AN East Lancashire council is considering mergers, reviewing job vacancies and delaying start dates for new employees to save vital funds. Hyndburn Council is in discussions after it was revealed it must save over £4million in three years due to Government
COUNCILLORS and council workers in Pendle are being trained to recognise signs of potential child abuse. The children and young people’s team at Lancashire County Council will train councillors and officers, as well as staff from local housing associations
DARWEN taxpayers are facing a £33,000 bill for electing their new town council – a third of the new authority’s budget. The cost of June’s poll works out at more than £10 for every Darwen resident who voted, and more than £2,500 for each of
A JUDGE has rejected a man’s claim that he charged out of his home, waving a 10-inch kitchen knife at bailiffs, because he wanted to cut a clamp off his dau-ghter’s car. Bailiffs had arrived at the Helmshore home of Nofar Ali to repossess a car over
Local people are being invited to have their say about taxis in Rossendale as part of a review of the Council’s licensing service. Anyone who has views on the cost, comfort, cleanliness, reliability, safety or any other issue to do with the borough’s
A new Visitors’ Guide has been published by Rossendale Council to help attract more tourists and visitors to the Valley. Around 5,000 people visit Rossendale every year. The 80-page guide, features high class photography and twenty thousand copies
A PARAMEDIC alleged to have told a critically ill patient to ‘stop being stupid’ said that at no point did he bully the woman into an ambulance. Paul Jackson told a hearing of the Health Professions Council that he helped her to the vehicle
BLACKBURN Rovers’s frustrated strikers have been urged to ‘take their chance’ after it was confirmed loanee Franco Di Santo will return to Stamford Bridge in January. The 20-year-old Argentine striker is not allowed to play in the trip to permanent
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw insisted there was no collaboration between the panelists ahead of last night’s controversial Question Time debate. Staff at the Justice Secretary’s Blackburn office have received hundreds of emails from around the country
SOME of East Lancashire’s leading businesses were honoured at an awards evening at Ewood Park. Blackburn-based interactive white board manufacturer Promethean, Oswaldtwistle Mills, Holland’s Pies and Accrington-based Kitchener 2000 collected first prizes
HUNDREDS of mourners packed inside an Accrington church to bid a final farewell to Adam Donnelly. Around 500 people filled St Joseph’s RC Church, in Belgarth Road, for the 23-year-old’s funeral this morning. Many of them donned Burnley
Blackburn Hawks will be looking for a repeat performance when they travel to Telford Titans in the English National Ice-Hockey League this weekend. Hawks thrashed the Titans 13-4 in the English Cup only two weeks ago and assistant coach Gary Buckman
THREE workers at Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, have been nominated for prestigious awards. Senior chef de partie at the hotel’s Cassis restaurant Martin Hargreaves, 23, is up for Lancashire Young Chef of the Year 2009 at the Lancashire Excellence in Tourism
Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has warned that manager Arsene Wenger must end the club’s four-year trophy drought this season or face a backlash. Wenger turned 60 yesterday and Petit said: “They have to win something this season or the pressure on
ACCRINGTON Stanley have been unable to arrange a match against a Liverpool Legends team. However, the Premier League club have donated £6,500 to the SOS Fund.
LIVERPOOL co-owner George Gillett remains fully behind manager Rafael Benitez, claiming the Spaniard is ‘absolutely as good as there is in the business’. The Reds’ hopes of advancing from their Champions League group were severely dented by Tuesday’s
MANCHESTER City manager Mark Hughes has revealed Robinho has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from an ankle injury. The Brazil international has missed City’s last seven games with a stress fracture of the ankle but was expected to return for
A MAN has blasted Blacburn with Darwen council after bags of rotting meat were left dumped next to a busy street. Anthony Harrington discovered around 10 sacks of rotten food on waste land near houses. Some of the bags had burst open. But the 40-year-old
Stoke City defender Robert Huth has been handed a three-match ban by the FA. The Germany international was charged with violent conduct after swinging an arm at West Ham centre-half Matthew Upson during Saturday’s clash at the Britannia Stadium. He
A BLACKBURN songwriter is taking time out of her recording career to perform her latest work for charity. Singer Charlotte O’Connor is one of the headline acts for the major Oxjam music festival in the town centre on Sunday after 12 months
CLITHEROE are still smarting after dominating their UniBond Division One (North) match against Leigh Genesis in midweek, only to go down to two hotly disputed penalties in the dying moments of the game. But there were some plus points for the Blues with
Rossendale United, sitting next to bottom of the Unibond table, welcome Warrington Town at Dark Lane tomorrow hoping to end a run of five games without a league win. Their latest defeat came in a midweek 2-0 defeat at the hands of Ossett Albion but
COLNE manager Nigel Coates believes his young side are beginning to find their feet after a sluggish start to the Premier Division campaign. The Reds are enjoying their best run of form after beating East Lancashire rivals Padiham 2-0 on Tuesday, following
The Blackburn Borough Rotary club is staging a charity show at the Thwaites Empire Theatre on the 19th November at 7.30 pm. The main beneficiary of any money we raise will go to the North West Air Ambulance and other local and Rotary Charities
STEPHEN Jordan hopes Burnley’s promotion winning unit can stick together next summer. Nine of the Clarets’ 16-man play-off final winning squad are out of contract at the end of this season, including Jordan. But the 27-year-old hopes securing Premier
A RISHTON couple who met while translating wartime intelligence messages are celebrating 65 years of marriage. Former secretary of Great Harwood Cricket Club and former treasurer of Rishton Cricket Club, Jim Clarke, 88, and his wife Jean, of
Staff at Read Caravans Ltd, at the Whitebirk Industrial Estate, are celebrating after picking up a Cris Practical Caravan Dealer of the Year award for their after-sales service.
Opponents of a proposed holiday village have set up a website to voice their opposition. The Pleasington Lakes scheme would see 94 holiday lodges built on land off Brokenstone Road, Feniscowles. Similar plans were thrown out in January following
Recent photos of the town are being sought by volunteers at the Maden Centre in Rochdale Road for an exhibition. Pictures can be left on reception for the attention of Audrey Coulton or Catherine Heap.
Running time: 90 mins. Kevin Greutert, who has edited the previous five films in the Saw franchise, graduates to the director’s chair for this latest exercise in blood and gore, timed as ever to tempt moviegoers into multiplexes on Hallowe
RESIDENTS in and around Barnoldswick are being urged to tell their county councillor about the state of grit bins in the area. County councillor Keith Bailey, who represents West Craven, said highways officers had started to fill the bins for the winter
Dressed in skinny jeans and a black T-shirt, Simon Amstell exposed his loneliness, family secrets and sex life (or rather a lack of one) to 1,500 people. His show has more in common with an Alan Bennett ‘Talking Heads’ monologue than a gag-filled
I wasn’t exactly in a ‘relaxed place’ for a night at the theatre, but, that’s one of the reasons I love a show - they have the power to make you believe all is well. So as Tara Bethan took to the stage to open Joseph, I was hopeful. She has a clarity
A LEADING councillor in Pendle has thanked residents for their messages of support following a kidney operation. Coun Mohammed Iqbal, Labour group leader for Pendle, is recovering at home after the operation at Royal Blackburn Hospital last week.
MIDNIGHT at the Oasis is one of those songs which can be found in CD racks everywhere. The cover version of Maria Muldaur’s classic is, of course, one of the most loved of the many popular tracks by The Brand New Heavies — first time around. The group
For the first time in 46 years, Des O’Connor doesn’t have his own TV show — and the veteran entertainer couldn’t be happier about it. He spoke to us ahead of his East Lancashire appearance. “I’ve never been to Colne,” says Des, after a career
ASSAULT, affray and drink-driving, three different crimes which led to one sentence – Community Payback. Our crime reporter worked alongside and talked to offenders as they carried out unpaid work in East Lancashire. Around 1,000 offenders in East
ANN CRYER, MP for Keighley, addressed Labour Party activists at a fundraising dinner at the White Swan, Fence. Sue Nike, of Barrowford Labour Party, showed a photograph of Mrs Cryer’s late husband, Bob, which sits on the mantelpiece of the Clarion
A HOST of former Reds favourites are preparing to represent the Accrington Stanley Legends team in Sunday’s fund-raising friendly against the Stanley Ultras. The match kicks off at noon and is the last to take place at the Crown Ground before
A ROSSENDALE landlord could have his licence revoked less than six months into his lease. Residents living around New Hall Hey social club in Bury Road, Rawtenstall, have reported “chaos” outside David Nickson’s premises. Neighbours in Lomas Lane and
Residents at a PACT meeting urged police to tackle drivers using mobile phones. There will be speed enforcement and patrols to tackle dangerous driving.
A father-of-two from Burnley has raised over £300 for Pendleside Hospice by completing a half-marathon. Jason Hudson finished the New Balance Half Marathon in two hours and five minutes on Sunday, October 4. The event started from Victoria
OK this has been a long time coming but if I don’t bring it up then the issue is just going to fester. I speak of none other than the issue of tokenism. There are a few places on this planet which employ people just for their skin colour. Let
MORE young people are suffering serious alcohol-related liver problems which could put a huge strain on organ transplant services in the future, a top East Lancashire doctor has warned. Dr Vishal Kaushik, consultant gastroenterologist and alcohol lead
DARWEN-based Crown Paints has appointed Darryl Senior to the role of purchasing director. Darryl spent almost twenty years at Sigma Kalon, and prior to accepting the Crown Paints directorship, was head of logistics for Damartex, a publicly owned French
EAST Lancashire leaders have been trying to promote the Pennine Lancashire brand for two or three years now. It still hasn’t been adopted by the vast majority of ordinary people even though councils and other leading agencies have taken it on. The branding
The High Court has ruled that US intelligence documents containing details of the alleged torture of a former UK resident can be released. Ethiopian-born Binyam Mohamed, 31, spent four years in Guantanamo Bay. He claims British authorities colluded
Having spent many years as a county councillor working to improve services for older people, I am appalled by some of the manifesto promises (threats?) that came out of the Tory Party Conference in Manchester. In particular, I am very concerned that
I don't know how old MJ is (Letters, October 20) but I am old enough to remember the really good market we used to have! People came from miles around just to visit Blackburn market. What we want is to keep the present stall-holders, and to expand
Blackburn Marks & Spencer’s could be relocating their store to a three- storey store, to Church Street from King William Street (LT, October 15). Is this a good idea? In my opinion, during a recession, no. Every time I visit the store in King William
A PARAMEDIC repeatedly told a critically ill patient to ‘stop being stupid’ when she said she could not breathe, a hearing was told. Paul Jackson initially refused to give the woman air and as her oxygen saturation levels dipped, she suffered
A COUNCIL boss has defended his decision to ignore a watchdog's recommendation that bulky waste charges be dropped to £5 in Burnley and Padiham to deter fly-tippers. An all-party scrutiny group from Burnley council's environment and housing committee
A 100-year-old Nelson bakery is to take its first steps into cyberspace after launching its first ever website. Bosses at Oddie’s asked Clitheroe-based Branches Design Ltd to create a site to showcase its custom-made celebration and wedding cakes. Cakes
A CRACKDOWN on illegal money lenders has been launched in East Lancashire. Rossendale police turned up the heat against loan sharks who have been exploiting people across the north west during the recession. A 58-year-old man was arrested in Rossendale
A 150-year-old pub in Nelson town centre may have served its last pint unless a buyer can be found. The Clayton Arms, in Manchester Road, has been empty since earlier this year. Now the pub, built by Lord Every Clayton in 1863, has been put up for
A VILLAGE pub could make way for houses and apartments if plans get the go-ahead. Towngate Developments wants to demolish the Hole in the Wall, Foulridge, and build a trio of three-storey houses and two three-storey apartment blocks.
“I'm loving every second,” exclaimed Diana Vickes at the gala night ‘after party’ for the Rise And Fall Of Little Voice held in a swanky London bar. By now she's changed into a long cream party dress with killer heels, and her trademark hair and make-up
THIS time little more than a year ago Diana Vickers was just like any other teenager. But this week she stole the show in her debut in London's West End and wowed the national critics. A jaw-dropping performance at the opening gala night left the audience
A planning application has been received relating to 2 Inchfield for a proposed two storey extension to create a lounge and bathroom en-suite. The plans can be inspected at Burnley Council's offices in Parker Lane, Burnley.
Detective Inspector Simon Brooksbank from the Serious Crime Unit addressed the October meeting of the Parish Council on recent police activity undertaken in the village which had resulted in success. Across the North West 80 kilos of class A and B
A Fire Evacuation Policy for the Reading Rooms has been prepared by Coun Alan Lawson and was adopted at the October meeting of Trustees. In the event of a fire people using the Rooms are advised to evacuate and make their way to the Memorial Gardens
THE Parish Council has written to Burnley Council's Streetscene department requesting a new litter bin at the Village Store. It has also requested that litter bins in Church Square be emptied on Friday, before the weekend visitors/walkers arrive.
Nigel Evans MP joined pupils from Hawthorns Junior School, St James Road, on a bus tour with a difference. ‘The Potato Story’ showcases the best way to grow and harvest potatoes as well as different methods to prepare them to eat. The core elements
DETECTIVES are investigating an incident in which an 81-year-old woman had her bag snatched outside the Leeds Road entrance to Tesco, in Nelson. DS Stephen Holgate said: “We have experienced a number of different handbag theft offences in Nelson town
THE Bridge Bier Huis, in Bank Parade, Burnley, has introduced a real lager from Dave Porter’s brewery which is based in Bury.
A WOMAN was freed from her vehicle following a crash outside a school involving two cars and an HGV. The accident happened at about 5.30pm last night outside Northern Primary School, in Plantation View, Bacup. Three fire crews were called to the scene
BLACKBURN Rovers star El-Hadji Diouf will not face criminal charges over claims he racially abused a ballboy, police have confirmed. The Senegalese forward, 28, was at the centre of a row following an apparent confrontation with the 14-year-old boy during
CALLING ALL BLACKBURN ROVERS FANS. Watch in style as a rejuvenated Blackburn Rovers take on Man Utd at Old Trafford. With home wins against Wolves, Villa and Burnley already in the bag for Big Sam’s Rovers, there is a real chance that they
ACCRINGTON Stanley midfielder Luke Joyce admits it has been hard not to worry about the club’s financial situation as they approach what could yet be their final game tomorrow. Stanley travel to League Two form side Rochdale in their last fixture before
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman will greet former goalkeeper Kenny Arthur with a smile at Rochdale tomorrow, but he hopes the Scot will not be wearing the same expression at full time. Arthur (pictured right) faces Stanley for the first time since
THE former Burnley College building has been targeted to get a 1,500-pupil Muslim boarding school for girls. A leading charity has announced it wants to take over the vacated college in Ormerod Road and it hopes to attract girls from all over
SHARING the same surname as one of Ewood Park’s most prolific strikers means mention the word ‘Shearer’ to any Blackburn Rovers fan and there is only one person they will be talking about. While Alan Shearer scored 130 goals in just 171 appearances between
BLACKBURN Rovers derby day heroes insist they can end their miserable away form tomorrow - claiming winning local pride has boosted their self belief. Sam Allardyce’s men travel to Chelsea tomorrow evening, with another daunting game at Old Trafford
A DEFIANT Steven Reid is determined to let his feet do the talking as he bids to show the mounting doubters he is far from finished. The Irish midfielder was concerned after comments from his national boss Giovanni Trappatoni suggested he is
After their recent cup excursions, Chorley manager Steve Waywell is now looking forward to his side consolidating their place in the league. And they made great strides towards that with a midweek win over AFC Fylde in a match that Waywell described
In the Premier Division, Padiham will look to bounce back from their midweek defeat at the XLCR Stadium when they entertain Ashton Athletic at the Arbories. Bacup Borough will look to become the first team to beat Congleton Town tomorrow when
TYRONE Mears has targeted two home wins to ensure a complete recovery from Burnley’s derby defeat. The Clarets’ fifth away loss on the spin was made even more painful by the opposition, and a missed chance to end a 30-year wait for a win over
A MAN arrested in connection with an unsolved double rape in Burnley more than 20 years ago was identified by DNA after being charged with a minor traffic offence, police said. The 50-year-old was placed on the DNA database after the traffic offence,
OWEN Coyle may be teetotal, but he’s an expert in avoiding hangovers. Sunday’s defeat to bitter rivals Blackburn Rovers led to many a headache in and around BB11 postcodes. But you’ll never catch Coyle feeling sorry for himself, and
YOBS brought the rail line between Blackburn and Preston standstill by dangling lumps of wood in front of speeding trains. A group of teenagers smashed up a wooden bridge in Speedwell Street, Mill Hill, yesterday afternoon and used rope to drop pieces
