Here are all the changes to bin collections across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre over the Christmas and New Year period.

BLACKPOOL

Changes to bin and recycling collections schedule.

Normal collection day Monday 26 December.

Re-scheduled collection day Saturday 24 December.

All other collection days remain as normal

FYLDE

Monday 19 December collected as normal

Tuesday 20 December collected as normal

Wednesday 21 December collected as normal

Thursday 22 December collected as normal

Friday 23 December collected as normal

Monday 26 December rescheduled to Tuesday 27 December

Tuesday 27 December rescheduled to Wednesday 28 December

Wednesday 28 December rescheduled to Thursday 29 December

Thursday 29 December rescheduled to Friday 30 December

Friday 30 December rescheduled to Saturday 31 December

There will be no other changes to your alternate weekly collection schedule. Normal Collections resume Monday 2nd January 2017.

WYRE

Christmas waste and recycling collection changes only affect Monday 26 December collections. All collections on other days remain unchanged.

The Monday collections will be changed as follows:

Monday 26 December purple sack collections will be collected a day later on Tuesday 27 December. Please do not put sacks out prior to this.

Monday 26 December general waste grey bin collections in Fleetwood will be collected a day later on Tuesday 27 December.

Monday 26 December recycling collections blue bin and green boxes in the rural areas will be collected the week before on Friday 23 December.

Collections return to their usual pattern from Monday 2 January.

Christmas trees will be collected on normal recycling days during weeks commencing 9 and 16 January if they are presented for collection by 7.30am.

Fire crews arrived to find a man standing outside his flat which was on fire with smoke spreading around the communal areas of the property.

They extinguished the fire using a hose-reel and rescued a woman from a flat above the fire who was suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Fire services say the fire was caused by unattended tea light candles which are thought to have set fire to a sofa.

Watch Manager Mark Warwick said: "We would advise people not to use candles or tea lights inside a property unless there is a specific need for them. Tea lights and candles should never be left unattended."

The flat was destroyed by the fire, say fire services.

Two patients were transferred to Blackpool Victoria by road ambulance suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

The fire is being treated as accidental.

Parents across the North West are being urged to get their children vaccinated against flu.

All healthy children aged 2, 3 and 4 are eligible to have free flu vaccinations as part of the Stay Well This Winter campaign.

Dr Dan Seddon, Screening & Immunisation Lead, said:

“Flu can be far more dangerous than parents realise and of course, when they get it, they tend to spread it around the whole family. Every year, thousands of children get sick and it is not uncommon for them to be admitted to hospital.

“Children with flu are “super spreaders” of the virus, however, children can have a simple nasal spray vaccine that protects them and stops them spreading the flu virus. For children aged 2, 3 and 4 year old, the nasal spray is given at your GP practice. For children aged 5, 6 and 7 years old, they are offered the nasal spray at their school.

“We’re now seeing an increase in flu across the North West and we urge parents to get the free vaccination if they haven’t already done so. It’s not too late.

“Ask your GP about the free flu vaccine for your 2, 3 or 4 year old”.

Flu can be horrible for little children; they have the same symptoms as adults – including fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat. Some children develop a very high fever or complications of flu, such as bronchitis or pneumonia and may need hospital treatment.

Reducing transmission by children can potentially help cut the number of GP appointments and unplanned admissions for children and adults, reducing winter pressures on the NHS. The programme will be extended gradually to older age groups in primary school in future years.

Staff at Brian House Children’s Hospice had 50,000 reasons to smile when Lancashire company Ameon visited the Bispham hospice.

Bosses made a huge donation to make this festive season one to remember for staff and patients.

The building services engineering company, headquartered in Blackpool, raised £50,000 from the proceeds of a charity ball and associated prize auction.

They formed part of the business’ 20th anniversary celebrations, and nominated Brian House as the charity to benefit from fundraising.

Ameon’s managing director, Robin Lawson, said: “Hundreds of families have experienced the care and support of Brian House, in what for all is their most trying time.

“My own experiences are of selfless, dedicated people, delivering compassionate medical care for children, whilst supporting parents through some of the darkest days; therefore I was delighted that our board chose to support its amazing work, which relies wholly on the generosity of the general public and commercial sector.”

Brian House corporate fundraiser, Janet Atkins, added: “To receive such considerable support from Ameon at anytime would be reason for celebration, but the fact that it comes as we enter the festive season gives additional cause for us to raise a glass of good cheer. Such generosity provides not only vital funds to enable our work to continue but demonstrates the public and commerce in this area are fully supportive of our work.” and services, which is hugely encouraging for all of us at Brian House.”

A Blackpool couple lucky to be alive following a suspected terrorist attack in Berlin have vowed to return to the German city.

Dave Richmond and his wife Liane were just yards away from the path of a truck which mowed through a Christmas market, killing at least 11 people.

The shaken couple have since returned home but say the attack, attributed to so-called Islamic State, will not stop them visiting the city they love. Dave, 52, said: “I have never been so scared in my life. But it won’t put us off. We have been going for 25 years and we will go back next year too.”

The couple, who live in Marton, were in Berlin for Dave’s birthday and had walked through the festive market, held near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, every day.

“That night we were just walking through the stalls,” he said.

“We didn’t see the truck at first but we heard the noise. It was yards away and you could hear all the Christmas lights smashing.

“Within seconds, you can hear people screaming. We got caught up with the people running. All the lights above us were shaking. It was terrifying.”

Dave grabbed Liane, 58, by the arm and the pair ran to a bar a few minutes away in a safe spot.

He said: “I got her sat down and got her a brandy and I went back to see if I could do anything.

“I walked across and the police had just started to arrive. I went right to the truck and it was just carnage.

“There was so much stuff under it, it was horrible.

“Within a second or two, the police moved us away. I was shaking like a leaf. I have never been so scared in my life.”

As Dave, who worked at the Imperial and Savoy taking care of some of the resort’s VIP visitors, made his way back to the bar, the TV news channel began to report on the horror that had unfolded in front of him.

Though he said he and his wife are still processing what they say, he thinks the death toll could have been even higher.

He said the truck ploughed through several wooden stalls but veered off course before hitting others.

“If it had carried on in a straight line it would have gone through more stalls,” he added.

The couple flew home as scheduled, and did not cut short their trip, though Dave admitted they may have come back early if their six-day trip hadn’t been due to end.

He said: “We probably wouldn’t have stayed, personally speaking. When we walked around afterwards, you could feel the sad atmosphere.”

The investigation into Monday’s terror attack, which Islamic State has claimed responsibility for, is continuing in Germany, with police hunting the person or people behind it.

One man was arrested but later released without charge, while reports by German media say officers are now looking for a Tunisian man.

Identity documents were found under the driver’s seat of the lorry, German newspaper Der Spiegel said, in the name of a Tunisian national born in 1992 and known by two other aliases.

He had been charged with assault in the summer but disappeared before he could appear in court.

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

Darren Richardson, 43, actual bodily harm

A man has made his first appearance at court accused of kicking his girlfriend repeatedly in the face and body with both feet.

Darren Richardson, 43, of North Church Street, Fleetwood, pleaded not guilty to assaulting his girlfriend causing her actual bodily harm.

He also denied assaulting his partner on another occasion where he was alleged to have headbutted and elbowed her.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, asked for the case to be heard at crown court and opposed bail for Richardson.

He was refused bail and remanded in custody towards appearing at Preston Crown Court on January 18 by magistrates.

Christopher Walkden, 43, theft

The manager of a Blackpool pub stole £13,000 from the takings and used the money to gamble.

Christopher Walkden, 43, of Stamford Avenue, South Shore, pleaded guilty to theft from an employer.

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

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said Walkden was the manager of the Albert and Lion pub in Blackpool town centre from February last year to May this year.

Walkden said he had had issues with stock losses and tried to cover this up by paying for it with his own money. He also used his own money to pay staff for extra hours they worked.

The prosecutor said: “He could not afford this and he took money from the takings and gambled it.

“It was discovered during an audit that he had taken £13,000.

“This was a breach of the highest degree of trust and responsibility.”

David Charnley, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had a lot of personal problems at the time and asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on him for the crown court.

Sophie Moore, 23, assault

A Fleetwood mother has denied assaulting her former partner.

Sophie Moore, 23, of Wingove Avenue is charged with assault.

Magistrates bailed Moore who will stand trial on February 16.

Mark Billing, 43, aggravated burglary

A Blackpool man was sent for trial by magistrates in his absence after he refused to leave the court cells.

Mark Billing, 43, of Park Road is accused of aggravated burglary at a house on Ribble Road where is alleged to have used a syringe and a lock knife.

Billing, who was remanded in custody, is also accused of burgling a house on Erdington Road. He will appear before Preston Crown Court on January 18.

John Robinson, 24, breach of suspended prison sentence, breach of bail and theft

A man who committed a catalogue of crimes will be spending Christmas behind bars.

John Robinson, 24, of Quebec Avenue, Bispham, pleaded guilty to breaching a suspended prison sentence and a community order by failing to report to his probation officer. He also admitted theft and breach of bail.

He denied assaulting his former girlfriend and intimidating her but was found guilty of the offences after a trial.

Robinson was sentenced to 24 weeks in jail and ordered to pay his ex £100 compensation by District Judge John Maxwell.

He was also put on an indefinite restraining order which bans him from contacting his former partner.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said Robinson and his partner had split-up and when she went to the home they formerly shared to get some belongings, there was row and he punched her on the head.

In another incident Robinson took a £1,000 camera in a bag from a Blackpool takeaway.

Brett Chappell, defending, said his client accepted he would be sent to custody. In the past months Robinson had become addicted to legal highs and had been drinking heavily.

Stephen Thompson, 33, assault occasioning actual bodily harm

A visitor put his hands round his girlfriend’s throat and started to strangle her in the bedroom of a Blackpool hotel.

Stephen Thompson squeezed so hard his partner could not breathe and believed she was going to die, a court was told.

Thompson, 33, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

The court was told that on December 11 the couple were staying at the resort’s Best Western Carlton Hotel when they argued.

Thompson’s girlfriend threw two wine glasses, not towards Thompson, but against a wall and they smashed.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said Thomson lunged at his partner punching her four to five times in the face.

She fell off the bed onto the floor and he started to throttle her.

She managed to escape and the night porter alerted police.

Leisa Splaine, defending, said her client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was not asking for bail.

Thompson was remanded in custody for sentence at Preston Crown Court on January 18 by magistrates.

Alexander Dwyer, 27, falsely advertising goods for sale and failing to provide goods

A man accused of committing fraud over the internet has had a date set for his trial.

Alexander Dwyer, 27, of Heathfield Road, Fleetwood, had pleaded not guilty to nine offences of falsely advertising goods for sale on Gumtree and failing to provide the goods buyers paid for.

He is alleged to have said he would provide goods to customers such as games consoles, computer items and mobile phone valued at between £125 and £65 at Fleetwood in May and June this year.

Dwyer, who was not present at the hearing, had his case adjourned to March 23 for trial by Blackpool magistrates.

Daniel Harper, burglary

A man has made his first appearance at court accused of burgling a house in South Shore.

Daniel Harper, 28, formerly of Accrington, now of no fixed address, is charged with stealing Japanese yen, Hong Kong dollars, two laptop computers and some chargers in a break-in at an address in Seventh Avenue on December 7.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said the case must be heard at crown court.

Steven Townley, defending, did not ask for bail for Harper and said his client had indicated he would plead guilty to the offence at the higher court.

Harper was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on January 18 by magistrates.

Tributes have been paid to a “wonderful husband and brilliant dad” after he died suddenly at the age of 48.

Mark Pye owned Clare and Howard opticians on Garstang High Street and had worked there since leaving school at 16.

Wife Gillian said: “It’s been really tough and we will all miss him dearly.

“May would have marked 25 years since we were married in 1992. We met in 1985 and have been together since I was 16 and him 17.”

Dad-of-two Mark grew up on Joe Lane in Catterall before going to Garstang High School.

When the previous boss retired in 2007, Mark took over as the owner of the optician business, as well as continuing his role as a dispensing and contact lens optician.

“We’ve had so many cards from family, friends and his patients who all described him as ‘kind’ ‘caring’ and ‘compassionate’,” Gillian said.

“He was always very outgoing and would try his hand at anything - and usually be pretty good at it too. He played a lot of football and badminton and made lots of friends doing so.

“There were lots of people from his badminton club at his funeral.”

He was also described at the funeral as “a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, son in law and brother in law”.

Donations were made in memory of Mark to The Adam Appeal and ‘CRY’ Cardiac Risk in the Young.

The Pye family, which also includes the couple’s two sons Bradley, 18, Ben, 15, originally lived in Cabus but recently moved to Garstang.

“Although my name is Gillian he has always called me ‘Gilly’ and I have always called him ‘Pyee’,” 47-year-old Gillian said.

“He was always so devoted to me and his family. A wonderful husband and a brilliant dad to the two boys. He will be missed dearly by all of his family.”

I have succumbed this year to internet shopping and as the brown parcels arrive I am reminded of the strange Sunday visit of a man from Amazon with a parcel for the bishop.

He simply marched into the little rural church next door to where I live during the morning service and walked down the aisle to deliver his parcel to the person in robes at the front. There was no acknowledgement of a service of worship, no uncomfortableness with 40 plus people in their pews.

This man was on a mission and nothing would deter him from getting that parcel into the right hands. He had no idea of what was going on around him. No sense of the bigger picture!

Actually we can all be like that at Christmas. So much to do with presents to buy, cards to send, trees to decorate, parties to prepare for.

Like Amazon Man we are so focussed on our own agenda that we can find ourselves missing something important.

It happened that first Christmas when the religious leaders couldn’t be bothered to walk a few miles to check things out.

King Herod missed out because he felt threatened by a baby and how many innkeepers were sorry later on that they had said ‘no’ to such a holy family?

Meanwhile the shepherds were able to turn aside from looking after sheep to go in search of a saviour.

And the wise men stopped at last from all that travelling to find this unique family. They in turn not only stopped, but the record says that they bowed down and worshipped.

Let us not be so head down and frazzled, busy with the Christmas bits and pieces that we miss the big picture: The Word made flesh – Glory to the newborn King – He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all – Peace to people on earth.

It’s a message our weary world certainly needs to hear.

This Christmas are we ‘Amazon man’ or woman – busy but somehow missing the heart of it all. Or are we wise men and women – who, amidst the busyness and excitement are able to stop and see the big picture; a picture that offers hope in the midst of despair and light in our darkness?

We may even find ourselves bowing down to worship.

Disruption is expected to affect services on Friday 23 and 24 December.

The warning comes after the Met Office issued a yellow severe weather warning for the North West over the Christmas period.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "A deepening depression will move northeastwards across the Atlantic, passing northern Scotland during the Christmas period and bringing a broad swathe of gales and severe gales to much of northern Britain.

"There remains a fair degree of uncertainty in the exact track and intensity of the depression, which reduces confidence concerning the threat of particularly strong winds across the far north."

Passengers who would like to transfer to alternative sailings can contact The Isle of Man Steam Packet reservations team on 01624 661661.

A grandfather has been able to gaze at the Christmas lights for the first time in 35 years after his sight was restored by pioneering cyber surgery.

Former butcher Keith Hayman is one of three patients fitted with a bionic eye at Manchester Eye Hospital during a trial.

Now 10 other patients are set to benefit from the state-of-the-art implants.

Grandfather-of-five, Mr Hayman, from Fleetwood, was forced to give up work in 1981 when he was registered as blind after suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), an inherited disease that causes blindness.

He said: “Having spent half my life in darkness, I can now tell when my grandchildren run towards me and make out lights twinkling on Christmas trees.

“When I used to go to the pub, I would be talking to a friend, who might have walked off and I couldn’t tell and kept talking to myself.

“This doesn’t happen anymore because I can tell when they have gone. These little things make all the difference to me.”

NHS England will provide funding for further testing of the Argus II, also known as the Bionic Eye, for 10 patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Five of these procedures will take place at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH) next year, with the other half at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.

One of the first implanting surgeons was Professor Paulo Stanga from Manchester ye Hospital.

He said: “I’m delighted that our pioneering research has provided the evidence to support NHS England’s decision to fund the bionic eye for the first time for patients.

“It surpassed all of our expectations when we realised that one of the RP patients in Manchester using the bionic eye could identify large letters for the first time in his adult life.

“Our work also has the potential to improve the lives of thousands of other patients with the more common condition, age-related macular degeneration – Manchester is currently the only site in the world to be trialing the bionic eye.”

Patients using the system, developed by American company Second Sight Medical Products, are given an implant into their retina and a camera mounted on a pair of glasses sends wireless signals direct to the nerves which control sight.

The signals are then ‘decoded’ by the brain as flashes of light.

Patients will then be monitored for a year, during which they will be assessed on how the implants improve their everyday lives.

Genetic eye disorder results in slow loss of vision and blindness

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the retina’s ability to respond to light. 
This inherited disease causes a slow loss of vision, beginning with decreased night vision and loss of peripheral (side) vision. Eventually, blindness results. There is no cure for RP.

With most forms of RP, rods — which are mainly in the outer regions of the retina and are responsible for our peripheral and night vision — degenerate first. When the retina’s more centrally-located cones are affected, the result is loss of colour perception and central (reading) vision.

If you haven’t donated to The Gazette’s Give a Gift appeal yet, you only have one day left!

Over the past few weeks, hundreds of you have donated presents to try and spread a little bit of Christmas cheer to those less fortunate.

One group of people who have certainly done their bit are the children at St Wulstan’s and St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School.

Last week, pupils at the Fleetwood school collected 92 gifts for adults and children to donate.

Over the last few days of term, the children gathered all the gifts together and staff delivered the parcels to Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

A school spokesmansaid: “Hopefully it will help light up the lives of patients.”

At the start of the appeal, The Gazette set a target of 700 presents, to ensure that every patient in Blackpool Victoria and Clifton Hospital has something to unwrap for Christmas. Most of the drop-off points will stop collecting today, but the Asda Superstore on Cherry Tree Road, and Smyths Toys, Vicarage Lane will be accepting donations until tomorrow morning. Any spare presents received by the end of play tomorrow will be saved for patients’ birthdays, spreading a little bit of that Christmas cheer into the New Year and beyond. Ann Hedley, Head of Fundraising at Blue Skies, the hospital’s charity which has partnered with The Gazette for the appeal, said the charity will always welcome donations of gifts, even once Christmas has passed.

How to get involved

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

Confirmed drop-off points

• Blue Skies Hospital Fund, Blackpool Victoria Hospital

• Marks and Spencer, Blackpool Victoria Hospital

• Morrisons, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool

• Booths, Teanlowe Centre, Poulton

• Poppy and Jacks Nursery, Breck Road, Poulton

• Smyths Toys, Vicarage Lane, Blackpool

• Asda, Cherry Tree Lane, Marton

What to buy

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

What not to buy

There is strictly no alcohol allowed.

Dangerous items such as knives are also not permitted.

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

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

A 29-year-old Blackpool man suffered fatal injuries when his scooter was involved in a collision with a car in Central Drive last night.

Daniel Faber was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital following the crash, which happened between the junctions for Maudland Road and Baron Road, but medics were unable to save him.

Police say Mr Faber’s Aprilia scooter collided with a Mercedes A Class car as the car completed a U-turn at around 7.15pm.

An investigation has now been launched, and officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A Yiying scooter travelling with Mr Faber left the scene of the accident, Lancashire Police added, and a 27-year-old Blackpool man was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

PS Dave Hurst, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “This is a tragic incident and my thoughts very much remain with the family and friends of Mr Faber at this time.

“An investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the collision and I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened and has not yet spoken to us to come forward.”

Central Drive was shut close to where the collision happened for over four hours, until 11.45pm.

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting log number 1191 of December 21.

With wet and windy conditions expected from Friday and into the Christmas weekend, the Environment Agency is urging people to check their flood risk - especially if driving or staying in an unfamiliar location.

Heavy rainfall is expected across parts of the north-west of England and the Pennines from Friday onwards and this brings a risk of flooding to land and roads. Driving through flood water can be life threatening - just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

For 7 years, the top 3 places in the UK for flood rescues on the roads have remained the same. Rufford Lane in Newark, Nottinghamshire, Watery Gate Lane in Leicester and Houndsfield Lane in Shirley, Solihull are all fords. A record number of 642 stranded vehicle callouts was recorded by the AA on Christmas Eve 2013. People staying away with friends or family should check the flood risk for their route and destination. The Environment Agency recommends that people stay away from swollen rivers, flood water, and coastal roads and promenades in a storm.

Environment Agency teams are out on the ground clearing river trash screens and removing blockages from rivers. Staff from the Agency, supported by the British Army, will be on standby throughout the festive period and ready to respond wherever needed. The Agency will also support local authorities responding to any surface water flooding.

Kate Marks, Environment Agency Flood Risk Duty Manager, said:

“Storm Barbara will bring rain and wind over Christmas, we want to make sure everyone gets home safely. It’s easy to check our warnings and alerts or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates

“Environment Agency teams are on standby throughout the festive period and will issue flood warnings and alerts where necessary. This winter, we are more prepared than ever for severe weather. There are 6,500 staff trained to respond to flood incidents, 500 flood support officers and 1,200 soldiers on standby. We’ve also invested in new kit including 40km of temporary flood barriers and 250 high volume pumps.”

Keep up to date with the latest situation, call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates.

Characters from family favourite films have brought a little festive cheer to the wards at Blackpool Victoria.

Youngsters were delighted to meet Anna and Kristoff from hit Disney film Frozen.

Emma and Davey Adams donned the Disney gear for the special visit. Davey said: “We’ve done this a few times before. We have two kids of our own so we wanted to bring a smile to the children’s faces on the ward. It’s good fun.”

Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series also set sail with Captain Jack Sparrow. Coral Island amusements arcade sent their own version of the colourful character to bring Christmas gifts.

Tony McKeon, an assistant manager at Coral Island, said the company always liked to support the children’s ward at Christmas.

The firm bought cuddly toys and activity books to distribute among the children.

And as no Christmas would be complete without the man in red himself, Santa and Mrs Claus also stopped by to see poorly youngsters.

The friends of a Blackpool man who died in a scooter crash last night have paid their tributes.

Danny Faber, 29, was fatally wounded when his Aprilia scooter collided with a Mercedes in Central Drive at around 7.15pm.

He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. One man has since been arrested in connection with the crash.

Several messages have been posted online by Mr Faber’s friends, including Ashleigh Green who said: “I’m actually heartbroken and can’t believe how cruel the world can be.

“I’m so glad he found happiness with Nat before he died and his baby should be so proud of him. He had many ups and downs but was a genuinely lovely lad and will be forever missed.”

Toni Louiza Phillips said Mr Faber was a dad-to-be, and said she ‘absolutely heartbroken’ by the news. “Fly high, mate. You’re with your dad, mum, and sister now,” she added.

And Howard Sigley wrote: “Woke up to find out one of my best mates from school has died. Heartbreaking news, I’m devastated. RIP Danny Faber. 2016 has literally been the worst year for losing people.

“Thoughts are with your family.”

Central Drive was closed for over four hours after the crash, which happened between the junctions for Maudland Road and Baron Road, while police launched an investigation.

In a statement, the force said the collision happened as the Mercedes A class completed a U-turn, and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

A Yiying scooter travelling with Mr Faber left the scene, police added, and a 27-year-old Blackpool man was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

PS Dave Hurst, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “This is a tragic incident and my thoughts very much remain with the family and friends of Mr Faber at this time.

“An investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the collision and I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened and has not yet spoken to us to come forward.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting log number 1191 of December 21.

Out of Hours services for the care of non-critical ailments can be accessed through NHS 111 who can arrange appointments at the Same Day Health centre or with the out of hours GP services. You can also access lots of advice from your local pharmacy. A&E is really only for the more significant injuries and life-threatening cases.

You can call your normal GP number between 8am - 8pm for urgent medical problems, they will either deal with your problem directly or will ensure you receive information on how best to access care. If you need advice outside of these hours you can call NHS 111 if you are unsure. They will direct you to the most appropriate care quickly and efficiently.

Patients should also consider:-

• Self-care – treat minor illness and injury at home using a well-stocked stocked medicine cabinet.

• Call NHS 111 for non-emergency medical advice

• Community Pharmacy – visit for expert advice and treatment for minor ailments.

Blackpool

Christmas Eve (Saturday 24th December) All Pharmacies will be open Christmas Eve, however closing times may vary. Please contact your local pharmacy for more details.

Christmas Day (Sunday 25th December)
Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9ES, 01253 807 808 08:00 - 21:00

Boxing Day (Monday 26th December)
Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9ES, 01253 807 808 08:00 - 21:00
Boots UK, 28-38 Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 4TE, 01253 622276 08:30 - 18:00
Lloydspharamcy, J Sainsbury Store, Red Bank Road, Blackpool, FY2 9HY, 01253 351667 09:00 - 17:00
Morrison's Pharmacy, Morrison Supermarket, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool, FY4 2AY, 01253 343377 10:00 - 16:00
Lloydspharmacy, 110 Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 1LR, 01253 627932 11:00 - 16:00 Substitute Day

Tuesday 27th December
Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9ES, 01253 807 808 08:00 - 21:00
Boots UK, 28-38 Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 4TE, 01253 622276 08:30 - 18:00
Lloydspharamcy, J Sainsbury Store, Red Bank Road, Blackpool, FY2 9HY, 01253 351667 09:00 - 18:00
Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Clifton Road, Blackpool, FY4 4UJ, 01253 843847 09:00 - 18:00
Morrison's Pharmacy, Morrison Supermarket, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool, FY4 2AY, 01253 343377 10:00 - 16:00
Lloydspharmacy, 110 Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 1LR, 01253 627932 11:00 - 16:00

New Year’s Eve (Saturday 31st December) All Pharmacies will be open New Year’s Eve, however closing times may vary. Please contact your local pharmacy for more details.

New Year’s Day (Sunday 1st January 2017)
Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9ES, 01253 807 808 08:00 - 21:00
HBS Pharmacy, Newton Drive Health Centre, Newton Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8NX, 01253 304010 09:00 - 19:00
Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Clifton Road, Blackpool, FY4 4UJ, 01253 843847 10:00 - 16:00
Lloydspharamcy, J Sainsbury Store, Red Bank Road, Blackpool, FY2 9HY, 01253 351667 10:00 - 16:00
Morrison's Pharmacy, Morrison Supermarket, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool, FY4 2AY, 01253 343377 10:00 - 16:00
Boots UK, 28-38 Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 4TE, 01253 622276 10:00 - 17:00
Cohens Chemist, Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre, Bristol Avenue, Blackpool, FY2 0JG, 01253 354988 10:00 - 22:00

Monday 2nd January 2017
Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9ES, 01253 807 808 08:00 - 21:00
Lloydspharamcy, J Sainsbury Store, Red Bank Road, Blackpool, FY2 9HY, 01253 351667 09:00 - 17:00
Lloydspharmacy, 110 Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 1LR, 01253 627932 11:00 – 16:00
Morrison's Pharmacy, Morrison Supermarket, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool, FY4 2AY, 01253 343377 10:00 - 16:00
Boots UK, 28-38 Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, , FY1 4TE, 01253 622276 10:00 - 17:00

Fylde and Wyre

Christmas Eve (Saturday 24th December) All Pharmacies will be open Christmas Eve, however closing times may vary. Please contact your local pharmacy for more details.

Christmas Day (Sunday 25th December)
Wesham Pharmacy, 22 Station Road, Wesham, Lancashire, PR4 3AD, 01772 683688 10 :00 - 13:00
Tomlinsons Chemist, 11 Market Square, Lytham, FY8 5LW, 01253 735305 11:00 – 14:00

Boxing Day (Monday 26th December)
Lloydspharmacy, St. Andrews Road North, St Annes on Sea, Lancashire, FY8 2JE, 01253 713741 09:00 - 17:00
Boots, 39 Victoria Road West, Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 1BS, 01253 853168 10:00 - 16:00
WM Morrisons Pharmacy, Amounderness Way, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3TS, 01253 852376 10:00 - 16:00

Tuesday 27th December
Lloydspharmacy, St. Andrews Road North, St Annes on Sea, Lancashire, FY8 2JE, 01253 713741 09:00 - 18:00
WM Morrisons Pharmacy, Amounderness Way, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3TS, 01253 852376 10:00 - 16:00
Boots, 39 Victoria Road West, Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 1BS, 01253 853168 10:00 - 17:00

New Year’s Eve (Saturday 31st December) All Pharmacies will be open New Year’s Eve, however closing times may vary. Please contact your local pharmacy for more details.

New Year’s Day (Sunday 1st January 2017)
Lloydspharmacy, St. Andrews Road North, St Annes on Sea, Lancashire, FY8 2JE, 01253 713741 10:00 - 16:00
WM Morrisons Pharmacy, Amounderness Way, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3TS, 01253 852376 10:00 - 16:00
Boots, 39 Victoria Road West, Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 1BS, 01253 853168 10:00 - 16:00
Boots, 3 -5 St. Annes Road West, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire, FY8 1SB, 01253 721668 10:00 - 16:00
Asda Pharmacy, Dock Street, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6NU, 01253 879410 10:30 - 16:20
Boots, 64-66 Clifton Street, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire, FY8 5EW, 01253 736194 11:00 - 16:00

Monday 2nd January 2017
Lloydspharmacy, St. Andrews Road North, St Annes on Sea, Lancashire, FY8 2JE, 01253 713741 09:00 - 18:00
WM Morrisons Pharmacy, Amounderness Way, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3TS, 01253 852376 10:00 - 16:00
Boots, 39 Victoria Road West, Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 1BS, 01253 853168 10:00 - 16:00

Police are investigating reports a nine-year-old girl was sexually assaulted at Pontins in Blackpool in the early 1980s.

Lancashire Police today said the alleged abuse was reported to management at the time, but a formal complaint was only made to police earlier this year when the victim, now in her 40s, finally came forward.

It said the woman, from Slough, was holidaying at the park, possibly in 1981.

Extensive enquiries have so far failed to identify the alleged offender, and Det Con John Hope-Ross, of Blackpool CID, said: “We are appealing to anyone who worked at Pontins Blackpool during the early 1980s to come forward.”

The 37 acre holiday park, in Clifton Drive North, catered for 2,000 people and closed in 2009. It has since been demolished to make way for hundreds of new homes.

To report any information to police call 101, quoting WA1602246.

Every hospital patient on the Fylde coast will get a present this Christmas Day – thanks to the generosity of Gazette readers.

The Give a Gift appeal has smashed its target to collect 700 presents in under four weeks.

In total, 789 presents were donated and they will be handed out to patients, aged from five to 95, at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and Clifton Hospital on Christmas Day.

Nicci Hayes, fundraising officer with Blackpool Victoria’s Blue Skies charity, said: “We’re really amazed and pleased.

The spare presents ensure there will even be presents left over for next year.

Gloves, hats, toiletries, biscuits, toys and books have been donated, meaning that everyone from the age of five to 95 won’t wake up empty handed on Christmas Day.

Nicci said: “The staff have been coming down collecting the presents and they’re all really happy with them.

“They’re quite surprised by the generosity and they can’t wait to give them to the patients.”

Nicci’s gratitude extended to The Gazette.

She added: “That big push that you’ve done for us has really helped.

“We were short of men’s and luckily we had just enough men’s presents in the end. We had enough for ladies already so it’s worked out perfectly.

“We were getting quite concerned which is why we did the push for the men.

“Everybody’s come to the rescue in the community.

“Every patient will get a present on Christmas Day and every male and female will get the right present for them.

“We’re chuffed to bits.”

The Gazette and Blue Skies’ gratitude extends to all of the local businesses who either donated or acted as a drop-off points during the appeal.

Nicci said: “Massive thank you to all of the community.

“We want to thank businesses that have donated gifts and wrapping paper as well, as that was a big deal.

“If we didn’t have the wrapping paper we wouldn’t have been able to do it.

“So a big thank you to Smyths Toys, Morrisons, Asda, Booths, Poppy and Jacks, Marks and Spencer and B&M –which donated wrapping paper. I’m scared of missing people out!

Nick Sheridan, Store Manager at Smyths Toys, added: “It’s been really good for us because it gets us involved in the community.

“All of our staff have got involved in it, they’ve all bought a present for the trolley.

“I’m actually surprised how many trolleys we’ve filled up!

“I think we’ve had four or five trolleys full and we still have a few bits that I’ve got to give to Blue Skies.

“It’s definitely something I want to do next year as well.”

Another store which definitely did its bit was Spar, on Dickson Road, which donated a number of presents, from deodorant to gloves and everything in between.

Sue Evans, from Spar, said: “Every year we donate to a charity from our carrier bag sales.

“This year, I read in The Gazette about the Give a Gift appeal and that’s where it stemmed from.

“I think there was about 140 presents all together and then we gave them a £300 cheque in case they were short.

“We were just really happy to help with the good cause this year.”

Nicci added: “Spar have been brilliant.

“When they dropped their presents off, they asked if we needed more and they brought us a load more gloves and hats for men, which came in handy.

“It’s been a brilliant success really and we’ll be doing it next year.”

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

James Austin, 31, threats to kill, breach of suspended prison term and breach of a restraining order

A 31-year-old hotel worker has been jailed after he threatened to cut off his former partner’s head and skin her cat.

James Austin was sent to prison for 12 weeks after he admitted harassment.

Austin of Cheviot Avenue, Lytham, also admitted criminal damage costing £220 to his ex’s front door.

He pleaded guilty to making threats to kill her and being in breach of a suspended prison term and breaching a restraining order.

The court heard how Austin was given the restraining order in October 2015 following a conviction involving the same woman.

He had been drinking before he started a series of phone calls to his former partner, some of them abusive rants.

Pam Smith prosecuting said: “In one he threatened to cut her head off and he also threatened to kill her cat.

“She knew who the calls were from and one day he made over 20.”

Austin then turned up at the flats where she lived and barged in the front door in order to confront her but police were called by a neighbour and he was arrested.

Gary McAnulrty, defending, said: “For long periods he leaves this woman alone but drink makes him morose and he starts this course of action. There was no violence to her.”

Peter Lenton, 42, drink-driving, possession of an axe in public

Shocked witnesses told police how they thought a man was going to “go out in a blaze of glory” when he went armed with an axe to the home of his partner he thought had been cheating on him.

Peter Lenton only gave up his weapon when confronted by police at a house in Grasmere Road, Blackpool.

He had driven to the property after downing half-a-bottle of whiskey at a friend’s home in Hambleton where he had also taken the axe from.

Lenton admitted drink driving and admitted possessing the axe in public. 
He was sent for sentence at Preston Crown Court on January 18.

Magistrates bailed £400 a week French polisher Lenton to an address on Bangor Avenue, Bispham.

He must keep a curfew, keep out of Grasmere Road and have no contact with witnesses in his case.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said that Lenton had found text messages of his partner Claire’s phone which led him to believe she was having an affair.

After a row with her he went to his friend’s and began drinking.His friend was worried that Lenton would harm himself and was worried for the safety of the woman.

Lenton was twice over the drink drive limit when he drove back to Blackpool. Her friend had alerted the police about the large axe.

“Witnesses feared he was going to go out in a blaze of glory,” said the prosecutor.

“Police went to the woman’s property and found Lenton at the top of the stairs shouting at her,” said Ms Smith.

”At first he would not give up the axe but finally did so and was arrested.”

In his interview with police Lenton denied wanting to harm Claire but wanted her to feel sorry for him and make her worry about what he might do to himself.

Steven Townley made the successful bail application for his client and said: “He has never been in trouble before and has a full time job.”

“He was very upset about the fact that his partner was having an affair while he was still in a relationship with her.”

Jake Heron, 20, criminal damage

A warrant without bail has been issued for an man accused of damaging a car windscreen.

Jake Heron, 20, of Arundel Road, St Annes, had the warrant issued for him by magistrates when he failed to attend co

Edjis Lepe, 22, criminal damage

A Kirkham man has been put on the wanted list.

Edjis Lepe, 22, of Freckleton Street, who is accused of causing damage to a car, had a warrant without bail issued for his arrest by Blackpool magistrates after he failed to attend court.

Frederick Broadbent, 55, begging from the public

A man who refused to take police demands that he stopped begging on the streets of Blackpool has been fined.

Frederick Broadbent failed to turn up at magistrates court when he was due to be sentenced for seven offences of begging from the public.

The 55-year-old was fined £120 and ordered to pay £120 costs. His lawyer Gary McAnulty told the hearing: “This man is hard up and lost his home.

“He could have turned to theft and shoplifting but he has not done so.

“All he does is ask the public to give him their loose change.”

Lynda Bennett, prosecuting for Blackpool Council, said that Broadbent was asked to move off the streets several times between July and August last summer.

He would be found sitting on the pavements with a bowl in front of him and once had a handwritten notice stating “Hungry and homeless please help”.

She said that when Broadbent, now of Furness Avenue,Blackpool, was asked to move by a community support police officer he would become angry and abusive.

Ben O’Connor, burglary

A man accused of committing a £14,000 burglary which included boxing gloves signed by legendary fighter Mohammed Ali has made his first appearance at court.

Ben O’Connor is alleged to have raided a house in Valeway Avenue, Cleveleys, and to have stolen boxing memorabilia, jewellery, designer handbags and £5,900 in cash during the break-in on December 2.

The house is said to have been ransacked and clothes splashed in bleach during the daytime raid.

O’Connor indicated he would plead not guilty to the offence.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, asked for the case to go to crown court.

He was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on January 18 by magistrates. He must live at his given address, not contact the complainant or enter Valeway Avenue and report 
daily to police as conditions of his bail.

Sean Waistle, 23, driving while unfit through drugs

A man has made his first appearance at court accused of driving a Ford Focus on Blackpool’s Odeon cinema car park while unfit through drugs.

Sean Waistle, 23, of Wharton Avenue, Thornton, had his case adjourned for further inquiries by magistrates.

The football fan who saved the life of a Poulton man when he collapsed at his local pub has described how he brought the pensioner back from the dead twice.

Luton Town fan Mat Davis rushed to the aid of Keith King, 73, when he collapsed by the bar at the Thatched House on Saturday.

He was enjoying a pre-match pint before the Hatters’ game against Blackpool after his son – who lives in Fleetwood –recommended it.

Mr Davis, who was in a group of eight supporters, said: “There were a few of us in the pub and and an old boy in the corner just collapsed.

“I heard the bang as he hit his head as he went down.

“My son pushed me forward and said ‘you’ve had first aid training’.”

The 48-year-old said he hadn’t used his training in years but leapt to Mr King’s aid anyway.

He added: “He was still awake and making gurgling noises.

“I sat him up, then his eyes went so I laid him down and started compressions.

“Thirty seconds into the compressions he came back. But then he went again. I lost a pulse a minute later and started compressions again.

“Then the police came in with a defibrillator. The officer cut his top off and shocked him once with the defibrillator.

“I told the policeman ‘you do the breathing and I’ll do compressions’.

“We carried on for what felt like ages and then the ambulance came.”

Mr Davis said the whole episode from the start to when the paramedics arrived was about 6-7 minutes, ‘but felt like a lot longer.

He said: “The pub wasn’t that busy at that time, but everyone said ‘well done mate’. The landlord came over and shook my hand. We had a few more drinks and went to the game.”

Since then he has been bombarded with congratulations from football fans via social media.

Mr King’s daughter, Zena, also sent a photo of her father sitting up smiling in his Blackpool Victoria Hospital bed.

And on Monday afternoon he had a telephone conversation with Mr King as well.

He added: “It’s just something that you do. I wasn’t expecting all this attention.”