Huge numbers of people piled onto the Blackpool seafront over the weekend, ignoring police appeals to stay away in an attempt to “keep the town safe”.
Sunny skies and warmer weather lured thousands to the coastal town on Saturday and Sunday – with photos appearing to show a jam-packed seafront and beach.
According to reports, there was little evidence of social distancing being enforced and few people wearing masks, with one eyewitness claiming she had “never seen it that busy before”.
Blackpool is one of the few areas in Lancashire to avoid tighter restrictions so far.
Police had already expressed concern that people would visit the town ahead of measures being implemented in their own areas this week.
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On Friday, Lancashire Police deputy chief constable Terry Woods had plead with people to avoid having one “last blast” ahead of impending restrictions in neighbouring regions (which come into effect on Tuesday 22 September).
Lancashire’s restrictions will prohibit households from mixing in homes and gardens, with hospitality limited to table service,
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Many venues will also be required to close between 10pm to 5am.
The rules apply to the boroughs of Preston, Lancaster, Wyre, Fylde, Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire, Ribble Valley, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn, and Rossendale.
Gem Concannon from Northwich spoke to the BBC after visiting Blackpool on Saturday and said the town was “heaving”.
“…hardly anyone was wearing masks or social distancing,” she told the media outlet.
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, the director of public health for Lancashire county council, has urged others to avoid the area and “look after each other”.
“Just because Blackpool is not yet an area of intervention, or where these new rules apply, this guidance that has come out applies to all of Lancashire no matter who you are or where you live so you take it with you wherever you go.”
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Four people arrested as part of investigation into fatal head-on crash in Bolton last month
Emily Sergeant
Four people have now been arrested following a devastating and fatal head-on collision in Bolton last month.
Simultaneous warrants – which were conducted alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Trading Standards – took place in Ladybridge and Bolton town centre this week, and resulted in four people being arrested.
A 42-year-old woman and 46-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of fraud offences, while a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking.
All four people arrested currently remain in police custody for questioning, as the investigation into the serious collision continues.
The arrests have been made after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a collision on Wigan Road in Bolton at around 12:45am on Sunday 11 January, where a Seat Leon was travelling down the road and collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso – which was a taxi.
The driver of the Seat, and two passengers – who were all aged between 18 and 19 – died following the collision, and the driver of the Citroen was also sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The three teenagers who died have been named by GMP as Muhammad Danyaal Asghar Ali, Farhan Patel, and Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, all from Bolton, while the taxi driver was named as Masrob Ali from Blackburn.
Four people have been arrested as part of an investigation into a fatal head-on crash that happened in Bolton last month / Credit: GMP
Five passengers from both vehicles were taken to hospital for treatment, and it has been revealed by GMP that a 29-year-old woman who suffered ‘life-threatening injuries’ during the incident is now in a stable condition.
“Our investigation into this tragic incident has led to four arrests from two warrants in Bolton,” Detective Inspector Andrew Page, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, confirmed.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is still appealing for information and witnesses, and are urging anyone that may be able to help to come forward. This includes anyone who saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or has dashcam / CCTV footage.
Can you help? Anyone with any information is urged to contact the SCIU directly on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 111 of 11/01/2025.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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Manchester City told no after appeals for rule change in the EFL Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City have been told no over proposed rule changes after requesting an exception to be made and for Marc Guehi to be able to play in the EFL Carabao Cup final.
The Cityzens made it through to the last two following their 3-1 win against Newcastle United in the decisive tie at the Etihad Stadium, beating the North East side 5-1 on aggregate over the course of the two-legged semis.
However, Man City have now reportedly had their appeal rejected, with the EFL stating definitively that Marc Guehi will not be playing in the final.
With Pep Guardiola’s squad having suffered a number of injuries across their backline of late, it goes without saying that they could do with as many available defenders as possible.
BREAKING: The EFL will not change its rules to allow Marc Guehi to play for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final 🚨 pic.twitter.com/QFw5KIiaNz
As confirmed by Sky Sports and other sources, the governing body for the wider English pyramid has stated clearly that Guehi will be ineligible for selection by City in the final.
Put simply, this is because Guehi – having just joined the club this January transfer window – is already cup-tied, after playing for his former employers, Crystal Palace, in previous rounds of the Carabao Cup.
While most new signings have previously been able to represent their new side in the same competition after leaving their old team, in this case, the domestic knockout tournament has already progressed too far, basically.
Since there is just one last fixture to play before we find out the winner, one of Man City or Arsenal is crowned champions for 2026, the EFL have insisted that Guehi can’t play in the final.
Following manager Guardiola’s comments after the win on Wednesday night, in which he said he would ask for the rules to be amended, Sky gave a quick explainer to those left confused.
As broadcaster Mark Chapman mentioned, this just so happens to be the first year that this particular scenario has occurred in the event’s 86-year history.
Pep made it apparent that he doesn’t agree with the stipulation and that the England international will be unable to play “because of a rule that I don’t understand”; many supporters, be they Blue or otherwise, argue that changing regulations is simply ‘common sense’.
Nevertheless, it looks like the EFL are sticking with it, and come the EFL Cup final at Wembley from 4:30pm on Sunday, 22 March, Guehi will have to settle for watching from the stands against their current title rivals on two fronts.
What do you make of the debate?
You can see his Pep’s most recent post-match press conference in full here.
The Manc -
21st September 2020 
