A fantasy novel 40 years in the making has finally hit the shelves – three years after its author was diagnosed with dementia.

Grandmother Anita Dewhurst, 70, has no idea her lifelong dream of becoming a published author has finally been fulfilled.

The former NHS administrator, who holds a first-class degree in English and qualifications in mathematics and law, suffers from an aggressive form of dementia, and today struggles to recognise even the people closest to her.

Anita, who lives with her husband Rex on Warbreck Drive, North Shore, penned ‘The Charquery Key’ when her two sons, Michael and Chris, were still in nappies.

The novel follows Tom, an elderly man approaching the end of his years, who is whisked away to a magical kingdom of witches and goblins.

Bestowed with the gift of youth, he joins forces with four fantastical beings to protect the world from an evil presence. It is aimed at children aged eight to 14-years-old.

Anita’s granddaughter Amy, 31, who lives in Kirkham, said: “She always loved writing. But because she’s from an older generation, when she got married and had children they became her life. Then when my dad had me at 18, she starting looking after me. She was a big support for my mum and dad.

“She would keep going back and editing and re-editing. She would spend all day at it. I’d go out to work on a morning and come back at 5pm and she would still be there at the kitchen table with her laptop open.”
Determined to improve her novel and have it published in bookshops all over the country, Anita embarked on an English degree at Blackpool and The Fylde College when she was in her 60s, shortly after Amy left home.

But tragedy struck three years ago when Anita was diagnosed with vascular dementia, a form of dementia caused by reduced blood supply to the brain due to diseased blood vessels. The condition affects more than 150,000 people in the UK and causes memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving and speaking.

Her husband, retired cafe owner Rex, 77, said: “There’s nothing she can do. She’s not herself any more.

“She had a brilliant brain. She was a very bright woman. She’s still a lovely girl and we will love her forever, but we can’t really communicate with her any more. She’s not the person she used to be.”

Amy added: “Everything about her has changed. She was the matriarch of the family and kept us all together.

“She can’t string a sentence together any more. She will repeat things and that’s as much conversation you will get. She’s got no concept of time, no concept of what she’s wearing. She doesn’t know whether it’s day or night.

“She was a very proud woman. She very much cared what other people thought of her.”

Knowing Anita would never get the chance to finish her life’s work, her family took it upon themselves to edit The Charquery Key and submit it for publication.

The final version of the 170-page book was published this month, and can be purchased online.

Amy said: “It’s the one thing we can do to show her how much we love her, and how much we appreciate everything she has done for us.

“It’s everything she’s ever wanted and it’s such a shame that she can’t hold that book herself and understand what it means.

“She still reads books, but whether she’s actually taking the sentence in we just don’t know.

“We hope that there’s a glimmer of understanding in there somewhere.

“She’s still very strong-willed and confident and I know she would be so proud of herself. It’s her life-long dream and it’s finally come true.”

The Charquery Key by Anita Dewhurst can be bought online at www.amazon.co.uk.

Readers have submitted their suggestions of great places to find a well cooked breakfast. We received more than 100 suggestions through our Facebook pages but only a select few can be put through a vote.

The top ones for each readership area will be chosen for our Lancashire recommends page.

Voting closes noon on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Theresa May has written a New Year message for people in Blackpool.

In it she outlines a number of initiatives which are being introduced in the town which she says will help create “a fairer society”.

She also acknowledges the town’s vote for Brexit which saw 67.5 per cent of voters opting to leave Europe.

The message comes after Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard met with Mrs May at Westminster just before Christmas.

Here is Mrs May’s message in full:

“This year has seen a huge opportunity for the whole country – to become that outward looking independent nation again, and create a country that works for everyone, not just a privileged few.

“When people here in Blackpool voted to leave the EU they voted for a change – and it’s my mission to deliver exactly that and create a fairer country with more opportunities for all.

“With Paul Maynard as your local Conservative MP, I know that’s something we can deliver.

“Earlier this year we chose Blackpool as one of six ‘opportunity areas’ around the country, to get extra funding so it can address challenges to social mobility.

“On top of this, Blackpool is having its education funding increased under the new funding formula that we announced earlier in the month.

“Paul recently told me about a skills and jobs fair he is launching in May.

“The event is designed to bring together local and national employers, training and apprenticeship providers and educational establishments with young people from the Fylde coast.

“By working together we will help create a fairer society – one which works not just for the privileged few but for the hardworking families that are struggling to get by – but I know that next year we can go even further.” Prime Minister Theresa May has written a New Year message for people in Blackpool.

Businesses across the Fylde are ready for the introduction of the new £1 coin.

The new coin, to launch in March, is aimed at cracking down on the number of fakes in circulation.

The new pound coin is set to be the most difficult to forge ever, has 12 sides, micro-lettering, made out of two metals, and is lighter than the existing coin.

Between March and September next year both new and old pound coins should be accepted everywhere from corner shops to parking machines. But after that, the old pound coins will no longer be either given in change or accepted by shops.

The change has prompted concern it will cause problems for coin-operated machines such as vending machines, games and supermarket trolleys.

But businesses in the region say they have been preparing and although it will be time consuming, will not cause a major issue.

A spokesman for Red Rose Leisure said they would be sending out engineers to all their fruit machines, juke boxes and arcade games across the North West.

She said: “We’ve just had to do it for the machines that take £5 notes, and now we’ll have to do it again for all the machines. It’s quite a big job really, and there’s no compensation for it, you just have to do it. There is the side of it that you won’t get the fakes, but to be honest, we don’t get many of them anyway. They tend to be lighter and the machines recognise them.”

A Royal Mint spokesman said: “The Royal Mint and HM Treasury have been consulting with industry, including organisations in the cash services industry, coin handling equipment manufacturers and representative organisations and individual companies in sectors with high cash transactions e.g. retail, transport and leisure industries.

“The Royal Mint has made samples of the new £1 coin available to manufacturers and operators of coin handling equipment for the testing, development and implementation of equipment upgrades.”

Pet owners objecting to proposed changes to dog control in Fylde are gearing up for a second protest walk.

Hundreds packed Lytham Green last month to make stand against Fylde Council introducing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO), which would require dogs to be kept on leads on all public highways and exclude them from various other locations, including children’s playgrounds.

The new orders are currently the subject of a public consultation which runs until January 15 and if they come into effect, failure to comply could see rule-breakers given a £100 fixed penalty notice, which would reduce to £50 if it is paid off within seven days.

Members of the Fylde Responsible Dog Owners group, who quickly attracted more than 1,000 followers to a Facebook page opposing the proposed PSPOs and were delighted with the turnout at the last protest walk, will stage the follow-up on seafront land close to Fairhaven Road car park, St Annes, on Sunday, January 8 from noon to 1pm.

Group spokesman Ann DeRizzio felt the support for the last walk was a very clear statement about the strength of feeling about this matter.

She said: “Nobody likes to see a dog misbehaving or an owner not picking up after it, especially responsible owners - it drives us crackers. But why punish the vast majority of good owners for the sake of a few bad ones?

“Legislation to punish offenders already exists. There are fines and orders for fouling and bad behaviour but the council has not and does not enforce it.

“We would support any measures that might work but these will not stop fouling by irresponsible owners. All they will do is alienate the residents.”

Among the proposals are borough-wide PSPOs which require dogs to be kept on leads on all public highways at all times, as covered currently by by-laws. The same requirement is proposed for council car parks and Lytham Cemetery, along with various parks across the borough.

Other proposals include PSPOs to cover dog fouling, to limit the number of dogs under the control of one person to a maximum of four and require dogs to be kept on leads and exclude dogs at locations including children’s playgrounds.

Organisers of Sunday’s walk ask dog owners to keep their pets on leads at all times and are reminded not to forget to bring dog waste bags.

Coun David Eaves, chairman of Fylde Council’s operational management committee, said: “Fylde Council is the only district council on the Fylde coast that does not have Public Space Protection Orders in place. All members of the public are invited to voice their comments and opinions within the consultation. These will all be take into consideration and a full report later presented to full council.”

People can have their say up to January 15 online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/fyldedogcontrol.

Nicola Grady and Gary Greenwood-Myers’ new son wasted no time making his presence felt as 2017 dawned.

He arrived at Blackpool Victoria Hospital just 26 minutes into the New Year - so quickly that mum and dad are still to decide on a name. Within hours, the new arrival was being admired by his many relatives eager to get a look at the newest family member and Gary said: “It’s fantastic he was born on New Year’s Day. He was a little early but he was born just a few hours after Nicola’s waters broke and everyone at the Vic did a great job.”

A court has ordered that a dog be put down after it attacked a child and injured a man in a second incident.

The order was passed on Lion, an eight-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux by Blackpool magistrates.

Deborah Barnes-Dunne, a 57-year-old professional dog walker, of Ullswater Avenue, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to having a dog which was dangerously out of control at a Freeport Shopping Village car park.

She was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years, put on a two months curfew from 8pm to 6am and fined £100 with £200 compensation plus £115 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said the victim and two friends were walking back to their car on the overflow car park at Freeport on November 26 about 4pm.

He said a large scary angry looking dog ran up and grabbed his arm with its teeth. He ended up on the ground with the dog on top of him.

He said if he had not been wearing a long-sleeved jacket he said he would have been severely injured.

Barnes-Dunne then dragged the dog into her car. The victim, who said there were adults and children about at the time, suffered a cut to his thumb and grazing to his legs.

He said Barnes-Dunne apologised and asked him not to report the matter to the police. She went to a cash machine and gave him £250 for the damage to his clothes.

A witness said the dog had no muzzle on and was not on a lead.

At the time of the offence Barnes-Dunne was on a suspended prison sentence made in November last year for an offence of having the same dog dangerously out of control when it injured a child.

The court on that occasion ordered that if the dog did not wear a muzzle and be on a lead at all times in a public place, it should be destroyed.

Gerry Coyle, defending, said in June this year his client’s home had burnt down and she was living with a friend.

She had been diagnosed with mental health issues and was on medication.

Mr Coyle added: “The dog is like the dog in the film Turner and Hooch – a big slobbering type. It is eight and has hardly any teeth. The breed suffers from heart back and leg problems.”

“The day of the offence the dog had been sick in the car, so the defendant went to a quiet parking place to give him a drink of water.

“The dog was full of exuberance and jumped up at the man, knocking him over. She had apologised and was full of remorse.

“Later that evening the police came, took the dog and put him in kennels.

“Since then she has been heartbroken.”

A new conference centre, tramway extension, hundreds of new homes, police station and college are all on their way.

The start of 2017 sees Blackpool on the cusp of reaching the next stage of regeneration.

A new conference centre and an extension of the tramway are among projects within grasp.

Hundreds of new homes are set to be built in the town while investment in hotels and leisure facilities is also in the pipeline.

Work is already underway on more than £30m of new public buildings - a police station and an energy college.

The council is hoping for funding through the Government’s Growth Deal for a £25m conference centre set to be built alongside the Winter Gardens.

Also expected in the new year is a decision from the Transport Secretary on the £22m tram track linking North Pier with North Station.

The latter would also kickstart the £31m second phase of the Talbot Gateway including a new hotel and tram terminal linked to the train station by an underground pedestrian walkway.

Coun Mark Smith, cabinet member for economic development on Blackpool Council, said: “I think Blackpool is strongly placed going into 2017 and hopefully we will see a number of projects moving forward such as phase two of the Talbot Gateway and the Wilkinson’s development at the Houndshill site.

“We are also looking at the museum project and how that can fit in with operations inside the Winter Gardens.

“The council’s ability to borrow at low interest rates means we can support developments coming forward.

“But Blackpool isn’t just a tourist town, and there is also a lot going on behind the scenes.

“Laila’s Fine Foods at Bispham has been investing in its business and even some of the smaller shopping districts are seeing a turnaround.

“We also have the Enterprise Zone coming along with businesses looking to build there.”

Planning permission was granted in 2016 for the second phase of the Houndshill shopping centre which would see the relocation of Wilkinson’s and the building of a 56-bedroom hotel.

Other hotel schemes with planning approval include a 96-bedroom proposal within a three-storey extension of The Sands entertainment venue on the Golden Mile.

Meanwhile progress is expected on the conversion of the former Post Office on Abingdon Street to hotel and leisure use.

Derelict buildings on South Promenade, including the Palm Beach Hotel, have recently been demolished to make way for an £8.5m development including a Hamptons by Hilton hotel.

Although it will not be ready until 2018, work has begun on a £16.25m rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Meanwhile hundreds of new homes are being built with the next phase of the Foxhall Village underway and the first of 584 houses earmarked for Marton Moss, off Progress Way, starting to be built.

In other projects, work has started on building a £21m police station on the old Progress House site on Clifton Road, Marton, while the £9.8m energy college at Blackpool Airport is taking shape.

It is set to be the lynch-pin of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone which aims to create around 3,000 jobs.

Industry leaders today said they felt Blackpool was on the brink of a fresh wave of investment optimism.

Claire Smith, president of hoteliers group StayBlackpool, said: “We are looking forward to a full and exciting year.

“I am hoping the increase in visitor numbers will continue with all that’s going on with Brexit.

“There is a lot in the pipeline - a new ride at the Pleasure Beach, the Blackpool Museum and a possible tramway extension.

“If we can move forward with the conference centre that would bring a different kind of visitor to the town in the form of business people.

“There is a lot to look forward to and I can’t think of anywhere else which offers a much as we do.”

Among private investment moving forward is the converson of the former Post Office on Abingdon Street to a 50-bedroom hotel with a mezzanine courtyard boasting restaurants, shops and cafe bars.

The proposals are being put together by husband and wife team Joe and Kelly Thompson of Thompson Contracts who bought the Grade II listed building in November 2015

Mr Thompson said: “We have now appointed the full professional team with a view to them working up a detailed set of construction drawings by the end of March 2017.

“We will then look to tender the main contract works with an anticipated start on site in June and a 40 week build programme taking us through to 2018, for commencement of circa 10 weeks of tenant fit out and, the scheme then opening that summer.”

Mr Thompson said there was already interest in the building.

He added: “I’ve met with a couple of marketing companies and will look to have a glossy brochure produced for March ready to send out to potential tenants.

“Some initial inquiries and expressions of 
interest have been received but I’m not in a position to disclose any names at this stage.

“I see a lot of reasons to be positive with Blackpool’s current evolution - conferencing facilities, quality hotels and transport infrastructure projects both from private investors and well placed involvement by the council.

“It feels like we’re on the cusp of something great and it’s exciting to see the potential our town has.”

The £50m Foxhall Village has already seen land off Rigby Road partly transformed into a new neighbourhood.

Work has now started on the next phase, with 400 homes due to make up the full scheme.

Rik Faircloth, development manager at Hollinwood Homes, said: “The fact the first phase has sold out has shown there is a demand for quality, affordable housing in Blackpool, and work is now underway on the second phase.

“This £50m regeneration scheme is transforming a 
disused piece of land and breathing new life into the area by creating a new community, in addition to playing a key role in supporting 
wider investment into the town.

“Foxhall Village is attracting people from out of the town to come to live and work in Blackpool, providing jobs for local people, boosting the economy, and injecting a sense of renewed optimism about the area.

“Many of our residents say Blackpool’s attractions and amenities are what appeals to them about settling here so it’s important to build on this, continue investing in the town and keep enhancing its good reputation.”

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

John Lees, 66, drink-driving

A drunken pensioner smashed into a parked car overturning his own vehicle as he went to buy a lottery ticket one afternoon.

John Lees had drunk half-a-bottle of brandy when he was involved in the accident at Fleetwood.

Lees, 66, a former civil servant and taxi driver, of Queens Terrace, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from the road for 17 months and fined £200 with £85 costs plus £35 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Presiding magistrate, Christine Greaves, told him: “We feel you were reckless for driving at that time and were a danger to the public. You have admitted to an alcohol dependancy.”

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said police were called to an accident in the port’s Victoria Street, on October 14 in the late afternoon, where Lees had collided with a parked vehicle and his Ford Ka had landed on its roof in the road.

A blood test showed 138 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 80 is the limit.

Stephen Duffy, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had driven hundreds of thousands of miles without incident.

Lees had realised he had a problem with alcohol and had contacted drink specialists. He had said his view at present was that he did not want to drive again.

Scott Fleming, 41, breach of the peace

A drunken man stamped so hard on his floor that the ceiling in the flat below started to crack.

Scott Fleming, 41, was angry after a row withe his neighbours in the flats on Brand Street, Cleveleys.

Crane driver Fleming admitted breaching the peace and was bound over for a year in the sum of £100.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said that police were called to the flats and found Fleming drunk and unsteady.

“The neighbours said he had been stamping on his floor and their ceiling was cracked and plaster was coming away,” she said

Gerry Coyle,defending, said that Fleming was off work because he had both hips replaced.

The lawyer said:”I must say that taking on a shedload of alcohol that day cannot of helped with the healing process.

“He was angry with the women living below him and I believed they had left syringe needles int he common hallway.”

“He was angry with police because he believed they had taken the side of what he said were a couple of smack heads.”

Benjamin Whyte, 36, assault

A 36-year-old accused of two assaults on his partner has been bailed.

Benjamin Whyte, of Kipling Drive, Blackpool, denied both assaults when he appeared before magistrates.

He also faces an allegation that he destroyed his partner’s bank and other cards.

Whyte was bailed pending his trial which will take place on February 15.

He must live at an address on Deepdale Road, Blackpool and not enter Kipling Drive as terms of his bail.

Joshua Jones, 20, criminal damage

A child’s first birthday party ended in shambles when the youngster’s father kicked and punched at two doors.

The incident happened at the home his former partner in Cannock Avenue,Blackpool, as preparations were being made for guests.

The child’s father Joshua Jones, currently of no fixed address, admitted criminal damage to the doors valued at £150.

Magistrates were told conflicting stories about Jones’s attendance at the event.

The barman claimed he had received messages asking him to be there and his former partner told police she had not wanted him on the premises.

Pam Smith ,prosecuting, said: “Whatever that situation was she wanted him to leave and she had taken the child into another room.

“He started to shout and then punched one door and kicked at the other.”

Patrick Nelligan,defending,said: “At one stage he was in the kitchen helping with the party food then all of a sudden he was told to leave. It was not easy for a father on his child’s first birthday.”

Jones was fined £ 120 and ordered to pay £150 compensation,£85 court costs and £30 victims’ surcharge.

He was also made the subject of a two year restraining order forbidding him from entering Cannock Avenue or contacting his ex partner except through solicitors.

Jason Carter, 23, sex offences

A Blackpool man alleged to have committed systematic sex offences against young boys has appeared at court.

Jason Carter of Dinmore Avenue, Grange Park, faces eight charges involving boys aged under 13 .

Magistrates remanded the 23 year old in custody after being told he was to appear at Preston Crown Court on January 13 to face allegations involving other children.

Magistrates sent the latest charges to be heard on the same day at the higher court.

Stephen Wood, 43, burglary

A man broke into a hotel room where holidaymakers were staying and stole a purse and it’s contents.

Stephen Wood, 43, of The Delamere Hotel, High Street, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to burgling the resort’s Park House Hotel on August 31 this year.

Wood was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court for sentence on February 1 by Blackpool magistrates.

He must not enter any hotel in Blackpool except the one he lives at as a condition of his bail, magistrates ordered.

Raymond Thompson, 58, theft

A grandfather stole a vacuum cleaner after arguing with his girlfriend.

Raymond Thompson, unemployed, 58, of Keswick Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to theft.

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

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said Thompson was seen on CCTV at the resort’s B and M Bargains store stealing a £69 vacuum cleaner on December 12.

When interviewed he told police he had earlier had a row with his girlfriend and broken the vacuum. He only had £5 on him when he went to B and M Bargains to get another.

Stephen Duffy, defending, said Thompson’s benefits had been stopped.

Carl Frost, 30, assault

A 30-year-old man has been accused of assaulting his own mother and an ex partner on Christmas Day.

Carl Frost of Queens Promenade, Blackpool was remanded in custody when he appeared before Blackpool Magistrates. He will next appear in court on January 6.

He is alleged to have pushed his mother to the floor.

Fed-up residents are calling for more to be done to tackle fly-tippers who are now regularly plaguing a beauty spot in Fleetwood.

It comes after the dumpers struck again at Jameson Road, close to the much-loved Fleetwood Marsh nature reserve, on Boxing Day.

The brazen offenders left rubbish strewn all over the road, including a battered brown sofa.

And this latest incident comes after similar occurrence in early December and in October before that.

Fleetwood Town Council member, Coun Rita Hewitt, says she was contacted by residents who frequently use the nature reserve and who are angry that it is happening on a regular basis.

Coun Hewitt, who represents Mount ward, says she met up with Wyre Council officials after the early December incident in a bid to find workable answers to the problem.

But she says that since that promising meeting, the officers have not followed through on the next stage of developments and she feels as though nothing will be done.

Now tippers have struck again, adding to frustrations.

Coun Hewitt said: “People who visit Fleetwood Marsh on a regular basis are getting fed up and I don’t blame them.

“There was still rubbish left from the previous incident- and now this.

“The solution is quite clear – install CCTV cameras at either end of the road, catch these people and hit them with a big fine. There are various parties with responsibilities over Jameson Road. I was trying to get them to meet up, with the help of these officers, and discuss the possibility of them sharing the costs of CCTV. But my discussions with the officials have come to a dead end and it is very frustrating.”

Wyre Council was not available to comment on the latest incident.

But previously a spokeswoman said of the issue: “We encourage residents to report fly tipping which can be done at wyre.gov.uk/reportflytipping. We rely on information from members of the public and businesses to tackle the problem.”

Individuals donating blood could save or improve up to three lives by giving up just an hour of their time.

That is according to NHS Blood and Transplant which is calling on residents across the Blackpool area to make a New Year’s resolution to become blood donors next year.

Mike Stredder, director of blood donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The New Year has 
traditionally been a time when people think about giving things up.

“This year we’re asking people in Lancashire to make a new kind of resolution and register to give blood.

“Or if you’ve already done so but haven’t managed to donate, we’d love to welcome you to one of our sessions in 2017.

“It’s easy to sign up to become a blood donor and book an appointment, online, via an app or on the phone.

“Each donation can potentially save up to three lives. In 2017 don’t just give up, give.”

To check the donation criteria and for times and places where you can donate visit blood.co.uk

A big-hearted Blackpool woman has helped ensure a homeless man and his beloved dog were not separated.

The man – named only as John – faced losing his four-year-old Staffordshire cross Dillon when he became homeless following the death of a friend.

John was offered temporary accommodation but couldn’t face the thought of having to rehome Dillon, his loyal best friend.

Thankfully Susan Fryer, from Blackpool, who works as a volunteer for the Furry Friends Pet Fostering Service, came to the rescue.

The scheme provides short-term foster owners for the beloved cats, dogs and companion animals of people who are in crisis.

Susan said: “I am delighted to have been able to welcome Dillon into my home.

“He was very sad and frightened when he first moved in.

“Different people and a new environment were overwhelming for him, but with patience and kindness I have supported this beautiful dog through his uncertainties and he’s now very settled.”

The foster placement has given John the time and space he needs to plan out a new life after the loss of his friend.

He said: “I love Dillon to bits and I would never consider rehoming him. He’s my best friend and I just need a helping hand for a few weeks whilst I sort out a new place to live. My friend dying has been very sad for me; losing Dillon too would have been too much to bear.”

Last night my car was broken into.

Last night my car was broken into.

Not a stellar moment for 2016, which has been sadly lacking in stellar moments altogether, but one that perhaps sums up the dying moments of a year that has been extremely trying.

I could at this point witter on about celebrity deaths, Brexit, Trump and all the other little 2016 treats.

But in essence, few will have spent New Year’s Eve mourning the passing of the 12 months in which the words clickbait, skronk and scrumdiddlyumptious entered the Oxford English dictionary for the first time.

In fact having my pride and joy (pictured, me in it) entered by bungling criminals (who were welcome to the six month old fry, hair-coated extra strong mint and 50p ice scraper they encountered) may go down as my memorable moment of the year.

Not just because I became a victim of crime.

But because I learned I am also the have-a-go type of furious homeowner who casts aside personal safety for the sake of an ageing sat nav and hundreds of bags for life in the boot.

I had no fear for the car as stealing my particular model is virtually impossible and it immobilised all on its own (well done, clever car).

However, awoken from the deep depths of a dream by the wailing and beeping urgency of the alarm, it took me about five and a half seconds to get my coat and slippers on, charge out for the front doors and run like a crazy lady into the street in pyjamas and with mad hair at half past midnight.

Sadly, alerted by my house lights and scared off by the piercing shrieks (not me, the car), the culprits fled empty-handed, leaving doors and windows wide open, so I wasn’t forced to fight them off single-handedly, which on reflection was probably for the best.

I do have a reluctant admiration for them admittedly – last year I locked my keys in the car and it took two locksmiths seven hours to spring them free.

So I got off this particular experience pretty lightly – well, so the police tell me – I survived as most of us (celebrity icons excluded) survived 2016.

So instead of reviewing miseries of 2016, we should celebrate the fresh new arrival.

Have a scrumdiddlyumptious 2017.

A trio of newly published tram books is set to revive memories of 1970s Blackpool when the resort had the only surviving street tramway in the country.

Blackpool Trams and Recollections 1972 and the two-part Blackpool Trams and Recollections 1973 are the latest books by author and former Gazette journalist Barry McLoughlin.

He has linked the fortunes of the street cars with events going on in the wider world at a time when Blackpool was experiencing the first impact of the package holiday revolution.

Photographer and railwayman Ray Ruffell spent several days photographing Blackpool’s trams in 1972 and 1973.

Now some 45 years on, these previously unpublished pictures provide a fascinating window on life at that time.

They are the latest in Silver Link Publishing’s Recollections series of nearly 70 books which relate transport in a certain part of Britain to events that were happening nationally and internationally that year.

Barry said: “In the early 1970s, Britain’s biggest tourist resort was experiencing the ominous first stirrings of the package holiday revolution, as Britons increasingly forsook their traditional two weeks by the sea in search of sunnier climes.

“However one constant was its tramway system, the first in the world and Britain’s last remaining traditional street tramway.”

The year 1972 saw the launch of Blackpool’s one-man operated trams in an attempt to cut costs as passenger numbers dropped.

On the local front, the year’s headlines were dominated by the tragic murder of three children by a doctor at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, and on a happier note by the opening of Blackpool Zoo.

Nationally the country was ravaged by high unemployment and industrial unrest with Prime Minister Edward Heath declaring two states of emergency.

The pop charts were dominated by the likes of Sweet, Wizzard and Slade while the first legal commercial radio station was launched and the first hand held mobile phone call was made.

Barry added; “There are obviously quite a few books on Blackpool trams but mine aim to be a bit different, appealing not just to tram buffs but also to anyone nostalgic about, or interested in, life in the 1970s in Blackpool and beyond.”

Barry, who is editor of Steam World, has previously written eight books about the Fylde Coast’s railways and tramways.

The latest trio is available from Silver Link Publishing at The Trundle. Ringstead Road, Great Addington, Kettering, NN14 4BW, telephone 01536 330588 or go to www.nostalgiacollection.com

The soldier was from the 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, which has been based at Weeton since 2011, a statement from the MoD revealed.

It continued: "The death occurred in Taji, Iraq, following an incident that is currently under investigation, but we can confirm that it was not as a result of enemy activity."

Officials have informed the soldier's family, who requested a period of grace be given before the name is released.

Around 150 soldiers from the battalion, known as '2 LANCS', began deploying to Iraq to help fight against the so-called Islamic State - or Daesh - last month.

After training for several months in the UK, the soldiers set off for a six-month tour to train Iraqi and Kurdish security forces as part of a larger 500-strong British Army force.

They are also expected to provide protection to other British troops in the country.

Speaking last month, defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: "Defeating Daesh will help stabilise Iraq, which in turn will make Britain safer, and 2 LANCS should be proud of the role they'll play in helping achieve that goal.”

Major Rob Singleton, Commanding Officer of 2 LANCS, added at the time: “Our role in Iraq is vital.

"We are part of an international coalition and will contribute by training the Iraqi and Kurdish security forces in diverse skills. This includes counter IED (improvised explosive devices), infantry, and medical training.

"We are well prepared. As we demonstrated with the floods in the north of England last Christmas, we relish a challenge and the Kingsmen - our soldiers - can make a real difference. We feel proud to have been chosen for this task and are keen to get started.”

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

Mohammed Zubair, 31, drink-driving

A man who had been drinking was stopped by police as he made a mercy dash to see his mother who had been rushed to hospital.

Mohammed Zubair, a 31-year-old delivery driver, of James Street, Preston, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from the road for 14 months and fined £160 with £85 costs plus £30 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said police saw Zubair driving a Ford Fusion on Clifton Drive South, St Annes, on December 15 in the early hours.

Officers were concerned about the speed he was doing so they put on their vehicle’s blue lights and stopped him. He said he had drunk one bottle of Budweiser.

A breath test showed 44 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit. 
At the time of the offence he was on a suspended prison sentence for an offence of assault.

Martin Hillson, defending, said Zubair was the main carer for his mother who was not in good health. He arranged for a relative to look after her and went to Blackpool with friends intending to stay the night.

He then got a phone call from the relative saying his mother had taken a turn for the worse and been taken to hospital with a suspected stroke. He was on his way to the hospital when he was stopped.

Lee Eckersley, 33, breach of Sex Offenders Order

A man accused of breaching a Sex Offenders Order by failing to complete his annual registration has been put on the wanted list.

Lee Eckersley, 33, of Linden Place, Bispham, had a warrant without bail issued by magistrates for his arrest after he failed to attend court.

Martin Reddy, 44, theft and breach of conditional discharge

A man with a lengthy criminal record stole headache tablets valued at £70 from a Blackpool shop.

Martin Reddy, 44, of Central Drive, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to theft and breach of a conditional discharge.

He was given a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £71 compensation by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said Reddy went into the Co-op and stole 30 packets of Nurofen on December 11.

Reddy, who had numerous offences of dishonesty on his record, told police he had been told by a friend he could sell the painkillers for £1 a packet.

Suzanne Mugford, defending, said Reddy was homeless at the time and took the painkillers hoping to get some money together towards accommodation of his own, but he only received £8 for the pills.

In the past Reddy had a drug habit, but he had used time he had previously spent in custody to wean himself off them and he no longer took street drugs.

Leslie Page, 36, driving while unfit through drugs

A man accused of driving while unfit through drugs at Blackpool has had the first hearing of his case at court.

Leslie Page, aged 36, of Albany Street, Ilkeston, who was not present at court, had his case adjourned by magistrates.

Martin Parsons, 37, possession of heroin

A man accused of possessing heroin at Blackpool has been put on wanted list.

Martin Parsons, 37, of Raikes Parade, Blackpool, had a warrant without bail issued for his arrest by resort magistrates after he failed to attend court.

Youth, 16, stabbing, theft and possession of an offensive weapon

A 16-year old South Shore youth has made his first appearance at court charged with a street stabbing.

The youth was remanded on bail by Blackpool Youth Court until he appears at Preston Crown Court on January 25.

He was made the subject of a tagged curfew and must not contact any witnesses.

The teenage is charged with stabbing a man with a knife on December 3 this year during an alleged confrontation over cigarettes at 1 am.

He is further alleged to have stolen cigarettes from his victim and possessing the offensive weapon-a knife in a public place.

Youth, 14, assault

A 14-year-old youth has appeared before Blackpool Youth Court charged with assaulting one of his care workers.

The teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons is charged with biting and punching the alleged victim on December 11.

Magistrates asked for reports to be prepared on the accused and he was bailed to re appear at court on January 19.

Jolanta Przybylska, 53, drink-driving

A mother-of-four was more than three times over the alcohol limit and banned from the road when police apprehended her following a tip-off.

Jolanta Przybylska was seen crawling along in her Ford Ka swaying from left to right, veering onto the wrong side of the road and going through a red light.

Przybylska, a 53-year-old care home worker, of Granville Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol while disqualified without insurance. 
The court proceedings were relayed to her in Polish by an interpreter.

She was sentenced to 20 weeks jail suspended for 18 months, banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay £85 costs with £115 victims’ surcharge by magistrates.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said another driver reported the defendant because she was driving so erratically on Bromsgrove Avenue, Bispham, on December 1 at 8.30pm

A breath test showed 106 micrograms of alcohol in her body –35 is the limit.

She had been disqualified from driving in March this year for a previous offence of drink-driving.

Probation officer, Eleanor Cordwell, told magistrates that Przybylska had received a call from Poland to tell her that her best friend, who cared for the defendant’s mother in that country, had been killed in a car crash.

Przybylska did not go to work but drank a bottle of Martini and described herself as nine out of 10 on the drunkenness scale.

She slept for about three hours then set off to drive to talk to a friend.

She felt terrible about what she had done and gave thanks there had been no accident.

A professional dog walker has vowed to fight the “death sentence” imposed on her pet by magistrates.

Blackpool Magistrates last week ordered that eight-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux Lion be put down after he attacked a man in the car park at Freeport shopping outlet in Fleetwood.

Deborah Barnes-Dunne, 57, pleaded guilty to having a dog which was dangerously out of control.

In addition to the destruction order she received a six month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

She had already been ordered by the court to keep Lion muzzled and on a lead in public after the dog injured a child.

Despite the attacks, Ms Barnes-Dunne claims Lion is a peaceful elderly dog with hardly any teeth and that neither of his victims suffered serious harm. Now she is fighting against time to save him from a lethal injection.

Ms Barnes-Dunne, of Ullswater Avenue, Fleetwood, said: “I am heartbroken. I don’t know what I will do without Lion if he is killed. He is a wonderful dog and is not vicious at all.

“On the day of the incident, I was in the car park at the far end of Freeport when Lion was sick.

“I let him out of the car so that he wasn’t sick again inside.

“He saw the man and jumped up at him and knocked him over.

“I apologised and drew out some money to pay for damage to his clothes and thought that was the end of it.

“Lion doesn’t deserve to die for something like that.

“When the police came to take him away, I was heartbroken.

“I am determined to appeal against this, Lion should be allowed to grow old with me. He isn’t a danger to anyone – he is just soppy. It’s because he is so big that people think he is dangerous.”

The court heart that Barnes-Dunne was already on a suspended sentence at the time of the offence.

It was made in November 2015 when the dog attacked a child.

Sentencing guidelines for magistrates in England and Wales say that a destruction order can be made against a dog if the owner fails to keep it under control or it has a history of aggression.

Ms Barnes-Dunne has now instructed her solicitor to appeal against the order in a higher court.

She said: “I don’t care what it costs. I want to do everything I can to save Lion.

“He is on death row at the moment and it breaks my heart to think about him in kennels all alone without the people who love him.

“I have been warned that I could even end up in prison if the appeal goes against me, but that is a risk I am prepared to take for the sake of my dog.”

The makeup of Lancashire’s population is changing dramatically. STEF HALL takes a look at what the future holds for the county of the next 30 years.

FASCINATING figures have predicted how Lancashire’s population makeup will change in the next 30 years - leaving the Red Rose county with a more silvery hue.

Projections published by Lancashire County Council show by 2039 the number of over 65s will increase by 47 per cent to 343,079.

Understanding the size and characteristics of the population is vital when it comes to planning and delivering services like education, transport and healthcare.

The latest population projections cover up to 2039 for Lancashire’s 14 local authorities and six clinical commissioning groups.

By 2039 it is thought the county’s population will increase by 4.5 per cent, resulting in an expected population of 1.538 million - though this is significantly lower than the expected increase for England of 16.5 per cent.

However, there will a significant change in the age makeup as people live longer.

The report says: “It is clear that not only is the population ageing but that the proportion in the older age groups, seventy plus, is forecast to increase at a faster rate than those in younger age groups in both the short, medium and long-term.”

For the next ten years, the number of children aged 0 to 15 in the county will rise but will then fall.

The working age population is also predicted to start to decline within five years.

But Lancastrians born in the baby boom just after the Second World War will reach their late 80s by 2035 – 
and are more likely to reach that age than the previous generation.

By 2039, there will be 68,947 aged 85 and above.

The impact of the ageing population on health and social care services is hard to predict.

County Councillor Tony Martin, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “Like the rest of the country, changes in the makeup of the population mean that there are now many more older people living in Lancashire.

“Older people are making a huge contribution to our economy as they are employed in a variety of businesses where their experience and skills are invaluable.

“They also work on volunteering programmes supporting many charities to help them with their important local activities.

“However, the fact that people are living longer does have an impact on services such as social care and the National Health Service.

“We will continue to work with other organisations to do all we can to ensure people stay fitter for longer so they are less likely to rely on social care and can live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”

Some fear with life expectancy increasing, the ageing population will affect a number of areas, including pensions and the health service, healthcare and housing.

But other organisations say it may create new economic and social opportunities, and as people are working later in life it will increase the size and productive capacity of the workforce.

The Royal Voluntary 
Service (formerly the WRVS) have estimated over-65s make a net contribution to the UK economy of £40 billion through tax payments, spending power, donations to charities and volunteering.

Today, David McCullough, chief executive, said: “Older people have so much to offer; their experience, skills and talents would be worth a fortune in the job market, yet many choose to be generous with their time and volunteer. Sadly we are failing to realise and harness this talent as much as we could.

“We need to do more to motivate older adults to volunteer which will provide the help that is so desperately needed and at the same time, will give them an opportunity to meet new people and to remain active and engaged in their local community.

“Volunteering in retirement should be normalised so it becomes a little like work experience for young people; a must have part of their post work plans.

“It’s vital to engage older people before they leave a company and to achieve this the voluntary sector needs to work with Government and Lancashire’s businesses to convince future retirees to include volunteering when planning the next phase of their life.”

Health and social care thinktank The Kings Fund, says older people contribute financially through a variety of routes, including a spending power of £76 billion, which could rise to £127 billion by 2030, and the provision of social care - worth £34 billion - will grow to £53 billion by 2030.

It also says volunteering, which many older people do, has a hidden value of £10 billion annually.

The facts

Population change occurs as a result of births, deaths and net migration (the difference between immigration and emigration).

These factors may also affect the age and sex structure of the population.

A boy born in the UK in 1980 could expect to live 84.7 years on average, but a boy born today will live for an average of 91 years - by 2037 it is projected to be 94.3 years.

A girl born in 1980 could expect to live 88.8 years on average, but a girl born today may live for 94.3 years - and on current assumptions, by 2037 a staggering 97.3 years.

Fylde coast rail passengers will see massive investment in 2017 but will pay the price with an average 2.2 per cent rise in fares.

The increase by rail firm Northern is below the national average but still a disappointment to public transport campaigners who have described UK wide increases as “another kick in the teeth” for passengers.

The rail industry claims fare rises are paying for huge infrastructure projects, including the North West electrification scheme.

That project will provide long-term benefits for passengers but will also result in huge disruption, with an 18-week closure expected on routes to Blackpool from November,

Northern has defended the decision to raise unregulated fares.

A spokesman said: “We are committed to an ambitious programme to modernise rail travel for our customers which will deliver better journeys and improve customer service in the North.

“From January 2017 customers using Northern’s trains will see an average fare increase of just 2.2 per cent. We understand any fare increase is likely to be unpopular, though overall fares will remain low. Money raised as a result of the fares increase will go towards delivering better journeys and improving customer service.

“By 2020 everyone travelling on the Northern network will benefit from brand new or completely refurbished trains through our multi-million-pound fleet investment.

“All the unpopular Pacer trains will be gone by the end of 2019. We will also further modernise our stations and facilities, all forming part of a significant modernisation designed to deliver a rail service fit for the 21st Century.”

As an example an off-peak return ticket from Poulton to Manchester will now cost £18.50, an increase of 30p on last year.

The overall rise is the highest since January 2014, when fares increased by 2.8 per cent.

Northern says only three per cent of the cost of tickets is profit for the firm.

Lianna Etkind, of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Today’s fare rises are another kick in the teeth for long-suffering rail passengers.

“Many experienced a less frequent and more overcrowded service last year, and now they are required to pay more for the same this year. The whole fares system is completely unfair and its high time the Government overhauled it.”

The Government uses the previous July’s Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation to determine increases in regulated fares around 40 per cent of all tickets sold.

Electrification of the Blackpool North line is expected to be completed by May next year.

As part of the work a new platform will be built at Kirkham and platforms will be extended at Blackpool North.

Outdated semaphone signals along the line will also be replaced.

A man has been seriously injured after he was hit by an Audi in Blackpool early this morning, police say.

The accident happened at around 2.30am this morning, 3 January 2017, on Talbot Square.

The man suffered broken bones and a head injury - the extent of which is not yet known.

He was taken by ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital where he continues to receive treatment.

Accident investigation work at the scene was completed by the police at around 6.30am.

Police are now appealing for any witnesses to call 101 citing log LC-20170103-0081.