A small area of grassed land off Burnley Road, Todmorden, opposite the cricket ground has been labelled a "grot spot" and is to be redeveloped by Brownies. The Brownies, based at the National School, Burnley Road, will be helped by members of Todmorden
A PASSENGER in a stolen car which crased into a parked vehicle has paid the price with his driving licence. Burnley magistrates heard how Damian Collinge, 23, was chased by police after getting out of the car while it was still moving. The defendant
A shoplifter who stole a DVD player thought it would look good in his new lounge, Burnley magistrates heard. The court was told how father-to-be Ian Greenwood, 23, was about to set up home with his partner. The defendant, of Saxon Street, Burnley
AN asthmatic who says that running helps ease his condition is set to complete his 22nd consecutive London Marathon. Mick Green, 53, will line up at the start line in Greenwich Park on April 22 complete with his 60-year-old wife Jackie - and his inhaler
A Darwen man provided transport for a burglary in Edgworth, borough magistrates heard. Mark Gibbons was arrested after neighbours of Sanderson Mitchell House took the number of his van. Gibbons, 47, of Prince Street, admitted burglary and theft of
A MAJOR new drive to improve workers' health is to be launched in the Valley. Rossendale Council has secured £100,000 from the government's Communities for Health fund is set to go towards the council's new 'Healthy Business Scheme' and the existing
CRISIS talks are to be held over plans to cut fire cover in Barnoldswick. Pendle councillors have served papers for a judicial review into the Lancashire Fire Authority's decision to axe one of Barnoldswick's two retained crews. A decision on whether
CASH-strapped hospital bosses have been accused of limiting patients' milky cuppas in a bid to save money. An internal memo has been sent to wards within East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, asking nurses to regulate the milk they put in drinks for patients
An inquest has opened into the death of former police officer William Gordon Chalmers, 74, of Whalley New Road, Wilpshire, who died on Monday at Royal Blackburn Hospital. He had suffered a fall at home and a hospital scan showed fractures to his spine
THREE new police community support officers will help tackle crime in Rossendale. Partially funded by Rossendale Council, they will work with Lancashire police and other agencies to reduce crime, and anti-social behaviour. PCSO John Pepper, will cover
PUBS and bars are gearing up for the ban on smoking indoors - by submitting plans to build outdoor shelters for smokers. From July 1, new legislation will mean virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces will become smoke free. Some of the most
MORTEN Gamst Pedersen has spoken of his admiration for the player who arguably cost him a move to Manchester United. The Norwegian international was strongly linked with a switch to United before he signed for Blackburn Rovers three years ago, and Sir
CLARETS legends Andy Payton and Martin Dobson today called on fans to raise the roof and roar Burnley out of relegation trouble. Hotshot Payton believes supporters' backing can be a key factor in bringing a run of 18 games without a win to a much-needed
A student is bidding to conquer her panic attacks - by taking part in a 10km run. Katie Skelton, 24, said she hoped her fitness drive, for which she will raise charity cash, would inspire others who suffer panic attacks. She said: "I stopped keeping
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a partially-sighted pensioner with a white stick claimed he was almost run over by a council van. Alan St John, 66, of St Albans Road, Darwen, said he was crossing Bury Street when a van bearing a Blackburn with
TRADE unionists are campaigning to oust racist political parties from East Lancashire - days after the British National Party announced plans to field a new council candidate. BNP members met in Hyndburn last week and have agreed to form a branch in
RESIDENTS have given a cautious backing to plans to build a new school - despite the proposal meaning their homes would be demolished. Land behind Melrose Avenue, Burnley, in the centre of the Hargher Clough estate, is councillors' favourite site for
A MENTAL heath trust has been accused of sacking a manager while he was suffering from a depressive illness. John Lobley, from Barrowford, had worked for a number of years as research and development manager for Clitheroe-based Calderstones NHS Trust
IT feels so long since Burnley's last game that the players and supporters will be chomping at the bit about tomorrow. There is no question that the visit of Luton, and then the clash against Plymouth Argyle at Turf Moor, are two massive games for the
A CHANGE is as good as a rest, or so the saying goes, but Burnley will certainly be hoping it rings true. A quartet of Clarets have spent over a week away on international duty, with Michael Duff, Kyle Lafferty and Steve Jones called up to the Northern
AN industrial site could be revamped into a 120-home development. Plans to revitalise the India Mill site, off Clarendon Road, Little Harwood, have been submitted by Solihull-based regeneration firm, GC Blackburn Ltd. The scheme, which has been submitted
Accrington Stanley were handed a fine at their Football League hearing in Preston today - but they will not have any points deducted. The Reds have been ordered to pay a £6,000 fine, with a further £6,000 suspended, for fielding ineligible players.
BACKING for the restoration of the Colne to Skipton rail line has come from Todmorden councillors. Acting chairman of the development committee, Coun Cheryl Stovin, told members: "They have asked for our support, and we would be silly if we do not give
SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons is to start selling Halal chocolate bars at stores in the North West. The chain will introduce the Ummah chocolate range at stores including those in Blackburn, Nelson, Bolton and Preston. With around two million Muslims
A COUNCIL leader has hit out at parking bosses after plans to withdraw from a controversial warden scheme were delayed. Coun Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Council, is demanding immediate action after claiming he has been ignored' by those running
A MERGER of East Lancashire travel firm MyTravel with rival Thomas Cook has crossed the first hurdle. In February of this year MyTravel, which has offices in Accrington and Helmshore, revealed the merger would save about £75million. As part of the
A NEW takeaway with lots of new dishes on the menu - it's the ultimate prize for a reviewer. Having watched the Zahrashya take shape, I'd given it a few weeks to "settle in" before going along to sample the food, and I'm really glad I went. It offers
MIA Dolan of ITV'S Haunted Homes is coming to Thwaites Empire Theatre on April 1. She spoke to us about her life as a ghost-buster. PSYCHIC Mia Dolan insists she was just an "ordinary working class girl" brought up on the Isle of Sheppey, until the
THE damning Ofsted report into Hameldon Community College has been officially published. Ofsted inspectors found that Hameldon - an amalgamation of Ivy Bank and Habergham High School - was failing due to poor leadership, bad teaching and the attitudes
A CONVICTED conwoman struck again when she got a £428 gold chain using a neighbour's credit card details. Burnley magistrates heard how Wendy Evans, 32, had been suffering a "horrendous" drug habit, but was now living in supported accommodation, where
SATURDAY is going to be very hard the way Manchester United are playing this season. They're just going from strength to strength and I can't see them losing a game. Sir Alex Ferguson has talked down his chances of winning the treble this week, but
POLICE have issued a few fixed penalty fines over the last weekend. The fines were given to youths in the area for throwing stones at windows and leaving graffiti up and down Rosegrove.
A BIG thank you has gone out to everyone who took part and helped to organise the wagon pull in Rosegrove last Sunday. A lot of tired men and children hepled to raise £1,000 for the Harrison Hartley appeal. Harrison died earlier this month after
A DAD smashed up his ex-partner's phone and poured drink over her in front of their daughter, a court heard. The Burnley bench had been told how David Kemp, 33, created trouble at his mother's home for an hour because he was a "bit miffed" with the victim
DAVE Kevan admits Burnley are relishing the prospect of back-to-back home games. After playing nine of their last 13 Championship fixtuers away from Turf Moor, the Clarets will now bid to benefit from a run of six home games from their remaining nine
Pupils have launched their own newspaper at West Craven High Technology College. Pupils from years seven, eight and nine at the Barnoldswick school wrote, edited and published the paper, and sold it in school as well as local shops and West Craven
Several cars were damaged after a blue MG skidded in to a line of cars parked at the side of Church Lane near Enfield cricket ground in Accrington. Fire crews said the incident occured at approximately 5.15pm on Thursday when the driver of the MG lost
THE Clitheroe to Manchester rail service which passes through Blackburn has been given community rail status - in a bid to increase the number of users. It follows a bid by Blackburn with Darwen Council Council to the Department of Transport and Network
A NEW face will be unveiled today to lead a major shake-up of hospital services in Blackburn and Burnley. Alan Green, currently a non-executive director of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, will take up the chairmanship of the organisation with the
A GROUP of netballers are attempting to get their names in the record books. More than 20 pupils from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School are trying to break the world record for the longest ever netball match which currently stands at 55 hours.
A 23-YEAR-old teacher was found hanged at his home, an inquest heard. James Shoesmith, a Haslingden High School teacher and former head boy at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Blackburn, was found at the home he shared with his parents in Higham Road,
A man tackled a blaze in his back yard which had been started deliberately by youths. Youths had entered his property in Infirmary Street, Blackburn, and set fire to a pram which spread to some tyres in the yard on Thursday night. The occupant kept
THIS picture shows the final stages of the demolition of Burnley's Thompson Centre. Millionaire philanthropist William Thompson gave the money for the centre, which opened in 1974 before it was replaced by the £28million St Peter's Health and Leisure
APRIL 2, 1982, is a date which is scorched into the memories of thousands of families. Argentina sparked a war by invading the isolated Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, claiming they were a historic part of the country. As veterans and families
MOTORISTS facing more expensive car parking in Burnley for the first time in two years have objected to the price hike. Earlier this year the council's executive board approved plans to bring in £100,000 extra per year through the increase. But businesses
FOUR people including a teenager who "glassed" a woman during a brawl at a Blackburn pub have kept their freedom. Preston Crown Court heard how barmaid Ella Mack, 18, of Douglas Place, was said to have attacked victim Lisa McDermott with a glass during
A WOMAN caught over the drink-drive limit told Burnley magistrates she had not eaten that day - but they said it would not have affected her breath test reading. Jane Frances de Chantal Jordan, 40, was banned for 12 months, fined £120 and ordered to
WORSHIPPERS gathered to celebrate the appointment of the first Muslim to Blackburn Cathedral's community team. Anjum Anwar will work with Cannon Chris Chivers at improving dialogue between the faiths. The pair have worked together for the past 18 months
There is a new menace on our streets and it's called ignorance. I am a pretty decent bloke for most of the time with a respect for all good human beings and all religions and cultures. But I have decided that enough is enough. Can someone please tell
Pupils at Moorhead Sports College, Accrington, including (from left) Aneesah Rashid, Callum Slinger, and Faiza Ahmed, have been waxing lyrical as part of a poetry competition. Year 7 youngsters wrote verses on a number of themes. One of the commended
A BURGLAR who flouted a community order had now turned over a new leaf, Burnley magistrates heard. The court was told Steven Cross, a one-time amphetamine addict, now just wanted to be a good father instead of committing crime. The defendant, of Midgley
BENNI McCarthy returns to the scene of one of his most famous triumphs tomorrow as Blackburn Rovers attempt to derail Manchester United's bid for the Premier League title. The 29-year-old striker, who has been sensational for Rovers this season, was
STANLEY boss John Coleman admits his attacking side only play one way - and that's to win. The Reds travel to second-placed Walsall tomorrow bidding to build on successive victories over Torquay and Hereford. A draw at the Bescot Stadium may represent
A 17-YEAR-old motorcyclist remains in a critical condition after a motorbike accident in Blackburn on Wednesday. The teenager was initially taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital after the incident. She has now been transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital
MARK Hughes has admitted he would not be fazed by the challenge of one day succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as the next manager of Manchester United. Having worked a minor miracle during his two and a half year reign at Ewood Park, Hughes has been widely
THE fight to ensure a place for Edgworth, Belmont and Turton children at their nearest high school has been raised in parliament. The lack of guarantees to ensure that 11-year-olds can get into a high school within two miles of their home was raised
LAST year I asked readers for personal ghost stories for inclusion in my book Witches and Ghosts of Pendle and the Ribble Valley. I had a great response, and those whose stories I told joined me at the book launch in October. I am working on my second
AS a Conservative councillor for Hyndburn, I and my colleagues have worked hard to put Hyndburn in a sound financial position. As a result we can now provide free bowls for everyone, free holiday swimming and football pitches for under 16s and half price
I READ the comments made by Darwen MP Janet Anderson and was astounded that she has stated that the formation of a town council for Darwen is a flight of fancy. Could this be because of the frequent flyers tax she is fighting against or is it because
WITH Easter approaching, rabbit breeders may be hoping to boost their profits by capitalising on the holiday's theme. But rabbits are one of the most complex species to care for. They require plenty of freedom to run, dig and play throughout the day
THE For Darwen' party are misguided if they think a Darwen Town Council would have powers to make decisions on matters such as social services, planning and regeneration. Town councils are, in fact, just like parish councils in that they have very limited
THE Dave Newton Trio will be the headline attraction at The Rhythm Station, Rawtenstall, on April 3. Newton has a reputation as one of the best jazz pianists Britain has ever produced, and has built himself a hugely successful career as leader of his
Julie Fowlis is one of the rising stars of the British folk scene and yet the bulk of her audience don't understand a word of what she is singing about. We spoke to her about her date in Burnley on April 1. THE music world first took notice of Julie
HE'S duetted with the likes of Kylie, Miss Piggy and Rod Stewart; has arguably the world's biggest collection of comedy spectacles (if you take away Su Pollard and Timmy Mallet) and has a penchant for dressing in oversized wigs. Yep, you guessed it
THREE deer have been spotted out in the open on Darwen Moors, surprising wildlife experts. Conservational Reserver for Central and West Lancashire at The Wildlife Trust, Dave Dunlop, said deer were usually very shy. He said: "I'm surprised. They usually
A WOMAN awaiting sentence for breaches of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order has been put on night-time curfew until the case is dealt with. Rachel Linford, 20, has had her case put back by a judge, for assess-ment to be carried out by the probation service
FOOTBALL fans have been banned from standing behind the goal during penalty shoot-outs at LFA's county ground after fans tried to put off junior players. It follows complaints from Knuzden Junior FC boss Derek Slater that penalty takers were "flashed
POLICE will be cracking down on yobs who throw stones at trains and mess about' on the railway this Easter. Blackburn is in a list of the ten most prominent areas for these incidents throughout the North West and British Transport Police officers will
