A COUNCILLOR is facing calls to quit for 'abandoning' his constituents for the second time in eight months. Liberal Democrat Yusuf Sidat is supposed to be representing Queen's Park ward on Blackburn with Darwen Council. But he has failed to attend a
TheClarets have been dealt a blow with the news that midfielder Chris McCann could be missing for up to three games with a thigh injury. McCann was forced off early on during Tuesday night's defeat at Hull and Coyle admitted it was disappointing to lose
YOUNG offenders from across Burnley and Pendle are set to be given a fighting chance at improving their lives through the world of boxing. Former Burnley boxing champion Brian Roche will share his years of expertise in and around the ring to help 15
BLUEPRINTS for a multi-million pound revamp of a green haven - designed to restore the heart to the parkland - have been unveiled at a public meeting. Council chiefs in Pendle are hopeful of attracting a major investment package from the national Parks
THE hidden problem of domestic violence has been highlighted at the 10th anniversary of an aid organisation that provides refuge for women and children. The Wish Centre in Blackburn deals with more than 1,400 cases of domestic violence a year. But there
CRISIS talks are set to take place over a 'danger' road in Rossendale following a late-night crash in which a vehicle burst into flames. People living along Market Street, Whitworth, are concerned about the growing number of accidents along a three-mile
A PROJECT aimed at stopping anti-social behaviour has been given a £120,000 cash boost. Lancashire Youth Offending Team and GRIP (Group Intervention Project), based in Hyndburn, have been given the grant by the Fairshare Trust, managed by Community Foundation
Rossendale Hospice hold their Easter Celebration at Ashday Lea, Haslingden Road, on Sunday 16th March at 1pm. The day is planned to be a family affair with something for everyone. Admission is free and further details can be obtained from Sam Morris
A BLACKBURN town centre cafe where environmental health officers found a dead mouse has been ordered to pay £5,000 for a series of food hygiene offences. Blackburn magistrates heard that a full inspection of Cookies Coffee House in the shopping centre's
HOMES and businesses are the latest to suffer in an epidemic of scrap metal thefts which have blighted Burnley. Residents are now being warned to be on the lookout for gangs of youths who have been ripping lead flashing from the bay windows of Victorian-era
OFFICIAL figures show almost no change in the number of deaths during or immediately after ambulance journeys since emergency hospital care was centralised in Blackburn. Sixteen people taken to hospital by ambulance from November 2007 to January 2008
A FATHER-of-three spat twice in his partner's face when she shut him out after he had been drinking, a court heard. Christopher Keegan, 22, then shouted through the letter box to be let in and grabbed her and pushed her against the bannister. Samantha
Hyndburn council leader Peter Britcliffe will chair Oswaldtwistle's next area council meeting, which will feature a presentation from Mid Pennine Arts about plans for the Civic Theatre. The issues of dog fouling and post office closures will also be
TREE maintenance work is starting today in Victoria Park, Nelson. The work will involve pruning, and removing dead branches, to keep the park clean and safe after several trees have become unsafe through disease. Coun Ann Kerrigan, who represents Pendle's
NEIGHBOURS have launched a protest against plans to convert a £1.2million luxury home into a unit for offenders and people with learning difficulties. Calderstones NHS Trust, which provides specialist mental health care throughout the North West, has
RUGBY star and former Stonyhurst College student Kieran Bracken is challenged to pass his driving test for the second time. New research released today reveals that more than 18 million motorists in the UK believe they would fail their driving test
A TRUCK driver who assaulted his ex-partner and her friend told police he would never hit a woman, a court heard. Burnley magistrates were told Trevor Dunston, 36, pushed Sarah Strachan against a wall and punched Jason Fallaize repeatedly. The defendant
A DRUNKEN mother-of-two who assaulted a doorman and kicked a police officer was given a 12-month conditional discharge. Burnley magistrates heard how Maxine Barber, 24, struck one blow to each and did not cause any permanent injuries. Barber, a single
INTERNATIONAL best-selling author Josephine Cox returned home to Blackburn today to celebrate the publication of her 36th novel and the sale of her 15 millionth book. She told us how her poverty-stricken upbringing in post-war Blackburn shaped her
AS the demolition of Lord Square, Blackburn, continues, the former Woolworths building became the latest victim of the munching machine. With the site now littered with hardcore and rubble, builders face the challenge of removing much of the waste
THERE is no doubt that late April through May to early June is one of the most exciting times in the year. Bird migration is in full swing with many moving north to breed. This includes many wildfowl including one of my favourites - the Goldeneye. Its
ONE of the most common birds found in the water fringed by reeds is the coot. The coot is around 15 inches long and is a very aggressive bird. It dives for its food which consists of water weed as well as fish and small aquatic insects and crustaceans
EAST Lancashire is one of the best examples of how to heal the scars of industry and give the environment back to nature. The area around Burnley was one of the busiest coal mining areas, but most of the scars of the once proud industry are healing.
A WOMAN died after taking a drug cocktail of amphetamine, ecstasy and cannabis. An inquest heard that Sandra Carter was found foaming at the mouth with her eyes rolling at her home in Manor Street, Accrington. Mrs Carter, 44, suffered a brain injury
A CONSERVATIVE MP has said he would like to strengthen ties with Vietnam. Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Valley and vice-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, met Viet-namese prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung during a meeting with the All Party Parliamentary
JOSEPHINE Cox urged Blackburn school pupils to follow their dreams and "just go for it." As part of her two-day visit to her hometown, Jo visited Beardwood Humanities College in Preston New Road today, to do a storytelling masterclass. More than 60
A Blackburn man caught with child porn on his computer has been placed on the sex offenders register for seven years and given a suspended jail sentence. Preston Crown Court heard that 46-year-old Paul Nuttall had previously been cautioned by police
The next Quiz Night has been set for Saturday 19th April, starting at 8pm. Teams of 4ish people welcome, admission £5 per person, including supper. For more details check out the forum on our web page.
Saturday, 15th March 2008. Mellor Brook Community Centre is hosting what is set to become a major event in the traditional fiddler's calendar, the Mellor Brook Fiddle Day. It will be a teaching day combined with an evening performance by Last Orders
A Blackburn man who attacked an innocent stranger has escsped an immediate prison sentence after claiming he had no recollection of the incident. Preston Crown Court heard that a combination of alcohol and his medical condition could possibly have
CLITHEROE have signed Ramsbottom United striker Anthony Johnson. And co-manager Neil Reynolds revealed the big forward would go straight into the side to face Curzon Ashton at Shawbridge tomorrow. He said: "Anthony will be in the squad. He's six foot
It's not very often that you come across a shop worker who seems overjoyed to be at work. In fact quite often the opposite is true and I should know - I worked at a major retailer, who shall remain nameless, for five years! Sometimes you get the impression
PADIHAM manager Anthony McClusky is hoping new signing Paul Barrett will be the answer to his side's striking problems. The forward, who has previously played for the Storks, has joined from Barnoldswick. McClusky said: "Hopefully Paul can give us the
DETECTIVES are hunting a pair of bogus water board officials who preyed on two pensioners in Burnley within an hour. Victims in Queens Road and Brunshaw Avenue were told by a doorstep conman there had been problems with the water supply. But when the
COLNE will be looking to build on their impressive run of form when they entertain Formby tomorrow. Nigel Coates' side are unbeaten in the league since the turn of the year and have lost just one of their last nine fixtures. However, they will have
BACUP manager Brent Peters is facing an injury crisis as he prepares to welcome Squires Gate tomorrow. Ian Stevens and Phil Melville both have fractured fingers, Stuart Shepherd is out with a back injury sustained at work and Craig Chadwick is a serious
BURNLEY midfielder James O'Connor knows all there is to know about tomorrow's opponents, having risen through the youth ranks at Stoke City. But he wasn't prepared to gamble on whether it will be his current or former club who will be celebrating come
A PENSIONER who was exposed to asbestos when she worked in shoe manufacture died just four weeks after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Bernadette Mary Teresa Bibby, 70, of St Hubert's Road, Great Harwood, died on February 27 at Royal Blackburn Hospital
MEETING HELD AT NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE PRESENT: Carol Riley(Chair), Kevin Singleton, Dave McQuillan, Audrey Broughton, Marion Snowden, David Foat, Sue Hogg, Derek Gascoigne (EAG), Christine Shearer, Anne & Eric Parsons, Audrey Blake, Evelyn
AN adventurous three-year-old toddler was finally stopped in his tracks when he got his head trapped in the metal bars on his bed. Matthew Berry, who loves climbing everything and won't sit still for a minute, was found with his head trapped in the head
CHILDREN at a Langho primary school have been honing their creative skills with expert guidance. St Mary's Primary School, Whalley Road, welcomed a poet, visual artist and storyteller for several days as part of a project supported by Creative Partnerships
BURY-born comic Phil Buckley will be appearing at Blackburn's monthly comedy night, Lock n Load, at King George's Hall tonight. Phil's a busy man having launched a comedy night in Accrington and touring the country with his own show Stroke the Panda
Scottish singer/ songwriter Karine Polwart comes to Burnley Mechanics on Thursday. We put a few questions to her. Two new albums, one new baby and a tour - things must be pretty hectic in the Polwart household. How do you cope? Lots of coffee and
You probably know him as dashing consultant Harry Harper in BBC's Casualty. But actor Simon MacCorkindale has hung up his stethoscope in favour of a life on the road, touring with a production of crime thriller Sleuth. We spoke to him ahead of a stint
As the frontman of Marillion and for the last 20 years as a solo artist, Fish has never stopped touring. Before he plays Blackburn on Sunday he answered a few questions. ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD? Absolutely. Performing the
He has toured the world as a member of Yes, he's a familiar face on TV and now Rick Wakeman is coming to Colne with a show like no other. YOU'D think that Rick Wakeman would have seen and done it all. Bearing in mind this is a man who went on tour
A BURGLAR jailed for raiding a blind man's home has had his prison term cut after a court got its sums wrong. Peter Johnson, 35, was last Friday put behind bars for a total of three and a half years after admitting the burglary. He was also resentenced
Address: The Longridge Restaurant, 104-106 Higher Road Phone number: 01772 784969 Bolton News review by James Higgins from March 7, 2008. SINCE it first opened its doors, Paul Heathcote's Longridge Restaurant has been regarded as a
A MAN who nipped inside to check on his tea whilst talking to a neighbour was found dead with his head inside an electric oven ten minutes later. But an inquest into the death of Paul Allen Sanderson, of Ravenglass Close, Blackburn, was told that experts
A Blackburn artist has died on his 60th birthday. Peter Cunliffe, of Edgeware Road, was found dead in the living room of his house. An post-mortem examination has been carried out but further histology and toxicology tests are required to establish
Neil Hodgson clocked up the ninth best time on the opening day of practice in AMA Superbike Championship in Daytona. The Burnley Bullet was the quickest of the Honda riders, recording his best lap in 1:37:90. The former World Superbike Champion
THE police watchdog is continuing to probe a phone call made by Mr Shafiq to police shortly before he was murdered. Lancashire Constabulary said the call and their response had caused them "some concern" and it has been referred to the Independent
AS part of his Laughter is the Best Medicine tour it was fitting that Dave Spikey handed out a prescription of fun to his local' crowd last night. Those who may only have seen the Chorley-based comedian on TV in shows such as Eight Out of 10 Cats won't
A YEAR of free swimming is up for grabs for any youngster who can name the water witch at the bottom of a pool. Ribblesdale Pool, Clitheroe, has the first underwater mosaic at a municipal swimming pool in Lancashire. It was designed by pupils at
THE highways department has sent letters to people in Brownside Road, between the junctions of Townfield and Lindsay Park, in the hope they will cut back overgrown hedges as soon as possible.
PLANNING permission has been applied for to extend the waste transfer site at the old Hapton Valley Colliery. The work is to include a concrete crushing operation, access road and levelling of land for a trailer park.
COUNCILLOR Alan Ravenscroft, from the Ballroom Management Group, gave an update to councillors on the progress of improvements to the ballroom bar and annex facilities within the Town Hall. Contracts between the ballroom manager and the council have
Calderdale Council planning department has given consent for Pennine Lodge of Burnley Road to build three houses on land owned by them. An application to build a detached dwelling on land near Bradmoor House, Stansfield Hall Road, has been refused
A FORMER finance officer has won her claim for unfair dismissal against Colne Open Door Centre following an employment tribunal hearing in Manchester. But Karen Deighton, 44, of Ellesmere Drive, Colne, was unsuccessful in her complaint that she was victimised
A FATHER-of-three attacked his former partner and her friend, leaving both bleeding and his ex needing stitches, a court heard. Michael Edward Anderton, 35, punched his former girlfriend Charlotte Kelby in the mouth, splitting her lip, and headbutted
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is refusing to accept that his club's battle against relegation from the Premier League is already lost. The beleaguered Cottagers are second from bottom in the league and are six points behind Reading, who sit just above
A MARKET superin-tendent died as a result of her excessive use of pain-killing medication. An inquest heard that Linda Bolton developed a tolerance to the drugs which she had been taking for 20 years. Prolonged use had affected her liver function, reducing
A 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have been remanded in custody charged with the murder of a father of seven who was attacked in a Burnley park. Mohammed Shafiq, 50, went to the aid of his 18-year-old son to break up a fight and was hit over
ROSEGROVE resident Bernard Kay is to be the next president of the North Lancashire and Fylde County Bowling Federation.
A FUND-RAISING event took place at Rosegrove Railway Club for the North West Air Ambulance and Breast Cancer. Local businessman and resident Wilf Dolman and his brother, Chris, set off for a three week trek to a base camp at Mount Everest. Last year
A MINI moto was seized last week on Middlesex Avenue from a youngster. Police received information abou ta youth riding a mini moto in the Rosegrove/Sycamore area, which resulted in the bike being recovered by the police.
SUPERMARKET giant Tesco's plans to open a store on a rundown "grot-spot", creating 30 jobs, look set to be blocked by councillors. Fears have been raised that plans for a Tesco Express store at the vacant former Oswald-twistle Fire Station site would
ROSEGROVE with Lowerhouse would like to give a big welcome to our new Community Beat Manager, Chris Scott. He took up his new duties in the area last Monday, and is very keen to get involved. Do not be afraid to stop him and have a chat, or call into
A RETIRED shopkeeper died after a surgically inserted graft became infected. An inquest heard that John Martin Sagar, 51, of Redhind Close, Newchurch-in-Rossen-dale, was admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital on February 8 with a painful and numb right
AS residents of particular towns we have to put up with quite a few things. The odd bit of building work, maybe some diversions and the rare occasion when the traffic lights go on the blink. Regardless of these few mishaps, life is generally good.
A rare £330,000 car which can reach speeds of up to 224mph was unveiled by Burnley company Racetech UK at the Love Doing Business event, showcasing the achievements of Blackburn's Community and Business Partners (CBP). Racetech UK's 700 bhp Gumpert
Padiham Saints J.F.C are travelling to Ewood Park on Saturday 8th March for the Blackburn v Fulham Match. At half time we will be going onto the pitch to receive the charter Standard Award. This is a great achievement for a club which has only been
POLICE have drained the lake in Thompson Park but have not yet found any weapons. Officers ordered that the lake be drained on Wednesday morning in case Mr Shafiq's attackers had thrown their weapons in the water. Specialist search officers combed the
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes reckons it's squeaky bum time in the battle to qualify for Europe. As the race for a top-six finish gathers momentum, Hughes has identified the month of March as the period that will ultimately decide Rovers' destiny. Starting
A TRIO who were caught running onto the pitch during Burnley's tense 2-2 draw with Watford have been banned from Turf Moor for three years. Trouble disrupted the Clarets' crucial Championship tie last Saturday, including an incident around 20 minutes
A WOMEN'S football team that hasn't won a game all season got a welcome boost from one of England's finest. Burnley-born England women's goalkeeper Rachel Brown went to Barden Sports Hall, Barden Lane, to speak to members of Borrowdale United's under
COUNCILLORS have been accused of potentially putting eight cabbies out of work after a controversial decision to refuse plans for a new taxi base in Nelson. Under proposals to build the town's new rail and bus interchange, Ace Taxis, based in Hibson
DEFIANT Burnley manager Owen Coyle has vowed to ring the changes to keep the Clarets' play-off dreams alive. Coyle already goes into tomorrow's crunch clash with third-placed Stoke City minus suspended captain Steven Caldwell and midfielder Joey Gudjonsson
A man accused of stealing almost £30,000 from a pensioner appeared before Burnley Magistrates. David Frederick Jowett, 54, of Fourth Avenue, Goole, is accused of six allegations of theft, dating back to 2002 from alleged victim Lillian Tempest.
A NEW group has been formed to tackle the issue of sexual grooming and child exploitation. Blackburn with Darwen Council has joined forces with Lancashire Police, sexual health charity Brook and drug and alcohol charity Lifeline to form Engage. The
Police want to trace the owner of a Snooper speed camera detector they suspect has been stolen. The gadget was recovered from an address in Blackburn on February 29. Police suspect it may have been stolen from a car in the Blackburn area between February
I AM sick and tired of OAPs who are getting up to £250 per week, through their pension credit attendance allowance, disability allowance and income support. Most of these people I know personally. A lot of these people have never done much work and
I AM writing to ask readers to consider entering the annual BAPS Swaminaryan Sanstha UK family walk to raise money for Diabetes UK. The 10km event takes place on Sunday, April 6 at Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at 8 Avenham Place, Preston. This will be
WITH regard to the footpath campaign by Mr and Mrs Gareth Thomas in Cherry Tree, Blackburn, I would like to make some points. When the estate was built some 40 years ago, the residents were informed by the builders Leonard Frankland, that there would
ACCRINGTON Stanley defender Mark Roberts admits it was a frustrating spell on the sidelines. But, after two successive clean sheets, he is now hoping to cement a place in the Reds defence. The 24-year-old former Crewe stopper was a regular fixture in
FIREFIGHTERS who were forced to stop work after being injured are being asked to pay back thousands of pounds in overpaid pension benefits. Lancashire Fire Authority (LFA) has written to nearly 200 former firefighters to find out what state benefits
MARK Hughes insists he will not be rushed into making a decision over whether to sign Johann Vogel and Quinton Fortune. The two midfielders, who are both free agents, are training with Blackburn in the hope they can persuade Hughes to snap them up permanently
THE family of Mohammed Shafiq have spoken of their loss and paid tribute to the 'best dad in the world'. Relatives as far as America, Denmark and Canada have travelled to the family home in York Street, Nelson, to pay their respects to Mr Shafiq. Mr
Dall St. Res. Assoc. Has secured a Community skip for the residents' of Burnley Wood to use, and try to help fight the constant problem of fly-tipping in the area. WHERE. The skip will be SITED at the corner of Kirkgate and Branch Road, next to the
A BISHOP has urged church-goers across Lancashire to "go-green" in a bid to save the environment. The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, said worshippers in the area could all do their bit to translate Christian faith into action.. He
