In a week which marked the 100th day since the first coronavirus vaccination was administered in the UK, we’ve had plenty of news to bring you from Preston.

From the promises of environmentally friendly PPE, to the hopes of safer streets for women as Preston remembers Sarah Everard, it’s been a busy week.

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Here are five of the stories you may have missed.

Preston mum starts petition for Black Bull Lane to be made safer after teenage boy hit by van

A petition has been started by a concerned resident who fears for the safety of others after a teenage boy was hit by a van there on Wednesday (17 March).

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses to the incident, but Linzi Fairclough wanted to raise awareness of the dangers of the road.

She is concerned that the 30mph speed limit is not being adhered to on the road.

Read the full story here.

Free arts and wellbeing workshops to help Prestonians emerge from lockdown

Prestonians are being invited to a series of online creative wellbeing workshops led by artists including award-winning poet Louise Fazackerley.

The workshops – which started on Monday and run until the end of April – give locals a chance to have a go at illustration, doodling, journaling, photography, collage, writing and more, with the encouragement and support of friendly, talented and experienced artists.

Participants can share their work as part of The Living City’s online exhibition reflecting memories, concerns and hopes of local people at this time of change.

Free for Preston postcode residents, some workshops are open to all, while others are specifically aimed at mums of children under two, carers and people experiencing anxiety.

Read the full story here.

Free face masks, power washing and extra cleaning planned for Preston city centre from 12 April

Preston’s city centre retailers are ready to safely reopen their doors from 12 April, in line with the government’s publicised road map.

Shops and personal care businesses are preparing to welcome people back into the city, supported by appropriate safety measures to minimise risk.

To support the re-opening of the high street, the BID is re-introducing a range of measures, similar to those it successfully rolled out in the re-opening period of summer 2020.

Measures include the disinfecting of key touch points and street furniture around the city centres main shopping areas, plus an enhanced power washing programme concentrated around high footfall areas.

Read the full story here.

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How a Catforth school is using 100 teddy bears to keep children and staff connected

Catforth Primary School is using 100 teddy bears to help children and staff stay connected throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The wellbeing initiative was suggested by a parent on the Friends of Catforth PTFA, who had seen the idea rolled out successfully at another school.

Early last month, 100 teddies dressed in Catforth Primary t-shirts arrived at the school, thanks to PTFA funding.

Headteacher Mrs Julie Bainbridge said: “Because we couldn’t be together, helping and hugging each other to get through some difficult days of home-school, then our school teddy could give you a hug instead and be your friend until we could all be together again.”

Read the full story here.

Watch how Friargate and Ringway in Preston city centre to look after £14.7m revamp

Prestonians and visitors are being invited to give their views on designs for a new scheme which will reconnect Preston city centre to create a better leisure and shopping experience and encourage sustainable travel.

As part of the successful Transforming Cities Fund bid, Lancashire County Council has been awarded £14.7m to regenerate the Friargate North and Ringway area in line with other modern cities.

The funding will also be used towards a range of improvements in and around the city to promote public transport, walking and cycling, encouraging people to consider other methods of transport.

Read the full story here.

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