Avoid blocked drains and a fatberg on the Fylde coast this Christmas.

Beach cleaners on the Fylde coast are asking everyone to do their bit to keep the beaches clean this Christmas by binning their used cooking fats and oil rather than pouring them down the sink.

If you pour leftover fat from cooking down the sink, even with hot water and washing up liquid, it sets hard in the cold pipes and mixes with other unmentionables flushed down the loo.

As well as causing problems at home, clogged sewer pipes that take waste water away can cause untreated sewage to run into homes, gardens, streets and even end up in rivers, the sea and on beaches.

Each household pours around 14lbs of cooking fats, oils and grease down the sink every year – equivalent to 25 packs of butter. United Utilities attends a blocked drain every 15 minutes.

Protecting our waste pipes from getting blocked and polluting our rivers and seas means everyone doing their bit to help keep them clear.

LOVEmyBEACH, the North West campaign for cleaner beaches and seas has some top tips to avoid blockages:

- Scrape leftover fat from roasting trays and pans into a heat resistant container then recycle or bin it when cooled

- Wipe out grease left in pans with kitchen roll and bin it

- Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps and bin

- For larger quantities of cooking oils, contact your local council who’ll let you know if they can be recycled

Fylde LOVEmyBEACH officer Emma Whitlock said: “Everyone loves the beach and wants to help keep them clean, but most people don’t know they can help do this from their home by binning used cooking fats and keeping the pipes clear. Even if you can’t come out on a beach clean you can do this small action that will make a big difference, so please #binit4beaches this Christmas!”

What would you buy if you won a million pounds?

It’s something we have all asked ourselves, but that was the question really facing one Blackpool couple this year as they enjoy their first Christmas as millionaires.

They say money cannot buy you love, but Andrew Cunliffe and Natalie Cliff have found that money can buy you time – time to spend with your family.

The couple who struck lucky with a lottery scratchcard in February said that even a million pounds in your bank account is not necessarily a life-changing sum.

But instead it has given them some relief from the normal money worries and Natalie the chance to give up her job and have some precious time with their three-year-old daughter as she grows up.

Andrew, 38, said: “When we won we got a lot of help and advice from Lottery company Camelot about investments and how to use the money.

“But you have to be sensible and you have to make it work for the family and for your children’s future. To be honest at current interest rates, if you just put it all in the bank, you could not live on the interest which is about £5,000 a year, and then there is tax on top of that. People just don’t realise.

“But we are a lot more relaxed and I can take a bit of extra time off to spend with the family.

Natalie, 31, who went to the former Greenlands High School in Bispham, said: “What it has done is give me the opportunity to be at home with our daughter. I gave up my job at the Tower and to have that time is wonderful it is priceless.

“It has been an amazing year with her so far.”

She said the couple had talked to each other like so many others do about what they would spend their winnings on if they did ever win, but once you do win everything changes.

“Everyone has that conversation, about paying off the mortgage, helping people have fantastic holidays, but it is completely different when you win. It is very exciting but you have to be sensible.”

Andrew, originally from Freckleton and who went to Lytham High School said: “We did have a couple of holidays but the dream Ferrari is still in the shed!”

He said that because he won while he was at work, word got round very quickly and there was no chance of remaining anonymous.

The construction company site manager had nipped to Asda in Hindley to get some tea bags for his workmates and picked up the lucky scratchcard at the same time.

But he said Camelot gave them loads of advice on how to handle everything and also introduced them to other winners – a meeting which led to a very rewarding life experience, the chance to do some charity work.

The couple have taken part in two major projects with other winners helping Manchester charity Stockdales which looks after young adults with learning difficulties and helping at Zoe’s Place in Liverpool, the hospice which cares for under fives.

Natalie said it was real hands on stuff.

“At Stockdales we were part of the group which upgraded their garden, helped plant a sensory garden and redecorated some rooms. It was two days of hard graft.

“Zoe’s place was so rewarding. We helped build a gingerbread play house for the children. Andrew took the lead being a joiner by trade. We met some of the children. I thought it would be very hard emotionally but a lot of the little ones that are poorly don’t really know that their condition is life limiting and were lovely.

“It is really for their siblings to visit and play with them, but it was so rewarding to see the smiles on their faces when it was finished.”

Andrew added: “Seeing their faces when they came out and saw the gingerbread house for the first time was great. It was in the papers and some of the lads at work were taking the mickey out of me but it was fun.”

Natalie said: “With that amount of money you can’t just hand it out and help everyone, but winning a million means that we can give our time to help.”

Christmas this year will be spent as usual hosting all the family but this time the turkey and trimmings will be on Andrew and Natalie.

Natalie said: “Our daughter is at that stage where she is very excited and asking for all sorts. But while we don’t have money worries we will not be going wild.

“I am very sensible and start planning for Christmas in January! We are keeping very grounded and do not want to spoil her, but this year will be very special.

“We have never been extravagant and were always trying to save. We missed out on quite a few things at times and most of our money went into our house.

“The money has not changed us. We are still looking forward to the family coming round for Christmas, but maybe this time we will pay for them.

“The best thing the money has done for us is to give us time, more time together as a family.”

Andrew added: “I have finished a bit early for Christmas this year. It is important to be with your children. She is changing so much from week to week, to be with her more is fantastic – it’s priceless.”

After Christmas the couple are looking forward to their dream wedding which will take place in Cyprus in May.

It was Andrew’s first thought when Camelot confirmed that he had won the million. He proposed to Natalie, who he had met at Blackpool Tower where she was working as an event manager, and was delighted he could give her the wedding she had always wanted.

Natalie said: “After New Year it’s all system go for thew wedding. We have around 60 family members going out to Cyprus. Our daughter will be a flower girl. Then it is back to Blackpool for a reception and then a honeymoon which we haven’t decided on just yet.

“It has been an amazing year, we have been very lucky, hopefully next year should be amazing too.”

Fire crews were called to a home in Fleetwood following reports a chimney was on fire

The incident happened in Kent Street at around 8.30pm on Friday.

One fire engine from Fleetwood attended and firefighters used one hose reel and a ventilation unit to extinguish the fire.

There were no injuries reported.

Motorists have been caught up in traffic chaos after a two car crash this morning.

Nobody has been hurt in the collision, which involved a grey Citroen and black Jaguar close to Old Castle Farm in Garstang Road, Singleton, but the wreckage – and spilled petrol – has left the road blocked, police say.

Officers have since closed the road between Windy Harbour and Great Eccleston, while highways workers have been called to help clear up the mess, a spokesman for Lancashire Police said.

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

David Ormerod, 50, possession of drugs with intent to supply

A gold dealer accused of being concerned in the supply of drugs has made his first appearance at court.

David Ormerod, 50, of Braithwaite Street, North Shore, is charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possessing amphetamine.

He also faces offences of possessing cannabis skunk and cannabis resin with intent to supply both types of the drug.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Blackpool between March and July this year.

Prosecutor, Peter Bardsley, asked for the case to be heard at crown court.

Defence lawyer, Patrick Nelligan, said his client would not indicate pleas to the offences at that stage.

Ormerod was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on January 18.

Paul Sproat, 31, possession of cannabis

A man on licence from prison was found with drugs in a Blackpool supermarket.

Paul Sproat, 31, of Dalegarth Close, Mereside, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis.

He was fined £80 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Jim Mowbray, said on November 28 at 4pm police were called to Morrisons. Security guards there spoke to an officer about Sproat who then handed over a small snap bag of cannabis.

Steven Townley, defending, said his client was on licence from prison and had already been recalled to jail once after he committed an offence of shoplifting.

It had been decided he would not be recalled to prison for the cannabis offence, but Sproat, who had no previous drug convictions, realised he had sailed very close to the wind.

Alex Higgins, 24, drunk and disorderly

A night out in Blackpool with his girlfriend ended in the police cells for a visitor.

Alex Higgins, 24, of South Lane, Netherton, Wakefield, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was fined £65 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Jim Mowbray, said police saw Higgins in Chapel Street in the early hours of November 26.

He appeared to punch a woman he was with in the face.

Higgins then made an obscene gesture to police and muttered something about knocking officers out. He ran off shouting and swearing and had to be subdued before being arrested.

Higgins denied hitting his girlfriend and told magistrates: “We were on a night out and I got carried away and had too many drinks.”

Paul Quinn, 35, theft, threatening behaviour, drunk disorderly and breach of conditional discharge

A man struggling to get off crack cocaine became addicted to alcohol and got in trouble with the authorities.

Paul Quinn, a 35-year-old father-of-three, of Overdale Grove, Grange Park, pleaded guilty to two thefts, threatening behaviour, being drunk and disorderly and breaching a conditional discharge imposed for stealing.

He was sentenced to a 12 months community order with up to 25 days rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service and fined £20 with £30 compensation plus £85 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Andrew Robinson, said Quinn was arrested by British Transport police on October 29, after shouting, swearing and spitting at Blackpool North railway station.

On November 26 he stole a bottle of rum from Sainsburys, Talbot Road, and the next day was apprehended when he returned to the same store and took a bottle of whisky.

The same day he was also caught shouting in the street and throwing bottles up at a window.

Hugh Pond, defending, said his client started using cannabis when he was at school and eventually ended up on crack cocaine.

He desperately tried to get off crack and became addicted to alcohol.

Mr Pond added: “At the time of the thefts he was desperate for alcohol and he had no money.

“He is living a fairly miserable life.

“He does not see his children.

“He has no future prospects.”

Kieran Saunders, 24, producing cannabis

Emergency services called to an address in Blackpool found a cannabis factory valued at almost £10,000.

Kieran Saunders, 24, formerly of Alexandra Road, South Shore, now living at Norley Close, Warrington, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.

He was bailed to appear for sentence on January 18 at Preston Crown Court by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Peter Bardsley, said police were called to a fire at a property on the resort’s Alexandra Road on July 9, where Saunders lived at the time.

They found 17 cannabis plants growing there and an expert calculated the potential yield of the drugs would come to £9,700.

Jamie Stokes, 30, resisting arrest

A man pleaded guilty to damaging a window in a door and resisting arrest at Blackpool.

Jamie Stokes, 30, of Orton Place, Leicester, was bailed for sentence in the New Year by magistrates.

He must not enter Lancashire except for court proceedings or to see his lawyer as a condition of his bail.

Christopher Wilson, 46, theft

A man reverted to his former criminal ways when he lost his benefits money.

Christopher Wilson had had no food for four days so he went to a supermarket and stole some.

Wilson, 46, of Bristol Avenue, Bispham, pleaded guilty to theft.

He was given a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £40 costs plus £20 victim’s surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Peter Bardsley, said Wilson was seen putting six packs of cheese and two joints of gammon valued together at £19 inside his jacket at Sainsburys, Whitegate Drive, on December 1.

Kathryn Jamieson-Sinclair, defending, said her client had previously had a long history of offending, historically as a result of using drugs. Wilson had been through a successful rehabilitation and no longer took heroin.

He committed the theft after losing his benefits money and going days without food.

Benjamin Harding, 24, theft

A man accused of stealing Christmas goods has been put on the wanted list.

Benjamin Harding, 24, of Queen Street, Blackpool, is charged with stealing an £80 Christmas tree, a cuddly penguin worth £60 and a reindeer valued at £40, all from the resort’s Wilko store.

Harding failed to attend court and a warrant without bail was issued for his arrest by magistrates.

WWE wrestling is coming to Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom next month.

Journalist and wrestling fan NEIL DOCKING explains why fans should get ready to rumble!

WWE bringing its new United Kingdom Championship Tournament to the Empress Ballroom is a huge coup for Blackpool.

The American company is a billion-dollar corporation and a global juggernaut, which showcases a product it terms ‘sports entertainment’.

Its shows, featuring wild characters, a unique blend of athleticism and soap opera style story lines, are broadcast in more than 180 countries.

And in the past year alone fans have watched more than 12 billion WWE videos on YouTube - making it the site’s number one ‘sports’ channel.

WWE previously brought the young stars of its developmental division NXT to Blackpool during a UK tour in December 2015.

The rabid fans who packed the Empress Ballroom that night produced an atmosphere which eclipsed anything the talents had ever experienced.

So it’s no surprise the Grade II Listed Building was once again uppermost in the thoughts of the organisation’s top brass this time around.

Triple H - one of the industry’s biggest names and the son-in-law of WWE chairman Vince McMahon - visited London to announce the tournament.

He was joined by Blackpool’s own grappling great William Regal, who is now a talent scout for the company, and also played a hand in the decision.

HHH explained the contest would be held over two nights on Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15, and would feature 16 top wrestlers from the UK and Ireland.

He also revealed it would air live on the WWE Network - WWE’s subscription service, which includes all their pay-per-views - at 8pm local time.

The competitors lucky enough to be involved include two local lads from Blackpool who are stalwarts of the North West wrestling scene.

Sam Gradwell and James Drake regularly appear at shows in Wigan, Morecambe, Preston, St Helens, Manchester and Liverpool. Gradwell, aka Ricky J McKenzie, is a a 6ft 1in chiselled high flyer, who was previously the heavyweight champion of Wigan’s Grand Pro Wrestling.

Drake, who held this title for nearly a year, previously working under the name JD Sassoon and was one half of the Blackpool Blonds tag team.

He and his equally well-coiffed partner Axl Rage ruled Manchester’s FutureShock Wrestling, while infuriating fans with their dirty tactics.

They have paid their dues performing in clubs, theatres and sports halls up and down the country, but now have the chance to excel on a global stage. Put simply, this is the biggest opportunity of their careers. The world will be watching and if they impress, they will receive more bookings and could even earn a full-time contract with WWE.

The boost to the local economy is also obvious.

The shows sold out in less than 24 hours and WWE fans will flock to Blackpool from across Europe - booking hotels, visiting shops, restaurants and enjoying all of the famous attractions the town has to offer over the weekend.

It’s an event which could change the lives of the lucky few selected to take part and one that British grappling fans are unlikely to ever forget.

The two-day, 16-competitor, single-elimination tournament will be held at the Empress Ballroom, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15. Tickets are on-sale now, priced between £15 and £50, and are available from www.livenation.co.uk.

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

Robert Wooley, 54, harassment using homophobic language

A neighbour bombarded a hotelier and his partner with loud music and homophobic abuse and threats.

Robert Wooley spent almost six hours abusing the owner of The Royal Hotel, Lord Street, and his partner on one occasion.

Wooley, 54, of Lord Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to harassment using homophobic language.

He was sentenced to four weeks prison suspended for 12 months with up to 10 days rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service and ordered to pay the hotelier and his partner £100 compensation each by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said the hotelier and his partner started having problems with their neighbour in January.

The walls between the properties were thin and Woolley sporadically played music extremely loudly.

The hotelier on occasions asked Woolley to turn the music down. Woolley started shouting “nobody messes with Robert Woolley”. He then began playing loud music and shouting abuse to such an extent that guests could not be housed at the back of the hotel.

On August 24, Woolley upset two guests by playing loud music for hours from 1am. He shouted homophobic abuse then started banging on the hotel door. At 6.30am the police arrived, but once officers left Woolley continued making a noise.

In a victim’s impact statement the hotelier said Woolley had affected his trade and caused him and his partner emotional upset.

Steven Townley, defending, said his client had had an alcohol problem at the time and the drink had made him do and say things he would not normally do. Since August there had been no more trouble.

Woolley had shown genuine regret and remorse. He said he had apologised to the hotelier and his partner and their relationship had recovered to the extent they all now said hello in the street.

Darren Birch, 51, drink-driving

An oil industry worker was caught after a tip-off to police and found to be more than twice over the alcohol limit.

Darren Birch, 51, of Carr Road, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from the road for 20 months and fined £120 with £85 costs plus £30 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Peter Bardsley, said police received information about a possible drink-driver in a Saab on November 30 at 12.30am.

Birch was stopped as he drove along Warren Street, Fleetwood. A breath test showed 72 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit.

Patrick Nelligan, defending, said his client had been to the pub and intended taking a taxi home, but had to drive to go and speak to a friend.

Birch had spent many years in the oil industry living in Norway, but after an illness he sold up and came back to the UK. The driving ban would have a big impact on Birch as he had just got a job as a rigger. This would have involved driving round various sites so he could now not do that.

Kieran Ralston, 21, theft

A man accused of stealing £50 from a woman acquaintance has appeared at court.

Kieran Ralston, 21, of Manchester Road, Blackpool, pleaded not guilty to theft.

He was bailed to January 31 for trial by magistrates. Ralston must not contact the complainant as a condition of his bail.

Frank Bebbington, 73, failing to stop after an accident

A pensioner driving a 4X4 reversed into a parked car and then drove off.

Frank Bebbington later returned to the accident scene and told the woman whose car he had hit that he had not seen anything.

Bebbington, 73, of Horsebridge Road, Grange Park, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident.

He was fined £120 with £50 costs plus £30 victims’ surcharge and had seven motoring penalty points put on his licence by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Peter Bardsley, said a woman who had parked her Renault Twingo on the resort’s Dunslop Close on August 4 ,and returned at 8pm, to find the driver’s door damaged and driver’s window smashed.

A witness said he had seen a man reverse into her car and there was CCTV footage of the accident. Bebbington then returned to the scene and said he had not seen anything.

In a victim’s impact statement the woman said: “He must have known he hit my car but he chose to be deceitful and drove off, then lied saying it was not him.”

Hugh Pond, defending, said his client was driving a 4X4 Renault Scenic, a large vehicle with a big spare tyre and tow bar at the rear. Bebbington had felt no collision and there was no damage to his car.

Bebbington, who had been driving since he was 17, accepted it when the CCTV was viewed showing the vehicles appear to touch.

Dre McKay, 19, racially aggravated assault and beating

A teenager accused of punching a man to the ground and kicking him in a St Annes hairdressers has made his first appearance at court.

Dre McKay, 19, of St Andrews Road South, St Annes, pleaded not guilty to an offence of racially aggravated assault and an offence of assault by beating.

McKay was bailed to February 14 for trial by magistrates.

Barry Carr, 65, threatening behaviour

A pensioner accused of making threats in a neighbour dispute has had the first hearing of his case at court.

Barry Carr, 65, of Rossall Gate, Fleetwood, faces two offences of threatening behaviour.

He was not present at court and not guilty pleas to both offences were entered on his behalf by defence lawyer Patrick Nelligan.

Carr’s case was adjourned to February 17 for trial by magistrates.

Paul Moore, 36, theft

A thief started off preparing for his Christmas celebrations by stealing Champagne valued at almost £200 from a St Annes store.

Paul Moore, 36, of Reads Avenue, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to theft.

He was sentenced to pay £99 compensation by District Judge John Maxwell who imposed no other penalty.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said Moore stole two crates of Champagne valued at £198 from Marks and Spencer, Clifton Drive South on November 28, before making his getaway in a taxi.

He was seen on CCTV and arrested at Ma Kelly’s bar in Blackpool. Only one crate of the bubbly was recovered. Steven Townley, defending, said his client had spent five days in custody after being arrested.

The daughter of a man revived twice after collapsing on the floor of a Fylde coast pub has praised the quick thinking of volunteers who rushed to his aid.

Keith King, 73 suffered a massive heart attack as he stood at the bar of the Thatched House in Poulton on Saturday.

His life was saved by Luton Town football fan Matthew Davies, who carried out CPR as Mr King on the floor of the pub.

Today Zena King praised the efforts of Mr Davies and pub staff and police who rushed to her father’s aid.

He is now recovering in hospital, waiting for a procedure which could prevent any further heart attacks.

Zena said: “My dad is doing well, he’s feeling fine

“He’s still in hospital, frustrated he can’t leave but they won’t let him out until he’s had a pacemaker fitted.

“He’s going to have a pacemaker with a defibrillator fitted, which is an amazing thing.

“It means if this happens again his heart will get an automatic shock.”

Mr King, who lives in Poulton, collapsed when his heart stopped in pub on Saturday. Matthew, who was in town to watch his team play at Bloomfield Road rushed to his aid.

He was assisted by pub worker Declan Cullinane the pair fighting to keep Mr King alive until Sgt Steve Hardman, of Lancashire Police, arrived with a defibrillator.

Zena said: “Matt was just in the right place at the right time.

“It’s that split second decision. It’s a massive thing to know what to do.

“He had the training and he was able to put it into action.”

Zena continued: “My dad was talking to Declan when his heart stopped.

“Declan dialled 999 then helped Matt.

“The family can’t thank them enough.

Zena was also amazed by the calm response of Sgt Hardman, who repeatedly treated Mr King with the defibrillator from his patrol car.

She said: “He’s a traffic officer, this isn’t part of his day to day.

“The way he responded was so professional.

“An hour later he went to visit dad in hospital and made sure the family knew what had happened.”

Today Zena, 37, urged more people to take up first aid training so they can respond in similar circumstances.

She said: “Matt said he was doing what anybody would have done.

“I think he did what anybody should do, but it’s not always the case.

“People should get the training, get educated and have the courage to use it.

As for her dad of two Keith, he’s already looking forward to getting back to his favourite pub.

Zena said: “He’s already joking with mum that he should spend more time in the pub because he’s safer there than at home.”

The coastguard was alerted to reports of people in the sea by the North Pier in Blackpool at around 3am today (20 December).

Members of the public had thrown life rings to the people in difficulty but were struggling to pull them to safety RNLI Blackpool said in a post on their Facebook page.

Two D class boats were launched from Blackpool and were joined by a coast rescue team from Lytham.

All three people however, had already been recovered safely from the sea by bystanders.

Lytham Coastguard Rescue Team took the casualties to the lifeboat station to warm up before being handed over to paramedics.

Two people were later taken to hospital suffering from the effects of cold.

A Blackpool man has spoken of his horror after being caught up in the terror attack at a Berlin Christmas market.

Dave Richmond was at the crowded market, taking place outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church yesterday evening, when a large truck carrying steel girders ploughed into shoppers.

At least 12 people have died and 48 have been injured, German police said.

Mr Richmond told the BBC: "We heard this loud bang and all the lights overhead were all moving around everywhere.

"There was all this cracking sound that sounded like gun fire.

"Then all these people were running towards us and we just got caught up in it and we just started running with them.

"It was pandemonium."

Berlin Police said this morning the incident was intentional and a suspected act of terrorism.

"Our investigators are working on the assumption that the truck was intentionally driven into the crowd at the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz," the force said.

"All police measures concerning the suspected terror attack at Breitscheidplatz are being taken with great speed and the necessary care."

Berlin Police spokesman Thomas Neundorf said a passenger in the lorry - who officials later confirmed was a Polish national - was among those killed.

The truck carried Polish number plates and investigators would work to determine whether it was stolen or driven legally, Mr Neundorf added.

The Polish owner of the truck, Ariel Zurawski, told TVN24 he feared the vehicle may have been hijacked and said 'they must have done something to my driver'.

Photographs from the scene showed the black lorry askew across a road, surrounded by debris from smashed Christmas market huts and stalls.

Broken remnants of a hut were lodged in the cab's shattered window alongside a Christmas tree, its lights dangling down in front of the lorry's grill.

A police cordon remained at the site this morning, though parts of the Christmas market had been re-opened.

Commuters walked quietly past the wooden stalls and Christmas trees in the market, many of which were still lit up with white lights. White screens were erected around a large part of the area where the articulated lorry came to a stop.

As emergency services prepared to remove the lorry, tributes began to appear nearby. People laid red candles and flowers, while others wept as they passed the scene.

A glass jar with a white candle inside had a note pinned to it, which read: "I am Berlin for more humanity and sympathy."

A 'suspicious person', thought to be the driver, was arrested near the scene last night and is now being questioned, authorities said.

Flashdance – The Musical is coming to the Winter Gardens next year.

The show, based on the hit 1983 film, runs at the venue from October 23 to November 4.
Winter Gardens managing director Michael Williams said: “Flashdance is a truly iconic show that we’re delighted to add to the 2017 programme of events.”
The shows score includes the hits ‘Maniac’, ‘Gloria’ and ‘I love Rock and Roll’.

Yves Tempels, 33, was last seen while he was out shopping on Darwen Street in the town centre at around 10.30am yesterday (Monday, December 19).

He is described as white, 5ft 6in tall, slim build with dark brown shoulder length hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black jeans, black leather jacket and black shoes.

PC Neil Ogden of Blackburn Police said: “We are getting concerned about Yves’ welfare and would urge anyone who has seen him to contact us. It is thought that he could have travelled to Blackpool and may be staying in a B&B. If you have seen him or have any information on his whereabouts then please get in touch.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 392 of 19th December.

Seven North West traffic schemes will be completed in time for Christmas to help people travelling for the holiday season.

Highways England will complete the roadworks - on motorways and major A roads - by 6am on Friday 23 December, ensuring drivers can visit their friends and family with as little disruption as possible.

The schemes in the North West are:

A56 Rising Bridge Roundabout (near Haslingden): Embankment and roundabout work, fencing, traffic signals and cycleway construction, 4 miles of roadworks completed.

M62 junction 6 (near Huyton): Lighting and cycleway scheme, 2 miles of roadworks completed.

M6 junction 37 (near Sedburgh): Carriageway work, 1 mile of roadworks completed.

M6 junction 43 (near Carlisle): Resurfacing work and replacement of bridge joints, 1 mile of roadworks completed.

A66 (near Appleby): Resurfacing work, 2 miles of roadworks completed.

A66 (near Penrith): Road repairs and drainage work. 2 miles of roadworks completed.

A66 (near Keswick): Installation of steps and inspection, 1 mile of roadworks completed.

Highways England Asset Delivery Manager, Andy Withington, said: “We’re helping drivers with their journeys this Christmas by ensuring as many schemes as possible are completed by the holiday break.

“Our traffic officers will also be on patrol and working with partners as always to help clear any incidents; the vast majority of which will be dealt with in under an hour.

“Please make sure you have everything you need for your journey in case of delays, and plan your journey by checking before you travel.”

The Highways England website can help drivers plan their journeys, and by listening to local radio stations, or by calling our information line (0300 123 5000) they can keep up to date with conditions on the roads.

Highways England is advising drivers of the resources on offer to help them arrive at their destinations safely, including advice about driving on smart motorways where signs and signals are used to help ease the flow of traffic to improve journeys. www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-drive-on-a-smart-motorway

Lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain at some locations, including smart motorway works on Manchester M60/62 and Cheshire M6 junctions 16 to 19.

Players from Fleetwood Town brought some welcome festive cheer to youngsters and staff members of Brian House Children’s Hospice.

The whole squad from the Highbury club paid a visit to the hospice on Low Moor Road, Bispham.

And the players, currently flying high in League One under German coach Uwe Rosler, did not come empty-handed.

They had a whip round and ended up handing over a generous £540 on the day.

Midfielder Bobby Grant, who orchestrated the whip round said: “It was a privilege to be able to visit Brian House and see the unbelievable work they do.

“Now let’s hope it brings us some good luck for us at home to Bury on Boxing Day.”

Linzi Young, the hospice’s Head of Fundraising said: “We want to say a huge thank you to the squad for their interest and for their donation.

“Brian House is at the heart of the community and is supported by the community, so it means a great deal to us to have the team’s backing.

“Every year we face the challenge of raising enough money to cover our running costs as demand for our care increases.

“We are all looking forward to 2017, which is our 21st birthday year with a range of special events planned, and we really hope to see Fleetwood Town FC again soon.”

Uwe said: “First and foremost it is important to be part of the community.

“We have to see the problems that are all around us, we footballers can’t live in a bubble.”

Will Watt, head of communications at Fleetwood Town, said: “The club does this every year and it is something the players really enjoy.

“It was Uwe Rosler’s first time, though, and he was really impressed with the set-up at Trinity.”

Business owners working in the shadow of a multi-million pound regeneration of Blackpool town centre say the money has failed to lift the surrounding area.

Traders on Cookson Street, which is home to a series of massage parlours, have seen little difference following the investment in the Talbot Gateway Project.

Council chiefs admitted the Central Business District has so far failed to clean up the resort as massage parlours and sex shops continue to thrive.

It had been hoped the first phase of the Talbot Gateway project including new council offices and a Sainsbury’s supermarket would spark investment in surrounding areas.

But business owners on Cookson Street said that has not happened and massage parlours were still operating on the street.

Andrew Clayton, of Clayton’s Jewellers, said: “We’re only here during the day, so I don’t know what goes on at night and certainly if I lived in the area I wouldn’t want them to be here.

“But while I don’t condone it, the alternative would probably be more empty shops and rundown premises.

“Ideally we wouldn’t want them there but our customers know what is on our doorstep.

“I think what would help attract more new businesses and offices to this part of town would be cheaper parking or some sort of free parking.”

Cookson Street is one of the main routes through Blackpool town centre but is also at the heart of Blackpool’s sex trade.

Shane Capper, of Elm Computers, said: “We’ve not seen any investment trickle down into this area.

“We get free business rates from the council because so many nearby shops are closed down.

“The massage parlours don’t affect my business. I’ve been here 28 years so my customers are people who have been here before.

“I’m not sure what it’s like at night but in the day I don’t really see anything at all.”

Blackpool Council has also been urged to clarify that an update to its policy on the number of sex-based businesses allowed to operate in the town is not a ‘relaxation’ of the rules.

After the council’s Sex Establishment Policy 2016 was amended to take into account new national legislation, Coun Maxine Callow said: “This is a family town.

“I know we want to have something for all our visitors and some people do want to go to places like this.

“But can we be assured there is no relaxation of the policy?”

The number of sex shops allowed in the central wards of Bloomfield, Claremont and Talbot remains at two, no sex cinemas will be allowed to operate and the number of sexual entertainment venues is still four.

None will be allowed in other wards.

Council leader Coun Simon Blackburn said there had been no relaxing of controls, but added concerns remained about sex workers operating on Cookson Street.

He said: “My fond hope had been once the Central Business District was up and running in a meaningful way that landlords on Cookson Street would be seeking higher rents for their properties than these establishments are willing to pay.

“We can see that hasn’t happened yet. The fact these businesses are so obviously present is I’m sure a concern for a number of people.”

He said talks were being held with the police and community to find a solution which would also ensure sex workers were able to operate in a safe environment.

Another trader, who asked not to be named, said: “Sainsbury’s has made no difference to the footfall in this area.

“We have not seen any trickle down of investment.

“But I’m not worried about the massage parlours. In fact I think we’re less likely to get burgled because people are on the streets 24 hours a day.”

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

Robert Owen, 63, drunk and disorderly, failing to answer bail

A Judge has slammed a drunken patient for causing mayhem at a hospital.

Robert Owen struggled violently with a police officer and security officers at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in front of elderly and young people after drinking three-quarters of a bottle of vodka.

Owen, 63, of Laycock Gate, Layton, pleaded guilty to an offence of being drunk and disorderly and failing to answer bail.

He was given a nine months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £50 costs with £20 victims’ surcharge by District Judge John Maxwell.

The judge told him: “You were causing mayhem. Hospitals are places of safety and sanctuary.”

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said a police officer went to the aid of security officers battling to eject Owen from Victoria Hospital, on November 20.

Owen was drunk and became aggressive towards the police officer swinging his arms out at him.

Steven Townley, defending, said his client had a drink problem and had drunk most of a bottle of vodka the day of the offence. Owen had no recollection of going to hospital and believed he must have suffered a blackout.

He mixed-up the date he should have appeared at court. He then surrendered himself to police on Saturday and had spent two nights in the cells.

Zoe Smith, 18, assault

A teenage girl smacked her boyfriend across the face scratching his cheek during an argument.

Zoe Smith also threatened to throw an iron at her partner during the fracas.

Smith, 18, of Charles Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to assault.

She was sentenced to a 12 months community order and fined £1 by District Judge John Maxwell.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said police were called to a report of a domestic incident at Smith’s address, on December 18 about 1am.

Smith was drunk and her boyfriend, who did not drink, was sitting outside with scratch marks on his face. She told police she had slapped his face once during a row.

Hugh Pond, defending, said the couple were both fond of each other and Smith’s boyfriend was at court to support her. They intended getting back with each other after the case finished.

Ben Harding, 35, theft

A man who stole seasonal goods is to spend Christmas behind bars.

Ben Harding stole an £80 Christmas tree, a £60 cuddly penguin and a reindeer valued at £40 from a shop.

He was sentenced to 10 weeks jail and ordered to pay £115 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Jim Mowbray, said between November 26 and 29 Harding went into Wilkos, Dickson Road, Blackpool, three times and stole Christmas goods.

His thefts were caught on CCTV and on November 30 a security officer dressed in plain clothes to try and catch him. Harding came into the store at 9.35am and was apprehended. He struggled with the officer and another officer had to help restrain him. At the time of the offences he was on a suspended prison sentence for shoplifting.

David Charnley, defending, said at the time of the thefts Harding’s benefits had been stopped.

Daniel Hoskinson, 31, breach of restraining order

A man sent foul texts to the mother of his two children who he had been banned from contacting.

Daniel Hoskinson, 31, of The Promenade, South Shore, pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order.

He was sentenced to a 12 months community order and ordered to pay £50 compensation by District Judge John Maxwell.

Prosecutor, Jim Mowbray, said Hoskinson was on a restraining order which banned him from contacting his ex but he sent her about 50 texts of a personal and foul nature.

David Charnley, defending, said his client had moved on and had a new partner when his ex contacted him.

She said she had contacted the magistrates court and the country court and officials from both courts had told her there was no restraining order in force against him. She wanted to discuss their children.

Mr Charnley added: “She used the children as bail to get him back in her life and they both believed there was no restraining order against him. Things then turned sour between them in recent weeks.

“He says the threats he used were idle ones. Once again he will not see his children at Christmas. He says she uses the children as a stick with which to beat him.”

Neville Crouch, 60, breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order

A man has made his first appearance at court accused of breaking the law by entering Blackpool.

Neville Crouch, 60, of Plungington Road, Preston, pleaded not guilty to breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order by entering Blackpool Fylde or Wyre.

Crouch was bailed to February 7 for trial by District Judge John 
Maxwell.

Aaron Brooks, 26, driving with no insurance or licence

A man was caught driving without insurance and not in accordance with his licence at Fleetwood.

Aaron Brooks, 26, of London Street, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to driving a Citroen Berlingo on Rothwell Drive on October 9 without insurance and a licence.

Brooks was fined £120, ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge and had six penalty points put on his driving licence by magistrates.

Kyle Thompson , 30, failing to comply with community order

A student failed to comply with a court order because he was studying so hard judge was told.

Kyle Thompson, a 30-year-old father, of Meadowcroft Avenue, Cleveleys, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a community order.

He was sentenced to a 14 days curfew from 7pm to 6am and ordered to pay £50 costs by District Judge John Maxwell.

Neal Brookes, prosecuting for the probation service, said Thompson had been put on 20 days rehabilitation plus 60 hours of unpaid work for offences of assault on police and damage.

Thompson had not done any of the payback work since October last year.

Gerry Coyle, defending, said Thompson had been studying a foundation course in web design engineering and development at Blackpool and The Fylde College.

He had worked extremely hard and been so successful his tutors wanted him to start a degree level course.

The previous year Thompson had been suffering from an alcohol problem and drinking too much.

A Blackpool man has been convicted of historical sex offences.

Kashif Gul, 39, of Foxhall Road, Blackpool was found guilty of two offences of indecency with a child following a trial at Preston Crown Court.

The offences were committed in Blackpool in April/May 2003 and May/June 2003 when the female victim was 14 at the time.

Gul was acquitted of three rapes and two attempted rapes.

He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and will be sentenced in January.

Gul was charged in June following his arrest by the team of detectives investigating the disappearance and murder of Blackpool teenager Charlene Downes, although there is no direct link between the two cases.

Detective Inspector Andy Bunn, from the Operation Boron team in Blackpool, said: “This verdict today shows that we can achieve justice for victims no matter how historical the abuse and I would appeal to anyone who may have been a victim of abuse to come forward and contact us. If you have been a victim we are here to help and support you as well as to bring offenders to justice.

“As part of our inquiries we are focussing both on the disappearance and murder of Charlene but also on the wider issue of child sexual exploitation in Blackpool at around the time of Charlene’s disappearance and we have identified a number of people who could potentially be victims and offenders and we will be seeking to make more arrests and to prosecute abusers in the near future.”

Charlene was just 14 years old when she was last seen in Blackpool on Saturday November 1st 2003.

A £100,000 reward on offer for information leading to the conviction of her killer or killers or the recovery of her body, nobody has ever been brought to justice.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers.org they can email: charlenedownesinvestigation@lancashire.pnn.police.uk

Congratulations to Olivia Clueit who is the winner of our recent Paint Santa competition, sponsored by Harry Ramsden’s at the Tower.

Olivia, 8, who attends Baines Endowed Primary School in Thornton, beat off competition from hundreds of other youngsters in our popular festive contest.

Her entry was judged to be the best and Olivia wins a slap-up family meal to the value of £200 courtesy of Harry Ramsden’s plus a sackful of Christmas presents.

Two runners up – Leah Baldwin from Roseacre Primary Academy, Blackpool, and Caitlin Moran from The Willows Catholic Primary School, Kirkham, also pick up a £50 Harry Ramsden meal voucher.

All the entries are on display in Harry Ramden’s Santa’s Grotto over Christmas.

Two lifelong friends from Lancashire were seconds from disaster when they cheated death at the Berlin Christmas markets terror attack.

Elle Davies and Jade Armitage were enjoying a short break in the German capital when a lorry ploughed into a stall, just yards from the pair, killing 12 people.

The 26-year-olds, close friends from school days at St Mary’s Park Hill and St Hilda’s RC High, Burnley, have described their terrifying ordeal in the market at Breitscheidplatz.

Dental nurse Elle, from Ightenhill, said: “I had been pestering Jade to come with me to Germany because I know how famous it is for the Christmas markets.

“We took an early flight on Monday. The market was the first place we went out to in Berlin. We’d been there about two hours when I saw a grey hut which had nice Christmas decorations in.

“We were in the hut when all of a sudden there was this massive crash. Someone started shouting get out. We then saw this lorry had crashed into a chip stall next to our hut and completely flattened it.

“When I first heard the bang I thought it must have been a terrorist attack but when I saw the lorry I thought it may have been an accident, until Jade said it was similar to what happened in Nice.

“I didn’t see an bodies, but just one man with a cut head. We were obviously very shaken up and so went for a drink in an Irish bar. It was only when we saw it on the news in the bar when we realised how serious it was. It just didn’t seem real.”

Elle described how the pair’s mobile phones soon became inundated with text and Facebook messages from worried friends and family back home.

Jade, who lives in Hurstwood with parents Gary and Sharon Armitage and sister Deanne, put out Facebook messages reassuring everyone that they were safe.

Strangely, it was not the first time that Elle had come close to a terrorist attack. She visited Paris a week after similar attacks in the French capital.

Terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the latest attack, but Elle said it would not put her off travelling to Europe again.

She added: “My philosophy is that you have to live your life. You can’t worry about the unknown. Being so close to this, though, has definitely made me appreciate my friends and family more. I’m going to try to have a very good Christmas.”

They look safe. They are safe. But medics are warning that button batteries could present a fatal risk to youngsters if misused.

Two top Lancashire doctors have now issued a warning about the potential dangers batteries can present when swallowed in error.

The pre-Christmas alert follows two deaths in the northwest in the last two years, including a fatality in Blackpool, and two cases of life changing injuries, after youngsters swallowed the batteries.

Lancashire’s Director of Public Health Dr Sakthi Karunanithi and consultant paedaetrician Dr Nicola Bamford want anyone buying toys and other gifts containing button batteries, or seeking to replace them in goods they already own, to be aware of the risks they could present.

They say the batteries should be regarded as a potential poison and kept in a safe place out of the reach of children. All toys should also be checked to ensure battery covers are securely locked.

Dr Bamford, who sits on the Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board’s pan-Lancashire Child Death Overview Panel, said: “You wouldn’t leave a glass of bleach on your fireplace and these batteries are just as deadly as bleach. We are coming up to Christmas and there will be lots of toys, ornaments, jewellery, gifts containing button batteries.”

She stresses that from a child’s viewpoints the batteries could present an irresistible attraction: “They are shiny, they are interesting and they are deadly. If they are swallowed on contact with flesh(mucous membranes) on the tongue or gut they do their job. They set up a current which is what they are designed to do and as a side effect they produce sodium hydroxide - caustic soda, and this eats away at whatever they are sited on and it causes burns.”

She warned that children have had their oesophagus and gullet damaged so badly that they needed reconstructive surgery.

“If they are unlucky and the battery goes down the other way the caustic soda can eat through the lining of the oesophagus and into large blood vessels that lie behind causing catastrophic bleeding.”

Dr Karunanithi said: “It’s all about being safe while enjoying Christmas. We’re raising awareness these batteries need to be secure. Children under six years of age are most at risk and for a three year old the batteries don’t look very different from some sweets.”

The two doctors stress that if someone does swallow a battery call emergency services on 999 immediately and never try to remove it. Do not try to make the patient vomit.

•The doctors also urged people to be sensible about where they set up TVs, following cases of children being killed or injured when TVs have toppled on them.