AFTER years of dispute over its alleged threat to health, campaigners were today celebrating over the burning of chemical-waste Cemfuel coming to a stop at the giant Castle Cement plant in the Ribble Valley as new European laws forced tighter conditions
Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy WAY back in the 1960s the kingfisher was facing extinction following years of pollution and especially as a result of a series of very cold winters. Kingfishers certainly earn their name but you can't catch fish in rivers
A LARGE room somewhere in London. The venue a secret. Stored within are more than 200 of the most important figures of the past 20 years. People who have shaped our society -- for better or for worse. Nestled among them is Home Secretary and Blackburn
THE government is planning to give the police powers to shut down rowdy pubs and issue on-the-spot fines to troublemakers in a bid to crackdown on Britain's so-called yob culture. Despite the fact that East Lancashire suffers from more than the average
SO Blackburn's best kept secret is finally out -- who Blackburn Conservative Association have as their candidate for the next general election (LET, July 1). Can we all now relax? We are told their choice, John Cotton, is an accomplished yachtsman and
BRITAIN has the highest petrol prices in Europe, yet figures released by the European Union show that pre-tax Britain pays just 21p a litre for crude oil, which is cheaper than anywhere else in Europe except Germany, which pays 20p. These figures prove
I GREW up in Dixon Street in the Bank Top district of Blackburn, moving in 1971 to the Montague estate when the area was compulsorily purchased. Bank Top started at the alms houses and went to the Griffin pub. There were the Turners Arms, Wellwishers,
COUNCILLOR Dave Smith (Letters, June 21) attempts to blur the argument about the level of council tax in Blackburn with Darwen. Band D acts as the base line -- as a consequence of this being high, the lower bands pay more. Then, he trawls the country
I WAS privy to an argument recently in a local pub. The topic was fox hunting -- a pastime I am earnestly against. These three or four agile young men had obviously been at the bar much longer than I had been in the pub, so I reluctantly kept out of the
POLICE and fire investigators were today investigating a midnight arson attack at a Nelson factory. Residents were evacuated from their homes as fire swept through the mid terrace factory of Ronfern Ltd, bedspread manufacturers, in Albert Street. The
ROVERS' all-time leading League goalscorer Simon Garner has finally hung up his prolific boots -- from competitive football at least. Garner, who scored 168 League goals for Blackburn between 1978-92, was still knocking them in last season for Ryman League
ROVERS want Barnsley's free-scoring midfielder Craig Hignett to help shoot them into the Premiership. Blackburn boss Graham Souness is chasing the former Crewe and Middlesbrough man who scored some 20 goals for the Tykes last season. Hignett was a key
THE future of a plot of land in Lowerhouse, Burnley, will be decided at a local inquiry next month. The quarter-of-an-acre site near to Greenbrook Methodist Church is now occupied by lock-up garages. The dispute began when Burnley Council refused a planning
Old Blacks players begin pre-season training on Monday July 10 at 7pm. All players are requested to attend and new players will be very welcome. For further details ring Jack Lord on 01254 668616.
SIX times world stock car champion John Lund scored his best result of the year after finishing third in the British Championship at Kings Lynn. The Rimington farmer moved up from 15 to third in an action-packed final, but was unable to get past second-placed
A STUDENT who threatened his former girlfriend, has been given a chance to learn how to control his temper but warned a long prison term would follow if he did not take it. Burnley Crown Court heard how Jason Clegg, 27, twice telephoned mother-of-two
ANGLERS have been warned not to leave rubbish behind after a swan was found bleeding with a hook caught in its neck. The RSPCA is warning that people could face up to six months in prison or fines of up to £5,000 for leaving their waste behind. The male
CASTLE Cement stopped burning controversial Cemfuel hours before new European anti-pollution rules came into force -- and it could be months before it starts again, it was revealed today. Campaigners, who have been protesting against the fuel used in
LEGENDARY talent scout Jack Hixon is back on the Turf Moor payroll -- after a break of 33 years. Hixon, famous nowadays as the man who discovered Alan Shearer, also unearthed a clutch of top players for Burnley during the Clarets' heyday of the 1950s
ARCH rivals Blackburn and Burnley look set to share the same shirt sponsors next season. Rovers have already announced that locally-based computer firm Time will be their backers. And the Clarets look set to follow suit, although the name of one of the
JOB cuts in manufacturing firms accelerated in recent months as the sector came close to recession, a new survey revealed today. The recent decline in the value of the pound has arrived just in time to prevent manufacturing industry falling back into
FAMILY and friends of a young cerebral palsy sufferer who captured the hearts of his community have been left devastated by his sudden death. Karl Graham died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday aged five and a half. He was well known in the Bold Venture
TWO men who moved to Blackburn to make a fresh start blotted their copy book when they were caught shoplifting from Tesco. Blackburn magistrates heard that Frederick Weaver and Stuart Wibberley had been drinking before they went into the Hill Street supermarket
THE deputy leader of Lancashire County Council and another county councillor have been released on police bail after being questioned by police investigating alleged discrepancies in Labour party funding. But Coun Frank McKenna -- a prominent North West
A GREENGROCER claimed today that nearby building work is losing him trade. Abid Hussain, owner of Zamzan and Sons, on Devonport Road, Blackburn, said contractors' vans were taking up road space and forcing his usual customers to go elsewhere as there
COUNCILLORS have pledged to find suitable places on industrial land for mobile phone masts after protests by residents near the latest proposed site. More than 80 people packed into St Peter's Social Club, Mill Hill, for a public meeting last night against
A JUBILANT headteacher has paid tribute to both staff and pupils at Blackburn's Westholme Middle School as her first year draws to a close. Carole Gee, who took over the Beardwood Bank junior section of the school last September, said she felt very fortunate
THE ball is firmly in the court of the Jennings Ribblesdale League clubs as they consider whether or not to take on feeder league status to the Northern Premier League. Officials from the NPL again addressed Ribblesdale League officials at a meeting this
MARK Chilton suffered a cruel injury blow at Manchester Unversity yesterday. The Lancashire opener broke his finger taking the last of four catches in the second team's Aon Trophy victory over Warwickshire. Chilton was due to be 12th man in today's NatWest
Lancashire Under 15s gave their Schoolsnet/Lords Taverners County Championship semi-final hopes a boost with an easy eight wicket win against Cleveland at Farnworth Social Circle CC. The Red Rose youngsters, unbeaten so far this season, have been in terrific
BRITISH Superbike contender Neil Hodgson was left to reflect on a Silverstone meeting that promised much but ultimately left him even further away from the title. The INS Ducati rider simply blitzed the opposition in the opening 20-lap race, finishing
THOUSANDS of people waiting for overdue benefit claims to be sorted out have had their applications processed thanks to a new computer system at Blackburn Town Hall. Councillor Maureen Bateson told a meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council's cabinet
A teenager was found dead in his bedroom at a hostel in Preston New Road, Blackburn. The 19-year-old, who was originally from Durham, was found by a warden at Project 66 just before midnight yesterday. Inspector Stephen Haworth, of Blackburn police, said
REGARDING the current panic, cries of anguish and gnashing of teeth by car owners over the 'high' price of petrol, my heart, jokingly, bleeds for them all. Many eminent scientists say that our children's children are in for a very rough time because of
REGARDING the remarks of Mr R Jeeves on smoking and the cost to the NHS (Letters, June 28). Instead of keeping on putting up the prices of cigarettes, he would do better to concentrate on the damage that alcohol does to people's health and what that costs
CASTLE Cement stopped burning controversial Cemfuel hours before new European anti-pollution rules came into force -- and it could be months before it starts again, it was revealed today. Campaigners, who have been protesting against the fuel used in
POLICE have released the description of a man who forced a purse from the grasp of an 18-year-old girl standing at a bus stop in Todmorden Road. The robber is white, 20-25 years, 5ft 8-9ins tall, slim with dark, short, cropped hair. His most distinguishing
HUMAN remains found on the moors above Trawden yesterday may be those of a Burnley man Colin Patchett who has been missing for nearly three years. The badly decomposed body was found in such an isolated area that detectives were taken to the scene in
A YOUTH fresh out of custody ended up in such a drunken stupor he attacked his friend in the street. Burnley Crown Court heard how Daniel Porter, 20, set about his friend Clifford Whitbread after going to intervene when Mr Whitbread hit Barry Noone, an
LICENSEE Bob Gregory hanged himself over worries about paying for the cost of refurbishment of the Gretna Green pub, Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, an inquest heard. Mr Gregory, 51, was found hanged in the pub cellar by his wife Andrea, on Sunday, June 25
POLICE and fire investigators were today investigating a midnight arson attack at a Nelson factory. Residents were evacuated from their homes as fire swept through the mid terrace factory of Ronfern Ltd, bedspread manufacturers, in Albert Street. The
A DISQUALIFIED motorist who got behind the wheel thought his driving ban had run out, Burnley magistrates heard. Michael Howley, 48, whose disqualification actually ends in three days but still won't be able to drive until he has got his licence back
MAINTENANCE foreman Peter Beasley convinced family, friends and doctors he had recovered from a nervous breakdown. But at work he would stand for hours at the edge of a factory wall asking if he would die if he jumped. Mr Beasley, 53, of Springfield Avenue
RISING road deaths prompted a "slow down" plea from a police chief. Inspector David Threlfall, of the Pennine division, which covers Burnley, Pendle and the Ribble Valley, said: "In the division in the first six months of the year, we have had 11 death
TWO young forgers who netted £1,200 creating fake identity cards for under-age drinkers were tracked down -- but were not charged. Police wrote to the parents of 400 teenage customers of the two 15-year-olds, who lived in Blackburn and Clitheroe, after
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to halt a proposed sports development at an Accrington high school say they will continue their protests, despite failing to stop Hyndburn Council backing the project. Members of the Moorhead Residents Association shook their heads
INSOLVENCY practitioner Sandra Marshall has no excuse not to be in work on time! Colleagues and friends at Waterworths Accountants in Blackburn presented Sandra with a Gucci watch to mark her 25 years service with the firm. Sandra joined the Richmond
AN internet entrepreneur has won a place on a national group to help champion the cause of ethnic minority businesses. Kam Kothia, managing director of Blackburn-based E-Marketing Services, is a founder member of the Ethnic Minority Business Forum which
A FIREFIGHTER who took part in a mercy mission to flood-hit Mozambique relived his experiences for the listeners of Darwen Vale Radio 106.5FM. Paul Brookes was among the studio guests on the school radio station which broadcast live for two days. The
A WOMAN was allegedly raped when a man turned up at her address as she arrived home from work, a court was told. She was so frightened that she allowed him and his companion into her home, the court heard. One of them is said to have gone on to rape her
STARS and Stripes were out in force at Asda Rawtenstall yesterday as staff and customers celebrated American Independence Day. The store championed all things American and shoppers were entertained by pupils from The Dance Studio who led line-dancing,
ROSSENDALE schoolteacher Gordon McGregor is looking forward to cutting red tape and bureaucracy during his year as president of the Lancashire Federation of the NASUWT. Mr McGregor, head of maths at All Saints RC High, Rawtenstall and secretary of the
LITTLE Bethany Quail was thrilled to be reunited with her pet kitten after it went missing from the family home. Fourteen-month-old Bethany, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn, was upset after the kitten, which she named Gog, disappeared. Bethany's mum
VANDALS ran amok in a junior school, setting off fire extinguishers, smashing windows and throwing the school clock into a pond. Youths broke into Rosehill Junior School, Moorland Road, on Monday evening, setting off fire extinguishers and smashing windows
WOULD-be soccer stars of the future mingled with stars of the present when Whalley Primary School pupils met Blackburn Rovers players. Youngsters from the Church Lane school went along to Rovers' Brockhall training ground to see how the professionals
THE deputy leader of Lancashire County Council and another county councillor have been released on police bail after being questioned by police investigating alleged discrepancies in Labour party funding. But Coun Frank McKenna -- a prominent North West
DAVID Bateson's debut run on the Jim Clark Rally was rewarded with a hat-trick of runner-up awards. The 22-year-old Barrowford driver finished second in the Volkswagen Polo Challenge, the Memorial Trophy, and class C3. "It's definitely our best result
UNIBOND League rivals Accrington Stanley and Chorley will square up in the FA Umbro Trophy first round. The derby clash on September 4 will be at Chorley's Victory Park but the hosts are likely to be the underdogs following Stanley's promotion to the
PETER SLEEP is determined to put some silverware in the Read trophy cabinet in what could be his last season as a professional. And the former Australian Test player could hardly be doing any more to achieve his goal after producing a remarkable eight-wicket
NO disrespect, but the parliamentary ambitions of John Cotton, the 32-year-old yachting enthusiast chosen by the Conservatives to challenge Home Secretary Jack Straw at the next general election, seem to be floundering at the start. For if, by way of
MANY people, I am sure, will find it hard to understand why Blackburn pensioner Mary Stanton chooses to turn her tiny terrace home into a mini-menagerie of ten exotic birds, two dogs and a Capuchin monkey called Joe that's she had for 13 years. But most
A fact-finding tour of newspaper production was just part of their Newspapers in Education project for a class of Blackburn pupils. Children in years five and six at Daisyfield Primary School have been using our Super Story Search literacy material, along
HAVE you placed your school order for our superb free resources for schools, available only through our NIE department, to schools within our circulation area? Don't forget the deadline for orders is Friday to claim our one-off offer of free Literacy
