Archive

  • Public fight is on over service future

    THE future of maternity services in Rossendale will be the subject of a public meeting this month. Residents are invited to voice their opinions about the impact of a loss of maternity services at Fairfield Hospital, in Bury, and Rochdale Hospital, to

  • Bentley picks up fan award

    DAVID Bentley scooped his first award of the season when he was named the Disabled Supporters Club player of the year at a presentation night on Thursday evening. Bentley, who has come on in and leaps and bounds over the last 12 months, was a worthy

  • Cancer man’s claim

    A MAN who is suffering from asbestos related cancer has launched a legal battle for compensation of up to £200,000. Lesley Ford, 73, has developed the disease malignant mesothelioma, a cancer of the tissues surrounding his lungs or abdomen, according

  • Painter who learned with Lowry set for mini festival

    AN ARTIST who stopped painting when his wife became terminally ill is to hold his first exhi-bition in five years. Norman Redmayne, 72, of Sarah Street, Darwen, will present ten of his still-life pieces with an abstract theme at the Central United Reformed

  • Memorial service

    A memorial service has been arranged to commemorate the life of a former Wiswell woman who died at her home in Portugal. Susan Bancroft (nee Thompson), 60, fell at her home in Lagoa, in the Algarve. Her stepson Craig Bancroft, who runs Northcote Manor

  • Faster call-out time at new fire station

    PLANS for Burnley's new fire station have been submitted to the council. Under the proposals the existing station in Ormerod Road would be knocked down and replaced with a new Community Fire Station', training house and tower. The new station will be

  • Teenager devastated by sudden loss of sight

    A TEENAGER has been left devastated after becoming blind for the second time - and being told that now it is for life. Doctors said the nerve endings in Michael Harrison's eyes had died after he lost his sight suddenly while working on the check-out

  • Youths direct festival of film

    FILM students - fresh from a feature production starring former Grange Hill star Todd Carty - are set to host their first-ever festival for the silver screen. Young amateurs from Accrington and Rossendale College are already dab hands behind the lens

  • Vying for honours

    SEVERAL companies are among the front-runners to land prestigious business honours at a top industry event recognising their efforts to protect the environment . Fort Vale Engineering, Nelson; Barnoldwick-based Rolls-Royce; Baxi Heating, Padiham; Clitheroe-based

  • Assaulted wife had dog put down

    A WOMAN whose husband attacked her had his dog put to sleep. Burnley magistrates heard that Craig Boothman, 32, of Birtwistle Avenue, Colne, assaulted his wife, Heidi, after an argument at their home on March 25. In mitigation Nick Dearing, defending

  • Hooded raider caught by CCTV rigged up to PC

    A HOODED burglar who raided a newsagents was caught out because the owner rigged up the CCTV to store images on his home computer. The move meant that Daniel Harper was caught even though the gang which burst into Ossy Food and News took the hard drive

  • Rovers need the Intertoto

    THE Intertoto Cup has suddenly become a great way to get into Europe. There was a time when clubs used to laugh at a cup that used to get started away back in the middle of May, and have endless qualifying rounds and matches before offering even a sniff

  • Whalley’smapped out Reds future

    ERIC Whalley joked he may have hung himself from Accrington Stanley's floodlights had the Reds sunk back into the Conference. But the passionate Reds chairman is no quitter - and no sooner had Stanley secured their Football League status, Whalley outlined

  • Band just one step from V for victory

    DARWEN band India Mill are just one performance away from securing a spot at two of the summer's biggest festivals. The four-piece have seen off over 3,200 bands around the country to get to the final 14 in The Road To V competition. On Wednesday they

  • Let’s turn Turf Moor into a sea of Claret

    WELL, we're almost there. Another season draws to a close with Sunday's visit of Coventry City. And what a season it's been. There have been highs and lows, but after performing well at Sunderland and ending April as the Championship's form team things

  • Cheek bone ‘fractured

    A Clitheroe man suffered a multiple fracture of his cheek bone after being punched outside a town centre pub. Blackburn magistrates heard that Barry Watson was momentarily unconscious after being struck from behind by Wayne Duncan Jeffries. The court

  • Blackburn: Azeem's

    THIS refurbished restaurant appears to offer more specials on its menu than standard dishes. You can choose from special baltis, chef's specials, special banquet menus and even Azeem's specialities. In the end we chose two dishes which I can't think

  • Show support, jazz fans urged

    JAZZ fans in the Ribble Valley are being asked to get behind a new monthly jazz night at the recently revamped St Mary's Centre in Clitheroe. The monthly jazz night is the brainchild of music lovers Paul Ellis and Geoff Jackson. To gauge some idea of

  • The Last Detective, ITV1

    BIZARRE sight of the week had to be Roger Daltry from The Who turning up on The Last Detective on ITV last night. There was just something so incongruous about seeing the frontman from one of the loudest rock and roll bands ever sharing scenes with Peter

  • Hoaxer’s ‘bomb in school’ threat

    A VALLEY primary school was the target of a bomb scare. Police were called to Holy Trinity CE Primary in Stacksteads after a call was made to the school saying a bomb would be planted there. John Aspin, headteacher of the Booth Road school, said: "We

  • The texting grandma!

    A GRANDMA has beaten hundreds of youngsters in the hunt to find the UK's best text message poet. And Eileen Bridge, 68, of Moleside Close, Accrington, said she was "totally shocked" to pick up the accolade with her effort "O Heart that Soars". She entered

  • Gig’s a tribute to our mate

    A CHARITY gig in memory of crash victim Ashley Connell takes place this weekend - with his favourite band headlining. And organisers are urging the hundreds of people who attend the Operation Blowout festival in Blackburn on Sunday to back the Lancashire

  • The man who was wrong but wouldn’t admit it

    Now that the elections are over we are free to be as political as what we want. It has been been ten long years since I voted in the Prime Minister. Ten years is a pretty long time to be having to see that same old grin tell me the same old stuff but

  • Warning for sunseekers

    IF your burning ambition is to become a bronzed Adonis (or Athena) this summer then take a word of warning from Simon Hope Experts are warning that slapping on the sun cream may not be enough to protect you from the sun's harmful rays. And the 40-year-old

  • Car dealer’s bomb plot conspiracy

    A TERROR chief's trusted lieutenant masqueraded as a teenager and used coded emails in a bid to prevent his Al-Qaeda cell being detected, a court heard. And Blackburn car dealer Junade Feroze, 31, had a false identity which allowed the ringleader to

  • Boys’ terror dog ordeal

    TWO young brothers have been left terrified of dogs after a German Shepherd burst into their home after escaping from a neighbour's house. Dad Imran Saddiqe, of Laburnum Road, Little Harwood, Blackburn, kept the dog at bay while his sons Aman, six, and

  • Lunch with minister

    A NURSE named as the best in her profession had lunch with Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt. Life has been turned upside down for Justine Whitaker, from Clitheroe, since she was named the Nursing Standard's nurse of the year at the end of February.

  • Tories majority cut in Rossendale

    THE Tories retained power in the Rossendale Council elections but with a majority reduced by one. Their seats dropped from 23 to 22, while Labour increased their numbers from nine to 12 and the Liberal Democrats also gaining a seat on the council. There

  • Burglar gets curfew

    A MAN who carried out five house burglaries in the space of an hour has been given an 18-month community order. Jason Talbot, 24, will be on a three-month curfew from 9pm to 7am while he lives at a flat in Woodvale, Darwen. Preston Crown Court heard

  • Bus hit cars after evasive action

    A bus swerved to avoid a pedestrian and ploughed into two cars. Police said the woman pedestrian stepped out into the middle of the road at the junction of Whalley Road and Knowlemere Street, Accrington. The driver managed to steer the bus, which was

  • Power-sharing continues in Burnley

    The Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and Labour all gained one extra seat in Burnley Borough Council's elections. In a nail-biting moment the final result for Rosegrove with Lowerhouse hinged on the drawing of lots, leaving the BNP with three less

  • Burnley election night

    Returning officer, Steve Rumbelow draws the Labour candidate's name after lots are cast between Labour and BNP.

  • Burnley election night

    BNP candidate, Peter Rowe, who lost his election to Labour candidate, Paul Reynolds after a controversial drawing of lots by returning officer Steve Rumbelow.

  • Burnley election night

    Labour candidate, Paul Reynolds wins his seat after a controversial drawing of lots by returning officer Steve Rumbelow, following a draw with BNP candidate, Peter Rowe. L-R: Peter Thorne; Stuart Caddy; Paul Reynolds; Brian Parkinson.

  • Burnley election night

    Labour candidate, Paul Reynolds who won his seat after a controversial drawing of lots by returning officer Steve Rumbelow, following a draw with BNP candidate, Peter Rowe.

  • Burnley election night

    Labour candidate, Paul Reynolds wins his seat after a controversial drawing of lots by returning officer Steve Rumbelow, following a draw with BNP candidate, Peter Rowe.

  • Ewood ace has Owen fear

    JASON Roberts fears Blackburn Rovers could feel the full force of Michael Owen's frustrations when the England striker steps out at St James' Park tomorrow. The Newcastle United hitman has not set foot on home soil since December 2005 after a broken

  • All is well in the house of Elliott

    PLAYER of the year Wade Elliott believes Burnley are ending a topsy-turvy season with the strongest squad he has been involved in at Turf Moor. The winger, who beat off competition from Michael Duff, James O'Connor and Chris McCann to scoop the main

  • Coleman: I’ll have to break hearts

    ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman admits he will be breaking a few hearts as he compiles his retained list for next season. Coleman is in the process of negotiating new contracts with players he intends on keeping for the start of the League Two 2007

  • Jumpers’ £2,500 boost for appeal

    A PARACHUTE jump raised around £2,500 for charity. Denise Gee, 39, of Richmond Park, and Lindsay Reed, 28, of Astley Street, both Darwen, raised £700 and £500 respectively for the Five Stars Appeal. Mark Allan, 39, of Lower Darwen and Julie Rawlinson

  • Ribble Valley election night

    The outgoing Mayor of Ribble Valley Cllr Peter Ainsworth and incoming Mayor of Ribble Valley Cllr Doreen Taylor celebrate retaining their seats of Clayton-Le-Dale with Ramsgreave as the results are announced.

  • Ribble Valley election night

    Cllr Mary Robinson and Paul Frankland (blonde hair next to Mary) of the England First Party look over the count for Primrose where they standing.

  • Ribble Valley election night

    Cllr Robert Thompson of The Conservative Party celebrates on retaining his seat in the Wiswell and Pendleton area as Sue Appleton of the Liberal Democrat looks disappointed at losing.

  • Pendle election night

    Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate Andrew Stephenson phones in the results to head office.

  • Bacon butties give food for thought

    A FIRM has made £55,000 worth of energy efficiency savings - by offering staff bacon butties for their ideas. Fort Vale Engineering, Brunswick Street, Nelson, has been shortlisted for a Red Rose business environmental award for its work, which has saved

  • Pendle election night

    Lib Dem Graham Roach celebrates taking Waterside on his first attempt from Ian Robinson who was deselected and became an independent councillor. celebrating with wife Velma, Gary Bird, Coun Philip Boyle and former Mayor Edwina Sargeant.

  • Father attacked partner as daughter looked on

    A FATHER who attacked his wife in front of their teenage daughter told a court he wished he could turn the clock back. Burnley magistrates heard how drunken Ian Turner, 47, hit his partner of 20 years in the mouth in their room and then did it again

  • Pendle election night

    Exec Counc for Parks Ann Kerrigan celebrates regaining Horsfield Ward with partner Tim Ellis.

  • Hyndburn election night

    Coun Peter Britcliffe pictured centre celebrates with left Coun Stan Horne and right Coun Peter Clarke. Three Conservative celebrating.

  • Doctors’ plans rejected

    DOCTORS in Blackburn have seen their plans for an extension rejected by borough planners because of parking fears. Drs David Gebbie, Katherine Burn and Hereward Brown wanted to build a registrar's room and an extra consulting room at Limefield Surgery

  • Student Austin in North’s boat race

    A BURNLEY student will row in the North's answer to the Oxford-Cambridge boat race. University of Salford student Austin Wensley, from Lowerhouse, will take part in the 36th Two Cities Boat Race when Salford and Manchester University go head to head

  • Dunn out of Toon trip

    DAVID Dunn hopes he can still play a part in Blackburn Rovers' late bid for Europe - even though he's been ruled out of tomorrow's trip to Newcastle. Dunn will miss the game at St James' Park after he picked up a thigh injury during the first half of

  • Clarets keen on Eric return

    BURNLEY manager Steve Cotterill is waiting to hear if he's been successful in his bid to bring Eric Djemba-Djemba back to Turf Moor next season. The Clarets boss has been in discussions with Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill about securing a season-long

  • Election delays fraud case

    FRAUD charges against a Blackburn councillor were adjourned by magistrates for a week because of the borough council elections. The prosecution agreed to a seven-day delay in the case against Coun Arif Waghat, of Shear Brow ward, who is accused of failing

  • Hop on bus and have your say

    RESIDENTS in Brierfield are urged to give their views on three different proposals to regenerate the area. A bus belonging to planning and design consultancy Urbed will be touring the Railway Street area next Friday and Saturday. Options were drawn

  • Thanks for flowers

    Annie and Tom Taylor thank all Greenbrook Church for the best wishes and flowers presented to them on their 65th wedding anniversary. Special thanks to Anne Whittaker for the cake and Ken Tomlinson who has retired as church pastoral visitor after 25

  • Change of use application

    A planning application has been submitted for a change of use to retail sales of light used commercial vehicles at Dexter Paints building, Gannow Lane, Rosegrove, by Mr C Dickenson. Comments to be in before May 16. Quote APP/2007/0369.

  • Thai visit to school

    St Augustine's RC Primary School had a visit from two teachers from Bangkok. The visit by the Thai headteacher and a translator was as a result of a previous exchange. The visitors observed morning classes before teaching about Thai dance and basic

  • On a mission to Tanzania

    Ex 1st Burnley Boys Brigade member Martin Palmer has gone to Tanzania for two weeks to help build an orphanage. He has been sponsored by his employers, Speakman on Smallshaw Industrial Estate, Accrington Road.

  • Contest ‘snapper’ captures flames

    AN AMATEUR photographer preparing for a competition captured dramatic pictures of a blaze from her bedroom window. Martha Caramitsos spotted the fire at car repair business CMS Motors, in Whitebirk Road, Blackburn, at 8.10pm on Wednesday. After calling

  • Drunken man hit side of police van

    A DRUNKEN man making his way home late at night banged on the side of a passing police van. And Blackburn magistrates heard that his actions amounted to an invitation the police were quick to accept. Ashley Nathan Cort, 24, of Cherry Street, Blackburn

  • Stanley fringe players get big chance

    STANLEY boss John Coleman is prepared to hand out chances to his fringe players tomorrow as Accrington Stanley bid to de-rail MK Dons' promotion hopes. The Reds travel to the National Hockey Stadium in relaxed mood after safeguarding their League Two

  • Sergio signs on

    German winger Sergio Peter has signed a new three-year contract with Blackburn Rovers, which ties him to the club to the summer of 2010. The 20-year-old Academy graduate has featured regularly in the first team squad this season, clocking up 16 appearances

  • Work will hit traffic

    WORK will begin on Tuesday to replace nearly 2km of water mains in the Samlesbury area. The £200,000 improvements will start in Preston New Road from the junction with the A59 Whalley Road to just past Samlesbury Hall in Preston New Road. The work should

  • MP furious at home loans delay

    PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has accused councillors of "passing the buck" over delays in housing loans. Mr Prentice said he was "infuriated" by the row over who is responsible for the £600,000 funding hold-up, which could see hundreds of homeowners unable

  • O'Connor set to miss Coventry clash

    Steve Cotterill is likely to be preparing for Sunday's final game of the season, at home to Coventry City, without James O'Connor. The midfielder is expected to remain sidelined after suffering concussion in the 3-2 win over West Brom almost two weeks

  • Dog deserved a second chance

    WITH regard to the child savaged by the dog (LT, April 28). I was very upset to hear that they have decided to have it put down. Every dog deserves a second chance, and it is up to the owners to keep them under control. If they offend a second time

  • Taxpayers foot the bill again

    RE the story "£47,700 for pub nightmare" (LT, April 27) in which it is stated police agree to settlement after Jubilee stormed' . Am I right in thinking that the £47,700 will come out of the Council Tax precept or, in other words, will the council tax

  • A little help to breathe easily

    WITH regard to a recent article about people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I have this debilitating disease, but the practice nurse at my GP's arranged for a 16-week course. This was about 12 months ago and now I attend a once a

  • New Carnival Queen Romi’s toast of town

    ROMI-Jane Young was the toast of Accrington last night when she was voted Carnival Gala Queen. The 20-year-old, who is starting a new job at Debenham's in Blackburn next week, will now have the honour of leading the parade in the Famous Accrington

  • Art exhibition is so original

    REGARDING the story on the Pop Artists Exhibition at Sunnyhurst Wood) April 24). I have to say that although the photo was very striking, the information is sorely lacking. I have seen the exhibition and there is more than Pop Arts' on display. Around

  • Gallery is well worth a look

    I WOULD like to congratulate Blackburn Museum staff and helpers for the magnificent textile gallery opened by Jack Straw. The staff worked extremely hard and deserve recognition. I hope the councillors will now put into effect the plans for the extension

  • Textile show move a big improvement

    I HAVE lived in Blackburn for over 77 years and only on about four or five times have I visited the Lewis Textile Museum. A lot of people blasted Blackburn with Darwen Council for closing it, but I always thought it not a nice place to visit. So I

  • Man killed in road smash

    A MOTORIST has been killed in a collision on a notorious road in East Lancashire. Leon Paul Atkinson, 24, of Burnley, the driver of a black Peugeot 106, died in the crash on the A59. The accident happened outside the Bay Horse pub in Longsight Road,

  • Lib Dems strengthen grip on Pendle

    LIBERAL Democrats have increased their majority on Pendle Council, despite losing two seats in a night of election surprises. The ruling party regained seats of the three former LibDem councillors who defected to turn Independent earlier this year.

  • Tories strengthen grip on Ribble

    THE Tories strengthened their grip on Ribble Valley Council in a night that saw the leader of the Liberal Democrats ousted. The ruling party's number of seats rose from 21 to 29, with the Lib Dems dropping from 15 to 10. Labour lost its only seat on

  • Tories hang on to Hyndburn

    CONTROL of Hyndburn Council remains on a knife edge, with the Conservatives retaining their one-seat majority. The Tories stayed on 18 seats and Labour lost one from its total while a new independent cand-idate took the Huncoat ward. Dave Parkins, who

  • Shocked Labour loses control of Blackburn with Darwen

    LABOUR lost overall control of Blackburn with Darwen Council for the first time in 19 years - signalling a frantic scramble for power involving four parties. A number of key losses left the party with just 31 seats, down from 33. And a massive protest

  • Fatal stabbing - police probe

    A MAN has died from stab wounds following a disturbance in Darwen. Ambulance crews were called to the scene but were unable to save him, police said. Chief Superintendent Dave Mallaby said: "A man was being treated by paramedics for what appeared to