Archive

  • CRICKET WORLD CUP: Dockrell inspired by his memories

    George Dockrell was an awestruck schoolboy when Ireland competed at their first World Cup, but now the spinner is ready to play a leading role at the tournament just four years later. Dockrell, 18, is one of the brightest prospects in Irish cricket

  • CRICKET WORLD CUP: Strauss - We can beat India

    Andrew Strauss knows England must improve quickly and significantly if they are to prove a match for hosts India in their second World Cup match. A six-wicket win over Holland came after an at times embarrassing fielding performance on Tuesday at the

  • CRICKET WORLD CUP: Trans-Tas rivals set for battle

    Australia and New Zealand's Group A Cricket World Cup clash on Friday will also see the two teams contest the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. The trans-Tasman rivals have battled for the trophy annually since the 2004-05 season, and their meeting in Nagpur

  • Friends group set up to protect Darwen library

    A FRIENDS of Darwen Library group is to be set up over fears council cut-backs will damage the service. Names were taken of interested people after a meeting at the library in Knott Street which heard that Blackburn with Darwen Council were

  • Barrowford man who battled rare illness died aged 31

    A KEEN sportsman who died at the age of 31 faced a constant battle with pain after suffering from a rare syndrome that meant he dislocated his knee around 40 times a day. Chris Ashton lived much of his adult life in pain and discomfort, barely able

  • Burglary could be 'final straw' for Blackburn charity

    A CHARITY which works to help vulnerable people and offenders released from prison has had its safe stolen. Fred Milligan, who runs Blackburn with Darwen Churches Furniture Stores in Chapel Street, Blackburn, arrived at work on Wednesday morning

  • What's on: James Blunt

    TICKETS are still available to see singing sensation James Blunt at Manchester Apollo on February 23 as part of his worldwide tour. The singer-songwriter has topped the UK charts with songs including Goodbye My Lover and You’re Beautiful.

  • Masked raiders threatened pensioner at her Haslingden home

    MASKED raiders wielding a claw hammer burst into a pensioner’s home before stealing her car. Police said the two balaclava-clad men approached the house in Balmoral Road, Haslingden, and rang the doorbell. When the woman answered, they threatened

  • What's on: Melt – Concealed Forms exhibition

    The exhibition ‘Melt – Concealed Forms’, by Beverley Chapelhow and Keith Parkinson, runs in Nelson until March 2. Home-made chocolate cake and the Leeds-Liverpool canal are among the inspirations for the two local artists whose work is being exhibited

  • Bosses act over 'urinating Brierfield workman' claim

    A WORKMAN has been removed from a site amid allegations he urinated in the street in full view of a child. Lancashire County Council (LCC) confirmed the man, who was part of a team removing flagstones and resurfacing the pavement in Garden Street,

  • Guide to help tourists discover Pendle

    THE new Pendle Visitor Guide is out now. The 32 page guide contains information on walks, events, attractions and accommodation. The guide focuses on ideas for places to visit, including Pendle Heritage Centre, Witches Galore and Bancroft Mill.

  • North West water firm tackles ‘killer shrimp’

    A “killer” shrimp has invaded UK waters and is feeding on native fish and insect larvae, North West water company United Utilities has warned. Dubbed the “killer shrimp” by biologists for its appetite, it often kills its prey and leaves it uneaten.

  • CRICKET WORLD CUP: Afridi hails bowling show

    Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes he is a "bowler first" after claiming five wickets to complete a 205-run drubbing of Kenya in Hambantota. The leg-spinner's five for 16 from eight overs tore apart the Kenya line-up as they were dismissed

  • Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle visits Parliament

    CLARETS’ star Clarke Carlisle has followed up his Question Time appearance by visiting Parliament to provide advice to an MP. The brainy centre-half, who won a host of new fans after holding his own on the BBC’s political panel show last month

  • Former Ramsbottom MP challenges 18 month jail term

    FORMER Ramsbottom MP David Chaytor has launched a bid to challenge his 18-month jail sentence for fiddling his parliamentary expenses. The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, and two other judges will hear an application by 61-year-old Chaytor,

  • CRICKET WORLD CUP: Ponting rapped by ICC over TV fret

    Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council after damaging a television set in the team dressing room following his dismissal against Zimbabwe on Monday. Ponting was charged with a level one breach of the

  • Non-league notes: Crawley hatred is inspired by jealously

    Crawley Town captured the imagination of the football world on Saturday as they made mighty Manchester United fight all the way for their FA Cup win at Old Trafford. The little Red Devils lost 1-0 to the all-conquering Premier League Red Devils – but

  • CRICKET WORLD CUP: Afridi on song as Pakistan thrash Kenya

    Shahid Afridi picked up five wickets as Pakistan thrashed Kenya by 205 runs in their World Cup Group A match in Hambantota today. Afridi returned the best World Cup figures by a Pakistan bowler with his spell of five for 16 off eight overs as Kenya

  • Park looking for Bull perk

    Bradford Park Avenue are appealing to the 11,000 season ticket holders of Bradford Bulls to turn up and support them in their Evo-Stik League Premier Division campaign. Avenue will admit Bulls fans for free.

  • Ribble Valley farmer drops plans Britain's largest dairy

    A RIBBLE Valley farmer behind plans for Britain’s largest dairy farm has withdrawn the application. David Barnes, from Withgill Farm, Mitton, and his business partner Peter Willes, applied to set up a 3,770-cow farm in Nocton Heath, Lincolnshire

  • Review: Calendar Girls @ Palace Theatre, Manchester

    Calendar Girls is back with Lynda Bellingham once again playing Chris, the instigator of a semi-nude calendar in aid of leukaemia research. It is a part she has relished since September 2008 when, following the success of the 2003 film, Tim

  • It's a strip show for Durham

    Evo-Stik League First Division North outfit Durham City have had a troubled couple of years with bad results, financial problems and point deductions. But they couldn’t have expected to lose their kit. The North East outfit had their away strip stolen

  • Cousins charged with four East Lancashire robberies

    TWO cousins have been charged in connection with a series of claw hammer robberies across the North West, including four in East Lancashire. Dean Sykes, 25, of Little Hulton, Salford, faces 18 charges of robbery, which police have dubbed the

  • Burnley jail ‘breaker’ to be locked up longer

    A PRISONER walked out of an open jail to go to the funeral of his best friend who had been killed in a road smash, a court heard. Michael Royal, 20, left Thorncross Young Offenders' Institution in Warrington, with another inmate by climbing

  • Darwen homes work set to begin

    WORK on 100 new homes in the Queen Street clearance area of Darwen will begin on March 28. Orchard Grove, which is being built by Twin Valley Homes, will include a mixture of houses and bungalows, 71 of which will be for sale, 18 for rent, and 11 for

  • Friends of Darwen Cemetery look for £10,000

    THE Friends of Darwen Cemetery are looking for £10,000 to prepare for the site’s 150th anniversary in June. Members of the group, which was set up a year ago, want to spent the money on renovating the oldest part of the cemetery, known as section B

  • Notts snap-up Aussie duo

    Nottinghamshire have signed Australian pair David Hussey and Adam Voges as their overseas players for 2011.

  • Blackburn man charged over bus assaults

    A 20-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man has appeared before the town’s magistrates charged with indecently assaulting women travelling on buses. One of the alleged victims is a 15-year-old schoolgirl. Mark John Bury, of Penzance Street, was directed to Preston

  • A Cappella Singers perform back home

    Once again the A Cappella Singers will be performing in a venue near to their home. This highly acclaimed group of singers from the Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Blackburn areas will be performing at Wilpshire Methodist Church, Ribchester Road Wilpshire

  • Jones: Blackburn Rovers and England can mix

    PHIL Jones insists pledging his long-term future to Blackburn Rovers will not hinder his international dreams as he refuses to have his head turned by the game’s big guns. Rovers’ teenage sensation has become one of the Premier League’s

  • Police hunt Burnley nightclub attacker

    A 37-year-old man had nine stitches after being punched in the face several times in a Burnley nightclub at the weekend. Police said the unprovoked attack took place in Posh nightclub, in Ormerod Street, at around midnight on Saturday.

  • Final firm moves into Blackburn trade park

    A BLACKBURN business park is full, four years after it was redeveloped. Retailer Doorhandle company.co.uk has moved into a 6,000 sq ft warehouse at the Waterfall trade park off Stancliffe Street, Mill Hill. It means the 50,000 sq ft business park

  • What's on: Pendle Hippodrome Youth Theatre's The Likes Of Us

    EXPECT a good brew during the interval at Pendle Hippodrome's musical, which runs from February 23 to 26. The venue’s youth theatre are performing Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical The Likes Of Us, which is based on the story of children

  • William Wordsworth signature in £20,000 album

    THE signature of Lakeland poet William Wordsworth is featured in a rare Victorian autograph book, which is being sold next week. The album, worth £20,000 and containing 325 separate entries, is being used as a centrepiece to draw in crowds

  • Blackburn illegal immigrant to be deported after jail

    A WOMAN returned home from visiting her mother to find her home had been broken into and property stolen. Blackburn magistrates heard the culprit had smashed a window to get into the house and left blood on a wall next to a light switch.

  • Treatment delay for tired Madison Allan

    THE third phase of life-saving cancer treatment for six-year-old Madison Allan has been delayed a week. The Lower Darwen girl has had a blood transfusion to increase her haemoglobin count. Grandmother Alison Foster said: “Last week she was bouncing

  • What's on: An Evening With Lisa Allen

    EIGHTEEN months ago Lisa Allen was relatively unknown outside culinary circles. But after winning The Great British Menu in 2010, the 29-year-old from Clitheroe has been catapulted to celebrity status following in the footsteps of the likes

  • CRICKET WORLD CUP: Tickets a pain for latter stages

    Cricket fans seeking seats for the World Cup semi-finals and final have encountered frustration after "unprecedented" demand caused the official supplier to take tickets off sale. Seats were due to go on general sale on Monday but the interest meant

  • CCTV picture after Clitheroe Tesco theft

    CCTV footage has been released of a man wanted over the theft of seven computer games from the Tesco store in Duckworth Street, Clitheroe supermarket. He is described as white, around 25-years-old, 5ft 10in tall. He was wearing a red jacket with

  • Deal ‘on the table’ for Rawtenstall's Valley Centre

    A ‘DEAL’ is said to be on the table to transform the site of the dilapidated Valley Centre. A meeting has been held between Rossendale Council and the owners of the Rawtenstall centre, Ashcap, to try and come to a decision over the future of

  • What's on: Zoe Lyons

    COMEDIENNE Zoe Lyons is back on the road, with her new show Clownbusting stopping off in Manchester on February 6, Lancaster on February 23 and Preston on February 28. Zoe has recently appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow on BBC1

  • What's on: Wednesday, February 23

    EVENTS in East Lancashire and further afield for Wednesday, February 23. Pick of the day Billed as one of the rising stars of 2011, Canadian comedian Tom Stade started making a name for himself after being invited to appear on BBC1’s

  • Ten Burnley taxi licences suspended in new crackdown

    TEN taxi drivers have had their licences suspended and will face prosecution after a crackdown on illegal taxi behaviour. Among the problems uncovered during a joint operation by Burnley Council and Lancashire Police in the town centre were

  • Blackburn Rovers blog: Give Venky's a break

    BLACKBURN Rovers fans should get used to being linked with some of the world's biggest names, with Kaka and Robinho the latest to be linked to Ewood Park. Other outlets have already jumped on the bandwagon and used the latest national report

  • Jail for Pendle addict who burgled pub living quarters

    A PLUCKY pub landlady confronted and chased a hooded late-night raider trying to steal her takings, and then grabbed the cash back, a court was told. Sarah Matthews had been assaulted by heroin addict and prolific crook Terence Brown, 36, after

  • Feud over Lancashire regeneration body ‘almost resolved’

    A FEUD between Lancashire’s council bosses over the county’s regeneration proposals is close to being resolved, a minister has claimed. Lancashire is not yet covered by a Local Enterprise Partnership, which bid for government funding, because councils

  • AV voting system is fatally flawed

    Now that the Lib Dems have got the go-ahead for a referendum on the Alternative Vote in May, I would urge residents to think carefully how they are going to vote, as I don’t see what it would improve. With AV, we nearly always end up with a coalition

  • Pay for your trip to see Queen

    While I applaud council cuts to ‘junketing’, I am of the opinion that there is no need to refuse an invitation to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. If councillors wish to attend they can surely pay their own expenses. Virgin Trains run an excellent

  • Crash causes A56 tailbacks

    A CRASH which involved a white Ford Transit van and another vehicle caused tailbacks on the A56 at Rising Bridge yesterday. One lane was blocked at 3.25pm following the incident. Police said that one of the driver was suffering from suspected

  • Taxi failings disgraceful

    I found the recent results of the random testing of private hire and hackney carriage taxis (LT, February 16) thoroughly depressing and quite frankly I am amazed there has not been a greater public outcry. This exercise only serves to highlight my

  • Final Blackburn jewellery gang member jailed

    THE fifth and final member of an armed gang who committed a £250,000 raid on a Blackburn jewellers has been jailed for 11 years. Shaun Springer, 30, of Northway Road, Croydon, was sentenced at Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court for the robbery

  • Clayton-le-Moors accused: I might have killed lover

    A MAN accused of murdering his partner by stabbing him through the heart has told a jury there is a possibility he may have killed him. David Fielding claimed James Todd attacked him in the flat they shared, so he hit back to get him out of

  • Scale of deprivation is scandalous

    THE news that so many children in Lancashire are living in poverty is shocking. More than 37,000 children are being brought up without proper heating, food or school uniforms. The situation is worst in Blackburn where 18 per cent of all children

  • Blackburn Hawks chiefs backs his boys to skate to success

    Blackburn Hawks head coach Jared Owen believes his team are capable of winning all their remaining matches and securing a play-off spot. Owen’s confidence comes after seeing his in-form side come back from 2-0 down to thump second-place Coventry

  • Burnley jewellery shop thieves jailed

    TWO men who stole a ring from a Burnley jewellers and assaulted a shop assistant in ‘some scuffling’ on the way out are both behind bars. Burnley Crown Court heard how Nigel Canning, 41, and Dale Perry, 31, had originally been charged with

  • East Lancashire mum tells of horror at daughter's shisha habit

    “IT’S shocking that my daughter is allowed to do this. I know it’s her choice, but it’s not an informed choice and she’s being taken advantage of.” The horrified mother of a 13-year-old girl ‘addicted’ to shisha tobacco has demanded illegal

  • £600,000 investment in new Blackburn seafood gastro pub

    FORTY jobs are being created at a new Blackburn gastro pub. Restaurateur Jocelyn Neve has taken over the former Hordens site, in Livesey Branch Road, and is transforming it into the Oyster and Otter. The eatery will also have an on-site

  • Traffic plan goes against the flow

    MOST towns and cities develop their central roads to help people make the most popular journeys in the shortest possible time. The idea is to give motorists the easiest possible access to tourist attractions, shopping malls and places where large

  • The Rumour Mill - February 23

    MANCHESTER UNITED boss Alex Ferguson wants veteran Paul Scholes to extend his stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of this season. Scholes is weighing up his future with rumours he may quit the game. Ivan Klasnic has begged BOLTON boss Owen Coyle to

  • 1 in 6 children in Lancashire 'living in poverty'

    AROUND 37,000 children in Lancashire are growing up in ‘severe’ poverty, according to new figures released by a leading charity. Save the Children has found that these youngster have no proper heating, are not eating a proper meal on a regular

  • What's on: Tom Stade

    ALTHOUGH he has been on the comedy circuit for 20 years, outrageous Canadian émigré Tom Stade is still a new boy when it comes to television. Billed as one of the rising stars of 2011, the 40-year-old started making a name for himself after

  • Ashton Athletic 0 Bacup Borough 3

    Three first half goals, two from Daniel Cocks and a Lance Ogunyode header were enough to secure all three points for Bacup Borough from their trip to Ashton Athletic last night.

  • Burnley mum jailed for setting fire to own home

    A PSYCHIATRIC nurse who torched her home with her little girl inside has been jailed for two years. Burnley Crown Court heard how mother-of-two, Paula Ward, 38, had earlier told a work colleague she had been seriously assaulted by her husband

  • Venky's distance Rovers from Brazil swoop

    Venky's have distanced themselves from a report yesterday linking Blackburn Rovers with moves for Brazilian stars Robinho and Kaka. Rovers' co-owner Venkatesh Rao insisted they were still determined to bring a big name to Ewood Park in the summer but

  • Figures 'reveal extent of building crisis'

    NEW figures have revealed the number of house building completions in England fell to a record low in 2010, down 13 per cent on the previous year. Just 102,570 new homes were completed — the lowest number since 1923. The figures were published as

  • Ramsbottom United 1 New Mills 2

    Ramsbottom United bowed out of the Vodkat League Challenge Cup last night when they were beaten 2-1 by New Mills in the third round tie at the Riverside. Rammy had led the game.

  • Orchard Mill taking shape

    THE first piece of ground has been cut to mark the start of the Orchard Grove new homes development in Darwen. Staff and board members from Twin Valley Homes were joined by staff from construction firm Wates Living Space, councillors and Blackburn

  • Inventories made simple

    RENTAL specialists Belvoir answer the five most Frequently Asked Questions about inventories... What is an inventory? It’s a snapshot of the condition of a property. It's a good guide to use at the end of a tenancy and helps to prevent disputes over

  • Train services in East Lancashire delayed by vandalism

    TRAIN services on the Manchester-Clitheroe line have been severely delayed this morning after a cable theft on the line. Cancellations and long delays hit Blackburn, Darwen and Ribble Valley passengers with message boards saying the problem

  • Give alterations some thought

    ALTERING, extending or refurbishing your home is never easy but the most successful jobs always start in the same way — with a bit of thought. Architect Nigel Peel advises that home owners should start with a wish list. “You have to start with the

  • Sports Blog: Burke set to be a star on his bike

    STEVEN Burke is 22. If most don’t know him yet, it is looking increasingly likely that they will by the time his cycling career is over. Mention the Great Britain cycling team and many think of Sir Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins. And yet sprint king

  • Celebs ideal world

    THE Ideal Home Show is returning to Earls Court for its 103rd year from March 11 to 27. The show will take visitors through a showcase of lifestyle ideas that combines eight different sections, including interiors, home improvements and gardens, as

  • Do your homework buyers urged

    THE National Association of Estate Agents urged home movers to research every aspect of a property before buying. Issues such as cost, noise, transport links and local schools can affect the value and suitability of a particular home, but are often

  • Holiday home care

    ARE you going on a short break or two-week holiday? Whichever it is, if you are planning to be away from home for a few days or more, the Heating Helpline offers advice for holidaymakers. - For a winter or spring get-away when we can still experience

  • Woodley Sports 2 Chorley 2

    Chorley lost a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Woodley Sports in the Evo-Stik League First Division North last night. Nathan Neequaye bagged a late brace for the home side after Shelton Payne and Jordan Stepien had put the Magpies in command.

  • Accrington Stanley will not face Football League probe

    THE Football League has no plans to launch an investigation into Accrington Stanley’s ownership situation, a spokesman has confirmed. Stanley held a board meeting on Saturday night to discuss the club’s continuing ownership struggle, with Dave O’Neill

  • CRICKET WORLD CUP: Strauss keeps his cool

    Captain Andrew Strauss kept his cool to help England scrape an opening World Cup win over the Netherlands after enduring a "shemozzle" of a performance in the field. Strauss resisted the temptation to vent his frustration as England verged

  • Family forgives Lancashire death crash driver

    A GRIEVING family have told the 77-year-old driver who killed a beloved dad in a crash: We forgive you. And they asked the court not to jail Thomas Patton, of Moorland Road, Langho, after he admitted causing the death of Kevin Sinfield, 60,

  • Rossendale United hit by late call off

    Rossendale United were left frustrated last night when their Vodkat League Premier Division game with Runcorn Linnets at Dark Lane was called off. The game was postponed just 90 minutes before the scheduled 7.45pm kick off.

  • Five Devils miss out

    Manchester United will be without Anderson, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Jonny Evans and Michael Owen for tonight’s Champions League tie against Marseille.

  • CRICKET WORLD CUP: Black Caps feel helpless

    New Zealand Cricket chiefs say the Black Caps feel "helpless" and "devastated" after hearing about the earthquake in Christchurch. The side are currently in the sub-continent on World Cup duty but squad members Brendon McCullum and Hamish Bennett