Central Radio North West

01/01/2026

What was your best photo of 2025? Post it below.. let’s see!👇

01/01/2026

“Never seen something so ridiculous in a hotel with a pitch view.” Social media star Darren Dowling, known as DAZZA online posted following his stay at Blackpool FC Hotel.

He was left a notice by hotel staff in his room instructing him to close his curtains before kick off.

The notice read:

“Please be aware that there is a football match scheduled for this afternoon/evening…”

“We ask that in the Executive Pitch View Rooms the curtains must be closed an hour prior to kick off, until full time. This is to comply with EFL and FA rules.”

Darren amassed a large social media following his series of food vlogs where he became popular for deep frying popular foods including McDonalds, Greggs and KFC.

He also appeared in Series 46 of the hit TV show ‘Come Dine With Me’ where he also demonstrates that everything can be deep fried. (Not necessarily that it should be!)

01/01/2026

TRAITORS: Preston man will feature in latest series of the popular BBC show.. will he be a Faithful, or a Traitor?!

Here’s our interview with Maz from Preston:

Age: 59

Occupation: Civil Servant

Location: Preston

❓Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I love the programme, so that's a good start. I love the whole essence of The Traitors, from the Missions, to the conversations, to the relationships you make and the game itself.

❓Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you'll bring to the show?

I'm 59 and I've done various things in my life, so I feel as though I've got good life experience. I'm told that I'm good to get on with and I'm funny - my kids say I'm funny looking. I think I can bring some humour, some chilled out moments, some interesting thoughts, and I think I will be able to add to the jigsaw of the game.

❓Do you have a game plan?

Well, I suppose it depends on what I'm going to be. I think that's the big thing, isn't it? Whether I’m a Faithful or a Traitor, I'm going to try and be myself as much as I can.

❓What are you like when playing games with friends and family? Would you say that you're competitive?

I think my family would say that I'm very competitive. I don't like losing, especially if I think I'm good at something.

❓Do you think you'll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I'm quite active and I think I'm quite fit for my age. I play football twice a week, so I think I'll bring that energy and drive. I know that I am a good team player. When I play football, I'm usually the one that's shouting their head off and giving people that drive and confidence but not overpowering. I enjoy being part of a team, having fun, and trying to get the job done.

❓If you're a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?

I think it will be a really big challenge. I have opted to be a Traitor, and that's a personal sort of challenge to myself to see if I can be the complete opposite to what a Faithful is. I would like to think I’ve lived my life consistently, trustworthy, honestly and reliable - all the good things, so I just want to see if I can maybe deviate from that and see if I am capable of doing it.

❓Would you say that you've got a good poker face?

I mean, that's for others to decide, isn't it? I'm told I've got a warm, friendly face, but my past occupation would say that I could be quite poker faced.

❓If you're a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

I think as long as I remember it's a game; I'm prepared to go as far as I can go if I don't get caught. It’s just a game at the end of the day, so you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.

❓If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan will be?

I think my natural characteristics would stand me in good stead. Being a team player, getting on with people, having fun and just being myself to be honest.

❓How good are you at spotting a liar?

I've come across a lot of people that have lied to me in the past, and sometimes I've had that sixth sense to say, ‘do you know what? They're not all what they appear to be!’. Sometimes I've been right and sometimes I've been completely wrong, so it just depends on how much of a good liar they are.

❓If you're a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?

If I'm a Faithful, I think I need to be as honest and as genuine as possible. When I say genuine, I mean to have true feeling and meaning with what I say. Words are words, but actions speak louder than words, and in the Missions, and around the Round Table, I think if I come across well and if people see me as genuinely decent, then I think I’ll do alright.

❓If you win the prize money, what would you spend it on?

Well, I have five children. The eldest is 30 and the youngest is 18, and I have five grandchildren with another grandchild on the way in March. My one daughter has four-year-old twin boys, and she holds down a full-time job in HR. My other son has just got married and had a baby, and my other daughter has also just got married and is expecting. I’ve then got a 21-year-old boy, and an 18-year-old daughter who’s just started university and is studying to become a midwife. So, listen, that money would be good.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Thanks for supporting Central Radio, Lancashire’s truly local and independent radio station. 💜

31/12/2025

Staying in? We've got the PERFECT soundtrack for your New Year..
7pm - Crummers keeps you company and has some of the best songs...
10pm - Andy Lawson will count down to 2026 with his New Year's Eve Party... he may even go 'in the mix' as he dusts off the old wheels of steel!

All on Lancashire's local radio station (that's us!) Central Radio North West. x

31/12/2025

‘Potentially explosive’ material found in Blackpool as 16 year old arrested as part of investigations.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police tell us:

“You may have seen a significant police presence in the Gloucester Avenue area of Blackpool this afternoon and we wanted to give you some detail about what is happening.”

“At about 11.30am today (Wednesday, December 31st) we attended an address on Gloucester Avenue and when we went in we found a quantity of items of concern. This includes potentially explosive material.”

“A 16-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. “

“Officers, including specialists from Explosive Ordnance Disposal, are attending the address to assess the items and make them safe if necessary.”

“We are being supported by a number of partners, including Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the Northwest Ambulance Service.”

“As a precaution a number of properties have been evacuated, and a cordon is in place. Support is being provided to those affected.”

Chief Inspector Martin Wyatt, of West Police, said:” We have a significant policing and emergency services presence in the area, and we are asking people to avoid the area where they can.

“It is expected the response may last into this evening and I want to thank residents who have been affected for their support and cooperation while we go about our work.

“We appreciate that this will be disruptive and concerning for the local community, but we want to reassure all residents we are working extremely hard with all our partners to make the address safe and bring this matter to as swift a conclusion as we can.”

31/12/2025

Travel chaos is expected in Lancashire as major bridge works get under way this evening (New Year's Eve).

Work on a major railway bridge replacement is set to begin - leading to major travel disruption in Lancashire.

30/12/2025

An amber cold-health alert for parts of north west England.

The county council say they are prepared and are gritting the roads.

Stay warm and well during winter with the tips below. For the latest gritting info from around the county see:

❄️ Gritting updates: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/winter/gritting/updates.
❄️ Gritting routes: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/winter/gritting/gritting-map/.

30/12/2025

TRAVEL: Preston railway station will be CLOSED, with rail replacement buses in operation instead of trains 1-4th January.

🚌 Replacement services will run hourly on routes including: 
• Blackburn ↔ Blackpool
• Buckshaw Parkway ↔ Blackpool North
• Buckshaw Parkway ↔ Ormskirk
• Lancaster routes via Preston
• Lancaster ↔ Wigan North Western routes via Preston

🔎 Tip: Check your train operator’s website before you travel (Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, Northern) for the latest timetables and service updates.

30/12/2025

Do you store logs next to your log burner? You could be increasing the risks of a fire in your home.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service were recently called out to a house fire caused by this and have issued fresh reminders about the risks.

A spokesperson tells us:

“Our crews were recently called to a fire caused by logs stored too close to a log burner”

“Always keep wood, coal, and other fuels at a safe distance and use a spark guard around fire places, open fires and log burning stoves.”

29/12/2025

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29/12/2025

The event was the biggest one yet in its 12-year history

Hundreds of runners and walkers dressed as elves have raised thousands for mental health at a charity fun run.