Blackpool nostalgia in 1998: Database for fake guns; Linda Nolan back on stage and beaches fail clean water tests

Database launched to track fake guns

Blackpool police headed a pioneering scheme to set up a unique database registering new owners of fake guns.

The vital information would be logged on a computer to build up a profile of replica gun holders at the touch of a button.

It meant police called to a firearms incident would be given the crucial information they may have needed on how seriously to treat the call.

It was hoped it would prevent the need for a heavy-handed response to incidents involving innocent members of the public who legally possessed imitation weapons.

Officers teamed up with the town’s only specialist air rifle dealer, Blackpool Air Rifle Shop in Elizabeth Street, North Shore, to pilot the scheme for six weeks. If it was a success, the initiative will be taken up by police countywide.

Anyone who bought a replica gun would be asked to voluntarily fill in a form with their personal details which would then be put on computer.

PC Mark Booth, of the Western Division Response Unit said: “We get called out to a lot of firearms incidents and it would help if we were in a position to know the firearm involved is a replica.”

Back on Blackpool stage for summer

After a couple of months in London with the stage version of Shooting Stars and a 600-mile round trip to babysit sister Colleen’s youngsters for five days, Linda Nolan’s next job sounded like a piece of cake.

She was back on home territory to start a twice weekly summer residency at the Tangerine Nightspot on Bloomfield Road.

The entertainer said: “I’m delighted that they asked me - and it’s great that somewhere is putting its faith in value for money live entertainment.

Although she was performing her cabaret routine rather than entertaining as Maggie May from her record-breaking run of summer seasons on Central Pier, she was to include a sing-along section in the show, which also featured compere Jack Diamond and clubland favourite Morgan Lee James.

“It’s great that the people behind it have taken the initiative to develop it and have kept sensible prices, “ she said.

“Blackpool needs things like this if it is to keep its reputation as an entertainments centre.”

Linda appeared at the venue twice a week for the summer season.

Resort beaches failed water quality tests in EU report

The sea along Blackpool’s Golden Mile was singled out in the latest EU Commission report on water quality.

The report showed that five tested Blackpool seaside areas fell short of requirements, described as having ‘water of insufficient quality’.

They were Blackpool Central, Blackpool North, Blackpool South, St Annes and St Annes North.

A total of 486 British coastal resorts were included in compulsory monitoring, and 57 were still below standard - 24 in the North West, 20 in Wales and the South West, eight in the South West and five in the North East.

The annual report was designed to encourage member states to meet bathing water standards introduced under EU law more than 20 years before.

But the findings showed that the UK’s bathing water rating was dropping.

Presenting the report in Brussels EU Environment Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard urged Britain to try harder to comply with requirements.

Afterwards a spokesman said: “The beaches which have bathing water of insufficient quality are obviously areas where parents would hesitate to take their children.”

Striding out to raise money for hospital

Staff at Lytham Land Registry pledged to raise £3,000 for Lytham Hospital this year.

A fund-raising campaign was started with a sponsored walk along Hadrian’s Wall which raised hundreds of pounds.

Registration executive Jon Hunt and some of his colleagues took a day’s holiday to take part in the nine-mile walk.

Mr Hunt said: “We raised £470 so it was quite a good start. We have got the fund-raising rolling, now we’re going to get together again and plan some more events.” Philip Scully, chief executive of the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Trust, said: “This is not the first time the Land Registry has supported us. “They bought us syringe drivers and blood pressure monitors a few years ago.”