The lane was closed at lunchtime today (13 December) after a vehicle breakdown.
The breakdown affected traffic between junction 3 for Kirkham and junction 1 for Fulwood.
Delays were reported to be severe.
Debt charity, Christians Against Poverty, has launched a list of tried-and-tested ways to avoid festive financial meltdown.
Do you have any top money saving tips? Let us know...
Two fire engines from Fleetwood responded to calls of a fire at a property on Auguton Street in Fleetwood yesterday morning (13 December).
When firefighters arrived at the property at around 5am they found that a bin storage area was on fire.
They used one hose reel to extinguish the fire.
An investigation has been launched to establish the cause but it is believed to be of suspicious origin say fire services.
There were no injuries reported.
Booths supermarket is supporting an annual toy appeal organised by Cash for Kids children's charity.
Mission Christmas encourages supporters to buy just one more children’s gift, and donate it at collection points found in all Booths stores. The presents are then given to local and disadvantaged families to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy opening a special Christmas present.
Last Christmas Mission Christmas raised more than £645,400 in gifts and cash which supported more than 12,500 local children. This year, Booths is aiming to help Mission Christmas beat last year’s fundraising total and help make sure it can help as many children as possible.
Hannah Boucher from Booths said: “We’re asking you to buy just one extra present that Mission Christmas can give to a disadvantaged local child to make their Christmas morning special. All of our stores are official drop-off points for your generous donations to the cause. We need new, unwrapped gifts suitable for children and young people aged 0-18 years. There are plenty of items that you can pop in your trolley during your weekly shop from nappies for babies to toiletries for all ages, from chocolate for teens to coffee for young-adults.”
Booths central office teams will also be volunteering at the Mission Christmas warehouse, packing up gifts for local children.
Click here to find your nearest Booths drop off point. http://www.booths.co.uk/stores/
An X Factor star was more than twice the drink drive limit when he drove away from a gig.
A court heard how Aiden Grimshaw, 26, who reached the live finals of the 2010 show had been performing at a golf club.
Grimshaw of Byfield Avenue, Bispham, was banned from driving for 20 months.
He was breath-tested by police in Blackpool after his VW car was seen parked at an angle on a grass verge in the early hours of the morning at the start of Lancashire Constabulary’s annual festive anti drinking drive campaign.
Grimsha was also fined £ 120 and must pay £115 court costs Blackpool Magistrates ruled.
Prosecutor Andrew Robinson said that at 1-35am police saw Grimshaw’s car on the verge on Forest Gate, Blackpool.
When police approached Grimshaw he said he had been drinking and a breath test revealed 75 micrograms of alcohol in his body – the limit is 35.
Suzanne Mugford, defending, said that her client was a professional musician and singer who was trying to re establish his trade.
“The driving ban will hit him hard as he regularly drove to and from his home to London,” she said.
The lawyer said that on the night of the offence Grimshaw had been playing a gig at a local golf club where he drank two and a half pints.
He had parked his car at the club and did not know whether he could leave it all night.He decided to move it but his battery went flat and he had to pull onto the verge where the police found him.
During his run on the X factor Grimshaw was mentored by Kylie Minogue.He went out in the live stages in the year the competition was won by Matt Cardle.
A teenage motorcyclist has been taken to hospital this evening following a hit and run collision.
The 17-year-old is said to have suffered a broken leg and arm in the incident on Trunnah Road, Thornton-Cleveleys.
A blue Ford Fiesta failed to stop at the scene, said police.
Lancashire Police were alerted of the incident shortly before 5.40pm.
The road was sealed off.
The teenager’s injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
The victim was taken to Royal Preston Hospital.
An Over Wyre man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for a catalogue of sexual offences including the rape and indecent assault of children.
Following an eight-day trial at Preston Crown Court, John McVan, 66, of Sunset Park, Sower Carr Lane, Hambleton, was found guilty of raping a girl under the age of 16.
The offence took place between 1985 and 1986.
He was also found guilty of three counts of indecent assault. The charges relate to a teenage girl, under the age of 16, and took place between 1983 and 1986.
The court heard the offences took place at an address in Cleveleys.
In addition McVan was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child. Those offences took place between 2012 and 2013.
He also admitted four counts of possessing extreme pornography.
He was jailed for a total of 16 years and nine months.
Det Con Kirsty Wyatt, who led the case to bring McVan to justice, said: “We take all cases of sexual abuse seriously no matter how historic and would encourage anyone who feels they have been a victim of abuse or who has information about abuse, whenever it has been carried out, to come forward and report it to us confident in the knowledge they will be dealt with professionally and sensitively.
“This lengthy custodial period shows that significant sentences can be achieved even when the crimes reported are historic.”
McVan was sentenced to 13 years behind bars for the rape, one year for indecent assault, another three years for sexual activity with a child plus nine months for possessing extreme pornography.
He was also sentenced to two years for the other indecent assault charges, three years for the second count of sexual activity with a child and 27 months for the other three counts of possessing extreme pornography – all to run concurrently.
I was brought up in Liverpool and at Christmas time my parents invited someone interesting for Christmas dinner.
They were usually individuals who would have been on their own and seemed glad to join in our family festivities. So it was not a big step to want to follow suit when I had my own family.
We were living on Shadsworth estate in Blackburn nearly 40 years ago and among our Christmas guests was Margaret. Poor Margaret had had a hard life but she had found comfort in the little church on the estate and in having her cigarettes, or nerve steadiers as she called them.
She also had a pronounced lean sideways which made transporting her in the car a little challenging.
We knew that Margaret had a husband John but he was rarely seen. However, on this particular Christmas day, Margaret had accepted our invitation to tea and turned up with John in tow. It was hardly Christmas jumper time as John was wearing a torn string vest, Onslow style, a very stained pair of trousers tied up with string and those pebbly type glasses that were crying out for a clean.
My wife and I made them welcome but within two minutes it was my then two year-old daughter Rachel, generally suspicious of strangers, who went across to sit on John’s knee, smiling. She sat there in gleaming white cardigan, totally oblivious of John’s unkempt appearance and dirty clothes.
I was thrown. Part of me wanted to go and pick my daughter up and rescue her from this situation. Another part of me was transfixed at the way a child had seen past what most adults perceive by outward appearance and was relating happily to John. I believe her childlike friendliness and openness made his Christmas special, much more than our Christmas meal did.
As I reflected on it afterwards I was struck how it revealed something of the Christmas story. The Christ child comes innocent and pure into the midst of stained and broken humanity. He doesn’t hold back. He shares our life. Even while we were still sinners He lived and died for us. I’m sure there must have been times when His heavenly father wanted to protect Him and lift Him out of the situation.
He didn’t of course and so out of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross the chance of the restoration of a broken relationship with God was made possible.
“Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.”
(Christina Rossetti)
Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court.
Francis Mulligan, 40, assault
A police officer will have to endure months of medical treatment to prevent infection after a prisoner spat in his eyes.
Francis Mulligan spat blood and saliva at the officer while he was in a police holding cell having been arrested when he travelled to Blackpool for a boxing tournament his son was taking part in.
Mulligan, a 40-year-old labourer, of Maukinfauld Road, Glasgow, pleaded guilty to assault on police.
He was fined £300 with £85 costs and ordered to pay the police officer £150 compensation with £30 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.
Presiding magistrate, Ronald Bell, told him: “This was a particularly disgusting offence against an officer in the execution of his duty.”
Prosecutor, Andrew Robinson, said police were at Blackpool’s Norbreck Castle hotel on November 27, at 1.20am, when Mulligan became abusive to other guests.
Officers tried to escort him to his hotel room but he resisted and was arrested.
In the police holding cell he kicked out and then headbutted the Perspex screen.
When officers went in to check Mulligan’s head injury he spat blood and saliva in an officer’s face.
The officer had to wash his eyes out with saline and once off duty at 7am he went to hospital for a blood test for hepatitis.
In a victim impact statement the officer said he faced going to his doctor’s for three months for injections against possible hepatitis.
He felt extremely stressed and also developed a stye on his eye where the blood and saliva had contacted with him.
David Charnley, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had been embarrassed and ashamed by his behaviour.
Mulligan believed someone must have put something in his drink because he behaved so out of character. He wishes to apologise to the officer.
Mulligan received injuries during the incident and the defence said the police were a little over zealous with him, but perhaps he deserved it.
Phillip Jones, 25, theft
A father-of-two stole more than £1,000 of property from a woman’s car after he had been drinking.
Phillip Jones, 25, of Grasmere Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to theft.
He was ordered to pay £1,195 compensation by magistrates who imposed no other penalty.
Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said Jones got into a woman’s car which was parked in Blackpool on October 27, and stole two iPads, a satellite navigation system and children’s clothing.
Peter Manning, defending, said Jones had been drinking and was persuaded to steal goods from the car by a far more prolific criminal.
That criminal had taken the majority of the items from the vehicle and Jones had benefited very little.
Jones looked after his children three times a week while his pregnant partner went to college. He had been arrested while looking after the children which had caused them great distress.
Elliott Hargreaves, 19, drink-driving
A teenager missed his first court appearance because he was called to an emergency at his work in Birmingham.
Elliott Hargreaves, 19, of Beach Road, Cleveleys, who is accused of being in charge of a Corsa on the resort’s Grange Road while over the alcohol limit, had his case adjourned by magistrates.
Kieran McIntyre, 26, criminal damage
A man was unable to attend court because he lived in Coventry and had just finished a nightshift magistrates were told.
Kieran McIntyre, 26, of Common Way, Coventry, left a message saying he pleaded guilty to damaging a glass panel in a door valued at £100 in Blackpool.
He was bailed for sentence by magistrates.
Kharena Cooke, 30, drink-driving
A single mother came to police attention when her car was seen kangerooing along a road in Poulton.
Kharena Cooke was found to be more than twice over the alcohol limit when police stopped her.
Cooke, a 30-year-old fast food restaurant worker, of Ormerod Street, Thornton, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol without insurance or a licence.
She was disqualified from driving for 20 months and fined £400 with £30 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.
Prosecutor, Andrew Robinson, said police saw Cooke in a Nissan Micra on Mains Lane, Singleton, on November 27 at 2.20am.
The car appeared to have stalled and had its hazard lights on but it then set off again.
The car stopped and restarted again several times,
When questioned Cooke said she was struggling to control the car which belonged to a woman passenger. A breath test showed 80 micrograms of alcohol in her body - 35 is the limit.
Suzanne Mugford, defending, said Cooke and her friend had been out.
Her friend got quite drunk and Cooke believed it was safer for her to drive the car.
She had made a stupid mistake and apologised.
Cooke had hoped to take driving lessons in the New Year and when she passed her test be able to drive her daughter around but that would now be delayed.
Nicola Lord, 39, theft
A lottery winner has been put on the police wanted list.
Nicola Lord, 39, of Lytham Road, South Shore, who won £250,000 on a scratchcard, is charged with stealing perfume and aftershave valued at £200 from TK Maxx.
She failed to turn up at court for the first hearing of the case and a warrant without bail for her arrest was issued by magistrates
Mary Kelly, 27, drunk and disorderly
A woman accused of assaulting another woman has had a warrant without bail issued for her arrest.
Mary Kelly, 27, of Clifton Drive North, St Annes, is also charged with being drunk and disorderly at the Townhouse pub, St Annes.
The warrant for her arrest was issued by magistrates after she failed to attend the first hearing of her case.
Jamie Hossain, 27, drink-driving
A man accused of driving with excess alcohol failed to turn up at the first hearing of his case. Jamie Hossain, 27, of Linden Avenue, Wigan, had a warrant without bail issued for his arrest.
As the Government publishes the annual primary school performance tables, schools across Blackpool, Wyre and The Fylde are celebrating.
Despite the controversy surrounding last May’s Key Stage Two tests most schools proved they have bucked the national trend and are improving.
Lancashire’s education authority, which includes Wyre and Fylde, is among the top third and the county boasts more good and outstanding schools than both the regional and national averages - especially at primary level.
The performance of primary school pupils in recent national tests has been praised by Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and schools.
County Coun Matthew Tomlinson said: “Once again, the Key Stage Two results are really pleasing.
“Our primary school children are doing well above the national and regional average in the key areas of reading, writing and maths, which is definitely something we can be proud of.
“This shows what excellent work our schools are doing. They have obviously got to grips with a new, and more demanding curriculum, and it is great to see Lancashire children performing so well.
“Well done to all our children, and to their teachers, parents, and school governors. These results are a compliment to all their hard work.”
Changes to the primary school end of Key Stage One and Two tests were steeped in problems caused by a host of changes and last minute alterations to the test and assessment process as well as test papers being leaked online.
This led to some parents and pupils threatening to boycott the tests and teachers, pupils and parents took to the streets to protest.
Although the tests went ahead, the Government revealed that just over half, of the nation’s pupils achieved the expected targets.
The House of Commons Education Committee is carrying out an inquiry into primary assessment.
Although Education Secretary Justine Greening recently made some concessions, following a debacle with last year’s tests which saw boycotts and protest by pupils, the group said they are still deeply flawed and the same tests are set to take place this year.
Almost 200,000 children at primary schools are considered to be underperforming, in the wake of controversial changes to SATs tests, official figures show.
In total, 665 mainstream primaries in England fell below the Government’s floor standard this year, according to the Department for Education (DfE).
The statistics also show wide regional variations, with children in London the most likely to get a decent education, while those in the South West and the East Midlands are the least likely to get access to a good primary school.
The latest data come after a tumultuous year for primary assessment, including major changes to toughen up the tests and concerns raised by teachers and school leaders about pressure on pupils and unreliability of results.
School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said this year’s SATs tests - or national curriculum tests - are the first to test pupils on a new primary curriculum introduced in 2014, which was brought in to “raise expectations” and ensure youngsters get a good grounding in the basics.
But one union leader slammed the results, saying the data “is not worth the paper it is written on.”
Blackpool schools
School name / Number of pupils / Reading - Percentage making expected progress / Writing - Percentage making expected progress / Maths - Percentage making expected progress / Percentage making standard in reading, writing and maths
Anchorsholme Primary Academy / 85 / 67% / 80% / 71% / 58%
Baines’ Endowed Primary School / 66 / 55% / 77% / 76% / 48%
Bispham Endowed CofE Primary / 56 / 79% / 88% / 73% / 66%
Blackpool St John’s CofE Primary / 30 / 97% / 87% / 93% / 77%
Blackpool St Nicholas CofE Primary / 58 / 62% / 72% / 66% / 45%
Boundary Primary School Blackpool / 59 / 32% / 76% / 85% / 27%
Christ The King Catholic Academy / 30 / 70% / 70% / 80% / 60%
Claremont Community Primary School / 59 / 58% / 75% / 68% / 51%
Devonshire Primary Academy / 59 / 49% / 63% / 75% / 44%
Hawes Side Academy Blackpool / 89 / 70% / 88% / 67% / 54%
Holy Family Catholic Primary School / 31 / 71% / 81% / 81% / 61%
Kincraig Primary School Blackpool / 20 / 80% / 95% / 90% / 80%
Langdale Free School Blackpool / 13 / 77% / 85% / 54% / 46%
Layton Primary School Blackpool / 90 / 89% / 7.1 / 84% / 4.1 / 97% / 7.8 / 82%
Marton Primary Academy and Nursery / 56 / 55% / 75% / 61% / 36%
Mereside Primary School Blackpool / 29 / 48% / 76% / 48% / 28%
Moor Park Primary School Blackpool / 60 / 70% / 80% / 72% / 42%
Norbreck Primary Academy / 85 / 62% / 75% / 61% / 49%
Our Lady of the Assumption / 27 / 48% / 67% / 56% / 33%
Revoe Learning Academy Blackpool / 57 / 47% / 72% / 72% / 47%
Roseacre Primary Academy Blackpool / 88 / 64% / 77% / 70% / 51%
St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary / 30 / 67% / 87% / 80% / 57%
St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy / 28 / 43% / 64% / 57% / 39%
St John Vianney’s Catholic Primary / 59 / 61% / 188% / 66% / 47%
St Kentigern’s Catholic Primary School / 29 / 72% / 62% / 69% / 55%
St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School / 28 / 61% / 79% / 54%= / 39%
Stanley Primary School Blackpool / 89 / 49% / 72% / 63% / 38%
Thames Primary Academy Blackpool / 59 / 49% / 73% / 69% / 37%
Unity Academy Blackpool Blackpool / 59 / 51% / 73% / 63% / 34%
Waterloo Primary School Blackpool / 88 / 68% / 83% / 55% / 47%
Westcliff Primary School Blackpool / 30 / 57% / 77% / 77% / 43%
Fylde and Wyre
School name / Number of pupils / % of pupils reaching expected level in maths / % of pupils reaching expected level in reading / % of pupils reaching expected level in writing / Percentage of pupils reaching expected level in Maths, reading and English
Ansdell Primary School / 39 / 92% / 79% / 82% / 67%
Carleton Green Community Primary School / 45 / 76% / 64% / 69% / 51%
Carleton St Hilda’s Church of England Primary School / 30 / 87% / 73% / 93% / 70%
Carter’s Charity Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Preesall / 22 / 50% / 59% / 77% / 41%
Charles Saer Community Primary School / 34 / 74% / 47% / 74% / 41%
Clifton Primary School / 36 / 56% / 50% / 67% / 42%
Fleetwood Chaucer Community Primary School / 38 / 58% / 34% / 71% / 29%
Fleetwood Flakefleet Primary School / 52 / 54% / 38% / 67% / 29%
Great Arley School / 6 / 0% / 0% / 0% / 0%
Hambleton Primary Academy / 32 / 97% / 97% / 97% / 94%
Heyhouses Endowed Church of England Primary School / 83 / 69% / 65% / 77% / 57%
Larkholme Primary School / 28 / 75% / 64% / 82% / 61%
Lytham Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School / 35 / 66% / 74% / 66% / 63%
Lytham Hall Park Primary School / 39 / 90% / 90% / 90% / 85%
Lytham St Annes Mayfield Primary School / 59 / 54% / 49% / 69% / 34%
Northfold Community Primary School / 30 / 83% / 83% / 80% / 70%
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School / 30 / 97% / 100% / 90% / 87%
Poulton-le-Fylde Carr Head Primary School / 34 / 65% / 68% / 71% / 53%
Poulton-le-Fylde St Chad’s CofE Primary School / 35 / 100% / 94% / 89% / 83%
Poulton-le-Fylde the Breck Primary School / 37 / 100% / 97% / 95% / 92%
Preesall Fleetwood’s Charity Church of England Primary School / 20 / 75% / 95% / 85% / 75%
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys / 30 / 70% / 80% / 73% / 60%
Shakespeare Primary School / 57 / 89% / 81% / 72% / 65%
Singleton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School / 15 / 93% / 87% / 93% / 80%
St Annes on Sea St Thomas’ Church of England Primary School / 29 / 90% / 86% / 83% / 69%
St John’s Catholic Primary School, Poulton-le-Fylde / 30 / 93% / 67% / 90% / 67%
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Fleetwood / 18 / 89% / 78% / 83% / 78%
St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Lytham / 32 / 81% / 75% / 78% / 56%
St Wulstan’s and St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery / 42 / 45% / 55% / 67% / 29%
Staining Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School / 32 / 66% / 50% / 63% / 47%
Stalmine Primary School / 11 / 36% / 27% / 73% / 18%
Stanah Primary School / 57 / 79% / 61% / 74% / 53%
Thornton Cleveleys Baines Endowed Voluntary Controlled Primary School / 34 / 94% / 79% / 79% / 74%
Thornton Cleveleys Manor Beach Primary School / 45 / 53% / 51% / 58% / 38%
Thornton Cleveleys Royles Brook Primary School / 43 / 72% / 58% / 67% / 47%
Thornton Primary School / 17 / 59% / 71% / 76% / 53%
Thornton-Cleveleys Red Marsh School / 10 / 0% / 0% / 0% / 0%
Parents have donated more than 50 children’s gifts to Poppy and Jacks nursery as part of the Gazette’s Give a Gift appeal.
This generosity, along with the donation of “hundreds of pounds worth” of toys from Smyths, means that every child in hospital, this Christmas, will have a present to open.
The likes of books and toys were donated, with three Santa sacks being filled, to be handed out on the Children’s Ward and Children’s A&E.
Sarah Nuttall, from Poppy and Jacks said: “All the parents donated a gift. We put it on the door to promote it and all their children brought gifts in.
“I was going to do it myself anyway, but after speaking to the manager, I spoke to the Vic and they put me towards Blue Skies.
“I’ve had a few friends who’ve had children in the Children’s Ward recently and I always like to do something towards helping children.
“It was just something to make someone else’s Christmas a little bit better.”
Katie Simmons, manager at Poppy and Jacks added: “Sarah decided that she wanted to give a little back to other children who weren’t as fortunate as ours.
“It was a nice thing for our children to think about.”
Nicci Hayes, fundraising officer at Blue Skies’, the hospital’s charity, is very thankful.
“We’re really grateful because it’ll make a massive difference for the children in hospital over Christmas.” She said.
“For those in A&E it could be an accident they’ve had on Christmas Eve so it’s nice to give them a present as well.
“Now because of the amount the likes of Poppy and Jacks and Smyths have given us, it makes sure that every child in hospital on Christmas Day will get a present.”
However, the appeal is still very short on presents for elderly patients, with a further 300 needed to ensure nobody is left empty handed.
Nicci added: “We’re covered for toys but we do need lots more ladies and men’s gifts. But we are really pleased and impressed with the amount that we’ve got so far.”
Previous article relating to the Gazette’s Give a Gift appeal
Give a Christmas gift and spread a little happiness
Nolan sister is in the mood for giving
Shop provides festive fun for sick children
What is in a name, after all?
Unless, like some poor unfortunate in Germany, your parents named you Hitler Mussolini.
Ouch.
In reality I believe the name you are stuck with does have a massive influence on you throughout your life and impacts how people view you , until of course they get to know you.
My own pretty standard name has certainly impacted mine, if only if it meant I sat at front of class and was register monitor due to an accident of alphabet – and I’m still stinging from the ignominy of having my BCG innoculation first.
The relatively rare Scottish Adam, without an S, afforded me number one spot on Google searches until I was obliterated by a usurper with an ‘S’ – Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams with whom I will not be picking a fight.
A combination of butter fingers and email confusion means I am now in contact with two Nicola Adams, one in Vancouver and one in Australia.
Both have been recipients of correspondence intended for me, both are of similar age and both are of course, top ladies.
Must be the name..
Of course women named Nicola (Nikki, Nicky, Nic..) are two a penny from my generation, as the name Emily is for seven-year-old girls and Harry is for four year-old boys.
However I can’t help feel for my childhood friends – and twins – Sharon and Tracy whose monikers now epitomise a certain trend in time.
I can’t help feel we all got off lightly compared with (and these are all real people) Destinee Hooker, Harry Bushrod, Jesus Condom and my heart goes out to Dr Shit Fun Choo, his name often abbreviated in esteemed literary publications to Dr SF Chew.
Of course, it can just be hard work if your namesake gets very famous, so sympathy to the Robbie Williams’ and Kate Middletons out there.
In the course of my reporting career I have come across some interesting names – it can’t have been easy for former police chiefs Alf Hitchcock or Graham Gooch, whose names were already pretty much taken.
And as for Harry Balls, I’d blame your parents if I were you..
The winter vomiting bug also know as norovirus, is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK and is particularly common at this time of year - but do you know what to do if you or a loved one catches it?
Norovirus can be very unpleasant but it usually clears up by itself in a few days.
You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.
Try to avoid going to your GP, as norovirus can spread to others very easily. Call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re concerned or need any advice.
Symptoms of norovirus
You’re likely to have norovirus if you experience:
- suddenly feeling sick
- projectile vomiting
- watery diarrhoea
Some people also have a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs.
The symptoms appear one to two days after you become infected and typically last for up to two or three days.
What to do if you have norovirus
If you experience sudden diarrhoea and vomiting, the best thing to do is to stay at home until you’re feeling better. There’s no cure for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course.
You don’t usually need to get medical advice unless there’s a risk of a more serious problem (see When to get medical advice).
To help ease your own or your child’s symptoms:
* Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea – as well as water, adults could also try fruit juice and soup. Avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children as it can make their diarrhoea worse. Babies should continue to feed as usual, either with breast milk or other milk feeds.
* Take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains.
* Get plenty of rest.
* If you feel like eating, eat plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.
* Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets bought from pharmacies if you have signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or dark urine.
* Adults can take antidiarrhoeal and/or anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication – these are not suitable for everyone though, so you should check the medicine leaflet or ask or your pharmacist or GP for advice before trying them.
Babies and young children, especially if they’re less than a year old, have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated. Read advice about looking after babies and children under five who have diarrhoea and vomiting.
Norovirus can spread very easily, so you should wash your hands regularly while you’re ill and stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared, to reduce the risk of passing it on (see Preventing norovirus below).
When to get medical advice
You don’t normally need to see your GP if you think you or your child has norovirus, as there’s no specific treatment for it.
Antibiotics won’t help because it’s caused by a virus.
Visiting your GP surgery with norovirus can put others at risk, so it’s best to call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re concerned or feel you need advice.
Get medical advice if:
* your baby or child has passed six or more watery stools in the past 24 hours, or has vomited three times or more in the past 24 hours
* your baby or child is less responsive, feverish, or has pale or mottled skin
* you or your child has symptoms of severe dehydration, such as persistent dizziness, only passing small amounts of urine or no urine at all, or reduced consciousness – babies and elderly people have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated
* you have bloody diarrhoea
* your symptoms haven’t started to improve after a few days
* you or your child have a serious underlying condition, such as kidney disease, and have diarrhoea and vomiting
Your GP may suggest sending off a sample of your stool to a laboratory to confirm whether you have norovirus or another infection.
How is norovirus spread?
Norovirus spreads very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
You can catch it if small particles of vomit or poo from an infected person get into your mouth, such as through:
* close contact with someone with norovirus – they may breathe out small particles containing the virus that you could inhale
* touching contaminated surfaces or objects – the virus can survive outside the body for several days
* eating contaminated food – this can happen if an infected person doesn’t wash their hands before handling food
A person with norovirus is most infectious from when their symptoms start until 48 hours after all their symptoms have passed, although they may also be infectious for a short time before and after this.
You can get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing, so your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it.
Preventing norovirus
It’s not always possible to avoid getting norovirus, but following the advice below can help stop the virus spreading.
Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed. You should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food. Don’t rely on alcohol hand gels, as they do not kill the virus.
Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated. It’s best to use a bleach-based household cleaner.
Wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash to ensure the virus is killed.
Don’t share towels and flannels.
Flush away any infected poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area.
Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce and only eat oysters from a reliable source, as oysters can carry norovirus.
Popular Fleetwood PCSO Linda Stackhouse is celebrating her 20th year in running an appeal which helps women and children in need.
The Wish Tree Appeal provides some well-needed Christmas cheer to mums and their children in Fleetwood who will be spending the festive period in local refuges.
Last year around two hundred women and their children had a better Christmas – thanks to the generosity of the community. Victims of domestic violence who sought sanctuary in three Fylde Coast refuges received gifts for themselves and toys for their children.
Linda is collecting unwrapped gifts for mums and children aged up to 15, and these can be dropped off at a number of collection points throughout the town.
Fleetwood-based Linda has been a PCSO for some 15 years and before that worked at the town’s Asda store.
She said: “I started helping the Wish Tree Appeal when I was at Asda and this is my 20th year. People in Fleetwood love this charity, the generosity shown each year is overwhelming.
“I get help from groups, businesses and ordinary people. The other day I was given £180 from the stallholders at Fleetwood Market.”
In Fleetwood, collection points include the following:
Fleetwood Police Station; One Stop on Lord Street and Poulton Road; Poundstretchers on Lord Street; Ideal Dental Care on Dock Street; Fleetwood Mini Mall on Lord Street; Hesketh House on Broadway; staff at Fleetwood High School and at Charles Saer Primary School on Grange Road. Collection points in Cleveleys include the Skipton Building Society on Bispham Road and Barclays Bank on Crescent East.
One of Blackpool’s most colourful and vibrant festivals is set to return in the new year.
Showzam! will be back for four days starting on February 11.
Organisers say visitors to next year’s festival will be wowed by street theatre and sideshows including the UK’s most flexible contortionist Pixie Le Knot, the girl in the goldfish bowl and the headless lady.
The hub will be inside the Winter Gardens and confirmed artists include street theatre from Rob Roy Collins, Pete Anderson and Polly Hoops.
Michael Jordan’s High Jinx Magic and Illusion show will appear at Viva Blackpool.
There will also be the flamboyant Carnival Ball in the Tower Ballroom on Saturday February 11 with a Mardi Gras theme.
More acts will be announced nearer the time, organisers say, with many showcases free.
Coun Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council said; “We are delighted to announce the line-up for Showzam! 2017. This year will be a fantastic four-day festival providing entertainment for young and old, families and couples.
“Showzam! is a very important part of the VisitBlackpool calendar and one that we look forward to every year.”
Eileen Ormand, Town Centre and Blackpool BID Manager said; “Blackpool BID is really pleased to be working with VisitBlackpool to bring Showzam 2017 to life to brighten and enliven the February half-term holiday.
“The festival makes such a huge difference to the town centre and has something for all the family. Come and enjoy the fun and experience the wonders of Showzam 2017.”
An early bird offer for the ball of £12 is available until December 31. Tickets from the Tourist Information Centre, Blackpool Tower or www.theblackpooltower.com/showzam.
Here is a round-up of some of the cases at Blackpool Magistrates Court.
Ian McDuff, 51, theft
A man who grinned at a security camera as he robbed the dying of vital funds has admitted his crime.
Ian McDuff, 51, sneaked into a closed pub in Lytham via its hotel guests’ entrance.
Inside The County Hotel on Church Road he stole a charity box containing money donated to the Trinity Hospice which cares for those dying of incurable illnesses.
The box was later found by a husband and wife walking on Lytham Green.
All the notes and high value coins had been taken.
CCTV pictures of the theft including one of McDuff grinning at the camera and another of him running off with the box were circulated to the media and McDuff, who lives in a caravan on Upper Westby Street, Lytham, was arrested.
McDuff admitted theft.
Martine Connah, prosecuting, said McDuff was drunk when he was seen by police at his caravan.
He told officers he had used the charity cash to pay off some debts.
Magistrates sent McDuff for sentence at Preston Crown Court where he will appear on January 11.
The terms of the bail state he must live at his caravan and not enter the County Hotel and contact witnesses.
Stephen Ferris, 47, begging
A man gulty of begging has been allowed to sit on the pavement by magistrates – but banned from asking for money.
Stephen Ferris, 47, was about to be made the subject of Criminal Behaviour Order after he was found guilty of 12 offences of begging.
Magistrates wanted a clause banning him from sitting down anywhere in Blackpool where he lives.
However they were told by his lawyer Patrick Nelligan that Ferris had to sit down for medical reasons.
“He has a very bad back problem and every hundred metres or so he has to sit down and rest his back.
“If there is no suitable place he sits on the pavement.”
Magistrates ruled that Ferris can be allowed to sit on pavements but must not have a cup or bowl in front of him or ask anyone for money.
Nigel Lloyd, 51, indecent assault
A former burger bar worker accused of committing historical sex attacks on teenage girls has made his first appearance at court.
Nigel Lloyd, 51, of no fixed address, faces three charges of indecent assault and one charge of gross indecency involving 15-year-old girls.
The offences are alleged to have taken place in the resort between May 2001 and December 2003.
Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, asked for the case to be heard at crown court and for Lloyd to be remanded in custody.
Defence lawyer, Gerry Coyle, did not ask for bail for Lloyd and said his client would not indicate pleas to the offences at this stage.
Lloyd was refused bail and remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on January 11.
Robert Gavin, 61, theft
An odd-job man got into trouble with the law when he took copper piping he thought had been left out for the bin collectors.
Robert Gavin, 61, of Dorman Road, Ribbleton, Preston, pleaded guilty to theft.
He was given a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £75 compensation with £85 costs plus £20 victims’ surcharge.
Prosecutor, Andrew Robinson, said a plumber who lived in Poulton saw copper piping he had stored on his driveway was missing on October 8.
He checked the CCTV he had which covered the area and it showed Gavin and another man taking it.
When interviewed Gavin said he had sold the piping at a recycling centre in Preston.
Suzanne Mugford, defending, said her client, who was an odd-job man and gardener, had been in the area looking for work.
He noticed the pipes near the bins and believed they had been left out to be collected by refuse workers.
Rebecca Harnett, 21, hoax call
A woman made a hoax call to police claiming seven to eight men were fighting in the area of Central Pier.
Rebecca Harnett, 21, of Dinmore Avenue, Grange Park, pleaded guilty to sending a nuisance message via the public communications network.
She was sentenced to a 12 months community order with 12 hours at an attendance centre and ordered to pay £85 victims’ surcharge.
Prosecutor, Andrew Robinson, said police received a call stating men were fighting near Central Pier on November 28 at 2.10am.
An officer sent to the reported incident saw Harnett in the area and when he spoke to her she confessed she had made the fake incident call.
When interviewed she said she had given a false name when making the call.
She said she knew it was wrong and she did not know why she had done it.
Hugh Pond, defending, said his client had an alcohol problem.
The night of the offence a woman friend of Harnett’s called her saying she was in the Central Pier area.
Harnett was concerned about the welfare of her friend so she went there.
She and her friend had a bottle of wine and after making the hoax call Harnett when she was drunk she was arrested.
Christopher Caesar, 36, cannabis production
A defendant was unable to attend court because he was ill in hospital.
Christopher Caesar, 36, of Crescent Court, South Shore, who is accused of producing cannabis, had his case adjourned.
Neil Rodgers, 45, theft
A Bispham man admitted stealing lager, crisps and toilet roll valued together at £100 when he went shopping at Asda in Colne.
Neil Rodgers, 45, of Airdrie Place, was bailed for sentence with reports in the New Year.
Stephen Staten, 49, theft
A man who could not afford to feed himself or his dog turned to crime.
Stephen Staten, 49, of Claremont Court, North Shore, pleaded guilty to theft.
Prosecutor, Andrew Robinson, said Staten stole two bottles of aftershave valued at £98 from Debenhams on November 18. At the time of the theft Staten was on a suspended prison sentence for an offence of dishonesty.
Suzanne Mugford, defending, said Staten had given a friend his bank card so he could go and get some money for him. The friend had then disappeared with the bank card and two weeks of Staten’s benefits money. He had to pay for his flat, fuel and food but as a result of his friend’s behaviour he could not even feed himself and his dog. Staten was bailed to appear for sentence at Preston Crown Court on January 11.
In recent months the ambulance service has received calls for a banged knee, a hurt ankle and a lump on a bottom. They are now issuing a plea for people to think before they dial 999.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is calling on the region’s party-goers to drink responsibly whilst enjoying themselves during the festive season, and to think before they dial 999, so that paramedics are able to deal with life threatening incidents.
This Friday (16 December) and the Friday before Christmas – ‘Mad Friday’ as it’s traditionally known – the Service is expecting a spike in emergency calls, as people get into the festive spirit and the Christmas party season gets well underway.
Emergency medical dispatchers, who answer emergency 999 calls to the ambulance service, answer almost 4,000 calls every day and ‘Mad Friday’ is expected to present them with further challenges which could be prevented if people were to take sensible precautions.
Recent examples of 999 calls include:
- A call was made by a patient who had banged their knee. At the same time, an ambulance crew rushed to a patient gasping for breath.
- A call was made by a person who’d noticed a lump on his bottom. One minute later, NWAS were called to a male who was found unresponsive on the floor.
- A call was made by a male who had hurt their ankle the day before. Shortly after, a call came in for a patient with difficulty breathing.
- A call was received from a patient who had injured their ankle playing football. At the same time, NWAS was also called to a one year old baby suffering breathing difficulties due to an allergic reaction.
Ambulances were not sent to the first set of calls, however they did hold up the line for serious emergencies where time can mean the difference between life and death.
NWAS Director of Operations, Ged Blezard said: “The Service is incredibly busy and we don’t have spare paramedics and ambulances to deal with the extra calls which occasions such as ‘Mad Friday’ present us with. This means that we really need people to take some responsibility for their own safety during this busy period.
“In genuine life-threatening emergencies, time matters. If people stop and think about their actions and try not to have one too many during the festive period, they can help us to get to the vulnerable and very poorly people that really need us – it could be on of their relatives relying on us.
“Come the morning after, it is also important to remember hangovers, headaches and feeling under the weather after a night out can generally be treated in your own home using medicine from your local pharmacist and getting plenty of rest and fluid.”
Police in Blackpool have drawn up a Christmas list of wanted people they are trying to trace this festive period.
Officers have released the details of 10 of their most wanted faces and are asking the public to help find them.
Det Chief Insp Becky Smith, of Blackpool Police, said: “In the build up to Christmas we are targeting those people who are wanted for various offences, ranging from thefts to robberies to serious assaults.
“While officers will be out conducting address checks and making their own enquiries, we are hoping that the public will also be able to assist us in tracing the people on our list.”
Anyone who sees any of the men pictured here, along with details of the offences they are wanted for, is asked to contact police. Det Chief Insp Riley also urged the suspects featured to report to their nearest police station. Call 101.
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Some of the top wrestlers are coming to Blackpool to compete to be named the first ever ‘United Kingdom Champion’.
The announcement was made by World Wrestling Entertainment’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative, Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
The winner will be crowned after a two-day, 16-competitor, single-elimination tournament at the Empress Ballroom, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15.
Competitors will come from all four of the home nations and Republic of Ireland, and will include the likes of: the charismatic Trent Seven (Wolverhampton), hard-hitting Pete Dunne (Birmingham), 19-year-old Tyler Bate (Dudley), the big brawler Wolfgang (Glasgow), tough Tyson T-Bone (Malvern), the aggressive grappler Tucker (Northern Ireland), high-flyer Jordan Devlin (Bray) and former champion powerlifter Roy Johnson (London).
Speaking at a press conference at London’s O2, Triple H said: “Our passionate UK fans deserve to have their own Champion.
“The tournament is the next step in our ongoing strategy to create localised content for our global WWE Network, develop another brand that engages our passionate fans, and add a new dimension to our on-going storylines.”
Irish wrestler Finn Balor, who earlier this year became the WWE’s inaugural Universal Champion, added: “This is going to super charge the United Kingdom and Irish wrestling scene.
“It will bridge the gap between independent wrestling and WWE. Something that’s never happened before.”
The tournament will also be shown on the WWE Network. The action will be called by WWE lead announcer Michael Cole and colour analyst Nigel McGuinness, a mainstay of the UK independent scene.
Tickets are on-sale now, priced between £15 and £50, and are available from www.livenation.co.uk.