Police are appealing for information after a sickening attack left a teenager with mulitple facial injuries.

Between 9.30pm and 9.40pm on Saturday, April 5, an 18-year-old was set upon by a number of men outside a house on Manor Road, Fleetwood.

The teenager was repeatedly punched and kicked in an unprovoked attack, before the victim’s friends managed to drag him away.

However, while escaping, one of the attackers threw a brick which hit the victim in the face.

The attack left the victim with multiple injuries to his face which required hospital treatment.

Following the attack, the attackers then threw bricks and stones at the house, smashing a window.

Det Con Chris Walsh said the attack was “disgraceful” and urged witnesses to come forward.

He added: “This was a nasty and completely unprovoked attack, the reasons for which are still unclear.

“Fortunately, a CCTV camera nearby has helped to arrest and charge the offenders.

“However, we have not been able to identify which of the offenders has done what.

“In particular, we want to identify which of the offenders has thrown the brick that has hit the victim in the face and which of the offenders has caused the damage to the house window.

“Therefore, we would appeal for anyone who was on Manor Road at the time and witnessed this disgraceful attack or anyone with any information that could help us to come forward.”

Anyone with information can contact Police on 101 or DC Chris Walsh directly on (01253) 607049.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

A walker had a lucky escape after getting stuck in mud up to his knees on Cleveleys beach.

The man had been walking on the stretch opposite The Venue, on North Promenade, when mud set fast around him, holding him in up to his ankles.

Emergency crews were called at around 6.30pm on Saturday and coastguard crews from Lytham and Fleetwood were sent to the scene with specialist equipment to free him.

But in the 15 minutes it took crews to arrive the man, who was alone, sunk further, up to his knee on one leg.

Now coastguard bosses have said the man had a lucky escape as the tide was going out and he was able to call for help quickly.

Paul Parkes, watch manager at Liverpool Coastguard, said: “It could have been a completely different situation.

“He was able to call us, a passerby went to help him but he told them not to go too close, and luckily the tide was going out.

“Mud sets quite quickly around you, we tell people to sit down to spread your bodyweight.”

The fire brigage were also on standby to offer assistance and an ambulance crew checked over the man once he was freed but did not need to take him to hospital.

Coastguard crews have now issued advice to anyone out walking on the Fylde coast beaches.

Mr Parkes added: “Our beaches do have areas of mud and quicksand, this is why having a mobile phone is such an essential and useful thing.”

Wyre’s council leader claims Fleetwood Town FC are leading the way when it comes to breeding success in the borough.

The Highbury club secured a sixth promotion in 10 years at Wembley last week and will play League One football next season.

And Coun Peter Gibson insists it is an inspiring story for the rest of Wyre.

He said: “It’s an absolute success story and success breeds success.

“When you’ve got one thing happening like this other people want to come and invest.

“The football club are leading the way but the council is also involved.

“We’ve invested in the Marine Gardens, the coastal communities fund, the Copse Road depot was £1.5m.

“We’ve got the sea defences at Rossall and Rossall Point going on as well.

“There’s so much going on.”

Fleetwood chairman Andy Pilley is believed to have invested £10m since taking over the club including the construction of the £4.5m Parkside Stand which includes offices for his energy firm BES.

A further £5m is planned to be invested in a new training ground for the club at Poolfoot Farm in Thornton.

The application for the centre goes before planners tomorrow and Coun Gibson believes it would be another boost for the area.

He said: “There’s a planning meeting on Wednesday.

“I can’t pre-judge that.

“But what I can say is such a facility would help locally to bring on young talent.

“What we want to see is 
local youngsters going through the academy and eventually playing for the Fleetwood first team. That’s the dream.

“It brings the club’s training base back to Wyre, it keeps the club local.”

Town’s success story will inevitably bring bigger crowds to Highbury, with a number of high profile clubs on next season’s fixture list.

Coun Gibson knows it puts extra pressure on local infrastructure, not least the main road into the town.

He said:”Our biggest problems is the A585.

“The higher Fleetwood go the more pressure there is to improve that road.

“There are pinch points being addressed but we need a better infrastructure to benefit both the football club and the regeneration of the area.”

A bowling club on Fleetwood’s seafront has added its voice to concerns about the siting of a planned new skatepark nearby.

The forthcoming skate facility, part of Wyre Council’s £1.5m Five For Fleetwood Project, has been hailed by many as excellent news for the town, especially for young people.

But not everyone is happy.

Last month, some hoteliers and residents on the town’s seafront said they were worried about the location on The Esplanade, saying it would 
become a magnet for yobs.

They have even launched a petition. Now, members of the nearby Belmont Bowling Club have questioned the position of the skatepark as well. Dave Wright, chairman of the club, said; “We are 
certainly not against a the idea of a skatepark, which would be a welcome new amenity for Fleetwood’s youth. But we just feel there are far more suitable places for it to operate.

“Our members, who are mainly pensioners, enjoy their bowling on our green most 
afternoons and evenings.

“We are not labelling the skaters vandals or hooligans, but an amenity like that will inevitably attract the mindless, destructive element.

“This past winter, we have been subjected to severe vandalism, both to our green and our wooden shelters, costing us dear in repairs.”

The bowlers say possible alternative sites would be land across from the Sea Cadet Base, the old tennis courts in the Memorial Park, the Freeport area or King George’s at Broadwater.

But Sharon Bailey, vice-chairman of Fleetwood Skatepark Committee, has said it is wrong to link the skatepark to yobbishness and believes it will complement other facilities on the seafront.

A Wyre Council spokeswoman said: “No final decisions have been taken on Five For Fleetwood and, once plans have been drawn up, the council will be happy to discuss the scheme and its location with the public.”

Another big weekend is over and it was very eventful! What do you do if your big name gets injured and cant work the second night of your show?

Well just make it up as you go and hope the fans have fun is the answer! It worked a treat and we have not had one fan tell me they was short changed by the show.

Next up is the big June 28th show! This show is like nothing I have ever done before as its free! No catch you just turn up and get to see a full free PCW event featuring former WWE stars Chris Masters, Carlito and the best talent in the UK! Those who know me will know how much I hate giving anything away for free so I fully expect thousands of people to turn up and ease my pain as I empty my bank account paying the talent! For more details go to our website at {http://www.prestoncitywrestling.com| www.prestoncitywrestling.com} and remember its in aid of the armed forces. There is a full day of events planned so don’t just think its just a wrestling show. For more details check out Preston Armed Forces Day on Facebook.

So what I am doing with my time now? Well I am just awaiting arrival of 500 posters for the free show. I have not put a poster up since 2011 and I am not looking forward to the thought of investing hours of my time for no return haha! So expect to see PCW posters up around town soon as I really want this to be the biggest show in the UK. No reason why we cant have 5000 fans turn up. We have a plan B if it rains too with Evoque on standby so don’t think this wont happen if the weather is not the best! So I hope to see you all June 28th on the flag market.

A Fylde businessman has launched his own coffee house business with his first outlet in Kirkham.

The Villa Group, owned by Simon Rigby, has joined the modern day coffee culture with its Leaf or Bean brand.

The coffee is available in house or to take away and will be serving teas plus cakes and light bites, seven days a week.

It is located at The Villa Italian and The Villa Express, on Fleetwood Road, in Greenhalgh, near Kirkham.

The group has worked with local coffee roasters and consultancy Coffee Logistics which has a shop in Abingdon Street Blackpool.

Emdad Hussain from Leaf or Bean said: “We are very proud to have worked with Coffee Logistics on Leaf or Bean, their training has been fantastic. It is a welcomed partnership.”

Fleetwood Civic Society have welcomed the chance to showcase the town’s classic architecture in a groundbreaking joint exhibition.

Fine buildings and architecture from across the whole of the Fylde coast are being celebrated in the special display.

Blackpool Civic Trust, Fleetwood Civic Society and Lytham St Annes Civic Society have joined forces to host the display, entitled Buildings of the Fylde Coast: An Architectural Photographic Exhibition, at Fylde Gallery, Lytham.

Fleetwood exhibits include an atmospheric photo of the North Euston Hotel in snow, as well as images of the Lower Lighthouse, the cenotaph in the Memorial Park and a view from the leaning tower at Rossell Point.

Margaret Daniels, chairman of Fleetwood Civic Society, said the initiative had been such a success that the groups may well work together again.

She said: “We’ve learned more about each other as 
societies, sharing ideas about future projects and we’ve all realised it’s important the 
exhibition leaves a legacy of joint working for all of us.”

The exhibition was opened by Dr Freddie Gick, chairman of Civic Voice, the national charity for the civic 
movement.

He said: “This project shows civic societies are not just about protesting.

“By coming together, Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and Fleetwood have put together a fantastic exhibition and are showing what can happen when we work together.

“The Fylde coast as a whole has such a lot to offer.”

The exhibition features large photographic images and items from Blackpool, Fleetwood, Lytham and St Annes and will run until 
July 4.

Marion Coupe, chairman of the Lytham St Annes Civic Society, added: “This has been a true partnership project between the three different groups.

“The Fylde coast is one of the best places in the world and Lytham St Annes Civic Society is proud to host 
this exhibition with our friends in Blackpool and 
Fleetwood.”

Joan Humble, the former Labour MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, is chairman of Blackpool Civic Trust. She said of the joint initiative: “It’s great to be working with our neighbour societies on this project.

“This is how civic societies should work, particularly where there is a shared history or where, like on the Fylde, we’re all so physically close.”

It’s been a quiet week as far as PCW goes. That is not a bad thing though!

With the stress and strain of the last six months it’s nice for everything to slow down. With the next show being free entry, there’s no ticket sales to drive. The show after June 28th is not until August, so I thought I would be having an easy month. I checked my emails today. only to see a big deal that has taken months to iron out has been agreed. While I can not say what it is right now, I can say it’s a huge deal for wrestling fans in Europe!

Also next week I say goodbye to my house guest this month who wrestles by the name of Uhaa Nation. Not before I take him to Magaluf for a stag party with 30 other lads. Now Uhaa has never done anything like this and is more accustomed to being all respectful in Japan. I am sure he will love it but more than anything I cant wait to get away! A few days of sun, drinking and football is just what the doctor ordered.

For the next week you should start seeing my posters for the June 28th free show (yes free just turn up) popping up all over Preston. I have looked at the posters then looked at the rain and thought not today haha. But now the sun seems to be out and I have no excuses but to cover Preston in posters. I honestly cant wait for the next show. Its close to bankrupting me but for me to showcase my company in front of thousands of fans in the town I was raised, it can’t get any better than that can it?

So check out {http://www.prestoncitywrestling.com| www.prestoncitywrestling.com} for details!

The Fylde coast is boasting yet more outstanding individuals singled out for praise from the Queen in the prestigious birthday honours list.

With awards which recognise the commitment of teachers, doctors, magistrates and community champions it’s fair to say all are worthy recipients - but there can be none quite as deserving as Ethel Dobbins.

She is one of six outstanding individuals from the Fylde coast singled out for praise from the Queen in the prestigious list.

And at the grand age of 99 she shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.

‘Dobbie’, as she is affectionately known to her friends, is to be awarded to her for services to the community, having given her life to helping others.

The list of her achievements includes working as a nurse, midwife, health visitor and social worker as well as volunteering her time and expertise to a number of organisations looking after the elderly or disabled.

She said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to receive an honour from the Queen.

“I am amazed and proud and humble. I would like to thank the volunteers, without whose help I would not have achieved anything.”

The Cleveleys resident is an active member of Wyre Senior Voice Forum, Wyre Together and Wyre Disability as well as secretary of Hard Of Hearing and treasurer of Blackpool Stroke Club.

She added: “I live my life by the mantra, if you love your fellow men you’ll do what you can for them.”

Eddy Jackson, who was head of Blackpool’s Highfurlong Special School for 23 years, seeing it achieve a raft of ‘outstanding’ ratings from Ofsted inspectors, is to be given an MBE.

Mr Jackson, 63, who retired from the Blackpool Old Road school last summer, said he accepts the award on behalf of everyone involved in Blackpool’s special needs community.

He added: “News of the honour brought a tear to my eye because of the huge efforts and tremendous work involved in gaining the award.”

Mr Jackson was famed for donning his wetsuit and taking on charity windsurfing events to raise money for vital high-tech communication aids for young people with complex and severe disabilities.

Also praised for services to education is Roberta Austin, centre manager for Blackpool and The Fylde College’s successful Build Up programme.

Ms Austin has overseen 3,500 unemployed people develop work skills and go on to land sustained employment across the Fylde coast.

She said: “I am humbled that the work that I am so fervently passionate about and committed to has been recognised.”

Blackpool GP, Dr Amanda Doyle, said she was “surprised and delighted” to be honoured with an OBE after dedicating the last decade to improving health in the town.

The award recognises her contribution to primary care in the resort where she has worked for 18 years.

She said: “For me personally it is obviously a great honour. But I think the award is also recognition of the achievements of so many others who I have been privileged to work alongside in the challenge to improve health – not only in Blackpool but the country as a whole.

“To be honoured in this way comes as a wonderful surprise – it is not something you ever expect.”

Dr Doyle is now a partner at Bloomfield Medical Practice on Bloomfield Road, and is the chief clinical officer of NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group.

Also listed for honours are Julie Farrell JP, for services to the administration of justice in Blackpool and Dr Andrew Treharne, from Lytham, for services to youth engagement in biology.

Relief as teenage tearaway handed two-year ban

Traders and residents have been spared further misery after a boy who terrorised a town was handed an ASBO.

Blackpool Magistrates’ court heard how Kyle Bee, 15, from Shakespeare Road, Fleetwood, harassed and threatened people in the port.

The teenager, who has bright red hair and stands less than 5ft tall, was made the subject of the Anti-Social Behaviour Order as soon as he was released from a youth custody unit he was in.

The ASBO now forbids Bee from using foul language on the streets of the town and any other public places.

He is barred from shops he has stolen from and from the public library where he has been a nuisance.

He is forbidden to mix with another named youth, and he must not harass or threaten a named man who is undergoing sex change treatment.

Nittin Borde, who applied for the order on behalf of Lancashire Police, handed in a dossier on Bee compiled by police and support officers.

He told Blackpool Magistrates: “The order is needed to control this young man and protect the community of Fleetwood from his behaviour.

“There is one man in particular he has picked on.”

Gerry Coyle, defending, said: “There is no doubt he has been a blight on society.

“However, he also feels victimised. He feels his red hair makes him a target for police.

“He has served two months in custody. He may have expected computer games an iPads but there was none of that.

“It was a chastening experience and he does not want to go back there.”

Bee used to live with his mother on Poulton Street, before moving to Shakespeare Road this year.

One resident, who declined to be named, said: “We are close to the town centre and it gets very rowdy here.

“There are takeaways and pubs, so it’s fairly common to see bad things around here.”

Plans for the Fylde Coast Food and Drink Festival this summer are hotting up as exhibitors from across the region are signing up to be a part of the day.

On Sunday, August 17 , the Marine Hall, Fleetwood is set to be transformed into a food lovers’ paradise as talented chefs and producers come together to celebrate the region’s thriving food and drink scene. As well as many familiar faces from last year’s event there are lots of new exhibitors on board.

Once again the team from Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar will be showing off their skills with three cooking demonstrations on the main stage. Each will showcase a different course.

Paul Moss, chef patron at Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Marine Hall for this year’s Food Festival and will once again be demonstrating the best of local Lancashire produce.

“This year we will be up on the main stage and there will be one chef demonstrating and one compering so there will be plenty of opportunity for the audience to get involved.” There will be stalls selling hot food on the day as well as producers selling food and drinks to enjoy at home.

This year there will be lots for kids too with arts and crafts activities, cupcake decorating and rides.

The event takes place from 10am to 4pm.

For more details or to book a stall visit www.marinehall.co.uk/foodfestival.

Fleetwood’s England fans are ready to roar on their team again – and one Fleetwood family has made sure everyone knows where its 
allegiance lies.

Mike Hughes’ England house is probably the most photographed property in Fleetwood.

The Mount Street cottage has been painted with the St George cross for previous football tournaments but, in time for this year’s World Cup, Mike decided to add the Three Lions emblem and Nike’s 
famous ‘swoosh’ logo in tribute to the England shirt.

He said: “I’ve had loads of people stopping to take photographs, and they even ask me sometimes if it’s OK to do it!

“People seem to like it, they come up to the house to have a look, and the kids love it.

“I just do it for a bit of fun, really, and for my nieces Amy and Tia and my nephew Max.

“A painter did the job for me, he did some of it freehand and stencilled part of it.”

Mike is a former footballer himself. He played for Wolves and Leicester City and finished his career at Fleetwood Town.

Now he works as an agent in the entertainment business and also at Lords Bar in Blackpool.

“It was packed on Saturday night for the England match. I thought the team played well but in my opinion I wouldn’t have played Wayne Rooney. I think they’ve a good chance against Uruguay and Costa Rica. I hope we get through the group stages at least.”

England face Uruguay 
tomorrow, at 8pm, in a crunch match which both teams need to win. Across Fleetwood, many pubs will be screening the game and expect to be crammed with hopeful England supporters.

Down at The Mount pub on The Esplanade, pals Richard Salthouse, John Pinder and Paul Myserscough were upbeat about the positive attacking manner in which England tackled the slick Italians – and believe the men in white will still qualify.

Richard said: “The young lions were unlucky against Italy, I’ve never seen so many England shots from distance, they weren’t afraid to have 
a go. It sets a new precedent 
in how England play in 
tournaments.”

John added: “Attacking play is the way forward, we will qualify for the latter stages. England may have lost but they played some good stuff.”

Paul added: “We were good in attack but poor in defence, but watching Uruguay lose to Costa Rica the other day, that gives us hope.”

Debi Clerkin, manager of The Mount with husband 
Kieran, said: “The atmosphere was brilliant on Saturday and we expect it to be the same this Thursday.

“The World Cup is great for local trade.”

Shakespeare Primary School celebrated its 80th anniversary in style this week.

The Manor Road school, which has seen generations of Fleetwood children pass through its doors, held a 
special outdoor service to mark the occasion.

Guests of honour were past pupil and now Mayor of Wyre Coun Ron Shewan and Mayoress Brenda Shewan, along with Ted and Vera Rawlinson, who were the first pupils at the school when it opened in 1934.

Headteacher Susan Bartlett said: “As well as our guest of honour, James Wright, our school advisor came, as well as our chairman of governors Neil MacSymons and Lynne Atkinson, chairman of Friends of Shakespeare.

“Lynne brought along a box of badges with the date 1934-2014. She handed them out to every pupil, member of staff and former pupils as a 
memento of the day.

“We have also had a Shakespeare flag made and hoisting it were the eldest pupil Mia McIver and the youngest 
Taylor Banks.

“Some of our past pupils had written their memories, which were read out by our Year 6 pupils.”

“One pupil wrote how, during the winter months, their parents would bring hot chocolate and pass it to their children through the school gates. Mr Rawlinson also recalled how, on his first day, his mum shouted after him to watch the horse and carts on his way to school.”

During the afternoon, past pupils and visitors were able to view a gallery of memories, press cuttings, photographs and old admission books.

Past pupil David Pook, 49, was looking at the exhibition with daughter Bethany Pook, 11, who attends the school. He said: “I’ve been back to the school a few times already but going back the first time in 30 years was an amazing feeling.

“This exhibition is really interesting and my mum, Irene, also attended the school back in the 1930s.”

The wait is finally over...

Tonight sees the biggest entertainment bonanza in Blackpool for decades.

More than 20,000 fans will pack into Blackpool FC’s Bloomfield Road ground to see rock legend Rod Stewart’s first performance in the resort for 40 years.

And at the same time, just over a mile away, thousands will be in attendance as West End hit Mamma Mia starts its spectacular 12-week run at the Opera House.

And community leaders across the town are thrilled at the prospect of two huge performances bringing visitors to the town and pumping millions into the local economy.

Coun Graham Cain, cabinet member for tourism on Blackpool Council, said: “There’s a buzz of excitement around town.

“To have Mamma Mia! here and Rod Stewart too, we’re raising the bar of quality.

“There’s only one place that can compete with what we have and that’s London.”

Michael Williams, general manager of the Winter Gardens, said: “To see Mamma Mia! coming to fruition is such an important element of what we’re looking to do for the town.

“I love seeing the venue full and busy, it’s a real buzz.”

Ex-Faces star Rod’s gig in front of a packed crowd at Bloomfield, is alone is expected to pump £2m into the Fylde coast economy.

It has been described by those who are behind it as the biggest performance the town has seen.

Peter Taylor, of promoters Cuffe and Taylor, which is behind the show, described the gig as a “massive coup” for the town

“We’re all tremendously excited by the concert and Rod can’t wait either.

“It promises to be a real evening to remember,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s been a gig this size in Blackpool ever really.”

Business owners and hoteliers are also hoping to reap the rewards of the two smash hit shows.

Winter Gardens bosses anticipate the thousands of fans flocking to the venue each night will have a knock-on effect not just for others in the night-time economy but also the town’s attractions as people make a trip of it.

Helen Mansell, vice-president of Stay Blackpool, said: “I’m really excited about it.

“I’m looking forward to it being a wonderful success and it being the start of more shows in the future.

“We’ve had people 
booking to stay because they’re seeing Mamma Mia! but also I think people who are coming to Blackpool will see how brilliant it is and will be delighted to go.”

Bill Lewtas, secretary for Blackpool Licensed Taxis Association, which represents cabbies across the town, said: “Blackpool taxi drivers are very pleased to have it in town. It will be a huge success I’m sure and good for business.”

One restaurant boss has said he has already increased his staff by 35 per cent for the summer to cope with demand.

Gavin Mathams, manger of Pizza Express on Church Street, said: “I’m expecting it to go crazy, it’ll be a boost for the town. We’ve got in about a third more staff for the summer. I’m a Blackpool lad so seeing shows like this come in is amazing and as a manager its very good for business.”

Awesome, amazing, fabulous, brilliant – these are the verdicts of the thousands who filled Blackpool’s Opera House to see Mamma Mia! on its opening nights this weekend.

The West End show’s 12-week stint in the resort is an attempt to put the entertainment town back on the map for top class shows and weekend stays.

It’s also perhaps the perfect feel-good show, featuring pop classics, camp jokes and outlandish outfits, for Blackpool.

Mamma Mia! catapults its audience through the whole gamut of emotions in just over two hours and sends everyone out with a spring in the step and a need to dig out an Abba album.

“It was amazing,” said Diane Cavallo, 51, from Blackburn. It just took me back to being 16 again, the emotions it conjured up. The costumes were fantastic too. It far outstretched the film.”

Hanna Roberts, 45, from Blackpool, watching the show with childhood friends, said: “It was brilliant, really uplifting and feel-good, and a great use of our fabulous theatre.”

Schoolmate Karen Prosper, 45, added: “We have to make the most of a West End show being in Blackpool – it was fabulous.”

The show meant for a special and slightly different birthday celebration for 18-year-old Teresa Banks, visiting from Yorkshire. She said: “You’d normally come to Blackpool for a night on the town but this is a good, different experience.”

The occasion changed many people’s view of the resort too – locals and visitors.

Roy Marchant, 55, bought tickets for wife Cheryl, 51, for Christmas, complete with a weekend trip to the resort from Derbyshire. She said: “We were going to go to London, we didn’t think they did this kind of thing in Blackpool.

“It’s a long time since we’ve been and we’ve had a lovely time, it’s completely changed my view of the place.”

Rikki Lane, 31, from Blackpool, pulled out all the stops, donning her own Dynamos-style Super Trouper outfit for a night out with workmates.

She said: “It’s brilliant to be able to stay in Blackpool for a show. It’s a really nice venue and an amazing show.

“It’s got romance, comedy and all that dancing. 10/10.”

Anna Travis, 21, who travelled over from Leyland for her first live theatre experience, said: “I just wanted lots of singing and dancing.”

These fans were as quick to sing and dance in their seats as performers bursting with enthusiasm on stage were, earning themselves rapturous applause, and leaving the crowd roaring for more in the finale. Mrs Marchant added: “The show was just amazing. I didn’t want it to end.”

If opening weekend is anything to go by then bosses behind Mamma Mia’s summer season in Blackpool are well on their way to success.

A near-capacity audience in the famous Opera House on their feet singing and dancing or laughing and clapping along to a hit West End show is a dream come true for many.

This show, based on the hits of Swedish pop group Abba, is the ultimate feel-good production, firing out one gold-plated hit after another.

There’s more to it than just fun, though.

Following 20-year-old Sophie Sheridan’s search for her father ahead of a big white wedding to Skye, the show visits themes of loss, love, belonging, friendship, family and new beginnings.

The arrival of Sophie’s bridesmaids on her Greek Island home, Skye’s boisterous antics with pals Eddie and Pepper, and the return of Tanya and Rosie for the reformation of Donna and the Dynamos give it that added sparkle.

Its physical humour and camped-up, raunchy jokes are nailed-on crowd pleasers in a party town like Blackpool and each of the show’s stars clearly feeds off the audience reaction.

In fact, Blackpool’s very own Ashley Luke Lloyd, giving his all as Eddie, gets as many of the laughs as any of the lead characters.

The return of Harry Bright, Sam Carmichael and Bill Austin, long-lost lovers of pensive mother-of-the-bride Donna Sheridan give the story its 
narrative and three well-honed and amusing performances, not least from Aussie Austin.

As the mother-daughter relationship is tested there’s hardly a dry eye in the house through the song Slipping Through My Fingers.

Playwright Catherine Johnson has weaved the works of ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus into a show that can be as cheesy as it is charming and has gone down in the musical theatre history books as one of the best ever.

Its original stage version has already been seen by more than 54 million worldwide, and perhaps as many again through its 2008 film adaptation, which boasted an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Julie Walters and Colin 
Firth.

While that may have left some question marks over the show’s relevance or originality in being brought to Blackpool this summer, after debuting in London back in 1999, there’s a simpler view... if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Live performance lends so much more than celluloid.

There are numbers left out of the film that performed on stage allow for the costume department, already wowing with Super Trouper outfits complete with 33,000 rhinestones, to show off even more prowess.

Dancers never missing a beat, singers making your hair stand on end – everything you’d expect from the company of a world-touring smash-hit show.

For those who perhaps enjoyed dinner and a glass of wine basking in the sunshine outside a café in the attractive St John’s Square or Cedar Square before strolling across to see a hit musical in ‘the home of entertainment’, it was a pinch-yourself moment. Hopefully not a one-off.

Fleetwood’s lifeboat crew were called out to rescue a couple of casualties caught out in ‘woof’ seas.

The crew rushed more than a mile out to rescue two dogs, cut off by the tide and struggling in the waters, after 
apparently running off to chase seagulls.

Dogs Dixie and Shadow were picked up more than a mile from the shore of the port 
after getting cut off by the tide.

Coastguard crews were alerted at around 3pm on Thursday after the labradors were spotted by a watch team at Rossall Observation Point.

Lifeboat crews have said the dogs, which had been 
reported missing earlier in the day from a home on Lowther Road, Fleetwood, might not have made the mile-long swim back.

Coxswain Paul Ashworth said: “The dogs were struggling to swim in the very choppy sea. They wouldn’t have made it. They must have gone out chasing seagulls.

“They were a couple of miles from the shore and swimming back but got tired.”

Two volunteer crewmen, Skip Frith and Ian Ellarby, were guided to the dogs, a golden and a chocolate labrador, by the team at the observation point. Coxswain Paul added: “There are some dog 
lovers here, luckily.”

Crew members said the dogs were in a healthy 
condition – but were more than happy to make it back to dry land by around 4pm.

A spokesman for Liverpool Coastguard said: “They were two lovely labradors.

“Rossall Observation called saying they could see them stranded and tired.

“Fleetwood coastguard rescue team, the inshore 
lifeboat from the RNLI went out.”

The dogs were reunited with their owner by the 
lifeboat crew and Wyre 
Council’s dog warden, who had the missing pair reported to the service earlier in the day.

It’s the day before I put on the biggest free wrestling show I have ever known take place in the UK!

It really is 100% free with no hidden fees, just turn up with your family.

We have former WWE stars Carlito and Chris Masters and the cream of British wrestling. This is for a great cause, with it raising awareness for our armed forces. The day itself has so much going on that it would appeal to all ages. With things from singers to brass bands to movie props. It will be a fun day and hopefully we make it a real highlight on the calendar every year by setting the standard.

The show itself has some money contributed towards it but the majority is coming from myself. The way I see it is I could spend a few thousand on a bill board or newspaper advertising campaign but what will show people exactly what PCW is more than a live event! I have even been out postering, and having not put one up since 2011 I quickly remembered why that is haha. I am not one for walking upto ten minutes between putting up a poster when I can hit so many people sitting on my laptop. The response has been good though and I am fully expecting a few thousand people to turn up.

The set up is interesting. With a 7am set up time and the fact all the equipment is in Evoque then I might as well just go and party until 4am and carry the equipment out and set up there and then. So if your drunk and see a wrestling entrance way and ring at 5am as you stagger across the flag market then please don’t be alarmed. This one time its perfectly normal to see it there!

We also have the biggest announcement in our history to make at the show. While I wont say what it is here, I can say it will be big news in the wrestling world and all eyes will be on PCW. We really have pulled off something big and it’s a great thing for the UK to have it. I will talk more about it next week.

If you like the sound of free entertainment check out Armed Forces Day Preston or Preston City Wrestling on Facebook.

It seems that when it comes to tourists visiting Blackpool, they just can’t make their mind up over whether it’s a good place to spend their money or not.

A survey conducted by a campaign company has found the resort’s beach to be the fourth nicest in the United Kingdom.

However, the research by Campetition also discovered the same respondents found the resort to be the most disappointing place they had visited in the country.

More than one and a half thousand people took part in the survey, run by the firm as part of its latest promotional campaign, which offers entrants the chance to win a share of more than £9,000 worth of prizes and holidays in the UK’s biggest camping competition.

Brighton, Newquay and Bournemouth beaches ranked above Blackpool’s in the poll – while Scarborough, Weymouth, St Ives, Camber Sands, Woolacombe and Skegness also made the top 10.

The other nine places described as “most disappointing” by the survey were London, Rhyl, Skegness, Newquay, Great Yarmouth, Scarborough, Manchester, Stonehenge and Margate.

However, the company believes the recent trends for domestic holidays could mean an economic boost for resorts such as Blackpool over the coming months.

A spokesman said: “With the Met Office reporting that May was the sixth month in a row of above average temperatures for the UK, and the Conservative MP Helen Grant suggesting that ‘staycations’ were a potential solution to the UK’s ongoing passport crisis, the country’s beaches are set to be busier than ever this summer.”

Fylde’s first citizen is urging people to take a look at an exhibition of photographs of some of the best-known buildings on the Fylde coast.

The Coastal Fylde display, organised by Lytham St Annes Civic Society, Fleetwood Civic Society and Blackpool Civic Trust, is being staged in Lytham’s Fylde Gallery until July 4.

Mayor of Fylde, Coun Kevin Eastham, said: “I found the exhibition to be a fine display of the buildings we see every day – and don’t always appreciate as much as we should.

“It ends soon so I urge people to take a look before it’s gone.”