had reached financial rock bottom a court was told.

Nicola Lord had gone into a store to buy a tin of beans with her last 90p but temptation got the better of her.

She pocketed three watches and two nail polish kits valued at £26.96 in order to sell them.

Lord, 39, of Lytham Road, South Shore, pleaded guilty to theft.

She was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay £26.95 compensation by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said staff at Home Bargains, Tyldesley Road, Blackpool, were alerted by a customer that Lord had stolen items on November 26 about 5pm.

She was stopped at the door but refused to let staff look in her bag and walked off.

Police later identified her from CCTV footage and arrested her.

Lord was described as having an appalling record with 196 previous offences, 145 of them for theft.

When interviewed she told police she had no money for food or electric and went into the shop to buy beans with her last 90p but decided to steal instead.

Brett Chappell, defending, said Lord’s life had been destroyed by an addiction to heroin which started when she was a teenager and that addiction had been the catalyst for all her previous offending.

She had conquered that addiction and was off street heroin for the first time in years, but had unfortunately now become addicted to alcohol.

Just before committing the offence her boyfriend had been arrested and he had their bank card in his possession.

Mr Chappell added: “She had hit complete and absolutely financial rock bottom. She had no money for food or electric or to fund her addiction to alcohol, so she stole the items to sell.”

John O’Neill, 35, breach of a restraining order

A man accused of breaking the law by going to visit his former girlfriend has made his first appearance at court.

John O’Neill, 35, of Grasmere Road, Blackpool, pleaded not guilty to breaching a restraining order which banned him from contacting his ex and causing £50 of damage to her front door on November 27.

Defence lawyer, Kathryn Jamieson-Sinclair, did not ask for bail for her client.

O’Neil was remanded in custody towards his trial on December 22 by Blackpool magistrates.

Reid Warman, 21, assault

A man has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman at Blackpool.

Reid Warman, 21, of Ottery Close, Bristol, had his case adjourned to January 24 for trial by Blackpool magistrates.

David Kelly, 35, fraud

A conman enjoyed a meal without paying at a Chinese restaurant in Fleetwood.

David Kelly ate chicken and sweet corn coup, sweet and sour pork with egg fried rice and had a cup of tea but then refused to pay the cost of £15.

He was described as a man who had travelled England and Scotland and had 190 previous offences many for failing to pay for food or accommodation.

Kelly, 35, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to fraud.

He was ordered to pay £15 compensation by Blackpool magistrates who imposed no other penalty after hearing he had spent four days in the cells.

Presiding magistrate, David Cartain, told him: “You have been up and down the country enjoying yourself at someone else’s expense at times.”

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said staff at the Great Wall of China restaurant, Bold Street, called police after Kelly refused to pay on November 25 at 6.45pm.

Steven Townley, defending, said Kelly was in the area to visit friends. Kelly maintained he had been given the wrong soup and main course and that was why he had not paid up.

Charmaine Holmes, 36, theft

A mother with an alcohol problem stole goods while she was out shopping for a Halloween party,

Charmaine Holmes, 36, of Troutbeck Crescent, Mereside, pleaded guilty to theft.

She was given a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £22.44 compensation with £50 costs plus £20 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said Holmes was seen in Tesco at Clifton stealing two bottles of vodka and a fillet of beef valued together at £55, on October 22

Steven Townley, defending, said alcohol had become a problem for Holmes after her mother died.

She was now seen specialists and was getting help for her drink issues and also bereavement counselling.

Michael Hennesey, 44, burglary

A man accused of breaking into a house near Blackpool and stealing the occupants car has made his first appearance at court.

Michael Hennesey, 44, of Leveredge Way, Bolton, is charged with burglary with intent to steal at an address on Lyddesdale Avenue, Cleveleys, damaging the garage roof and fence and stealing a Vauxhall Astra.

The offences are alleged to have taken place on November 27.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, asked for the case to be heard at crown court. Defence lawyer, Michael Woosnam, did not ask for bail for his client.

Hennesey was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on January 4.

Joseph Edwards, 54, theft

A man turned to crime after relapsing and going back on street drugs.

Joseph Edwards, 54, of Moore Street, South Shore, pleaded guilty to one offence of theft.

He was sentenced to a 12 weeks curfew from 9pm to 6am and ordered to pay £26 compensation with £85 compensation plus £85 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said on September 12 Edwards was caught on CCTV stealing two bottles of vodka from Iceland.

Suzanne Mugford, defending, said her client, who had a history of drug addiction, was on a prescription for the heroin substitute methadone at the time of the offence. He was struggling with the dosage and returned to his old ways to steal to pay for some street drugs.

Catch up with all the overnight news from Lancashire and across the country here with our morning roundup.

BUSINESS AS USUAL AFTER FIRE AT BOOTHS

Fire crews from around Lancashire raced to the store in Union Street Chorley where a gas heater was on fire on the roof of the building shortly after 8pm last night. The blaze did not turn out to be serious, but police were called in to close off roads in the area to allow firefighters to tackle the blaze.

Read more here

CLITHEROE BANK ROBBERY: A MAN AND WOMAN ARRESTED

Police confirmed a 26-year-old man from Manchester was arrested on suspicion of robbery and has been bailed until February 23rd and a 26-year-old woman, also from Manchester, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and perverting the course of justice. She remains in police custody.

Read more here

WOMAN INJURED IN STORE CAR PARK CRASH

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses following a collision in Warton in which a woman was hurt The incident happened at around 8.50am today when a Mazda 3 saloon pulled out of the Tesco Express car park on Lytham Road. The car was involved in a collision with a pedestrian who was crossing from the nearside.

Read more here ​

STEPDAUGHTER CONFRONTS ABUSER ON THE JEREMY KYLE SHOW

Sara Worrall went on The Jeremy Kyle Show on ITV this morning (Monday) to speak to her stepfather Gordon Heaton, who indecently assaulted her as a youngster. Introducing the show, host Jeremy Kyle said: “This is perhaps one of the most shocking stories we have ever had on The Jeremy Kyle Show.” Heaton, 75, was jailed for 11 months last December at Liverpool Crown Court for indecently assaulting Sara when she was just 10-years-old.

Read more here


NEW BREXIT ROW AFTER CAMERAS CATCH SINGLE MARKET NOTES BY TORY AIDE

The Government has sought to play down suggestions that Britain will be unable to remain in the single market after it leaves the EU after a memorandum carried by a senior Conservative Party aide suggested it was "unlikely".

Ministers faced fresh accusations that they had no strategy for Brexit after a long-lens camera in Downing Street caught the handwritten note which read: "What's the model? Have your cake and eat it."

The memo - which refers to some of the likely difficulties to arise during the negotiations - was being carried under the arm of an aide to Tory vice-chairman Mark Field as they emerged from a meeting with the Department for Exiting the EU at 9 Downing Street.

GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF LACK OF 'ROBUST ACTION' TO TACKLE SCHOOL HARASSMENT

The Government is under fire from MPs after rejecting calls for statutory action to tackle sexual violence and harassment in schools.

In a report earlier this year, the Commons Women and Equalities Committee called for legislation requiring all primary and secondary schools to develop a "whole school approach" to dealing with the issue.

The committee also urged ministers to make for sex and relationships education (SRE) compulsory by law.

Read more here

NEW POLICE PROBE AS CONCERNS OVER HISTORICAL 'CHILD ABUSE' IN FOOTBALL GROW

The country's third largest police force has launched a probe into allegations of historical child sex abuse in youth football after recent media reports prompted people to come forward.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) joined the Metropolitan Police and the FA in investigating the growing scandal, which was sparked when an ex-player spoke out about the abuse he suffered at the hands of convicted paedophile Barry Bennell.

It comes after it emerged that Bennell, a former Crewe Alexandra coach, was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital on Friday night after being found unconscious, in what Thames Valley Police called a "fear for welfare" incident.

BRITAIN BRACES ITSELF FOR 'COLDEST NIGHT OF THE AUTUMN SO FAR'

England and Wales could shiver through the coldest evening of the autumn so far on Tuesday night as frosty yet dry conditions herald the start of winter, forecasters have predicted.

Meteorologist Mark Wilson told the Press Association temperatures would struggle to get higher than 6C (43F) amid a sunny and cold day in England and Wales, with Scotland expected to experience milder conditions of up to 9C (48F).

While it is unlikely overnight temperatures for the entire UK will drop lower than the coldest of the season so far - which was minus 12C (10F) in parts of Scotland last week - Britain could get its coldest night of autumn on Tuesday night with temperatures in some areas forecast to get as low as minus 8C (18F).

Read more here

NICOLA STURGEON TO ADDRESS IRISH PARLIAMENT AND MEET BUSINESS LEADERS

Nicola Sturgeon is to address the Irish Parliament as her two-day visit to strengthen ties between Scotland and Ireland after the Brexit result comes to a close.

The First Minister is also meeting business leaders in Dublin on the final day of her trip.

Speaking at Trinity College Dublin on Monday, where she was awarded an honorary patronage from the university's Philosophical Society, she said Brexit could lead to Scottish independence.

Read more here

LOSE WEIGHT AND STOP SMOKING OR FACE OP DELAY, PATIENTS TO BE TOLD

Obese people and smokers will be asked to lose weight and quit cigarettes or face delays to routine operations after a health authority's proposals were approved by NHS England.

Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 will be asked to lose weight or face a 12-month delay for elective surgery, while smokers will be asked to quit for two months or face a six-month postponement, the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announced.

The North Yorkshire CCG ruled out a "blanket" ban and said each patient would be dealt with on a "case-by-case basis" when the plan comes into force in January.

BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL TEAM'S PLAN CRASHES IN COLOMBIA

A chartered aircraft with 81 people on board, including a Brazilian first division football team heading to Colombia for a regional tournament final, has crashed on its way to Medellin's international airport.

Aviation authorities said there were reports of at least six survivors.

Medellin's mayor, Federico Gutierrez, said it was "a tragedy of huge proportions" as he made his way to the site in a mountainous area outside the city where the chartered aircraft crashed shortly before midnight local time on Monday.

AIDES STRUGGLE TO DEFEND TRUMP OUTBURSTS AMID RECOUNT BIDS

The drama, disputes and falsehoods of Donald Trump's presidential campaign are now muddying his transition to the White House, forcing aides to defend his baseless assertions of illegal voting and sending internal fights spilling into the public domain.

On Monday, a recount effort led by Green Party candidate Jill Stein and joined by Hillary Clinton's campaign also marched on in three states, based partly on the Stein campaign's unsubstantiated assertion that cyber-hacking could have interfered with electronic voting machines.

Wisconsin approved plans to begin a recount as early as Thursday and Ms Stein also asked for one in Pennsylvania and was expected to do the same in Michigan, where officials certified Mr Trump's victory Monday.

WESTWORLD STAR: WHY I WENT PUBLIC ABOUT RAPE ORDEALS

Westworld actress Evan Rachel Wood has said she could no longer stay silent after revealing she has been raped twice.

The 29-year-old, who plays Dolores on Sky Atlantic's sci-fi Western series, posted an open letter on her Twitter account in which spoke about being attacked by a "significant other" and a bar owner on separate occasions.

She published the letter after giving an interview to Rolling Stone magazine, where she discussed being subjected to "physical, psychological, sexual" abuse and attempting suicide in her early 20s.

FUEL POVERTY WILL BE HERE FOR DECADES TO COME, CAMPAIGNERS WARN

The problem of fuel poverty will not be solved in the lifetime of a child born today on current rates of progress, campaigners have warned.

National Energy Action (NEA) is calling on the Government to invest more in energy efficiency and urgently improve conditions in privately rented properties to help tackle the illness and anxiety caused by the struggle to heat homes.

NEA's campaign, which is being backed by I, Daniel Blake lead actor Dave Johns, is highlighting that four million households in the UK still face the problems of living in a cold, damp home, affecting their life chances.

Read more here

Long delays affected traffic around the Mains Lane area after electricity supplies were interrupted to hundreds of homes and businesses.

The lights went out in areas of Thornton, Cleveleys and Bispham at around 7.20am today. The cut lasted just a second in some places but a number of homes and businesses are understood to still be without power.

Red more here

The lights went out in areas of Thornton, Cleveleys and Bispham at around 7.20am today.

The cut lasted just a second in some places but a number of homes and businesses are understood to still be without power.

The loss of power has caused problems on the roads with traffic lights at Four Lane Ends and Singleton junction among those out of action.

As a result there have been long queues on Amounderness Way and Mains Lane, with Highways England warning traffic conditions may not return to normal until around 9.30am.

Electricity North West said engineers were on the way to fix a high voltage fault.

A spokesman said: "An underground cable fault caused 1,393 properties to lose power at 07.22 this morning.

"We restored 813 in under 3 minutes by our automatic restoration systems and engineers are on site working to get power back to the remaining customers.

"For updates, customers can follow us on Twitter (@ElectricityNW) or Facebook, or can call the new free national power cut number 105, which will connect them directly to Electricity North West."

From Christmas trees and wreaths to baubles and snow machines - we all like to get in the festive spirit.

But where is best to go to get the latest seasonal goods.

Readers have submitted their suggestions.

Here is a shortlist of festive shops and garden centres. Vote for your favourite one.

The best five within each readership area will be selected for our Lancashire recommends page.

The closure of children’s centres across Lancashire was due to be discussed today.

Millions of pounds could be clawed back by the Government as a result of the shake-up of services, according to a report to Lancashire County Council’s education scrutiny committee, although leaders argue there is “no case” for that to happen.

Fears have also been raised the closure of children’s centres attached to schools could leave schools out of pocket financially.

The committee meets today to discuss the outcomes of Lancashire County Council’s “property strategy”, identifying more than 100 premises “no longer required to deliver the county council’s future pattern of service delivery”.

There are currently 82 children’s centres across the county.

In the future, there will be 52 designated centres.

However, County Hall bosses insist that while the service is being delivered from fewer buildings and in a different way, the authority will still be reaching the people who need the service.

A report to the committee sets out the implications of the closures of the centres.

The report says: “The implications of the property strategy means that a number of current designated children’s centres will not be maintained within the Neighbourhood Centre model.

“There is a potential risk of financial claw back in respect of government funding used to develop these premises when they were first established.

“The maximum risk of clawback for these premises is estimated as £8.8m, being calculated on a sliding scale over a period of 25-50 years.

“The basis of the clawback provisions is that where local authorities dispose of or change the use of buildings funded wholly or partly through capital grants then they must be re-paid.

“However, if the Department for Education is satisfied that the funding for the asset will continue to be used for purposes consistent with the grant, then repayment may be deferred.”

There are currently 43 children’s centres in Lancashire which are connected to schools.

Of those, Lancashire County Council is retaining 19.

Concerns were raised about the timescale for the proposed changes, which “gives headteachers and governing bodies limited time to find alternative uses for the premises”.

County Coun David Borrow, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “Children’s centres are a base for delivering services, and where we’re no longer using a centre, we’ll continue to deliver services in that area through outreach, visiting people in their homes, and using other buildings in the community to meet and deliver sessions.

“People will still be able to access a local centre, even if it’s further away than at present.

“We’re conscious that there will be an impact where we’re no longer planning to use some children’s centres which are attached to schools, and are working on an individual basis with each school to look at the effect this will have, and where necessary help them to make this transition, as we work to establish neighbourhood centres by March 2020.

“The circumstances are different for every school, and in some cases there are advantages, for example where schools have indicated they will use the extra space to extend nursery provision.”

The centres due for closure

FYLDE

Orchard Children’s Centre, Freckleton.

Lytham Children’s Centre, Mythop Road.

Oak Tree Children’s Centre in St Annes.

Weeton Children’s Centre.

The Zone in Fylde at Kirkham.

Pear Tree Children’s Centre, Kirkham.

WYRE

Over Wyre Children’s Centres at Preesall and Hambleton.

Garstang Library.

The Zone in Wyre at Fleetwood.

Fleetwood Children’s Centre, Kemp Street,

Fleetwood Children’s Centre (Flakefleet satellite) in Northfleet Avenue.

West View Children’s Centre in Fleetwood

Thornton Children’s Centre at Thornton Primary School

Cleveleys Children’s Centre

Smyths Toys have pledged to donate hundreds of pounds of presents to the Gazette’s Give a Gift appeal.

The superstore on Vicarage Lane, Marton, is donating a massive box full of items, including dolls, jigsaws and books so that anybody else thinking of donating can focus on the elderly.

Nick Sheridan, the store manager at Smyths Toys, said: “Being a toy store, we get asked for donations every week and we do little bits here and there but it’s for the hospital and obviously it has a lot to do with the time of year.

“It’s a good cause because there’s so many elderly people in hospital. My mother’s in sheltered accommodation and there’s loads more that don’t have any family or visitors. So it makes a nice change.

“We’ve only been open seven months and it’s just an ideal opportunity. It lets the people of Blackpool know that Smyths is here and that we do help the community.

“This is one of the biggest stores in the company. It’s our first Christmas and so many people don’t know we’re here. It’s been a slow burner and we pride ourselves on customer service. Helping people and getting the right products for people.”

Duty manager, Shane Connolly added: “It’s for everyone, Christmas.

“We were already doing something for Christmas with Fleetwood Town so it’s good to do something with the hospital as well.”

Ann Hedley, from Blue Skies, thanked Smyths Toys for their donation.

She said: “We couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of the local community and to have somebody to come straight out and say, ‘We’ll do the toys for people’, that’s great because it means we can focus on the older people who are often forgotten.

“People often think of children and young people on their own at Christmas. When in fact, most of them will go home to a family and have someone care for them. Whereas some of the older people won’t have anybody. It’s just phenomenal for us that Smyths to agree to help the appeal.

“We’re more than grateful, especially in these tough economic times for businesses, it’s such a generous gesture and we can’t thank them enough.”

The police have issued the following CCTV images of people from the Lancashire area that they would like to speak to.

If you have any information about the following incidents please contact the police quoting the crime reference number on 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Carl Tanner who absconded from Kirkham Prison on 23 November was arrested in Blackburn on Sunday evening.

Police were able to capture the convict after he was spotted on the Boulevard at about 8.30pm on Sunday evening.

He has since been returned to custody and is continuing to serve his 20 month sentence for robbery.

The Gazette has launched an appeal to brighten up the festive season for those who are in hospital at Christmas.

Hundreds of patients on the Fylde Coast will be separated from their family and friends this year.

Many will have visitors on Christmas Day but others will be alone. They may have no family to share the season with and will no be able to give or receive presents.

But Gazette readers can help - by joining in our Give a Gift Appeal.

The aim of this appeal is for every single patient, in Blackpool Victoria and Clifton Hospital, to receive a present on Christmas Day.

It’s natural to just think of children, but the truth is that the majority of patients in hospital, during winter are over the age of 50.

In fact, of the 682 patients who woke up on hospital last Christmas, 601 were aged above 51 and just 29 were aged 21 or under.

Smyths Toys has kindly offered to donate some toys for the younger patients in hospital, therefore the main focus of this appeal is to try and put a smile on the faces of those older patients in hospital, making sure they’re not forgotten about.

To make a difference, all you need to do is pick up an extra present while doing your Christmas shopping, bring it unwrapped to the hospital of your choice, be that Blackpool Vic or Clifton Hospital and the hardworking staff there will do the rest.

Ann Hedley, head of fund-raising at Blue Skies, the hospitals’ charity, said: “Christmas is a very exciting time of year; one which some people spend months planning, whether it’s having the family over for a festive feast, organising travel to see loved ones or making sure everyone you love from close friends to distant relatives receive a special gift.

“But if you’re in hospital, either as an emergency patient or for a planned procedure, you can’t be with your family around the tree on Christmas morning, swapping gifts and message of festive cheer.

“It’s important that people remember it isn’t only children who like a gift at Christmas, and in fact last year we had more than 600 inpatients in our hospitals who were aged over 50.

“Please help us to put a smile on someone’s face as they wake up on Christmas morning.”

A Blackpool bus firm is pressing ahead with plans to expand services despite being told its operating licence will be revoked.

Catch22bus has been told it must stop operations on January 18 following the outcome of a public inquiry.

Boss Philip Higgs has also been banned from working in the transport industry for 12 months for his involvement in an online slur against the North West’s traffic commissioner.

No issues were highlighted with the firm’s safety record, finances or operations.

However, there was found to be a breakdown in trust between the firm and regulators following a series of events in which a private investigator was hired to snoop on senior traffic commissioner Beverley Bell.

It was revealed that Mr Higgs was issued with an harassment information notice by Lancashire Police earlier this year after a video featuring Mrs Bell was posted on YouTube.

South East and Metropolitan Area Deputy Traffic Commissioner John Baker found such actions enough to revoke the firm’s licence.

He said: “There is a serious question mark over whether Mr Higgs can be trusted. His past behaviour and in particular the conduct towards Mrs Bell shows animosity, resentment and a tendency to ‘take the law into his own hands’ all of which draw into question the likelihood of him adhering to operating requirements set by Traffic Commissioners.”

He continued: “This was a covert, serious invasion of privacy perpetrated against the Senior Traffic Commissioner which resulted in a significant level of distress. The action was taken in the context of an industry that relies on trust between operators and the regulators and this adds to the seriousness.

“All of these factors coupled with my finding on likely future compliance lead to the conclusion that loss of repute is proportionate and justified.”

Mr Baker said that as Mr Higgs was the sole shareholder and director of Catch22, his loss of repute reflected on the company as a whole.

Catch22, which employs 25 people and operates a network of services in Blackpool and Wyre, has said it will appeal the decision and has vowed to continue running services while the legal process continues.

The firm will, next month, launch new Sunday services to Over Wyre - the first to run since County Hall subsidies were axed in April.

Dave Hughes, Service Operations Director, said: “We would like to assure our valued customers that an appeal against the decision has been lodged and that all of our services will continue to operate as normal, throughout what is now becoming a long and drawn out legal process.

“We are looking forward to the launch of our extended Sunday service 24 on December 11, which will re-establish a Sunday and Bank Holiday link between Knott End, Over Wyre, Poulton and Cleveleys. “We also launch our extended service 23 on Monday December 12, providing residents in the Carleton area with a direct link to Cleveleys and Victoria Hospital.

“Our three, newly acquired Eco-friendly Optare Versa buses will also enter service at this time. Therefore, it’s business as usual at Catch22.”

Educations stars across the Fylde coast were today basking in the glow of being named the best in the region in the annual Gazette Education Awards.

Hundreds of proud pupils, teachers and parents converged on the Tower Ballroom for the glittering bash, sponsored by BAE Systems and Blackpool and The Fylde College.

A total of 13 awards were handed out on the night with entertainment provided by the college’s musical theatre students.

Gazette Deputy Editor Andy Sykes said: “From everyone at The Gazette, thank you all for making the event such a great success.

“Thank you to our sponsors who back this awards ceremony every year, we couldn’t do it without you.

“Thank you to Blackpool Tower for hosting such a great event in this spectacular ballroom.

“But finally – thank you to all the teachers, pupils. parents and guardians who make this event what it is.

“Please don’t ever underestimate the impact you have on the future of those around you.

“The Fylde coast has some fantastic people but you lot are the best of the best.”

Inspirational Teaching Award

Sponsored by Westinghouse

Mr Johnson, Park Community Academy

His pupils describe Mr Johnson as brilliant, always happy and smiling and giving every pupil a chance to shine. In his own time he runs a Saturday football team and has introduced an Olympic legacy group inspiring youngsters to try new sports.

Primary School Pupil of the Year Award

Sponsored by Sandcastle Waterpark

Charlie Jordan, St Teresa’s 
Catholic Primary School

Following gruelling treatment for a brain tumour, Charlie has shown he is a true star. He is a wonderful role model, demonstrating resilience and strength, enjoying every moment of school life and raising thousands of pounds for brain tumour research.

Secondary School Pupil of the Year

Sponsored by Blackpool Sixth Form

Aliyah Rayner, Cardinal Allen Catholic High School

Aliyah is commended for her hard work, commitment and enthusiasm. She works with older members of the community helping them to develop their IT skills. She drives many fundraising activities and is an active member of the Eco Group. She challenges injustice, campaigning to raise awareness of Homelessness and works with Lancashire Minds, helping students with mental health issues.

Sustainable School of the Year Award

Sponsored by Harry Ramsden

St Aidan’s CE High School

The school is working towards the Eco School Silver award, focusing on sustainability for the future of the school and community. They sell fairtrade calendars to support developing countries and recently took part in a Beach Clean operation in conjunction with Wyre Council.

Young Scientist/Engineer of the Year Award

Sponsored by BAE Systems

Harvey Barry-Hudson, St Aidan’s CE High School

Harvey is a phenomenal student, predicted the highest GCSE grades across the board. He has taken Astronomy as an extra curricular subject and looks to a career in astrophysics. He was named Young Physicist of the year by the Ogden Trust and helps with the Year 7 Science Club.

Creative Arts Award

Sponsored by Blackpool and The Fylde College School of Creative Arts and Digital Industries.

Leoni-Jane Kennedy, Millfield Science & Performing Arts 
College

Leoni is a young carer with an immense talent. She performs across a range of musical genres and excels as a singer/songwriter and guitarist. She was awarded the Yamaha Young Songwriter of the Year and erformed at the Houses of Parliament. She also excels in art and design, achieving a Distinction in Year 10, and nurtures and inspires students in lower year groups.

School Trips award

Sponsored by Merlin Entertainments.

Park Community Academy

Pupils go on several residential trips such as Tower Wood in the Lake District, London and Beddrigg where they enjoy canoeing and rock climbing. Although pupils all have additional learning needs which necessitates extra support, the school ensures ALL children have access to the activities and can create lifelong memories.

Sports Achievement Award

Sponsored by Blackpool Sixth Form.

Hodgson Academy Badminton Team

Students in the Under 14 badminton squad were novices when they started to learn the sport in year 7.

Over three years, their determination to succeed saw them achieve Wyre and Fylde championships two years in succession, culminating in them being crowned Lancashire Champions and going on to represent the county in the NW Regional championships.

Career Aspiration Award

Sponsored by Blackpool and The Fylde College

St Aidan’s CE High School

St Aidan’s prides itself on careers education, information and guidance. They run a Work Experience week and Personal Development Days, helping them to plan for the future.. Hospitality and Catering students had the ultimate career opportunity when they took over The Villa restaurant and served a three course meal to 100 guests.

The Unsung Hero Award

Sponsored by Vida Education.

Mandy Palmer, St Thomas 
CE Primary School

Although she officially retired two years ago, Mandy continues to play a huge part in pupils’ lives in her role as Governor. She organises music activities in the school and plays piano during worship every day, and is always at every event and everyone is grateful for her hard work and 
ambition.

The Headteacher of the Year Award

Sponsored by Centrica Energy and Cuadrilla Resources.

Sharon Barnett, the Willows Catholic Primary School

Sharon has totally transformed the school since she took the reins four years ago. The school had endured troublesome times but under her leadership, it has now achieved outstanding Ofsted ratings in all five areas and Ofsted inspectors described her as inspirational.

Primary School of the Year Award

Sponsored by The Uniform and Leisurewear Company.

St Nicholas CE Primary School

St Nicholas school is one of just four per cent nationally who have made the journey from an Ofsted rating of Requires Improvement to Outstanding, and in just three years. Following dejection and uncertainty, staff and pupils showed tremendous resolve and worked incredibly hard to turn the school around and now results put them in the top 10 per cent nationally.

Secondary School of the Year Award

Sponsored by UCLan.

Hodgson Academy

Once again, Hodgson achieved the best exam results of any state school on the Fylde Coast. They enjoyed their best sporting year in a decade winning 5 county titles. They raised over £5000 for various charities and 200 students took part in the Duke Of Edinburgh scheme. Their work as an Initial Teacher Training provider has launched a significant number of talented new teachers into the profession, many gaining employment in the area.

Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court from November 29.

David Fowler, 72, extreme pornography

A Cleveleys man has made his first appearance at court charged with possessing extreme pornography.

David Fowler, 72, of Victoria Road West, faces three allegations.

He is charged with making 20 videos at the highest category.

He is also charged with possessing 20 videos.

Fowler’s third allegation is that he possessed extreme pornography involving animals.

Blackpool magistrates bailed Fowler on condition he has no unsupervised contact with children.

His cases will be heard at Preston crown Court on January 4.

Richard Rooney, 56, breaching the terms of his licence

A Blackpool pub landlord has admitted breaching the terms of his licence.

Richard Rooney, 56, of Freemantle Avenue, South Shore, runs the Excelsior pub on Lytham Road.

He admitted allowing alcohol to be served on a Blackpool FC home match in glass rather than safer polycarbonate carbonate holders.

He also admitted failing to have doormen on duty at the bar on Blackpool’s last home game of last season.

He was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £320 costs by Blackpool Magistrates.

The court heard that police visited the premises when they noticed a large number of people drinking outside.

They asked to speak to Rooney but he was not available.

Trevor Colebourne, defending, said that Rooney had been caught out by a late change in the kick off time and a security company faile to send him doormen on time for an early match start.

David Windle, 43, obstructing an enforcement agent

A father-to-11 children found himself before a court after he got into a fracas with a bailiff who clamped his people carrier.

David Windle removed the wheel which had been clamped and put another one on before driving off in front of the bailiff.

Windle, 43, of Rosebery Avenue, South Shore, pleaded guilty to obstructing an enforcement agent.

He was fined £40 with £50 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said enforcement agent Anthony Smith went to Windle’s home in relation to an unpaid parking fine owed to Blackpool Council on July 8.

Windle told him he would not pay and he wanted further information,

On July 12 the enforcement agent returned and as Windle had not paid the fine he clamped his Vauxhall Zafira.

Windle then said he was going to free his vehicle.

He got out tools, removed the wheel with the clamp, put on another wheel and drove off.

Gerry Coyle, defending, told magistrates the incident had been down to a parking fine Windle said he knew nothing about.

He reacted badly when his car was clamped because if it had been towed away he would have had to pay £185 to get it released from a compound.

He needed the vehicle because he and his partner had 11 children, some of whom were fostered, who he had to transport around.

Since the incident his dispute over the parking fine had been sorted out and it was being deducted from his benefits.

Stephen Ferris, 47, begging,

A man who persistently begged for money on the streets of Blackpool was described as a blight on the resort.

Stephen Ferris was almost a permanent fixture in the town wrapped in a duvet or sleeping bag with a begging bowl at his feet from April to July a court was told.

Ferris, 47, of Church Street, Blackpool, previously pleaded not guilty to 12 offences of begging and one offence of breaching a Community Protection Notice which banned him from begging in the resort.

He was found guilty of all 13 offences after a trial in his absence by Blackpool magistrates.

His case was adjourned for him to appear at court when an application for a Criminal Behaviour Order agains him will be applied for.

If granted the order would give the authorities greater power over his behaviour.

Mike Caveney, prosecuting for Blackpool Council, said council officers had found Ferris persistently asking members of the public for money.

He was seen begging in Church Street, Ocean Place, Bank Hey Street, The Promenade and St Johns Square.

When told to stop and that his behaviour was unreasonable and detrimental to the resort Ferris was frequently verbally abusive to officers.

A Community Protection Notice was served on him which banned him from begging in Blackpool but he breached the order by continuing to beg. The prosecutor added: “He is a persistent beggar.

“He blights the streets of Blackpool and makes it look unsightly.

“People who come here do not want to be approached by people like this asking for money.

Susan Lehane, 51, theft

A woman stole from a spa consultant’s luggage which had been left in a bedroom at the Imperial hotel.

Susan Lehane, 51, of Riverstone Drive, Wythenshawe, pleaded guilty to theft of underwear, perfume, cosmetics, leggings and costume jewellery and possession of heroin.

She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates who ordered the destruction of the drugs.

Lee Moran, 46, handling stolen property

A Blackpool man faces 10charges of handling stolen property – all builder’s tools and equipment.

Lee Moran. of Withnell Road, had his case adjourned until December 7 by Blackpool Magistrates who granted Moran bail on condition he keeps a curfew at his address.

Sarah Greaves, assault

A woman has appeared before Blackpool Magistrates charged with assaulting her own sister.

Sarah Greaves is charged with assault and also with assaulting the woman’s husband.

Greaves’ case was adjourned until January 27 when she will stand trial.

She was bailed to an address on Livingstone Road, Blackpool in the meantime.