CAMPAIGNERS are stepping up their bid to stop plans to store gas in underground caverns close to Fleetwood.

Members of the Protect Wyre Group are delivering leaflets in Fleetwood and other areas of Wyre in a bid to make one final effort to halt the controversial proposals.

After two rejections of plans by Canatxx, its successor company Halite Energy has lodged a slimmed-down’ version with the Independent Planning Commission.

Halite now wants to create up to 19 purpose-built caverns in the salt field at Preesall.

The caverns would be used for the storage of up to 900 million cubic metres of natural gas, including 600m cubic metres of working gas – significantly less than Canatxx planned between 2005 and 2009.

Residents are now preparing a ‘vigorous opposition’ to the proposals which they believe have not answered their concerns.

Howard Phillips, of the Protect Wyre Group, said: “Our group, made up of residents’ groups on both sides of the Wyre, will be mounting a vigorous opposition to these proposals which we believe have not answered the concerns of the residents expressed in the previous three applications for gas storage in the area.

“Halite wishes to wash out the salt bed to create 19 new caverns, this compares with 20 caverns proposed by Canatxx and rejected in 2007 after a Public Inquiry.

“An average of 10,000 people objected each time to the previous applications and we are urging everyone to make a last final effort by objecting to this, the fourth application.”

{http://bit.ly/FWN_Register|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories}.

The Protect Wyre Group will be delivering letters to every home within three miles of the proposed gas caverns.

Volunteers are required to deliver leaflets in Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Anchorsholme, Norbreck, Thornton, Poulton and Over Wyre.

Fleetwood Civic Society are among those who have joined forces with the Protect Wyre Group to protest against the gas plans.

Society chairman Margaret Daniels has warned Fleetwood residents not to be complacent.

Some residents in the town still see the issue as an Over Wyre problem.

But Mrs Daniels recently warned that the gas storage site is a lot closer to Fleetwood than many people in the town think.

Confirmation the IPC has accepted Halite’s plans for discussion came just before Christmas.

The application is now in the pre-examination’ phase of the IPC process where residents can express an interest.

The IPC will hold a preliminary meeting at least six weeks after February 10 to discuss how the application will be examined.

A six month examination period will then begin before the final decision is made later this year.

To register your involvement visit {http://www.infratsructureindependent.gov.uk/preesall|www.infratsructureindependent.gov.uk/preesall|Click here to visit the website}.

A FLEETWOOD family have repaid Trinity Hospice for the wonderful support it gave them when their mum became terminally ill.

Last summer June Cook, who was 63, was given the earth-shattering news that she had a rare form of cancer of the oesophagus. Her health rapidly deteriorated and she spent the last few weeks of her life at the hospice in Bispham.

Her son David Cook, 43, works as a radio operator on an oil rig out in the North Sea and so sadly didn’t get to see his mother before she died. But he heard all about the way staff from Trinity made her life so much more comfortable at the end.

He resolved to raise as much money as possible for the facility, which relies heavily on donations and fund-raisers. He staged a raffle on board the off-shore rig, Ensco 100, where he works.

Colleagues rallied round and help him raise a magnificent £2,210, which he presented to Trinity last week with his sister, Alison Smith.

David, of Agnew Road, told the Weekly News: “I never got see mum in the last couple of weeks before she died, unfortunately. The good think was the brilliant way in which everyone at Trinity helped her.

I just wanted to help and my sister Alison, and brother Paul, thought it was a good idea too.

“The lads on the rig were brilliant in helping me raise so much.”

David was given a tour of the hospice and got to see the room where his mum stayed.

Bev Whittaker, of Trinity’s fund-raising team, said: “It costs us £7 million a year to keep our doors open, and without fund-raisers like this we couldn’t keep going.”

A CALL by Fleetwood youngsters and local mums for a skatepark in Fleetwood has been taken up by local councillors.

Fleetwood Town Council member, Coun Terry Rogers, and Wyre council member, Coun Emma Anderton, both saw last week’s front page story in the Weekly News.

Coun Rogers said he was impressed with what teenager Adam Roskell and Fleetwood mum Sharon Bailey had to say about the town needing such a facility.

The campaigners argued that Fleetwood, a town of nearly 30,000 people, was missing out and they had already raised the issue through Facebook.

Now Coun Rogers says he will champion the issue and ensure it is on the Fleetwood Town Council agenda, starting with the council’s forthcoming meeting at the North Euston Hotel on Tuesday next week, at 7pm.

Coun Rogers told the Weekly News: “I think they have made a fair point. Wyre Council says there is nothing in the budget for the next two years, but may consider it after that time. I think that is too long to wait and this thing should be looked at as soon as possible, in terms of available land, possible funding and other issues.

“The people Fleetwood are calling for a skatepark, and I think they should get it. I think perhaps £20,000 could get something done. It’s up to the town council, of course, but it is a cause I will champion.I hope to see some of the mums and even young people at the meeting.”

Coun Anderton has been looking into the issue since October through an initiative called the Warren ward action plan and believes the sunken car park on Fleetwood Promenade would be a perfect location.

She said: “We all need to get together, form a committee and look at how we can make it happen.”

The Weekly News has also made contact with an organisation called Wheelscape, a business which builds skate parks across the country, and liaises directly with communities and giving advice on funding bids.

Wheelscape’s Russell Heideman said: “I would like someone involved in this to tell me about their ideas.”

Like our page on {http://www.facebook.com/FleetwoodWeeklyNews|facebook|Like our page on facebook} to keep up with all the latest news.

BRAVE Fleetwood shop workers have been praised in court for defying a would-be armed robber.

The pair looked down the barrel of a gun as they fobbed off the raider who has been jailed for four years and four months for his actions at the Tesco Express on Poulton Road, Fleetwood.

Judge Norman Wright said “There are some redoubtable ladies at Tesco who clearly were not intimidated by what you did and they were able to fob you off.

“This would have been an extremely frightening experience for the two members of staff concerned. There is always the question what if it’s real, what might happen to me?’”

Simon Robson, 32, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to attempted robbery and using an imitation fire arm while committing an offence.

Robson entered the store on September 25 last year.

David Traynor, prosecuting, said a woman working at the tills was tidying up a cigarette display and facing away from the public when she heard a male voice from behind her say “Give me the money. Open your tills”. She turned to see the man two yards away pointing a gun at her chest, his arm outstretched. The weapon appeared to have a barrel five to six inches long. He made three or four demands for the tills to be opened but the woman told him: “Are you listening? I can’t give you any money. The tills are locked”. A second staff member joined her and she was also threatened by Robson who again asked for money.

Finally, the defendant swore, put the weapon in his waistband and walked out.

Police were able to identify him from CCTV footage. A 30-second clip was played in court showing him pointing the gun. Earlier he had told a friend: “I’m skint. We need to make some money.” When arrested, Robson told police he had no money and had been desperate for amphetamine.

Waheed Omran-Baber, defending, said: “He accepts full responsibility for his actions. That is best mitigated by his early guilty plea.” Robson had “a significant mental health problem”. He had been in hospital three weeks prior to the offence and had now been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and drug induced psychosis.

Det Sgt Andy Hoyle of Fleetwood CID said: their actions were courageous.

PUPILS from Fleetwood High School are set to play a major role in the London Olympic Games this summer.

Members of the Fleetwood Interact group, the junior wing of the town’s Rotary Club, have been selected to be Young Games Makers at the Paralympic Games, which are running alongside the main games.

Their role will be to act as behind-the scenes volunteers in a wide variety of ways, both in the event’s technology department and across a number of sports.

After applying last year to volunteer for the event, the team were asked to attend a selection event at Canary Wharf in London on January 8.

This meant a 5am start in the Fleetwood High School minibus with drivers Robert Wright and Shaun MacNeill and group leader Justine Rainey.

The selection event took place on the 23rd floor of the Barclays Tower – giving a bird’s eye view of the Olympic Park and most of London.

Now they have been given the good news that their application passed muster!

Mr MacNeill, a retired assistant head of Fleetwood High who is also a member of the town’s Rotarians, said: “The activities included team tasks and a long interview with the leaders.

“It should come as no surprise that our Fleetwood young people were commended for their ability, friendliness and good manners, which delighted me.

“The team left in high spirits having enjoyed their day and feeling that they gave it their best shot.

“And last week we received the news that we had been successful and have been chosen to help the Paralympic events in the Excel arena close to the Olympic Park.

“It is wonderful news for everyone concerned with the Fleetwood effort.”

Next is a training day, again in London, in July and further days for uniform-fitting’ and final preparations.

Mr MacNeill added: “To have been chosen to take part in this once in a lifetime event is a great honour and a further example of the excellence of the young people of Fleetwood.

“Our next step is to begin to help pay for the transport costs down to London, along with our accommodation expenses.

“But whatever happens Fleetwood will be represented at the Games – helping paralympic athletes from across the world!”

A statement from the Young Gamesmaker project says: “When we won the bid to host the London 2012 Games, we made a promise to inspire more young people to choose sport.

“One of the ways we can do this is through volunteering.

“This is a golden opportunity for young people to get involved in the greatest show in earth – while learning new skills and making friends.”

FLEETWOOD Lifeboat members are usually the ones to respond to an SOS – but this time they were sending one.

The local branch of the RNLI were on a fund-raising mission last Friday to raise cash for new state-of-the-art jackets.

As part of the charity’s national SOS Day fund raiser, crew and volunteers at Fleetwood Lifeboat opened the doors to show local folk around the station and lifeboats, with any donations going towards the outdoor clothing.

The unique jackets, which it is hoped will arrive in May, have been designed from scratch and have innovations to keep the crews as safe as possible as well as offering comfort and freedom to move in the confines of the lifeboat.

Each station had been set a target of £3,000, and thanks to the huge support the lifeboat has in Fleetwood, that target has been reached.

Peter Atkinson, one of the Fleetwood Lifeboat Sea Safety team said: “As usual, the response was amazing and there were several large donations on the day.

“This meant that the full cost of the crew’s lifejackets has now already been met by local folk and for this we are so grateful.

“It is essential that when crews put to sea to help others, they have the best protection available.”

Significant donations were made on the day from: Peggy Whittaker’s Fleetwood Community Association; Fleetwood Golf Club Ladies Captain, Kath Wright; Audrie Cardwell, of Fleetwood; Mike Bee, of Fleetwood; Ann and Dennis Blyth, of Anchorsholme; Mr W Shadbolt of Fleetwood and Mr AD and Mrs SM Monks, of Fleetwood.

In addition, a huge donation of £1,000 has been made by a local man who wishes to remain anonymous.

Mrs Wright said: “My father-in-law, Robert Wright, was a trawler skipper and we wanted a local charity to support so this was ideal.”

Fleetwood coxswain Paul Ashworth said: “We’re very fortunate the lifeboat is such a popular charity.

“Our collection boxes and other donations we get add up to around £33,000 a year.”

SPECIAL treatment to shrink a rare malignant tumour has worked for Fleetwood youngster Molly Robinson.

The pioneering proton beam therapy, which eight-year-old Molly tavelled to America for, has shrunk the tumour to half its original size.

It’s the news the family had been hoping for, but Molly isn’t out of the woods yet.

The tumour is called rhabdomyosarcoma and attacks muscles attached to the bones – in Molly’s case affecting her face.

The tumour still has active cells and as it is so rare and is still at the research stage, oncologists are unsure whether the active cells are malignant or not.

So, they have decided to give Molly a further six months of chemotherapy which could hopefully kill it off once and for all.

Molly’s mum Alison, 38, said: “We are really pleased that the proton therapy has worked and also that they have decided to continue treating her.

{http://bit.ly/FWN_Register|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories}.

“We were unsure whether or not they would give any more chemotherapy, there was talk of leaving it to see how things went.

“But we really wanted more treatment because there is more chance of getting rid of it. If they had left it, the active cells could make the tumour grow again and we would be back to square one.

“We just want to get it over and done with.”

Molly, a pupil at St. Wulstan’s and St. Edmund’s RC Primary School, and has an older sister called Jess and a little brother called Harry, was diagnosed with the condition in the summer last year.

Since then the family have spent 13 weeks in Oklahoma whilst Molly had the specialist proton therapy treatment.

Back home an amazing series of fund raisers in Fleetwood raised thousands of pounds to help the family cover costly living expenses in America.

Alison’s mum Barbara Postle said: “Molly is good in herself she still gets some pain but she is doing ok.

“She’ll go to Christie Hospital twice a week for intravenous chemotherapy and the other days it will be done at home orally. “We just have to stay positive.”

YOUNG people and attitudes to alcohol are to be the focus of a pioneering project set to get under way in Fleetwood.

With a host of exciting features set to include media work and the chance to be involved in youth volunteering, participants aged from 14 to 19 are being invited to take part.

Organised by the UR Potential community organisation, the Alcohol Project For Young People consists of weekly workshops, at Tommy’s Youth Club in London Street.

“It’s the first project of its kind in Wyre and will be led by the young people involved, who will plan it and be the decision makers,” said Deborah Terras, the Fylde coast project coordinator.

“Among the many items it is likely to cover are the challenging of negative media and perceptions of young people and alcohol as well as addressing stereotypical images and views and looking at the tolerance of young people within their communities.

“We also want to find out more about young people’s attitudes to alcohol and their community as well as personal accounts of the impact of alcohol in their lives though their own use as well of it as well as that of their family.

“And the aim is to provide alternative opportunities for young people in Fylde through meaningful youth volunteering.

“Each young person will be signed up to Fylde Coast Be Involved for their involvement in the project and will receive an accredited qualification as part of the course in volunteering, media and/or art.”

The project is funded through Fylde and Wyre children’s trusts and the Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team and will work closely with community partners.

The scheme will be running every Thursday for the next 12 weeks.

Delivering the Fleetwood scheme are local-based youth workers Nina Beavers, well known in the town through her previous work at Milton Street Community Centre, and David McCollum. Pizza and other refreshments will be available and organisers are hoping to build on the success of a similar scheme in St Annes which is being held over a similar timescale on Monday evenings.

Any young people, teachers, parents or youth workers who want further information can find out more from Deborah by phoning on 07989 746673, or by e-mail from deborah.terras@urpotential.co.uk. They can also go along tomorrow.

STUDENTS with special educational needs could face a bill of £1,000 a year to get to college if changes to a transport policy are made.

County Hall wants to introduce fees for transporting students aged 16 to 24 to their place of education.

It would mean that students who currently travel between three and eight miles a day would have to find £1,000 a year and any mileage above that, the price would go up to £1,200. At the moment they pay nothing.

Carole Hirst, whose 15-year-old son Declan attends Great Arley School in Thornton says what the council wants to do is completely unreasonable.

In September next year, Declan, who suffers SOTOs disease, will carry on his education at neighbouring Red Marsh School sixth form.

But Declan’s condition, a rare genetic disorder which causes physical overgrowth during the first years of life means that he cannot travel alone.

Carole, of Abercrombie Road, said: “Declan is unable to catch a bus on his own.

“He would have to be driven there. At the moment a taxi firm picks him up and brings him home, along with six or seven other children with disabilities who live in Fleetwood. It is all funded by the council so to have to suddenly find £1,000 a year will be very difficult. “It’s all being done quietly, probably with the hope it will be passed through without much notice. I’ve written to our MP to see if something can be done.” A consultation is being carried out to find out what people think. County Councillor Keith Iddon, lead member for children and schools, said: “We accept that transporting children and young people with disabilities to and from school or college is very costly, because transport must be properly tailored to each student’s needs. At the same time, we are facing enormous financial challenges, so we must make services as cost-effective as we can.

“The authority isn’t legally required to provide this service for young people over the age of 16 but we will continue to meet the larger part of these transport costs. Our transport bill for students with special educational needs and disabilities is over £15m. We are committed to reducing this by 20%, which is £2.9m over three years. We have already made significant savings in this area by reducing administrative costs and finding better deals when purchasing transport services.”

“Under the proposals, parents who receive certain benefits would be entitled to a 50% reduction in the charges.” The consultation process continues until March 27 and a decision will be made in June. If passed the changes will be implemented in September this year. Great Arley, whose head teacher is Anne Marshfield, did not wish to comment on the transport issue at this time.

AN exciting £395,000 building project is underway at a Cleveleys school.

A series of alterations at St Teresa’s Catholic Primary on St George’s Avenue will radically transform the school’s appearance.

The front of the school building will be remodelled to create a modern new visitors entrance, administration area and staff room.

The Year One classroom will be extended to provide more teaching space and small group teaching areas for one to one sessions. A new outdoor area will be created for Year One pupils.

Covered cycle racks and a buggy area will also be added which it is hoped will encourage more parents to walk their children to school. Safer pedestrian access will also be added.

Headteacher Elizabeth Yates said: “We are delighted work has started on an exciting new chapter in the school’s history. The accommodation upgrade will create a more flexible and adaptable space for us to use.

“This will also provide more scope for specialised small group teaching areas better adapted to meet the challenges of 21st century education.”

Work is set to be finished in May, with cash coming from the Blackburn Diocese.

WORK has started on the new observation tower on the seafront at Fleetwood’s Rossall Point.

And it is hoped the distinctive new design will make the tower one of the town’s most iconic buildings and an attraction in its own right.

At 14 metres tall the tower will act as a beacon and destination along Wyre’s seafront linking the new developments on the promenade at Cleveleys and the Marine Hall Gardens in Fleetwood.

It is the latest phase of Wyre Council’s £1.6m Sea Change regeneration programme.

The contractors, Fylde Coast-based Parkinsons, have started on site with the initial groundworks including piling and foundations.

This will be followed by the partial demolition of the existing building and construction works including the installation of the steel frame and eventually work on the interior.

The building is due to be completed by summer.

Councillor Gordon McCann, Cabinet member with responsibility for economic development at Wyre Council said: “It’s full steam ahead now with this exciting project which is a key part of our Sea Change programme to regenerate the seafront.

“Rossall Point will become a focal point on the coastline and the link between Cleveleys and Fleetwood, allowing us to promote the whole area as one fantastic destination. Not only that, it will be a valuable facility for the local community too.”

{http://bit.ly/FWN_Register|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories}.

The tower will provide a viewing platform for the general public and bird watchers with fantastic views over the Irish Sea and the Lune Deep, the Lakeland fells and the Fylde coast.

Its views from the top will be projected onto a screen in the education centre on the ground floor.

The building will also provide a base for the National Coast Watch Institution who keep a watch over boats and visitors to Morecambe Bay.

Wyre Council has also started a campaign for local people to name the tower.

Meanwhile, the local Coastwatch group is one of five charities which is being supported a group of female sponsored runners called the Goal-den Girls. Some of the money they raise will go towards providing new computer equipment and furnishing for the new observation tower.

First up is their own all-women 10k run on March 25, along Blackpool prom, then they are taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon on May 27.

Among those involved are Fleetwood ladies Kim Martin, wife of Fleetwood’s Coastwatch station manager Steve Martin, and Mary Hawes. To find out more, visit www.fyldecoastrunning and click on either Goal-den Girls or 10k.

FLEETWOOD High School pupils were among Year 9 children who took part in a huge options event at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Pupils visited the fun park site as dozens of exhibitors gave advice to children who are due to take their options choices next month.

The event, called Our Future, Our Choice saw 1,500 Year 9 pupils from Fleetwood High and every Blackpool school tour the exhibits over two days this week.

And a mind boggling array of jobs, from brick-laying and zoo keeping to fashion photography, first aid and keep fit, were represented.

Molly Hall, from Fleetwood High School, said: “Today has actually changed my mind about what I want to do. “I thought I wanted to do health and social care, but today has made me realise I’d like to do something more art related like design.

“There’s a lot more careers than I thought.”

{http://bit.ly/FWN_Register|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories}.

Classmate Tom Wilson added: “Today has been really good, I really enjoyed taking part in the different sports stalls. I think a lot of people don’t know what to take for their options and the idea of making a mistake and taking the wrong courses. It is a really good idea to show people lots of different jobs.”

Phil Bond, options co-ordinator at Fleetwood High said: “This is a great opportunity for the kids to find out about careers they may never have considered.”

Julie Whalley, co-organiser of the event said: “Taking your options can be daunting, so we are really pleased to be bringing this event to The Pleasure Beach for the second time.

“We really want young people to be thinking about their careers early and being aware of the possibilities open to them so they can make the right choices.

“It’s great because we have employers, colleges, the Army, the NHS and scores of other organisations coming in and speaking to the children. A lot of the stalls are really interactive so they can try new things .”

The event is organised by Blackpool schools and Blackpool Council and The Pleasure Beach donates rooms.

THE MP for Cleveleys has called for the public to be given more information about reoffending rates following community service sentencing.

Paul Maynard believes people will have better confidence in non-custodial sentences for criminals if they see that they actually help cut crime.

Speaking in Parliament at the Alternative to Custody debate, he said: “If we are to increase public confidence in more intensive forms of community sentencing, we clearly need to link them to evidence showing how they reduce reoffending.In the commendable analysis of a pilot published in July 2011 by the Ministry of Justice, the difficulty of calculating reoffending statistics is made clear.

“Will the Minister reassure me that he can persuade members of the public this is the way forward?”

Minister of State for Justice Nick Herbert replied: “Where (community sentences) reduce reoffending, which we have had great difficulty delivering through short-term custodial sentences, such measures should be considered.”

{http://bit.ly/FWN_Register|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories}.

THE port of Fleetwood could still have a bright future, says the town’s MP.

Eric Ollerenshaw, MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, says the town’s port facilities could stand to benefit from a new Government policy.

Now Mr Ollerenshaw has pledged to raise Fleetwood’s profile with ministers.

The town was badly hit by the loss of the Stena cargo service to Northern Ireland in 2010 and much of the service’s on-shore facilities have been dismantled.

But ports such as Fleetwood might have a future in moving goods around the country.

This is recognised in a National Policy Statement for Ports which has been adopted by the Government.

Mike Penning, under-secretary of state for transport, told the House of Commons: “We need to think again about our ports.

“The ships coming into our ports are getting ever bigger, and we must work out how we can get their vast cargoes around our country, as our transport networks will struggle to cope.

“Some goods will be carried by rail, but most will go by road. We must also use coastal shipping.”

Mr Penning visited Fleetwood last July when he saw the port’s unused roll-on roll-off berth.

He heard how Associated British Ports was hoping to use its spare land in servicing the offshore windfarm industry.

Mr Ollerenshaw has already raised Fleetwood in the Commons and said he would continue to push its case.

He believes it would be a waste not to try and make use of the port’s existing facilities.

He said: “The ports document was about a major national strategy for ports and Fleetwood is one of those.

“I am trying to keep Fleetwood in Mike Penning’s mind that something needs to be done, not just for Fleetwood, but a number of smaller ports which can provide services.

“Long term ABP say they are getting into the renewables market. But potentially there is still a need for Fleetwood to be used as a port and that is something I am looking at.”

The idea was supported by Coun Ron Shewan who has spoken previously about preserving Fleetwood’s port facilities.

He said: “This is something that I have been banging on about for a long time. It is very important to maintain the viability of the port – it can still play a big role in the town’s regeneration.

“They are building houses on the docks alongside the estuary and that will bring in council taxes but it’s doesn’t resolve the question of keeping port facilities.

“It would be very useful for this town if the port could be retained.”

THERE were more call-outs to Fleetwood Lifeboat and other RNLI centres last year than ever before, new figures show.

And the statistics from the RNLI, issued this week, also reveal that Fleetwood is one of the busiest stations in the British Isles.

At Fleetwood, there were a total of 93 launches - 39 by the main all-weather lifeboat William Street and 54 by the inshore lifeboat. This compares to just over 60 the year before.

A total of 81 people were assisted last year.

Fleetwood was also the 15th busiest station out of 233 in the UK and the Republic of Ireland - and the second busiest in the north after Sunderland.

Fleetwood Lifeboat spokesman Tony Clark told the Weekly News: “We were significantly busier last year.

“There are a number of reasons for that. We had a mild April and October, which meant more vessels were out there.

“We are also seeing more boats coming into Fleetwood Marina, and quite a few of our call-outs are to yachts from there.

“The figures show we had a total of 1,047.94 crew hours in services and exercise, so we were kept busy.”

Tony says that Fleetwood Lifeboat is keen to offer preventative measures to help stop vessels getting into difficultiies in the first place.

He said: “A lot of these incidents at sea are down to mechanical problems. We offer free maintenance and safety checks and the more people make use of that, the fewer problems out at sea there will be.”

The figures show a total of 1,237 people were helped in the north, an increase of 3 per cent on the previous high recorded in 2003.

There were 1,270 lifeboat launches from the north’s 33 lifeboat stations in 2011 – the second highest number in the history of the charity.

The busiest lifeboat crew in the north of England was Sunderland, who launched their two inshore lifeboats 111 times and rescued 135 people

In the north of England, 25 per cent of the launches (323) were to power pleasure craft; 19 per cent (243) to people in the water and 14 per cent (174) to sail pleasure craft.

RNLI Divisional Inspector, North, Andy Clift: “Without the amazing generosity of the people who support us, we would be unable to carry out this lifesaving work.”

For a free safety check call Fleetwood Lifeboat on (01253) 874000.

A MINIBUS carrying autistic children crashed into a car park barrier just days after it was dubbed ‘too low’.

Last month Wyre Council replaced existing barriers at the Teanlowe Centre car park in Poulton which were in disrepair.

It is hoped the 2m high barriers will stop unauthorised vehicles from using the car park and prevent illegal settlement by travellers.

But residents and traders slammed the barriers branding them ‘unsafe’ and ‘ridiculous’.

And on Thursday a minibus full of autistic children crashed into the barrier – fuelling their anger.

George McCaffer, manager of Market Hall, Poulton, said: “We told the council the barriers were too low but they didn’t listen.

“Now someone has smashed into one. To me that proves the point. People will not bother coming to the town, I just do not see the reasoning here.”

Wyre Council has said it will not remove the barriers but will look at amending the height following the incident.

A spokesman added: “Wyre Council is currently reviewing the barriers at Teanlowe Car Park with a view to allowing access to vehicles adapted for wheelchair users.

“We are considering a number of options to determine the most suitable way of resolving this issue.

“It has been necessary to install height barriers at this car park and others in Wyre to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians by stopping large, unauthorised vehicles from using them.

“When height barriers were introduced we consulted the ambulance and fire services as a precautionary measure and agreed a procedure to allow emergency access.”

But traders say restricting delivery vehicles is ‘hampering their businesses’.

Lee Gardner, of The Pork Shop, Ball Street, said: “I don’t understand why the council has put the barriers up – there has been no consultation.

“We have one HGV which delivers about three times a week and the drivers are now struggling to get close to the shops.”

Wyre councillor Penny Martin said she asked the council to review the situation because of the problems.

She said: “I suggested Wyre could explore limiting the timing of the barriers to support local traders. Unfortunately it seems there is no compromise.”

HIGH visibility patrolling of popular dog walking routes will be soon be in force to tackle those responsible for allowing their dogs to foul the pavements.

Wyre Council’s new Dog Control Orders, aimed at reducing dog related anti social behaviour, come into force soon and top of the list is clamping down on those who don’t pick up after their dogs.

Dog owner and local businesswoman Angela Carr says the situation is out of control, particularly on the Mount, which she says is like a mine field.

She said: “There are bins everywhere, there is no excuse for it.

“The paths on the Mount are particularly bad, and children play there too - they are just littered with it.

“I’ve stood in it before now and had to get in the car and drive home before being able to clean my shoes properly and I know mums who have walked through it with their prams getting it on the pram wheels. It’s disgusting and needs stopping. If it carries on, they might close the Mount to dog walkers and the part of the beach which is still open, how would people feel then?

Another area which is a prime spot for dog fouling is the Fleetwood Marsh Nature Reserve. The area is very popular with dog walkers but is equally popular with those who evade their responsibilities.

One Fleetwood resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “Considering it’s supposed to be a nature reserve, the amount of dog muck there is unbelievable.

“We walk our dog around the perimeter of the marsh, as do many others, and its full of deposits. They think because it’s rough grassland, it won’t be noticed. And the path which acts as a bridge over the lake is full of it.

A Wyre Council spokesperson said that the seafront in Fleetwood is a hot spot for dog fouling and both the promenade and The Mount will be targeted by officers in the coming weeks whilst promoting responsible dog ownership across the borough.

{http://bit.ly/FWN_Register|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories|Click here to register with The Fleetwood Weekly News website to enable you to comment on stories}.

A prostate cancer sufferer has spoken of his shock at news a health watchdog has refused to recommend a drug which improved his life.

Ron McCoo, a former publican from Pilling, was diagnosed with the illness in early 2010 after noticing blood in his urine and aching in his hips, back and pelvis and told it was incurable.

But the 59-year-old was given treatment with abiraterone, which extends the life of men with the condition, giving him more valuable time to spend with his beloved family, including his wife Terri, their four grandchildren and first great granddaughter. He says he feels lucky but he is saddened other men won’t benefit from it on the NHS. Draft guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) proposes they will not recommend abiraterone to be made available on the NHS in England and Wales. Ron said: “I didn’t expect to see last Christmas, so it has made a massive difference to my life. “I feel everybody should have the chance to benefit from this treatment. “Most of them will have worked all their lives and contributed to National Insurance and the NHS and it is really unfair if they don’t get the treatment.” The Prostate Cancer Charity is now campaigning to get the draft decision overturned.

A FRESH appeal has been launched to catch a robber who threatened a terrified pensioner with a knife in her home last year.

This time a £3,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can help.

The crime occurred back in November, but a police appeal at the time drew a complete blank.

The man burst into May Lawrenson’s Wyre Street home in Fleetwood and threatened her with the weapon until the terrified 74-year-old handed over £200.

Since the frightening incident, on November 14, police have been unable to track down the knifeman.

The large reward has been put up by the charity, Crimestoppers.

Gary Murray, the charity’s regional manager for the North West, said: “This elderly lady has been left shaken and in fear since this incident.

“With the help of the public giving information to Crimestoppers anonymously this man can be arrested which would give some hope in assisting this lady in her recovery. Anyone can help by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Miss Lawrenson, who suffers from arthritis, was in her bedroom when she was confronted by the robber. She stood up but was pushed back three times, eventually falling on to the bed. The plucky pensioner tried in vain to fight her attacker off with a walking stick.

She said after the attack: “He wanted to know where my money was. All the time he was waving this knife.” The robber is described as white and having a thin face. He was possibly in his teens.

FLEETWOOD Sheetmetal is on the up with a £1m celebration after winning a survival battle and creating new jobs.

The future looked grim for the company 12 months ago when parent company FTS went bust, just one year short of its centenary, and admin staff lost their jobs.

It was a real blow to the town.

But a year on, the metal fabrication company has just gone through the £1m turnover barrier and is providing work for 15 more people than the nine workforce it began with last year.

The buy-out was engineered by new company chairman Malcolm Beech and Paul Furnevall who is operations director.

Mr Beech said: “It’s a wonderful achievement and we are delighted with how things have gone.

“And we have managed to do this despite a bad debt loss caused by the collapse of a Preston company.

“It cost us £60,000. There are companies out there who lost an awful lot more but, pro rata, ours was probably the biggest loss.

“Our turnover expectation for the year was £700,000 but we have surpassed the £1m mark.

“We fully expect to improve on that. Our projection for 2012 is £1.3m.”

Of the workers benefiting from the company’s revival, six are full-time employees and nine are local sub-contractors who have been handed additional work.

Mr Beech said: “It’s been a good year but I have to focus on what’s ahead rather than what has happened

“The bad debt loss was a big blow to our cash flow but we have come through it.

“We have learned we can’t have too much at risk with one company and we have had to make sure we have a good range of customers.”

Fleetwood Sheetmetal specialises in ducting and other fabrication work and had recently gained work at the ICI Victrex site at Thornton to add to important contracts with Bae Warton and BNFL at Salwick.

Mr Beech added: “We are also upping our game by going to quality accreditation.

“To do this while in the middle of an economic downturn in good and we are pleased to be creating good jobs for Fleetwood.”