The structure, on Blackleach Lane near Catforth, crosses the Lancaster Canal and has undergone what Lancashire County Council describes as “hundreds of thousands of pounds [of] repairs” after being struck 11 times in the past five years.

The authority is now planning to impose a maximum vehicle length of seven metres – or 23 feet – on bridge traffic.  Exceptions would be made for the emergency services and Preston City Council bin lorries.

Read more: Labour takes step forward to realising ‘longstanding goal’ of council housing in Preston

A formal public consultation has now been launched into the proposal, but the county council says the views of locals have already been sought and were “generally favourable”.

The narrow rural route runs from Catforth Road to the junction with Lea Lane and Rosemary Lane, passing over the M55 and bypassing Swillbrook.

The single-file bridge bends slightly to the left on the Catforth side and sharply to the right on the Salwick side for Preston-bound traffic – an arrangement that has been blamed for the clutch of canalside collisions.

A report from County Hall highways bosses states:  “Analysis of the path taken by various sized vehicles when crossing the bridge has shown that vehicles greater than seven metres in length cannot pass over the bridge without a high risk of damaging the structure.

“This is due to the alignment of the approaches to the bridge and the angle that the bridge crosses the canal.”

The document adds that the incidents have created “a safety risk for road, towpath and canal users”, as well as causing “very significant disruption to local residents and road users due to frequent road closures and diversions”.

Anybody wishing to respond to the public consultation into the length limit should email tro-consultation@lancashire.gov.uk, quoting ref:LSG4/104266/AFR, by 3rd July or write to:  The Director of Law and Governance, Lancashire County Council, County Hall, Fishergate, Preston PR1 8XJ.

Led by Andrew Pratt the former Deepdale to Longridge railway line is being cleared in the hope of seeing it either being used as a test tram track or a new footpath and cycle way in the years to come.

Mountains of rubbish and litter have been shifted and vegetation cut back to bring the former route back into a place where the community can maybe set foot once again.

Read more: Work set to begin on delayed but much-needed improvements to Friargate South

But over the weekend Andrew said the whole team have been left ‘bitterly disappointed’ by the thefts.

He said: “Between Friday and Sunday someone has come onto the old rail line illegally and stolen items from the work we have been doing at the Skeffington railway gate crossing.

“We have been planting flowers and shrubs to create an inviting and pleasing area – instead of the mountains of rubbish which were there.

“The whole team are bitterly disappointed. The plants/shrubs were improving the area for everyone.”

Items taken include tools, wheelbarrow, a wooden planter and more than 50 plants which were donated by garden centres.

Andrew, who is a former deputy police and crime commissioner for Lancashire, said he had been disappointed with the response from Lancashire Police.

He said: “I’ve had one email saying they were closing the case as there were no further lines of enquiry.

“They could have at least said the PCSOs who regularly walk the area will keep an eye out for any activity on the line and area.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police confirmed they were investigating a report of theft. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 1664 of 28th June.

Mr Pratt says he is also conducting his own investigation and urged anyone with information to contact him on andrewpratt1@btinternet.com

The duo, both 24, have been best mates since nursery and worked together to battle a 20k event which included 22 obstacles such as cage crawls, rope climbs and dangling wires emitting 10,000 volts.

Read more: Preston man runs 260km in six days for good causes during the heatwave

Ethan said: “It was tough! We trained for the distance by running regularly but the challenge was the obstacles, which just sapped all your energy.

“It was much harder than we thought it would be. We are incredibly grateful for all the support we received.”

Ethan had previously raised a staggering £19,178.53 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation with his younger brother Aidan back in 2023.

They did this by cycling from Croston to Anfield stadium and back in memory of their late father and Liverpool FC fan Shaun Banks.

Ethan said: “My dad passed away in September 2022 after a four-year long cancer battle.

“Joe’s step-grandmother Kathleen Nelson, mum to my dad’s best friend Adrain Nelson, who did the Anfield ride with us, also passed away of cancer at the end of last year, which is why we want to support work at Rosemere Cancer Centre through fundraising for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.”

Rosemere Cancer Foundation, based in Fulwood, works to fund and bring high-end cancer treatments to cancer patients from Lancashire and South Cumbria being treates at Rosemere Cancer Centre.

The centre is the region’s specialist for cancer treatment and radiotherapy and is located at the Royal Preston Hospital.

Another eight hospital cancer units across the two countries are supported by the foundation as well.

Hannah Leahy, fundraising assistant for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “Massive congratulations to Ethan and Joe for taking on not just any Tough Mudder, which would have been hard enough, but a Tough Mudder Infinity.

“We are extremely grateful to them both for putting themselves through the mill to raise this fantastic donation, which will go towards supporting cancer centre projects. We wish them an injury-free rest of the year so they can continue with their running and marathon ambitions.”

The total raised by Ethan and Joe from the Tough Mudder Infinity was £1,277.

Hanson John, founder of Adamh&Eden, lives near the university in Preston city centre and balances building his business while working as a chef. He completed a Master’s degree in Accounting at Bangor University in North Wales, but says his biggest ambition has always been to create his own business.

“I come from a business-oriented family, and there has always been a desire inside me to create something meaningful and unique on my own,” Hanson said.

That ambition led him to launch Adamh&Eden around six months ago, creating handmade home and lifestyle products from recycled coconut shells – a material that is often treated as waste after the extraction of coconut oil and coconut flesh.

Instead of allowing the shells to be burned, Hanson transforms them into bowls, mugs, candles, planters, home decor and other sustainable lifestyle products through handcrafted processes without harmful chemical treatments.

The idea has its roots in Hanson’s home state of Kerala in southern India, where his sister first began making coconut shell products through the family’s business.

“The business has been doing really well,” he said. “Seeing that inspired me, but I also wanted to create my own journey with the brand here in the UK.”

While researching sustainability and eco-friendly alternatives, Hanson realised that many products made from plastic could also be made from natural materials.

“I truly believe there is always a natural alternative for many everyday products,” he said.

Around 70 per cent of the company’s coconut shells are sourced from Kerala, which is often called “God’s Own Country” and widely known for its coconuts. The shells are collected from mills after coconut oil has been extracted, where they would otherwise simply be burned as waste. Additional shells are sourced from Indonesia and Vietnam.

Hanson said selecting the right shells is a careful process because only healthy, high-quality shells can be transformed into durable products.

Although Adamh&Eden is still a young business, Hanson says the response has been encouraging.

“People are often surprised and excited to discover that our products are actually made from coconut shells,” he said.

Much of his time is currently spent attending markets, meeting customers face-to-face and introducing people to products that remain relatively unfamiliar in the UK.

“The biggest challenge is product awareness,” he said. “Many people simply don’t know these kinds of products exist. Because of that, I spend a lot of time introducing the products and educating customers about sustainability and the process behind them.”

Read more: Community groups invited to apply for new South Ribble Cultural Events Fund

He says the support he has received locally has been particularly encouraging.

One highlight was meeting Councillor Sue Whittam – Mayor of Preston at the time – who showed an interest in the products and the sustainability behind them.

Alongside selling directly to customers, Adamh&Eden also works with businesses looking for customised sustainable products. The company engraves logos and names on to bowls, decor pieces and gifts, while schools, marathon organisers and event companies have approached the business about producing customised medals, trophies and awards as an alternative to more commonly used materials.

The business is currently run almost entirely by Hanson himself, alongside his job as a chef.

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“Managing everything alone can sometimes be overwhelming,” he said. “However, I hope to slowly build a team in the future as the business grows.”

The company’s name also has a deeply personal meaning.

Before Hanson was born, his parents lost a child through miscarriage. He says that loss inspired the name Adamh&Eden, which he chose as a remembrance of that child and as a symbol of gratitude for life. As a Christian, he also wanted a name that carried a spiritual and meaningful connection.

Looking ahead, Hanson hopes to continue growing both locally and internationally. The business is already receiving orders from Europe, the United States and other parts of the world through Amazon and Etsy.

His longer-term ambition is to establish a small production and creative unit in the UK for candles, engraved products, medals, trophies and customised coconut shell creations.

“I would love for the business not only to grow sustainably but also to create opportunities and employment within the local community,” he said.

“My biggest dream is to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK, and I believe the only way to achieve that is by giving 100 per cent dedication to my business every single day. I genuinely believe in my products, my story and the purpose behind Adamh&Eden.”

To find out more, visit the Adamh&Eden website.

Members of the local ‘Hackney’ cab trade – whose vehicles can be hailed in the street, as well as pre-booked – say they “desperately” need the hike in order to keep up with spiralling prices.

They want to increase maximum fares by four pence for every tenth of a mile travelled – and add 20p to the starting charge registered on the meter at the beginning of every journey.

Read more: Preston to see ‘largest military parade for years’ to mark Cenotaph centenary

South Ribble Borough Council’s licensing committee has agreed to launch a public consultation into the proposed rise.  If there are no objections from residents, it will come into force automatically – otherwise, it will be for the committee to make the decision.

Rates for private hire vehicles would not be affected, as they are not set by local authorities.

The last time Hackney fares increased in South Ribble was in 2022.  If the latest proposal is approved, the tenth-of-a-mile charge would rise from 20p to 24p, while the starting charge – known as the ‘flag drop’ price – would go up from £2.70 to £2.90.  Overnight and bank holiday fares – which are more expensive than standard rates – would rise by the same amounts.

The effect would be to increase the cost of a two-mile journey, taken between 6am and midnight, from £6.30 to £7.22 – still below the national average of £7.45.

Drivers are not obliged to levy the maximum permitted fee; they can charge less if they choose.

Ged Byrne, representing Hackney drivers in the borough, told the committee the request was in response to the cost of living having gone “through the roof”.

However, he added: “We’re very mindful about OAPs [and] the vulnerable in society – that’s [who] we deal with all the time.

“We’ve got to try and do it as fair[ly] as possible.  I think what we’ve asked for is very reasonable and …not excessive whatsoever.”

The council’s licensing manager, Chris Ward, said that while the most recent spike in fuel prices as a result of the Iran war had not been submitted as justification for the proposed rise, it should still be “taken into account” by the committee.

At the moment, South Ribble’s Hackney cabs are the 7th most expensive of 10 surrounding council areas, based on the charge for a two-mile trip. If the suggested increase is approved, the borough would move up to fourth in that table – behind Wyre (£8.50), Ribble Valley (£8) and Blackburn with Darwen (£7.22), but ahead of Fylde (£6.90), Wigan (£6.80), Blackpool (£6.80), Chorley (£6.20), Preston (£6) and Bolton (£6).

Chris Ward said the fact that Preston, Chorley and Bolton have more of a defined town centre area than South Ribble meant there was “more trade” for taxis in those places – and so it could be expected South Ribble’s charges would be “slightly higher than theirs”.

Emergency services were called to Malthouse Way in Penwortham at 5.12pm on Saturday (27 June) to reports of a house fire.

It is understood that the occupants of the property, along with pets, were evacuated safely.

Read more: Work set to begin on delayed but much-needed improvements to Friargate South

However, police are treating the incident as arson and have launched an investigation working with Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service.

Cadent, who manage the supply of gas to homes in the North West, were also called to the scene by the fire service to assist in making the property safe.

They returned on Sunday (28 June) to install a new supply pipe.

No arrests have been made as of Monday afternoon (29 June) and if you have any information you are asked to call 101 quoting Log 1307 of June 27th.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “At 17:12, three fire engines from Bamber Bridge, Leyland and Penwortham attended a building fire on Malthouse Way, Penwortham.

“Firefighters used a triple extension ladder, thermal imaging camera, small tools, two breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

“Firefighters remained in attendance for approximately three hours and the cause of the fire is under investigation.”

A spokesperson for Cadent said: “Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service requested our attendance at this incident, as the fire had cause damaged to the gas supply pipe to this property. Our engineers made everything safe and we returned the following day to install a new supply pipe.

“Incidents like these are an important reminder to act fast if you smell gas or suspect damage to gas pipes. Ring the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999*, day or night. It is a good idea to save the number into your phone now, so it’s there if you ever need it.”

Kyle Rhodes, who also goes by the name Dylan Crawford, is wanted as part of Lancashire Constabulary enquiries into offences of wounding, assault and possession of cannabis.

Rhodes is 26 and known to have links to Preston city centre, along with both Sheffield and Manchester.

Read more: Man caught dealing cocaine and heroin in Plungington and Ribbleton is jailed

A spokesperson for police said: “Have you seen Kyle Rhodes? We want to speak to Rhodes – who also uses the name Dylan Crawford – as part of our enquiries into offences of wounding, assault and possession of cannabis.

“Rhodes, 26, has links to Preston city centre, Sheffield and Manchester. He is 5ft 10, medium build, and has brown hair, a brown beard and brown eyes. Rhodes has tattoos on his neck, arms, hands and chest.

“Any sightings of Rhodes or information as to where he might be, please email 1069@lancashire.police.uk.”

Formerly known as New City VIP Taxis, Drive VIP Cars held an event to officially launch its new brand at its Moor Lane base near the University of Lancashire campus.

Bosses say the rebrand was done to reflect ‘its continued growth, modernisation and commitment to delivering reliable, affordable and accessible transport across Preston and the surrounding areas’.

Read more: New photos reveal progress of housing estate on former Ingol golf club

The company has grown to become one of the region’s largest private hire operators, with a fleet of more than 100 vehicles serving thousands of customers every week. These include standard taxis, executive vehicles, wheelchair accessible vehicles and larger vehicles ranging from six-seaters to 16-seater buses/Coaches. This allows Drive VIP Cars to support individuals, families, students, businesses, airport travellers and larger groups with a transport service suited to their needs. 

As part of the rebrand, Drive VIP Cars has also launched a brand-new customer booking app, designed to make booking a journey quicker, easier and more convenient. Customers can book directly from their smartphone, track their driver’s arrival in real time and manage journeys with greater ease.

The company has also made significant investment into expanding and modernising its fleet, while creating new employment opportunities for local drivers and support staff across Preston.

Speaking at the launch, director Muhammad Usman Yousaf said: “We are incredibly proud of how far the business has come and excited about what the future holds. This rebrand is about more than just a new name, it reflects our investment in technology, vehicles, customer service and our long-term commitment to the people of Preston.

“We would like to thank our customers, drivers, staff and the wider community for their continued support. Drive VIP Cars is here to provide safe, reliable and affordable transport for everyone.

Fellow director Khurram Shahzad added: “Drive VIP Cars is dedicated to providing , trusted, and comfortable transport services to all our customers. We are pleased to announce the introduction of some of the most affordable airport transfers in Preston for the upcoming summer holiday season.”

Guests at the launch had the opportunity to see the company’s new branding, learn more about the booking app and meet the Drive VIP Cars team behind the growing operation.

As the business continues to expand, Drive VIP Cars remains focused on delivering high standards of service while supporting the local economy through investment, job creation and improved transport options for the community.

Paul Cookson Drive VIP cars Manager said: “This event was a great opportunity to celebrate with people who have helped make our business what it is today. We are proud to be part of the Preston Community and look forward to continuing to serve our customers with same dedication and professionalism that has driven our success’.”

Jordan Dyer, 25, was seen by plain clothes officers to be dealing in Hammond Street, Plungington, on 15 October last year.

He was stopped and found to be in possession of wraps of crack cocaine and heroin.

Read more: Broughton and Bamber Bridge women sentenced for roles in £5m drugs gang

Further searches at his home address found scales, Rambo knives and cash.

He was given a suspended two year prison sentence in November last year.

Just days later and on 8 December he was chased down and detained by plain clothes officers in Shakespeare Road, Ribbleton, with a further 33 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin recovered.

He appeared at Preston Crown Court and was jailed for three years and 10 months as well as having his original suspended sentence revoked.

Dyer was caught as part of Operation Fracture which sees officers from Lancashire Police, British Transport Police and North West Regional Organised Crime Unit working together to break down county lines drug dealing.

Friargate South, Cheapside/Market Place and Orchard Street will see new paving, resurfaced roads and new trees, planting and street furniture under the plans which were delayed due to rising costs.

Phase one of the works will focus on Cheapside and begin on Monday, July 6, with work also starting at one side of Orchard Street. This will take around three months and mean that access through the area will be affected for around 20 weeks, with some temporary road closures and diversions.

Read more: Funding secured for water sports lake, ski slope and bike track on banks of the River Ribble

Preston City Council said that businesses in the area have been consulted.

It is not yet clear when work will begin on the strip of Friargate itself running from Ringway to Cheapside outside the St George’s Shopping Centre entrance.

Cllr Valerie Wise, deputy leader and cabinet member for Community Wealth Building and City Regeneration at Preston City Council said: “Upgrades to this part of the city are much needed to bring it line with other parts of the city including Fishergate and Friargate North that have already been modernised and transformed.

“The detailed phasing of the works has been planned with businesses and traders in mind to keep ‘business as usual’ a priority throughout the works and we ask everyone to please bear with us whilst we improve what is a very busy retail and visitor destination in the city.”

Gavin Hulme, managing director at Eric Wright Civil Engineering, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Preston City Council once again to deliver these important improvement works. We recognise that it is a busy and vibrant part of the city, and we will be working alongside the Council to minimise any disruptions.”

The plans were initially unveiled in December 2023 and due to be finished by Spring 2025. However, Preston City Council cited rising material and labour costs as reasons for the project being delayed.

The Friargate South area in particular is in particular need of improvements and is notable for the volume of empty units, many being at St George’s Shopping Centre.

Costa Coffee recently opened a new branch in the former Patisserie Valerie at the entrance of St George’s Shopping Centre.