Santa is in high demand at this time of year.

When he is not busy making his naughty and nice list and packing presents, he is visiting good girls and boys.

Check out our guide of the 10 best places to meet Father Christmas and his little helpers.

1. Brockholes Nature Reserve, Junction 31 of M6, Preston, Saturday and Sunday until December 18, 11am until 3pm.

Each child will receive a present from Santa and there will be an opportunity to take photographs.

Pre-booking is required so make sure you book your appointment early at www.brockholes.org.

Price £6.50.

Children can also have breakfast with Santa from 9am until 11am at weekends. Pre-booking required. Entry is £11.95 for children or £8.95 for adults.

2. St George’s Shopping Centre, Preston, selected days until December 24, 11am until 4pm.

Free entry and includes a gift. It is run by Galloway’s Society for the Blind, with all donations going to the charity.

3. Samlesbury Hall, Preston New Road, Sunday December 11 and 18, 11am until 2pm.

Father Christmas will be popping into his sitting room at Samlesbury Hall, offering Christmas crafts and a small gift.

Entry is £7.

4. Chorley’s Santa Express, Saturday December 10, Saturday and Sunday until December 18, 10am until 4pm.

Hop aboard the Santa Express land train at Union Street and take a wonderful winter journey through Astley Park to meet Father Christmas at Astley Hall and receive a special Christmas gift.

Booking required. The tickets are £7 for children (aged 12 and under) and £3 for adults. If you don’t want to see Santa, you can pay on the day at the land train stop outside Chorley Council’s offices on Union Street or at the land train stop outside the Coach House next to Astley Hall at £3 for children and £3 for adults.

5. Botany Bay, Chorley, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am until 5pm and Thursday December 23, 10am until 5pm and Friday December 23, 12pm until 5pm

Children can visit Santa in his grotto for a magical experience and receive an age appropriate gift plus the opportunity to take your own photographs.

Entry is £6.95 per child.

Advance bookings can be made online at http://www.botanybay.co.uk/VisitSanta or 01257 224 688.

6. Dobbies Garden Centre, Clifton, selected days, 11am until 5pm.

A standard ticket is £6.99 or a Lego gift entry is £10.99. Booking is required - weekends are sold out already.

To book visit www.dobbies.com/event-booking

7. Nicktoons Christmas Grotto and Ice Skating, Blackpool, until December 24, 11am until 4pm.

The Grotto is a festive, enchanted, Winter Wonderland full of magic and sparkling lights. Santa Claus will be paying a visit to give every good boy and girl a Blackpool Pleasure Beach Diamond Pass for the 2017 season and a special Nickelodeon gift.

Families can have their photo taken with the Nickelodeon characters, visit the Arena for ice skating fun.

Cost is £10.99 per person, when booked online in advance of visit or £12.99 on arrival.

8. Farmer Parr’s Animal World, Fleetwood, until December 24, 10am until 5pm.

Children can meet Santa and Rudolph at the farm for £5. Children under one are free.

The barn is transformed into a winter wonderland with a nativity scene,

Breakfast is available at £15 per child on Sunday December 11 and December 17 and 18, 8.45am until 10.15am.

Call 01253 874389 to book.

9. Rufford Old Hall, Liverpool Road, weekends until December 18, 11am until 4pm.

Entry is £4 per child to visit Father Christmas.

Normal admission to the hall applies.

10. Santa Cruises

Lancaster Canal Boats, Barton Grange Garden Centre, Garstang Road, December 19, 4pm until 6pm.

Santa and Queen Elsa chat to all the children individually whilst the adults indulge in some mulled wine/hot beverage with mince pies. Each child receives a special personalised present along with magic reindeer food and has a souvenir photograph taken with Santa.

On the return journey the children have a Christmas drawing competition and enjoy a game of pass the parcel and Ask Santa/Elsa.

Includes a party bag. Tickets are £20 or £22 with a snack pack.

Canal Boat Cruises, Riley Green Marina, Bolton Road, Hoghton, December 23, noon, 2pm or 4pm.

There will be fun, singing and festivities as Santa comes on board to meet each child individually and talk to them about what they want for Christmas.

The cost is £15 per child or adult. Adults will be served a hot drink or mulled wine and mince pies, with soft drinks, biscuits and treats for the children plus their own present from Santa.

For more information contact Ellie on 01254 202967 or email us info@canalboatcruises.co.uk

Cash-strapped Blackpool Council made almost £4m from drivers parking in the resort last year, it can today be revealed.

The council’s surplus from parking charges and penalty notices has risen steadily in recent years – and far outstrips the amount raised by any other Lancashire authority.

Parking operations provide town hall bosses with a stream of income – £3.7m in 2015/16, up from £3m the year before – at a time when budget cuts are forcing them to make savings of £18.7m.

The figures, published today by the RAC, show motorists in the resort are among the biggest contributors to council coffers in the country.

Only one other Lancashire council makes a seven-figure sum from parking operations.

The amount brought in by charges and penalty notices according to the study rose from £3m the previous year and provides a significant income stream at a time when councillors are being forced to make £18.7m of cuts.

The RAC’s figures show that in Fylde the figure collected rose from £303,000 to £347,000 while in Wyre it fell from £481,000 to £324,000.

Preston collected £638,000 while Blackburn gathered £443,000 and Lancashire County Council £661,000.

Westminster council collected the most at £55.9m and rival seaside town Brighton collected £20,1m.

Fylde and Wyre Councils both queried the RAC’s figures, saying actual profits were lower than had been suggested.

Fylde Council said it made £300,535 in 2015/16, up from £259,827 in the previous 12 months.

A spokesman said: “This income is returned to the council’s general accounts and used to off-set the costs of other council services – costs that would otherwise need to be met by local council tax payers.”

Wyre Council did not provide a comment but said its ‘fuller’ figures showed profits fell from £204,521 to £139,828 last year.

In Blackpool, Coun Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Economic Development said: “The money the council receives from either car parking or parking fines is re-invested back into essential highway services.

“If we did not generate this income we would not be able to run the services that matter to local residents, it’s as simple as that.

“Car parks are a great asset to us that can generate income year after year to support activities such as maintaining the roads.

“With millions of visitors coming to Blackpool every year it is not surprising that we have more car parks, being used more often than anywhere else in Lancashire.”

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “These numbers might seem eye-wateringly large, but in part they reflect the growing competition for space in many of our towns and cities.

“In 1995 there were only 21.4 million cars on Britain’s roads, today there are 30.7 million.

“Parking charges are one of the tools councils use to keep traffic moving whilst also allowing people reasonable and affordable access to high street shops and other facilities.

“The good news is that any profit generated by councils from on-street parking must by law be spent on transport-related activities, and as every motorist knows there’s no shortage of work that needs doing.”

Around a fifth of Lancashire’s domestic violence victims are men – and campaigners say they are desperately in need of safe places to go.

There are only 19 organisations nationally offering refuge or safe house provision for men - a total of 78 spaces.

Two new beds will be available in Lancashire as charity Safenet launches a safe house in response to the increased number of men coming forward for help.

The number of referrals to Lancashire police is estimated to be 5,200, up from 4,817 last year but down on 6,003 in 2014. Mark Brooks, chairman of charity ManKind, says more needs to be done to help male victims. He said: “The charity does not believe that services or funding should be taken from female victims of domestic abuse and given to male victims - there needs to be more funding for all victims.”

In 2014 Fylde Coast Women’s Aid employed its first specialist male independent domestic violence advisor to support men dealing with domestic abuse in Blackpool and surrounding areas after getting funding from the Big Lottery Fund to extend our remit and offer a support service to male victims.

Tina Hibbard, service manager, said: “In the second year of the project, the number of self-referrals doubled from 13 per cent to 26 percent with 47 men receiving one to one support. In June 2015, we supported our first victim from a black and ethnic minority background and our first gay victim the following month.”

Det Supt Andrew Webster, head of the Public Protection Unit at Lancashire Police, said: “It is important to stress that anybody can be affected by domestic abuse and anyone can be an abuser. It doesn’t just happen to women – men can be, and are, victims too, whether their partner is a man or woman. We are very fortunate in Lancashire the domestic abuse services commissioned by Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council, along with numerous other ‘self-funded’ domestic abuse services around the county, offer support services to male victims of domestic abuse.

“It is accepted nationally men can be reluctant to say they are victims and worry they won’t be believed.

“What I would say to these men is that there is more help out there than they might think. The key is to talk to someone.

“The start of this can be reporting any issues to the police.You may feel as though you are the only one to have experienced this sort of abuse, but this is not the case. It is okay to be frightened, confused and hurt. Please don’t suffer in silence – let someone know.”

nYou can contact Safenet at http://safenet.org.uk/ or ManKind via http://new.mankind.org.uk/ and 01823 334244.

Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court from December 08.

John Ellis, 63, indecent assault

A man his 60s touched a schoolgirl’s backside as she paid for goods at a Blackpool shop.

John Ellis, 63, of Belmont Avenue, Poulton, pleaded guilty to sexually touching the 14-year-old girl.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said the girl was in her school uniform paying for items at a shop counter on September 16, when Ellis touched her over her clothing.

She was upset, went home and told her mother.

When interviewed by police Ellis admitted touching the girl sexually and said he could not help himself.

Ellis’s defence lawyer said the defendant, who had no previous convictions, had learning difficulties and had been to a special school when he was young.

Ellis, who had never been treated for his disability, had expressed his regret at what he had done.

He said he had never had an inclination to commit such an offence previously.

He was bailed for pre-sentence reports and will be sentenced in the New Year by magistrates.

James Levett, 26, driving while disqualified, no insurance

A driver was caught behind the wheel of a car in a routine check seven months after he had been banned from the road.

James Levett, 26, of Dalkeith Avenue, Marton, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified without insurance.

He was sentenced to a 12 months community order with 200 hours unpaid work for the community, ordered to pay £85 costs with £85 victims’ surcharge and had six motoring penalty points put on his licence by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said police stopped Levett on November 1 at 8pm. for a routine documents check as he drove an MG ZR on East Park Drive.

Levett immediately admitted he had been disqualified in April for 12 months for an offence of drink-driving.

David Charnley, defending, said his client had immediately co-operated with police and pleaded guilty.

Levett had driven only a short distance and it was an isolated incident.

Loren Sirbu, 21, drink-driving

A man accused of driving while unfit through drink and having no insurance has appeared at court.

Loren Sirbu, 21, of Pleasant Street, North Shore, had his case adjourned by Blackpool magistrates so an interpreter could attend.

Markus Pemberton, 21, drink-driving

A carer was more than twice over the alcohol limit when he drove home after having a meal with his girlfriend.

Markus Pemberton, 21, of Rosebery Avenue, South Shore, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from driving for 22 months, fined £120 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said police stopped Pemberton as he drove a Seat Leon on Highbury Road on November 20 at 1am. A breath test showed 86 micrograms of alcohol in his body - 35 is the limit.

Steven Townley, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had acted out of character when he stupidly decided he was fit to drive back home after going out for a meal. The driving ban would have a great effect as Pemberton cared for his mother and sister.

Lee Moran, 46, handling stolen goods

A man who managed to stay off heroin for 11 years suddenly started taking the drug again, a judge heard.

Lee Moran funded the habit by handling stolen goods- work tools- stolen from vans and garages at night.

Moran, 46, of Withnell Road, South Shore, admitted 10 offences of handling stolen goods.He pawned the items after receiving them from a third party District Judge Jeff Brailsford heard at the town’s magistrates court.

The judge told Moran: “You put your needs for drugs above the need for justice and honesty.”

Moran was given a 20 weeks jail term suspended for a year. He must undertake 20 days rehabilitation which will include drug rehabilitation.

Sarah Perkins,prosecuting,said that Moran received just over £1,000 from two pawnshops for the tools.

Hugh Pond, defending, said: “The money was used by my client to buy drugs.

“He used his own name and address when pawning the items and he must have known the transaction were on CCTV.”

Luke Clayton, 24, drink-driving

A graphic designer was found by the side of the road when he crashed his car at St Annes after drinking.

Luke Clayton, 24, of Wharfdale, South Shore, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from the road for 19 months, fined £120 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said police came across Clayton on November 19 at 2am at the side of Headroomgate Road.

His Renault Clio had clearly hit the pavement and had a damaged wheel.

A breath test showed he was more than twice over the limit with 73 micrograms of alcohol in his body - 35 is the limit,

Stephen Duffy, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had been to a pub about six minutes away from his home where a friend was DJ-ing.

Stupidly Clayton decided to drive home and believed his car skidded on black ice.

He had rung for a breakdown truck to recover his vehicle and was waiting for that when the police arrived.

Ashley Ryan, 21, criminal damage

A man banged on a window at Blackpool’s Street Life overnight shelter with a brick and broke it.

Ashley Ryan, 21, of Great Howard Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to causing damage.

He was given a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 compensation with £50 costs plus £20 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said Ryan was seen on CCTV hitting a window at the Street Life overnight shelter with a brick on May 10.

Defence lawyer, Patrick Nelligan, said his client had been frustrated because he was trying to get accommodation.

Christopher Blackledge, 26, drunk and disorderly

A man was arrested after causing a fracas in McDonalds in Blackpool.

Christopher Blackledge, a joiner, 26, of Wigan Lane, Wigan, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was fined £66 with £85 costs by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Andrea Fawcett, said on November 11 at 5.45am police were called to McDonalds, Bank Hey Street, where staff had been having difficulties with the defendant.

Lancashire County Council workers are being offered an unexpected ‘reward’.

They can bag £500 if they can help to recruit experienced social workers to the council children’s service.

The council has enlisted the help of its own staff as ambassadors to spread the word about vacancies in its children’s social care team.

Details of the cash incentive are now posted on the council’s staff intranet. In addition the council recently mounted an £11,000 recruitment campaign.

The council is still reeling from Government watchdog Ofsted’s verdict in November 2015, when the county’s children’s services were judged ‘inadequate’ and the council was told it had too many inexperienced social workers. Recent reports have noted some good progress is being made.

Coun Geoff Driver, leader of the Tory opposition group, raised the payments issue at a cabinet committee on performance improvement on Monday, saying: “We’re actually offering a reward to our staff of £500 if a recommendation of theirs leads to the appointment of a social worker with three years’ experience.

“I’m disappointed we’ve to give our own staff, who are aware of our problems, £500 to get their friends to come and work for us. That’s what I find difficult to swallow. I’ve been in local government a long time and I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

Coun Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Schools, said: “Social workers tend to know each other. The idea came to the Improvement Board and the suggestion was £250, but I said it was not enough. People have not only got to come, they’ve to stay.”

Partnership manager Richard Cooke said the scheme helped put the council in touch with experienced social workers

Coun leader Coun Jenny Mein said research showed the county council’s social workers were keen to work for Lancashire but recruitment problems were a national issue. She said: “There’s a huge amount of competition from other authorities who are all equally struggling. It’s a bit like doctors at accident and emergency. It’s a national problem – there are not enough social workers.”

After the meeting Coun Tomlinson said getting high quality staff in was ‘absolutely vital’. He added: “I’m prepared to look at any strategies or initiatives that can help Lancashire recruit and keep the very best people.”

Ofsted will return on January 11 and 12 to assess how improvement work is progressing.

It's nearly Christmas but don't panic, we've got all the details of Blackpool's late night shopping and free or reduced parking days here.

Late night shopping

Houndshill Shopping Centre

Shoppers will be able to stock up on Christmas goodies until 9pm on Thursday evenings throughout December at Houndshill Shopping Centre. Visitors to the centre will also be able to park for £1 from 5pm on late nights.

Late night shopping days at Houndshill are:-

Thursday 15 December 9am-9pm

Thursday 22 December 9am-9pm

Thursday 29 December 9am-9pm

The centre will be open from 9-6pm on other days Monday to Saturday and and from 10.30am-4.30pm on Sundays.

Freeport Fleetwood

Freeport Fleetwood will be open for late night Christmas shoppers until 8pm on Thursdays (9pm on 22) throughout December.

The centre will be open from 10am until 6pm on other week days and from 11am to 5pm on Sundays.

Parking is free at Freeport Fleetwood with 700 car spaces and 10 coach spaces.

Public transport offers

Blackpool Transport is also offering £1 travel on bus and tram journeys to or from Blackpool Town Centre on late night shopping nights this Christmas.

Travellers will pay just £1 on any journey going to, or leaving Blackpool Town Centre on December 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5pm until midnight.

The £1 fare offer also applies all day Sunday December 4, 11 and 18.

Jane Cole, Managing Director at Blackpool Transport said “Blackpool has such a diverse range of local shops, eateries and entertainments venues and we want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to enjoy these delights over the festive period. By offering journeys for just £1 we believe it is the cheapest and most stress free way of doing your Christmas shopping this year”.

Parking

Shoppers can park for a pound on Thursdays and Sundays in four town centre car parks – West Street, Central, Talbot multi-storey and East Topping Street.

This offer will run on the four Thursday late night shopping events on December 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5pm until midnight. Joining in with the Thursday night offer, the Houndshill Shopping Centre car park will also be a pound to park from 5pm – midnight.

All day Sunday December 4, 11 and 18 are also included in the Park for a Pound offer in the four Council town centre car parks.

A £450,000 Highways England project to give drivers using the M55 in Lancashire better warnings about congestion, incidents and bad weather has been completed.

Five electronic variable message signs, which can display pictures as well as words, have been installed along the eastern end of the motorway between Junction One at Broughton and the interchange with junction 32 of the M6.

The new signs will allow Highways England traffic officers to give clearer information – with the internationally-recognised symbols helping to warn drivers of dangers ahead including accidents, congestion, snow and ice, high winds or an increased skid risk.

Serial killers are like seismic political events triggered by popular votes, aren’t they? You wait ages for one, then two come along at once.

On the BBC, we have been chilled by balding, shuffling Tim Roth as the Rillington Place murderer, Reg Christie.

Meanwhile, over on ITV, a new drama looked at the odd case of Peter Manuel, a spree killer who terrorised the lowlands of Scotland in the mid-1950s, and was dubbed “the Beast of Birkenshaw”.

Who do I know this? Because I was watching In Plain Sight (ITV, Wednesdays, 9pm) while also reading about the case on a certain online encyclopaedia.

The problem with both Rillington Place and this latest offering is that neither seem to offer an explanation for the horrific crimes of Christie and Manuel.

The stories are episodic and allude to things the characters obviously know about, but the viewer doesn’t. And this is why you need to watch both dramas with one eye on the TV, and another on what I am reliably informed should be called a digital platform.

In Plain Sight suffers in comparison with Rillington Place, not least perhaps because the case it centres on is not as well known, at least this side of the border.

However, while it has some impeccable period touches, it doesn’t have the same impression of a country still recovering from the devastating impact of war, the same dank desperation, the same claustrophobic chill.

The two leads – Martin Compston as Manuel and Douglas Henshall as the cop trying to nail him for his crimes – are excellent. Compston in particular – sporting his native Scottish accent, rather than his Line of Duty mockney – has a certain oily charm.

Unfortunately, the scheduling clash has not done In Plain Sight any favours, and Rillington Place will undoubtedly take most of the plaudits.

You may moan about this particular outcome, but – as well all know now – you can’t overturn the will of the viewers. And I don’t think we can take that to the Supreme Court.

A man who took pictures of himself sexually abusing a girl and made another pose for him has been jailed for 12 years.

Stanley Jade, 45, formerly of Cleveleys but whose address was listed in court as HMP Preston, held his head in his hands as Preston Crown Court heard how police officers found vile pictures of him abusing a girl – while another was present.

Judge Heather Lloyd said he was a dangerous offender and imposed the 16 year extended sentence period, including four years on licence.

Jade, described as a house husband with alcohol problems, was reported to police by a mother who alleged he made lewd comments to her son and daughter. He was not charged over the claims as more serious crimes came to light.

Judge Lloyd said he had a perverse and distorted view of his offending and ‘lied’ to police. She added: “In the summer some children complained to their parents you had behaved and spoken to them inappropriately.

“What they alleged was bad enough but what was uncovered is far more serious and involves three little girls.

“When you were later arrested you said you were glad everything was out in the open – but you hadn’t told police what they would really find.

“You were sexually excited by sexually abusing these children.”

Prosecuting, Peter Barr said a Fylde mum contacted police on June 14 last year reporting concerns Jade had made sexual comments to three children and pulled a little boy’s trousers down.

He was arrested and items including a PC tower and cameras were seized from his home. In a police interview he admitted he had been viewing images of “clothed” children.

However a search of the camera revealed he had taken pictures of a young girl performing an act on him and he was identified by a woolly jumper he owned.

Other pictures showed another child he made to pose for him. A third child was present watching the abuse on some of the images. All were under 10.

When he was arrested again he made no comment in interview. However, at Preston Crown Court he pleaded guilty to raping a child, sexual activity in the presence of a child, assaulting a child, and three counts of possessing indecent images, some at the most serious category in law.

He also admitted possessing prohibited images of children and extreme pornography. Julie Taylor, defending, said Jade had been a victim of abuse as a child himself but could not explain his attraction to children.

She added: “He has been candid admitting he was abusing one of the girls over a 12-month period. The defendant knows there is no excuse for his behaviour. His only explanation into crossing that barrier is he had extended into depression and alcoholism.”

After the hearing, Det Con Steve Gelson, from Blackpool’s Public Protection Unit called Jades’ offences ‘extremely disturbing’, adding: “He is a predatory sex offender who showed a sickening penchant for abusing children to the point of taking pictures of himself in the act for his own pleasure.

Jade betrayed the trust of these children, particularly the one he raped, in the most horrendous way and the personal impact on her going forward is unknown as she is still a just a young girl.”

He added: “We are committed to tackling child sex abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice and I would urge anyone who has been a victim to come forward and report it to us. We take all reports seriously and we ensure that victims are treated sensitively and professionally at all times.”

A pensioner arrested for having vile images of child abuse told his wife: “I’ve only been viewing them for a couple of weeks.”

Preston Crown Court heard Ian Cameron, 68, was arrested at his then home in Styan Street, Fleetwood, after police received intelligence about indecent images of children.

As he was cautioned and his computer equipment was seized he shouted the remark to his wife.

Peter Barr, prosecuting, revealed investigators later found he had been accessing the images as far back as 2005, though it was accepted there had been a very long period between him viewing them.

They included 88 at the most serious category in law, 54 at category B and 114 at category C and extreme pornography involving animals.

Jailing him for nine months, Justice William Davis said: “These were very serious crimes involving young children being abused by other people and your actions perpetuates the activities of those who desecrate the lives of young children.”

The grandfather was found to be hoarding more than 5,000 DVDs, some which contained 247 extreme images of people committing indecent acts with a chicken, pig, donkey, horse, dog and other animals.

Defending him, Richard Archer said: “It is a sad state of affairs when a man of 68, in failing health, is before a court for the first time when that man has worked hard up until his retirement.”

He revealed his wife still supported him, though the couple are separated.

Cameron, of Edenvale Avenue, Bispham, pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent photographs of children, possessing 282 indecent photographs of children, possessing extreme pornography and having a prohibited picture of a child.

The offences took place between March 2005 and November last year.

He was given a sexual harm prevention order and will be subject to notification requirements for 10 years.

Hospital bosses have apologised to the family of a woman who died after she was not seen by doctors for three days – because they didn’t know she was there.

Patricia Fowler, 75, was admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with a broken arm but left on the cardiac ward because of a bed shortage.

An internal report into the incident, seen by The Gazette, reveals how the grandmother developed two deadly infections because an administrative error meant her name was left off the consultants’ list of patients.

By the time she was finally seen, Mrs Fowler, of Warren Street, Fleetwood, had developed pneumonia and sepsis, which caused her death two days later on January 15.

Her son, Scott, 38, today said: “This has devastated us. You don’t die from a broken arm. You die from pneumonia and sepsis, and she got those because she was left on that ward without doctors’ reviews. If she had been seen, or a nurse noticed she hadn’t been seen, she would still be here now.”

A spokesman for the trust which runs the hospital said lessons had been learned and passed on ‘sincere condolences and apologies’ to Mrs Fowler’s family.

Mrs Fowler, a retired widow whose husband Brian died in 2006, went to A&E on January 4 after falling, and was admitted to hospital.

She was discharged two days later with plans to attend a fracture clinic the following week, but was readmitted on January 9 after being referred back by her GP with hyponataemia – low sodium – and worsening back pain.

After being admitted to the Acute Medical Unit, she was transferred to Ward 39, a cardiac ward, shortly before 3am on January 10.

She was seen two days later in the fracture clinic, but not reviewed by a consultant until January 13, when she was seen following ‘an acute deterioration’, the hospital’s serious incident report (SUI) said.

It said: “At this time, blood tests showed deterioration in both kidney and liver function. The patient was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ITU) with severe sepsis and placed on a ventilator.

“The patient’s observations while on the ward showed signs of deterioration, including low blood pressure, and impaired liver and kidney function. This deterioration does not appear to have been acted upon.”

Angela Russell, medical secretary in the Care of the Elderly department, said patients’ names were written on a white board in the bed managers’ office, before the patients were shared among the consultants.

At the end of November, the list started to be sent by email – possibly because the number of patients had increased, she said in a statement to Blackpool coroner Alan Wilson, who recorded a narrative conclusion.

The list contained names, but no hospital numbers, NHS numbers, or date of birth, she added.

“In this particular case there had been a patient with the same forename, which appeared in exactly the same place on the emailed list,” Ms Russell said.

“When going through the list, it was not obvious that the patient’s surname had changed. I did not notice this and neither did any of the Care of the Elderly consultants.”

One medic, Matthew Bowker, told the investigation there was ‘obviously no proper handover of care between medical shifts’, and said: “[Mrs Fowler’s] observations and blood tests during this period show warning signs of deterioration, including low blood pressure and impaired kidney and liver function, but this was not picked up on.

“It could be argued that had a proper timely review taken place, the severity of her deterioration could have been prevented, and she may have avoided admission to intensive care.”

Anaesthetist Dr Matthew Bowker said he expressed concerns after Mrs Fowler wasn’t ‘reviewed by a member of her medical team’ from the time she was moved on to the cardiac ward until three days later.

And Dr Anju Mirakhur described the confusion as to who was responsible for looking after her.

He said Mrs Fowler was assigned to the Care of the Elderly team but was not seen on January 10, 11, or 12, before several calls were made to doctors on the 13th, which meant she was seen at 2.50pm, 8pm, and 10pm.

She died two days later on January 15, with a post mortem examination ruling the course of death as sepsis, and pneumonia, with her broken arm a contributing factor.

A funeral service was held at Carleton Crematorium on Friday, February 5.

In a letter to Mr Fowler, of Dronsfield Road in Fleetwood, the hospital’s chief executive Wendy Swift apologised and said the internal investigation ‘identified where lessons can be learnt’.

She wrote: “I understand our solicitors have made a formal admission of liability in relation to the care afforded to your mother, which fell below a standard she could have reasonably expected to have received.

“I deeply regret the standard of care was inadequate on this occasion, and that as a result your mother passed away.

“I once again with to apologise unreservedly to you and your family, for the impact the failings have had, and will continue to have, on your lives.”

In a statement, the trust said: “Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has admitted liability in this matter and has passed on its sincere condolences and apologies to Mrs Fowler’s family.

“A full investigation was carried out into the circumstances of Mrs Fowler’s hospital journey and a number of changes have been implemented as a result of the findings of that investigation.”

It did not say what measures were specifically introduced to prevent a repeat, despite being asked by The Gazette.

It's nearly Christmas but don't worry, we've got everything you need to sort out your last minute Christmas shopping here.

We've put together a handy list to tell you where and when you can find some last minute bargains before Christmas in Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Blackpool and Wigan. We've also put in some information about cheaper or free parking and when you can take advantage of these great offers in and around Lancashire.

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool ONE

Saturday 26 November – Sunday 18 December: 9am – 9pm weekdays, 9am – 8pm Saturdays, Sunday’s trading hours remain the same 11am – 5pm

Monday 19 – Friday 23 December: 8am – 9pm

Saturday 24 December: 8am – 5pm

CHRISTMAS DAY: CLOSED

Monday 26 December (Bank Holiday): 10am – 6pm

Tuesday 27 December (Bank Holiday): 10am – 8pm

Wednesday 28 – Friday 30 December: 9.30am – 8pm

Saturday 31 December: 9.30am – 6pm

NEW YEAR’S DAY: 11am – 5pm

Monday 2 January (Bank Holiday): 10am – 6pm

Tuesday 3 January: Return to normal store opening hours

*Please note that some store exceptions apply with extended opening hours.

MetQuarter

Mon 12th Dec 9.30am to 8pm

Tues13th Dec 9.30am to 8pm

Wed 14th Dec 9.30am to 8pm

Thur 15th Dec 9.30am to 9pm

Fri 16th Dec 9.30am to 8pm

Sat 17th Dec 9.30am to 7pm

Sun 18th Dec 11am to 5pm

Mon 19th Dec 9.30am to 8pm

Tue 20th Dec 9.30am to 8pm

Wed 21st Dec 9.30am to 8pm

Thur 22nd Dec 9.30am to 9pm

Fri 23rd Dec 9.30am to 8pm

Christmas Eve 8am to 4pm

Christmas Day - CLOSED

Boxing Day 11am to 5pm

St John's Shopping Centre

Monday - Saturday: 9am - 7pm

Sunday: 11am - 5pm

Cheshire Oaks

Monday - Friday: 9am - 10pm

Saturday: 9am - 8pm

Sunday: 10am - 6pm*

*Due to Sunday trading laws larger stores are open from 11am - 5pm on Sundays

This includes Nike, Next, Clarks, Polo Ralph Lauren, Jacques Vert, Moss, Adidas, M&S, Gap, Superdry, Hugo Boss Menswea

Christmas Eve: 9am - 5pm

Christmas Day: Closed

Boxing Day: 8am - 7pm

New Years Eve: 9am - 5pm

New Years Day: 11am - 5pm

MANCHESTER

Arndale Centre

The Arndale Centre will be open for Christmas shopping at the following times until Friday 23 December.

Monday to Fridays 9am to 9pm

Saturdays 9am to 8pm

Sundays 11.30am to 5.30pm

INTU Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre will be open for shopping at the following times in the run up to Christmas.

Friday 9 December 10-10pm

Saturday 10 December 10-10pm

Sun 11th Dec 12-6pm

12th Dec - 23 December Mon - Fri 9am to 11pm Saturdays 10am-10pm and Sundays 12pm-6pm.

24 Dec 9am to 5pm

Christmas Day - CLOSED

PRESTON

Late night shopping days

St George's shopping centre - Fishergate/Lune Street/Friargate, Preston, PR1 2TU

St George's shopping centre will be open for late night shopping every Wednesday and Thursday until 8pm from now until Christmas. On late nights shoppers can park for free for three hours from 5pm. There will be an additional late night until 8pm for last minute Christmas shoppers at St George's on Friday 23 December.

Full details are below.

Sun 4th Dec10am to 5:30pm - Free parking for up to three hours

Mon 5th Dec 8am to 6:30pm

Tues 6th Dec 8am to 6:30pm

Wed 7th Dec 8am to 8:00pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Thur 8th Dec 8am to 8:00pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Fri 9th Dec 8am to 6:30pm

Sat 10th Dec 8am to 6:30pm

Sun 11th Dec 10am to 5:30pm - Free parking for up to three hours

Mon 12th Dec 8am to 6:30pm

Tues13th Dec 8am to 6:30pm

Wed 14th Dec 8am to 8:00pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Thur 15th Dec 8am to 8:00pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Fri 16th Dec 8am to 6:30pm

Sat 17th Dec 8am to 6:30pm

Sun 18th Dec 10am to 5:30pm - Free parking for up to three hours

Mon 19th Dec 8am to 6:30pm

Tue 20th Dec 8am to 7:00pm

Wed 21st Dec 8am to 8:00pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Thur 22nd Dec 8am to 8:00pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Fri 23rd Dec 8am to 8:00pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Christmas Eve 8am to 5:00pm

Christmas Day - CLOSED

Boxing Day 9am to 5:00pm

Please note, individual store times may vary from the centre opening times. Free parking this Christmas at St George's: Max free stay 3hrs, normal tariff applies thereafter.

Fishergate shopping centre - Fishergate, Preston PR1 8HJ Fishergate shopping centre will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays until 8pm from now until Wednesday 28 December. There will also be some additional late nights in the run-up to Christmas.

Full details are below.

Sun 4th Dec 11am to 5pm

Mon 5th Dec 9am to 6pm

Tues 6th Dec 9am to 6pm

Wed 7th Dec 9am to 8pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Thur 8th Dec 9am to 8pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Fri 9th Dec 9am to 6pm

Sat 10th Dec 9am to 6pm

Sun 11th Dec 11am to 5pm

Mon 12th Dec 9am to 7pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Tues 13th Dec 9am to 7pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Wed 14th Dec 9am to 8pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Thur 15th Dec 9am to 8pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Fri 16th Dec 9am to 7pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Sat 17th Dec 9am to 7pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Sun 18th Dec 11am to 5pm

Mon 19th Dec 9am to 8pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Tue 20th Dec 9am to 8pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Wed 21st Dec 9am to 8pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Thur 22nd Dec 9am to 8pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Fri 23rd Dec 9am to 8pm - Free parking for vehicle entry after 5pm

Christmas Eve 9am to 5pm

Christmas Day - CLOSED Boxing Day 8:00am to 6pm

Deepdale - Blackpool Road, Preston PR1 6QY Deepdale is open from 9-5pm Mon-Fri and from 9-6pm on Saturdays and 11-5pm on Sundays. Parking restrictions apply on match days. Please note, individual store times may vary from the centres' opening times.

Free parking

More free parking can be found at UCLan until January 2 at its Victoria 2 and Leighton Street car parks until 9pm on weekdays, to 7pm on Saturdays and until 6pm on Sundays. Lancashire County Council’s Arthur Street car park will offer additional free parking each Saturday and Sunday from December 3 until December 18.

BLACKPOOL

Houndshill Shopping Centre

Late night shopping Houndshill Shopping Centre Shoppers will be able to stock up on Christmas goodies until 9pm on Thursday evenings throughout December at Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Visitors to the centre will also be able to park for £1 from 5pm on late nights.

Late night shopping days at Houndshill are

Thursday 15 December 9am-9pm

Thursday 22 December 9am-9pm

Thursday 29 December 9am-9pm

The centre will be open from 9-6pm on other days Monday to Saturday and and from 10.30am-4.30pm on Sundays.

Freeport Fleetwood

Freeport Fleetwood will be open for late night Christmas shoppers until 8pm on Thursdays (9pm on 22) throughout December. The centre will be open from 10am until 6pm on other week days and from 11am to 5pm on Sundays. Parking is free at Freeport Fleetwood with 700 car spaces and 10 coach spaces.

Public transport offers

Blackpool Transport is also offering £1 travel on bus and tram journeys to or from Blackpool Town Centre on late night shopping nights this Christmas. Travellers will pay just £1 on any journey going to, or leaving Blackpool Town Centre on December 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5pm until midnight.

The £1 fare offer also applies all day Sunday December 4, 11 and 18.

Parking

Shoppers can park for a pound on Thursdays and Sundays in four town centre car parks – West Street, Central, Talbot multi-storey and East Topping Street. This offer will run on the four Thursday late night shopping events on December 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5pm until midnight. Joining in with the Thursday night offer, the Houndshill Shopping Centre car park will also be a pound to park from 5pm – midnight. All day Sunday December 4, 11 and 18 are also included in the Park for a Pound offer in the four Council town centre car parks.

Poulton-le-Fylde

Late Night Shopping in Poulton-le-Fylde every Thursday evening till 8.00 pm from 27 November - 18 December. Free parking after 6.00 pm

WIGAN

Grand Arcade, Wigan

Late Night Thursdays – open until 8pm every Thursday, ends 22nd December

Extended Opening Times

Wednesday 21st December - 9:00am – 8:00pm

Thursday 22nd December - 9:00am – 8:00pm

Friday 23rd December - 9:00am – 8:00pm

Saturday 24th December - 9:00am – 5:30pm

Christmas Day CLOSED

Free parking

Free parking after 3pm from Monday 14th November until Saturday 7th January in council car parks in Wigan and Leigh. Water Street MSCP, Galleries MSCP, Sovereign Road, Peppermill Lane, Wilton Street, Chapel Lane, Mona Street, Pennyhurst, Haig Street, Trencherfield Mill.car parks.

Free Sunday parking on all the council operated car parks in Wigan town centre, from Sunday, 20th November through to Sunday, 8th January.

Free late night parking on Thursdays until 9pm on The Galleries and Water Street multi-storey car parks from Thursday 17th November to Thursday 22nd December and free parking for the whole of Boxing Day Monday 26th December. For more information see here.

Public Health England has issued a warning to people in the North West as cases of Norovirus increase in the region.

Public Health England (PHE) is reminding people in the North West to take precautions against spreading nororvirus as cases of the virus begin to increase in the region.

Norovirus is the most common cause of infectious viral gastroenteritis in England and Wales, especially at this time of year. The illness is often known as ‘winter vomiting disease’ because the number of cases tends to increase during the winter months.

Dr Rosemary McCann, Deputy Director for Health Protection at PHE North West, said: “Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen an increase in the number of outbreaks of suspected viral gastroenteritis being reported across the North West. As we would expect at this time of the year, we’re seeing a significant number of outbreaks in care homes and outbreaks in schools and hospitals are increasing as well. GPs are also reporting an increase in the numbers of consultations for vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms.

“This isn’t unusual in the winter months and PHE nationally is reporting an increase in the number of cases of norovirus confirmed in laboratory testing of gastroenteritis cases. It’s important that we’re all aware that norovirus and other similar infections are increasing in the community at the moment so we can all do what we can to stop the spread of infection.”

The symptoms of norovirus are vomiting, which is often sudden and “projectile”, diarrhoea and sometimes both. Some people may have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.

“The virus is highly infectious and easily transmitted from one person to another,” Dr McCann said. “It spreads very easily because, when someone is ill, the virus can be spread in aerosol form and contaminate a wide area of surfaces around them. Other people then touch those surfaces, come into contact with the virus and become ill themselves. As a result, norovirus tends to spread rapidly, especially in semi-closed environments where large numbers of people congregate close together, like care homes, schools, hospitals and hotels.

“Although it’s unpleasant, norovirus infection is generally a mild illness and there is no specific treatment, apart from letting the illness run its course. In the vast majority of cases, there is no additional benefit to visiting a GP or A&E department but by doing so, you can risk spreading the infection further in places where there are likely to be people who are more vulnerable to illness.”

The guidance comes after a report, released by Public Health England last week, showed that there have been 1,704 reports of Norovirus across England this season - a 9% increase on the 5-season average for 2011-2016.

PHE advice for avoiding norovirus includes:

- Make sure you wash and dry your hands often and thoroughly, with soap and warm water. Good hand hygiene - whether you have norovirus or not - is important to reduce your risk of catching it – and other viruses around in the winter.

- Don’t rely on alcohol hand gels alone, handwashing is very important.

- Be especially careful to wash your hands after using the toilet or before touching food.

- If you have vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms:

- It is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially in the very young or the elderly. Remember you need to drink more than unusual to replace fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea

- Consult a pharmacist for advice on over-the-counter medicines to reduce any fever or aches and pains

- Get plenty of rest

- Stay away from work and keep children away from school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped. Don’t visit vulnerable family or friends, especially people in hospitals or care homes, to reduce the risk of passing the virus on.

There is no specific treatment for norovirus and seeing a doctor is not usually necessary. Don’t visit your GP or a hospital A&E department, to avoid passing the virus on to others. However, if you or your child has symptoms of severe dehydration, has bloody diarrhoea, your symptoms haven’t improved after a few days or you have a serious underlying health condition, telephone your GP or NHS 111 to get medical advice.

- If you are living in the same household as someone who has symptoms:

- Be careful when clearing up after someone who has been ill – wash your hands frequently.

- Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with a household cleaning product.

- Wash any items of clothing, bedding, or towels that could have been contaminated on a separate hot wash, to ensure the virus is killed.

Two fire crews, one from Blackpool and one from South Shore, attended the blaze on Montague Street at around 10am this morning.

They emptied the rubbish from the lorry onto a nearby carpark and extinguished the fire using two hose reels.

They attended the incident for around two hours.

Crew Manager Alastair Cameron said: "People should be very careful about what they put into their rubbish. Items such as Lithiam-ion batteries should always be recycled and never disposed of through a general waste bin as these have the potential to ignite."

Nobody was injured in the incident.

It’s the age old story – we want them on our high streets but fewer and fewer of us use them.

We revealed last week that NatWest is to close its operations in Lytham, Fleetwood, Poulton and Kirkham in June.

The closures are part of a schedule to shut 14 branches across the county. Around seven jobs are set to go locally.

At the Lytham branch two jobs are under threat, in Fleetwood one role could be lost and at Kirkham and Poulton two roles each are under threat.

NatWest said the changes are due because more people are choosing to carry out banking online.

Traders, business people and community leaders voiced their dismay at the decision.

Here’s what our online readers had to say.

Carole Croston: Knott End closed early this year so Poulton was our next nearest which is now closing. Making Cleveleys next nearest. Buses cut over here meaning no bus to cleveleys from Knott End. Don’t know when the bank is supposed to be contacting customers but we haven’t had word from them

Russ Waring: No good for the elderly or infirm who may not be able to get into town to the branch or are not confident with online banking. Just an account number these days, not a person anymore.

Darren Hindle: So run a loss making branch for people who can’t use the net? And the elderly and infirm get bus passes so how is distance an issue?

Exiled boy in Fife: No doubt all the people who throw their hands up in horror at this are the same people who would struggle to recall the last time they were in a bank branch.....the simple and unfortunate truth is that with the rise of online/telephone/mobile banking bank branches are nowhere near as busy as they once were. I mean I’ll honestly admit that the last time I was in at a bank branch was over a year ago to pay in a cheque.

A bank is like any other business - it’s a case of use it or lose it. I mean a butcher, supermarket or a florist would struggle to stay open if the number of folk visiting it was falling.

Horatio Nelson: ‘We have listened closely to feedback from local communities...’ Oh no they haven’t, the only people they listen to are their own accountants, who demand a profit from every branch or else it has to go.

That’s two down, two to go in Poulton now, who’s next, RBS or Barclays? Bankers don’t give a fig for communities or the public, only for profits ... and their fat bonuses of course

People’s Poet: And the moral of this tale? Use it or lose it. Businesses can’t be expected to run, maintain and staff large buildings that only a few elderly people are patronising. Move with the times people.. If you can’t buy a cheap tablet or laptop and learn the basics of online banking etc, you probably shouldn’t be allowed out on your own

Vincent Dyson: With all the online fraud about today, some people prefer to go to the bank, not all people have internet access,

Isabell Currie: Lots of people still go into banks and prefer it that way . Not everyone knows or likes to do it online

Jefferson Graham: A huge impact on a variety of communities

Stuart Reynolds: Why don’t banks operate like food malls, and use one banking hall in a town for multiple operators? Sharing premises.

Marion Hall: How can small privately owned shops manage?

Geraldine Savage: What happens when you do on line banking and it goes wrong or the internet is down?

Rachel Cooper: Online banking is the way forward but not for my 84-year-old gran - it’s the older generation that are losing

Elizabath Prescott: I get paid in cash and make a fair bit of tips so unfortunately I need a bank I can go in.

Steph Courtnage: I’m shocked Kirkham is going, it’s not exactly quiet. I’m annoyed that Lytham is going.. now they expect me to pay £3 parking in either Blackpool or Preston (as well as travelling nearly 10 miles) just to pop into a bank?

A nightclub is today facing a fight for its future after it was suddenly shut down.

Uber in Poulton was immediately closed on Friday when Wyre Council suspended its licence.

It came after ‘serious’ concerns raised by police following an alleged attack at the club.

It is the latest blow to the club’s owner Elliot Simpson who saw his personal licence suspended last year.

Managers and Uber’s legal representatives were due for a fresh showdown with licensing chiefs today after they appealed the shock decision.

The Gazette understands Lancashire Police has raised several concerns over the Vicarage Road venue and the force has confirmed it is investigating an allegation of assault at the nightspot.

Wyre Council confirmed the nightclub’s licence was suspended temporarily on Friday pending a full hearing, which must take place within the next 28 days.

A spokesman said: “On December 9 the Licensing Sub-committee met to determine an application for a Summary Review submitted by Lancashire Constabulary.

“The grounds for review are that in the opinion of a senior police officer the premises are associated with serious crime or serious disorder or both, as the result of incidents that have taken place on the premises.

“The committee decision was to take the interim step of immediate suspension of the premises licence pending a full review hearing.”

Coun Simon Bridge, chairman of the licensing committee at Wyre Council, said the decision had been taken on the strength of the evidence presented.

He said: “We do not take these decisions lightly.

“It would have to be serious for us to do something like this. We would have to ask if it was necessary and proper.

“Uber has a right for us to review what has happened and we will do that.

“We will listen to the case they and their legal representatives have to make and we will again listen to what the police have to say.

“We will look at the situation with fresh eyes.”

Club owner Elliot Simpson was last year found guilty of assaulting a man on his premises.

Following his conviction, in December last year, Mr Simpson transferred the premises licence for Uber to the club’s manager. Since then the manager has acted as the designated premises supervisor for the venue.

Mr Simpson. 46, was fined £1,100 with £620 costs, and ordered to pay a £520 court charge with £110 victims’ surcharge, plus £100 compensation for the victim. He was also given an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting his victim.

His personal licence was suspended for three months.

He declined to comment on the current situation at Uber, pending the outcome of today’s hearing.

Uber, which opened in 2012 on the site of the former Residence club, has several Christmas and New Year events planned which will be under threat if the licence suspension is upheld.

Three lanes out of four are currently closed between junction 31a (Longridge) and 32 (Broughton Interchange) Northbound to allow the road to be resurfaced.

Motorway police closed the M6 northbound and southbound at junction 32 from around 9.30pm near Preston last night.

Five fire crews attended the scene and were met with an intense fire made up of exploding aerosols and tins.

Watch Manager Mark Woodward said: "We could hear and see the intensity of the fire as we approached along the M6. Tins and aerosols were flying all over the highway. Thankfully the swift closure of the motorway by the police meant that no drivers were injured."

"This was an extremely hazardous fire and thankfully our training provides us with the skills and experience to handle it. The driver of the HGV did well to remove the cabin from the trailer to prevent the fire from spreading.

"It was a well coordinated response between the police the fire crews and the recovery services which ensured that no members of the public were injured."

Lane 4 and the Southbound carriageway reopened earlier this morning.

Read M6 closed due to trailer fire

Post Office workers are to stage five days of strikes next week in a dispute over jobs, pensions and branch closures.

The Communication Workers Union said the action will include Christmas Eve.

The union is embroiled in a long-running dispute over job losses, the closure of a final salary pension scheme and the franchising of Crown Post Offices, the larger branches usually sited on high streets.

CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey said: “All of the blame for this unfortunate turn of events is 100% down to the intransigence of the company, who have launched an unprecedented attack on the jobs, job security, and pensions of thousands of hard-working and loyal Post Office workers.

“Our members want the Post Office management to pause its closure and privatisation programme, hold off on its planned pensions changes, and commit to sitting down with us and with the other key stakeholders of this Great British institution and, together, construct a lasting vision.

“We want to work together to build a positive future for the Post Office, its workforce and, of course, the people who we serve.

“The CWU can be a constructive partner to work with, but sadly, the people currently running the company have, so far, chosen the path of conflict and industrial disputes.”

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “Our members are being forced into fighting to save their jobs and this great institution from terminal decline.

“We didn’t want to be in this position, but unless we stand up now, the Post Office as we know it will cease to exist. We are defending the very future of the Post Office in this country.

“We want a Post Office that works for everyone, for communities, for small and medium-sized businesses, and for the people who serve them - our hard-working members, but the people running the Post Office have no serious plan other than further closures and managed decline and we won’t accept that.”

“We will be making a firm proposal for meaningful talks to establish a vision for the future and, if the company respond to that positively, then this dispute can be avoided.”

Hospital staff had their work cut out as they started to wrap the mountain of presents donated by Gazette readers as part of our Give a Gift campaign.

Almost 400 presents have been dropped off so far and are now ready to be delivered to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Christmas Day – but we still need more.

With Christmas Day edging ever closer – and another 313 presents required to ensure every patient at the Vic on December 25 has a gift to unwrap – more donations are urgently needed.

Staff and volunteers spent around four hours wrapping 387 presents yesterday but the appeal won’t be wrapping up just yet.

Ann Hedley, head of fundraising at Blue Skies, the hospital’s charity, said: “I’m pleased with how the appeal has gone so far – but I’m still panicking.

“We still need another 313 presents. We’ve got 136 ladies’ presents, 88 for men and 67 that are for both.

“So we’re looking for men’s gifts in particular but we still need both really.”

However there is one present the team have already wrapped plenty of.

“We wrapped 72 boxes of biscuits,” she added. “We don’t need any more biscuits!”

The Give a Gift appeal has made huge strides since last week, when The Gazette reported donations had topped 150. But with just under two weeks to go that appeal is only just past the halfway mark and still relying on the kindness of readers.

There is still more than a week to get your donations in and ensure every patient in hospital to have a present to open on Christmas morning.

To get involved, you just need to pick up an extra present while doing your Christmas shopping and take it unwrapped to one of the designated drop-off points. For more information, see the panel below.

How to get involved

It’s really as easy as picking up one extra present when you do your Christmas shopping. It doesn’t have to be expensive. A lot of places do ‘buy one get one free’ offers at Christmas time, so you might end up with something spare that somebody in hospital would really appreciate. Then just take 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

• Smyths Toys, Vicarage Lane, Blackpool

• Asda, Cherry Tree Lane, Marton

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 Skies 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.

A Sunday roast is pivotal to a good family get together. No-one would dare say any other roast is as good as your ma's but if you fancy giving her a rest, which pubs offer the best roast dinner?

Vote here.

The best ones for the relevant readership area will be featured in our Lancashire recommends page.

Voting closes at noon on Thursday.