Archive

  • Man and woman found strangled

    A 60-year-old man and 25-year-old woman have been found strangled at a house. The bodies of Alan Murphy and Sobia Hussain were discovered by relatives at his home in Rakeshouse Road, Nelson. Police have launched an investigation, but said they were

  • Beleaguered parking scheme axed

    LANCASHIRE'S controversial Parkwise parking enforcement scheme is to be scrapped after officials admitted it would never break even - despite pulling in £10million in fines. The decision was taken after new projected figures showed that the scheme

  • Car import gang in £4m fraud

    A MARRIED father-of-four involved in a £4million car importing fraud had more than £90,000 stashed at his home when police arrested him, a court heard. Thomas Beard, 46, of Acorn Lodge, Gypsy Caravan Site, Longsight Road, Clayton-le-Dale was part of

  • Morale 'plummeting' due to pay review

    TOWN hall morale has "plummeted" because of changes to council staff salaries, it was claimed tonight. The controversial job evaluation shakeup, which will see cuts to more than 1,000 salaries, was debated by Blackburn with Darwen's ruling executive

  • Mosque trustee 'attacked wife for 20 years'

    THE trustee of a mosque subjected his wife to violence at least twice a week during their 20-year marriage, a court was told. Father-of-three Ahmed Hussain, 44, of Ivy Street, Burnley, appeared in court accused of attacking his wife, leaving her black

  • Son given restraining order against seeing parents

    A SON who has subjected his parents to seven years of violence and abuse has been banned from visiting their home - unless they invite him. Alex Stewart Birtwistle, 24, has attacked both his parents Christine and Stewart, smashed up furniture and threatened

  • Shot man's son vows to stay strong

    THE son of a businessman who was shot dead by robbers in South Africa has vowed to stay strong' for his family. Jamie Picton-Turbervill was due to celebrate his 21st birthday on the day his father, Fred, was shot in the head in front of his wife and

  • Neighbourhood Forum – Opinions Needed

    On Monday, 14th January, at Haslingden High School from 6.30pm, the Haslingden, Helmshore and Edenfield Neighbourhood Forum will be held. Residents will be able to question ward councillors from 6.30 with the main meeting starting at 7pm. Agenda items

  • The Only Gay In The Village?

    In a statement issued today by Mr. Adrian Garner, AKA Clitheroe Kate, self styled drag queen of Blackburn and owner of Bar Ibiza said, "now that Margo Grimshaw has renamed the Cathedral Court developement as The Cathedral Village, I am about to rename

  • Sports Editor comment: Don't go Sparky

    MARK Hughes would be taking the biggest gamble of his life if he walks out on Blackburn to join Newcastle. He has spent the last three-and-a-half years at Ewood Park building a reputation as one of the game's most forward-thinking managers. He has taken

  • Jail warning to trio in clock tower siege

    THREE drunken men who caused a near eight-hour siege after climbing Colne Town Hall clock tower have been warned they might go to jail. Burnley magistrates heard how the trio, Mark Chestney, 34, David Cook, 42, and Terry Saunders, 32, were said to have

  • BwD Freecycle Book Club

    Hello Fellow Residents. I trust you are all well? Alison one of our valued members is launching the BwD FC Book Club. If you would like to be part of the book club or would like more information, please join the cafe group to make contact with

  • Hospital plans narrowly backed by councillors

    AMBITIOUS plans to enable East Lancashire's hospitals to become self-governing have been narrowly backed by councillors in Burnley. Executive members of Burnley Council remain uneasy about a raft of changes to services at the town's general hospital,

  • Thief’s chance to prove himself

    A DRUNKEN criminal who stole a student's moped while a suspended jail term hung over his head has walked free from court. Craig Lewis, 20, who had never held a driving licence, had served a jail term since the order was made and, Burnley Crown Court

  • Talk on Rovers history

    Former professional linesman and referee Steve Williams is giving a talk on the history of Blackburn Rovers from 1875 to 1990. The Darwen Local History Society event is at 7.15pm on January 21 in the ballroom of the Bridge Street Sport and Social Club

  • Council opens health advice hotline

    A NEW service has been launched to allow people to get information about health services at Blackburn town hall. Phone lines have been installed in the town hall which visitors can use to get information about services including dentists, doctors, community

  • Mum found guilty of assaulting lollipop lady

    A MUM on a school run has today been found guilty of assaulting a lollipop lady. School crossing patrol officer Claire Earle was slapped across the face by neighbour Angela Sissons, 38, outside Lord Street Primary School in Colne, Burnley magistrates

  • Girl attacked 'for how she dressed'

    A YOUNG girl was chased and attacked in school grounds - because of how she was dressed, her mother claims. The 12-year-old, who was wearing "emo" style clothing, with skinny black jeans and a hooded top, was set upon by a gang of girls at 3pm on Sunday

  • Butlers Restaurant sponsors local boys teams

    Local Under 8's football team, Fenny Reccers FC, are celebrating after the Butlers Arms owners and manager Richard Walkden generously donated two brand new kits for them to wear this season, as well as contributing significantly to a further 25 waterproof

  • Crumbling library wall prompts survey

    AN immediate survey is being carried out after crumbling walls were spotted during routine maintenance work on a town centre library. The external walls on two parts of Blackburn Library have been found to be disintegrating by Blackburn with Darwen Council

  • Residents fight homes plan

    VILLAGERS have hit out at plans to build 59 homes at a former food factory site - calling the proposals "over the top". Developer Barratt Homes want to build a mixture of houses and apartments at the former Peel Fold Mill site in Stanhill Village, Oswaldtwistle

  • A great seven days for Reds

    IT'S been a great week for Accrington Stanley - with the record signing of Ian Craney and Paul Mullin committing his future to the club. I'm delighted that Paul has signed a new two-year deal with us. As far as I'm concerned, he's a key player, and

  • Macmillan Fundraisers

    Currently one million people are living with cancer in the UK. Macmillan Cancer Relief is working towards the day when everyone will have equal and ready access to the best information, treatment and care for cancer. Having both family and friends

  • Fast forward for market man's retro video business

    VIDEO recorders may have become obsolete - but one man aims to bring them back to life. Blackburn Market stallholder John Jones, 45, of Shear Brow, said people had been clamouring for VHS tapes since he opened his stall nine months ago. And, after three

  • Mayor is out meeting the people

    EARBY residents are being invited to meet the mayor at a surgery on Saturday. The Mayor of Pendle, Coun Allan Buck, is inviting residents to go meet him at New Road Community Centre between 10am and noon. Coun Buck wants to give all people the chance

  • Murder police think victim was targeted

    A MURDER hunt has been launched after a teenager was stabbed to death in a street attack. The 19-year-old was found lying in Brook Street, Todmorden - close to the Post office - at 9.15pm on Wednesday night. He was taken to Rochdale Hospital where he

  • Redevelopment plan to save disused mill

    A DISUSED Darwen mill is set to be converted into apartments, sheltered housing and offices - fulfilling a late councillor's dream. And developers McInerney Homes have proposed to name the sheltered accommodation part of the Vernon Carus development

  • Dog's horrific burns from spilt cup of tea

    A DOG owner whose pet suffered "horrific" burns from a spilt cup of tea has been banned from keeping animals for two years. Deborah Hargreaves, 48, of Cobham Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and was also ordered to pay £200 in costs

  • Burger van row ended in assault

    A DISPUTE over a missing burger van ended with a 25-year-old man hitting another man with a metal trolley jack handle. Blackburn magistrates heard that Ajaz Khan had reacted out of frustration because he felt his attempts to trace the missing trailer

  • Motorway crash causes delays

    MOTORISTS were caught in long tailbacks on the M65 and surrounding roads yesterday after two incidents on the westbound carriageway. At 6.50am a Ford Focus, a Ford Ka and a Peugeot van collided just after junction three at Riley Green. A Highways Agency

  • Why Sparky must stay

    The crazy world of the Premiership has claimed yet another managerial victim in Sam Allardyce at Newcastle - but should us Rovers fans be concerned as Newcastle scour the land for a new boss? I personally think that the sacking of Big Sam shows just

  • New boost for special school

    A SPECIAL school which won a battle against closure plans has been highlighted as the best in the borough at getting the most out of its pupils. In school league tables published yesterday, Cross-hill Special School's Context-ual Value Added (CVA) rating

  • Postman 'killed himself after money worries'

    A POSTMAN with money worries - who was about to be evicted from his home in Pendle - was found dead at a beauty spot in Earby. Burnley Coroner's Court was told that Ian Christopher Symonds, 48, had never really adjusted to life after his family grew

  • Blanchard ready for SD34 challenge

    CLITHEROE and District Motor Club member Paul Blanchard has set his sights on winning this year's SD34 Championship outright - starting at the Legend Fires North West Stages in Blackpool next month. Blanchard and co-driver Derek Lewin finished first

  • Maria hoping Triumph can win

    Lancashire's top female motorcycle racer Maria Costello has just been presented with the keys to a Triumph Daytona 675 by Philip Youles Motorcycles of Blackburn. This petite blonde is not your average biker, she holds the lap record as the fastest

  • King karter takes debut Novice prize

    YOUNGSTER Sam King has claimed his first crown in karting - just weeks after passing his licence. The 12-year-old from Balderstone won the Best Novice prize for his class at the Three Sisters circuit in Wigan. And his debut race proved to be a thriller

  • VIDEO: Hughes linked to Toon job

    Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes is 6-1 second favourite to be named the next Newcastle United boss. Reports in the North East today claim the Geordies want Harry Redknapp to replace Sam Allardyce, who was sacked yesterday after eight months in

  • Alexander: Burnley not a dirty team

    BURNLEY defender Graham Alexander has urged referees to exercise more caution when it comes to dishing out red cards. The Clarets have had four players sent off in the last six games - including two in the derby defeat over his former club, Preston.

  • Woman, 53, shaken by attempted mugging

    A WOMAN was left shaken after she was the victim of an attempted mugging. The 53-year-old woman was walking alone along Stonyhurst Road in Blackburn shortly before 8pm on Wednesday when a man approached her, grabbed her handbag and tried to run off with

  • Little Angels

    'The Little Angels' group at St. Mary's Church, Mellor meet on Tuesday 29th January at 2.15pm in the Narthex. Helen Webster will be demonstrating how to understand a baby's needs by teching them to communicate by signing. Everyone who cares for

  • Thief steals purse from pensioner, 85

    AN 85-year-old woman had her purse stolen from her home by a man claiming to be from Trading Standards. The man tricked his way into her home in Sudell Road, Darwen, on Tuesday. The elderly woman asked him to leave when he began claiming that she owed

  • Thieves target high-performance cars

    HIGH-powered cars with a total value of more than £100,000 have been snatched in a series of raids in recent weeks. The thefts have occurred across the Ribble Valley and police are warning drivers to keep their keys in a secure place overnight. The

  • Helping hands needed in park

    PENDLE residents are being asked to volunteer to help carry out work to improve a Colne park. The borough council has organised a volunteer day with the help of Friends of Alkincoats Park. Helping hands are needed to improve access to the woodland and

  • Nikki and Paul take honours

    Nikki Rushton and Paul Jackson were Chorley Harriers' stars in 2007 with each winning the Grand Prix titles on both road and fell. And for Jackson, it was his second successive road title. The Harriers staged their annual presentation evening at the

  • Fourth for Vicky

    VICKY Gill capped a successful Christmas with a fine fourth place at the Belfast International UK Cross Challenge. The Chorley athlete was the first counter for the North of England Team to boost her confidence ahead of the World Championship Trials.

  • Sally takes gold at Lancs cross country

    A sunny, yet surprisingly chill Witton Park, staged the Lancashire County Cross Country Championships on Saturday, the programme opening with the U11 races around the flat main field of the park. After winner Bradley Yates from Blackpool, the next six

  • Rovers dismiss Sas talk

    BLACKBURN Rovers Rovers have dismissed speculation linking them with a possible January swoop for the Galatasaray midfielder Hasan Sas. The 31-year-old Turk has been told he can leave Gala for £1 million in the window, but he is not on Mark Hughes'

  • Coyle: No approach for Celtic midfielder

    OWEN Coyle has dismissed speculation linking Burnley with a move for out-of-favour Celtic midfielder Derek Riordan. But the Clarets boss admitted he was a big fan of the Scotland international. According to sources north of the border, Riordan is desperate

  • Whitley Warriors 1 Blackburn Hawks 6

    SIX-SHOOTING Blackburn Hawks recorded a fine victory away to the Whitley Warriors on a mixed weekend of league and cup action for the town's ice-hockey aces. Following a 4-2 defeat at home to the Scimitars in Saturday's Sheffield Cup, the Hawks bounced

  • Reds look for two new defenders

    ACCRINGTON Stanley assistant manager Jimmy Bell has revealed that the club are hopeful of signing two defenders during the January transfer window. After breaking their club record fee for attacking midfielder Ian Craney, and securing the future of leading

  • Blackburn Hawks 2 Sheffield Scimitars 4

    Missing half a dozen experienced regulars, the home team came out firing from the start. Sam Dunford opened the scoring, but Sheffield upped the intensity and, after the interval, the Scimitars took a stranglehold on proceedings. Within minutes of the

  • Suspended jail for drink-driver

    A Bacup woman who was more than three times the drink-drive limit has been given a suspended jail term. Pauline Amanda Hayes, 46, received 180 days in prison, suspended for 18 months, with the drink impaired drivers programme and supervision. She was

  • £21k of clothes stolen

    Designer clothing worth £21,000 was stolen from Bellusci's on Rawtenstall between 5pm on January 5 and 9.30am on January 7. Seventy pairs of shoes were stolen from the Bank Street store along with designer suits and overcoats.

  • Brave dog nominated for award

    A FAITHFUL dog, which saved its owners from a blaze in their Rawtenstall home, back in 1967, was put up for a bravery award. Locked in the kitchen at the house in Burnley Road, Skipper, a six-year-old mongrel, barked and barked to warn his owners George

  • Pensioner was found dead in canal

    A CORONER has decided that he cannot be sure how a Pendle pensioner - whose body was found in the Leeds Liverpool canal - met his death. Retired Smith Pickles, 85, was discovered in the waterway at Earby on May 21 last year by two passers-by, Burnley

  • 154 teams aimed to win contest!

    One hundred and eighty! Well, not quite, but 154 teams took part in a darts competition organised by our former sister paper, the Burnley Evening Star, 41 years ago. The contest was staged throughout Burnley, Nelson, Colne and Rossendale, at the start

  • Car park to shut for four weeks

    TOWNELEY Hall's Barwise car park will close to visitors for four weeks for major improvement works. Barwise, off Todmorden Road, Burnley, is to close on Monday to undergo restoration as part of the £3.2million Heritage Lottery Fund work. The car park

  • Hameldon head answers our tough questions

    We asked Gill Broom a series of tough questions about whether she thinks she should remain headteacher, whether Lancashire County Council's decision to merge schools was the right one, and whether Hameldon can overcome its problems. Are you happy how

  • Hameldon head: We will get this school back on track

    "I'M not going anywhere" is the defiant message from the head of a troubled Burnley school who says she is determined to turn its fortunes around. In an exclusive interview, Gill Broom said she had no intention of leaving Hameldon Community College after

  • Rovers reserves match postponed

    Blackburn Rovers Reserves' league clash with Liverpool tonight has been postponed. A pitch inspection was carried out at 11.30am this morning and it was decided that Morecambe's Christie Park had too much surface water following 24 hours of rain. A

  • Enckleman joins Bluebirds

    BLACKBURN Rovers goalkeeper Peter Enckelman has signed for Cardiff City on loan for the remainder of the season. The 30-year-old moved to Rovers in 2004 but has made just two first-team appearances during his time at Ewood Park. The Finland international

  • Faulty phone line repaired

    The problem earlier today with the Lancashire County Council Customer Service Centre has now been resolved. A technical issue meant that people calling the general county council number - 0845 053 0000 - received an engaged tone. A spokesperson

  • Well done Norden

    Well done to everyone at Norden, the pitches look as good as they did during the summer months!

  • Rovers accept bids for defender

    BLACKBURN Rovers reserve defender Andy Taylor is set to leave the club. Rovers have accepted two separate bids for the 21-year-old full-back, who has been on loan at Tranmere recently. It is now down to the player to decide where he wants to go.

  • Now here’s a vote-winner – abolish January

    FINALLY I got it. Inspiration it is said, is 90 per cent perspiration. In my case, pain as well as perspiration. So it was apt that I got the idea for this column while in the gym; for the first "Body Blast" (aerobics with big weights and a sadistic

  • Smoke free pledge protects hundreds of children

    MORE than 750 children across East Lancashire will be protected from second-hand smoke after their households signed a smoke-free pledge. The campaign, led by local community health professionals, has been set up to stop parents and grandparents smoking

  • FA Cup clashes kicked off police fears for traffic chaos

    THE third round of the FA Cup back at the start of 1967 kicked-off a major traffic headache for police. For with nine Lancashire clubs, including Burnley and Blackburn, securing home draws, police chiefs were worried there would be chaos, with 100,000

  • Appeal for mills tales

    After discovering his desk at India Mill in Darwen, stands where the kitchen of number 11, Crown Street, used to be, Lee Fallon has embarked on a history project and wants you to help. Lee wants to get hold of any photographs or hear any recollections

  • Horse and cart delivered town’s first ice cream

    WHEN we asked about Blackburn's first ice cream man recently, pensioner Edward Astley came up with this n-ice story. For he believes that accolade should go to his late wife's great grandfather, Francis Bogganio, who came to England from Genoa way back

  • St Barts and st Johns Together Service

    Together service is held every Wednesday in St Johns school hall at 3-45pm. Everyone welcome, drinks and biscuits on arrival and a friendly and fun service to be had by all!

  • Tesco

    So Tesco has won its case and is coming to Gt Harwood, what impact will this have on the town, good or bad. only time will tell!

  • Indecency charges

    A 39-year-old man has been charged with four offences of indecent exposure. Vincent John Mills, of Broadfield Road, Accrington, is accused of exposing himself to three women and a teenager in Burnley. He was due to appear before Burnley Magistrates'

  • Looking for facts on Dynamoes

    DOES anyone know of any addresses which I could write to for information on the history of Colne Dynamoes Football Club, or does anyone know of anyone who collects Colne Dynamoes memorabilia? P POSTLETHWAITE, 32a High Street, Dalbeattie, DG5 4AA.

  • Please don’t dig up sacred site

    RE plans to put a road through St Peter's Cemetery, Blackburn. What is the matter with Blackburn with Darwen Council, why are they having to desecrate this sacred ground for the sake of a road? Would it not be cheaper and more caring to re-route the

  • New flu jab will be welcome

    EACH year winter flu kills around 4,000 people in the UK. Globally, between 500,000 and one million people die each year from influenza. But a pandemic of the human form of bird flu, which experts believe is inevitable, could kill as many as 50million

  • Tower lights bad for star-gazers

    WITH reference to the idea of floodlighting Darwen Tower. It seems like a good idea at first, until you realise that it will mean yet more light pollution. We can hardly see the stars on a clear night as it is. If the council wants to do something

  • I can’t make these taxi fares add up

    LAUREEN and Derek Smith (LT, December 31) had to pay £160, later refunded, for a taxi from Southampton to Rishton, a journey of 300 miles. For a return journey from Blackburn to John Lennon Airport, Liverpool, in October, starting out at 4pm the clock

  • Probe as two bodies found in house

    THE bodies of a man and a woman have been found at a house in Nelson. Lancashire police have said that the deaths are being treated as 'unexplained' and their Force Major Investigation Team have launched an investigation. The bodies were found at an

  • Controversial church conversion approved

    A CHURCH conversion has been approved -despite a history group's objections. Cannon Street Baptist Church, Accrington, a Grade II listed building, will be made into 16 residential flats. National charity, the Victorian Society objected because many

  • ‘Use allotments or lose them’ order

    ALLOTMENT holders have been told to "use it or lose it" after it was revealed that many plots have been neglected despite a lengthy waiting list. In Hyndburn there are more than 500 people on the waiting list for a council allotment. But of the 535 plots

  • Clarets rearrange Scunthorpe home game

    Burnley's home game with Scunthorpe United has been switched to Saturday 26th January, with a 3pm kick-off. The original game was scheduled for Tuesday January 29. However, with both teams having being knocked out of the FA Cup at the weekend, the

  • Three charged with drug offences after raids

    THREE men have been charged after a series of drugs warrants in Blackburn. Police executed the warrants on the morning of Monday January 7 at addresses on Pringle Street, Whalley New Road and Cedar Court. A substantial amount of heroin and cocaine was

  • Sparky's target is Koumas

    BLACKBURN Rovers boss Mark Hughes has targeted Jason Koumas as the man to replace Robbie Savage. The Lancashire Telegraph understands the Rovers chief is keen to do a deal for the Welsh international, who only signed for Wigan last summer but could be

  • Coyle scotches Gray rumours

    BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle has poured cold water on rumours that Championship rivals Charlton Athletic have upped their offer for striker Andy Gray. It was reported that the Addicks had came in with a second bid of £1.3 million for Gray. But Coyle insists

  • What Britain Earns, BBC2

    IT'S the question we all want to know the answer to but are all too polite to ask. Yes, last night father and son team Peter and Dan Snow (together are they a blizzard?) returned for another idiosyncractic exploration of British Life. What Britain Earns

  • Royal Lancs show venue decided

    THE Royal Lancashire Show will take place at Barton, near Garstang, after planning chiefs granted permission for the event to go ahead. Plans submitted to Wyre Borough Council by the Duchy of Lancaster Estate for a permanent show site were met with strong

  • Fire breaks out at cotton factory

    A LARGE fire at a cotton manufacturers in Burnley is being tackled by four fire crews. The blaze at the premises on Cleaver Street started just after 7am this morning and is believed to have been caused by a piece of machinery catching fire. Firefighters

  • Chaplow signs for Preston

    PRESTON North End have signed the former Burnley midfielder Richard Chaplow. The 23-year-old agreed to become manager Alan Irvine's first signing last night after West Bromwich Albion accepted a bid of £800,000 from North End, which could eventually

  • Majority of BSF schools struggle in tables

    TODAY'S league tables show that a number of Burnley schools created under the Building Schools for the Future scheme have had a "disappointing" first year. But that is not stopping parents sending their children there. Out of the five new schools opened

  • Pupils prove a class act

    EAST Lancashire schools have again been singled out by the Government for academic prowess and consistent improvements. In the GCSE results league tables released today by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, six secondary schools in the

  • County celebrates A-Level success

    SIXTH-formers in East Lancashire helped to put the county in the top 10 in the UK for its A level results. Lancashire County Council, which covers schools and colleges in Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, is ranked ninth out of