A NEW children’s multi-sensory room has opened in an old storeroom at Royal Blackburn Hospital. The room in the children’s unit, which features equipment including interactive panels, bubble tubes, soft surfaces and fibre-optic lights, was
DRESSAGE rider Felicity Coulthard is facing her biggest challenge yet after funding for her ‘dream’ place at next year’s Paralympic Games was withdrawn. Felicity, 26, from Darwen - who suffers from Cerebral Palsy affecting her speech and movements
BLACKBURN with Darwen’s council leader has admitted ‘things will get worse’ after a steep rise in people claiming unemployment benefit. The latest Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) figures show the claimant count jumped by 180 from 3,976 in April to 4,156
SCORES of Barclays customers in East Lancashire could be in line for compensation after the bank announced plans to pay out following complaints over mis-sold payment protection insurance(PPI). Barclays said it would pay compensation to anyone who
THE transfer silence at Turf Moor, at the moment, is deafening. In just two weeks’ time the holidays are over for the Clarets and the hard work begins. Eddie Howe has told his players to report back for pre-season training on June 30
WHEN Steve Kean was approached to join Luiz Felipe Scolari’s coaching team at Chelsea in 2008, the question on most Blues’ supporters lips would have been ‘who?’. Their next query was ‘why?’ after the Scot turned down the Premier League giants
WALLASEY Motor Club are laying claim to holding the first 'Super Special' stage on a clubman rally on a closed public road in the UK when this year's promenade stages runs as a two-day event on September 9 and 10. Spectators at the 30th anniversary
ROSSENDALE Harriers continue to lead Division Three of the North of England Track and Field League for senior athletes. In their second match of the season at Carlisle, they were narrowly beaten by Leigh Harriers to reverse the first round result.
THE government has come under fire in East Lancashire over plans to turn the worst performing primary schools into academies. Schools in the bottom 200 in the country would be taken out of local authority control and run by more successful local schools
FOOTBALL fans throughout the land will be poised by their computers or phones tomorrow morning when the new season’s fixtures are released. Unusually, the fixtures are released on a Friday this year, with all the schedule for the Premier League, Championship
The Walsh Two Lads Fell Race will be held tonight at 7.30pm. Race distance is 5.25 miles with 900 feet of ascent. Registration is on the night at the Bridge Inn, Church Street, Horwich BL6 7BR. The Great Hill Race sponsored by Tony Bolton
VICTORIA Wilkinson has won the women’s Great Britain Team Selection Race for the European Mountain Running Championships to earn automatic selection for the trip to Bursa in Turkey on July 9. The Clitheroe-based Bingley Harrier, on her return from
A 1,800ft rock pinnacle, jutting out of the Pacific was scaled for the first time, back in 1965, by a climber from Rossendale. David Whitham sent a telegram home to Gregory Fold in Helmshore to give news of his success. He was with a
URGENT talks are planned to deal with a fly infestation in Buckshaw Village and Euxton which has recurred for a third successive year. Environmental health officers are investigating after the return of the flies, which have plagued the area the past
BLACKBURN’S Shopmobility service has opened in the town’s market. Bosses of the service said that they estimate they could now reach hundreds of extra people who could take advantage of the facility. The voluntary organisation offers mobility scooters
DOES anyone remember Father Thomas Murray, who was parish priest in Sabden for nearly 30 years? When he took up the post in the thirties his health was so poor he admitted he did not have many years left — yet he survived to become one of the
Lancashire based Bradley Wiggins – he lives just the other side of Chorley–scored his biggest ever win on the road when he pulled on the final Yellow Jersey after the eighth day Criterium du Dauphine in France. Only two Brits have won this long- standing
BLACKBURN’S Matt Griffin was back behind the wheel of the Rallyschool VW Lupo last weekend as, together with co-driver Joe Cruttenden, he contested the Dukeries Rally run over nine stages in Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest. With their BTRDA 1400L
IN most events finishing first is enough but at the Lancashire Schools’ Championships, held at Blackpool’s Stanley Park on Saturday, the top athletes were also looking to make the county team for the English Schools’ Championships. To be
MOTORISTS are now urged to avoid the road leading to a Colne high school at set times after a new sign was installed. The sign in Gibfield Road, on the approach to Fisher More High, tells drivers that cars and motorcycles are not permitted to use the
POLICE found a shotgun stashed away in a wardrobe when they searched a man's Whitworth home, a court heard. John Francis Noakley, 52, should have kept the gun, which had ammunition, in an authorised secure cabinet. Burnley magistrates were told how
AN office clerk helped herself to more than £4,300 of her boss’s cash then promised to pay it back, but didn’t. Burnley magistrates were told how mother-of-two Belinda Jane Thompson, 32, breached the victim’s trust and abused her position when she took
LEAD worth £1,000 has been stolen from the roof at St Mary the Virgin Church, Trawden. Thieves scaled a drain-pipe before making off with the lead. Sgt Damian Pemberton said: “There has been a spate of lead thefts and I would urge people to remain
HUNDREDS of women will be getting out their walking shoes this weekend for an eight-mile trek in the early hours for the East Lancashire Hospice. The Silver Starlight Walk, from 10pm on Saturday, is expected to raise more than £80,000 towards
IT is official, folks - the silly season has well and truly started. After a quiet couple of weeks since the end of a hectic Premier League season, the Lancashire Telegraph’s phones have been red hot this week as the mayhem of the transfer window kicked
Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill has distanced himself from links to Burnley defender Andre Bikey. The Cameroon international was understood to be on the former Burnley boss’s wanted list in January but Cotterill says he is no longer a player
POLICE in Darwen are warning they will take a tough stance on anyone found riding a mini-moto illegally. It comes after officers received several reports about the vehicles in the Manor Road area, which leads to Darwen tower. A mini-moto must be DVLA
AN Edgworth food shop has won a top award. Whitehead’s Butchers and the Edgworth Deli won a Food NW Heart Award at the Fine Food Awards 2011, for its farm-reared lamb and home cured bacon. Celebrity chef Nigel Haworth announced the winners at his
A GROUP of travellers have been moved out of Hyndburn after a council won a court order forcing them from a popular Accrington beauty spot. Seven caravans and other vehicles set up on the fields at Arden Hall in Accrington, just metres away
AS a latecomer to professional football, David Eyres felt blessed to have played at Wembley once. To do it three times was beyond his wildest dreams. But he wasn’t just there for another day out in the sun. He was hungry for another
You may know I have spent a lot of time with young people in my life. My “youth” was a pretty chequered epoch, so I kind of wanted to help steer others through it more constructively. I was up at Pleckgate High School the other week with Headteacher
MP Graham Jones has backed a scheme that will enable 12 people to complete a paid internship in Parliament. The scheme hopes to attract people from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds, in a bid to make Parliament more inclusive and open. Mr Jones
A MAN is searching for a car enthusiast to take a 60-year-old vintage Triumph off his hands. Barry Cardwell bought the 1951 Mayflower earlier this year from a family friend after spotting it in a driveway. But despite the car’s age, Mr Cardwell,
FOCUS in Rawtenstall has ceased to trade and I’m sad for a number of reasons, firstly because people have lost their jobs and because it means that yet another big retail unit will stand empty - who knows for how long. I driven past a few times over
EMMERDALE ‘bad boy’ Cain Dingle has pulled out of his scheduled appearance at Accrington Carnival this weekend. Actor Jeff Hordley was due take part in the street parade and sign autographs for fans at the carnival site at Accrington and Rossendale
LUKE Joyce expects to take up the offer of a new two-year deal with Accrington Stanley. Joyce is one of several players out of contract but has been offered a new deal until 2013 after becoming one of the Reds’ key players during the second half of the
A 25-year-old man who broke into a nurse’s car after she parked outside a surgery escaped with her handbag and a bag containing medical equipment. Blackburn magistrates heard that when he was arrested for a different matter later the same day Steven
POP trio Scouting for Girls have been confirmed as the final addition to the line-up for Burney’s Towneley Live festival. Frontman Roy Stride will be bringing hits including She’s So Lovely, Elvis Ain’t Dead and It’s Not About You to the East Lancashire
A man who went missing in Yorkshire last month could be in Lancashire. Joshua Peter French, 23, who is from York, was last seen on Tuesday, May 10 and was reported missing by a family member on Sunday, May 22. It is feared that he did not
A BURGLAR is being hunted by police after she went on the run. Sandie Louise Barton, 24, of Ravenglass Close, Blackburn, was jailed for a year in January. But, after being released recently, she breached the terms of her licence.
ALMOST 40 litres of alcohol was seized from children as young as 13 in a crackdown on underage drinking in Accrington. Police and trading standards took part in the operation in the Peel, Barnfield and Woodnook areas. More than 36 litres
THE new Mall in Blackburn town centre is an excellent shopping experience. The new market is also slowly coming up to what shoppers will expect for the cost involved. Any gripes? The lack of lifts. This is even more obvious now the lower floor
A 51-year-old female police inspector is in line for a £30,000 payout because she claims she felt humiliated when she failed a fitness test. Incidentally, the test has been standard procedure in the police service for 30 years. Put aside any comments
IT’S not too difficult for a visitor to paint a less-than-flattering portrait of Accrington and many of East Lancashire’s other towns. The statistics for average income, unemployment, health problems and quality of housing all confirm that we are
THERE were mixed fortunes for East Lancashire-based rally crews in action on last weekend’s Garstang and Preston Motor Club Memorial Road Rally. Forty-six crews left the Myerscough College start on Saturday evening heading into the Trough of
WINDOWS have been smashed at Chorley’s historic Astley Hall in a ‘mindless’ attack which caused damage running into thousands of pounds. More than 20 small panes of glass dating back hundreds of years were broken after a group of teenagers
BURNLEY midfielder Dean Marney has emerged as a possible target for Championship rivals Ipswich Town. Tractor Boys’ boss Paul Jewell is believed to be a fan of the former Hull City enforcer and is plotting an approach. Clarets manager
AN urgent care centre may not open at Rawtenstall’s health hub until next April, it has been revealed. But political leaders in the Valley are relieved to hear a new date has been pencilled in for the long-awaited move. Rossendale MP
AMBITIOUS plans to revive the fortunes of Burnley’s renowned Keirby Park Hotel will take shape this summer. Hotel bosses have begun a major investment at The Keirby, in a bid to bring some of the glamour back to the venue. Substantial
AN office clerk helped herself to more than £4,300 of her boss’s cash then promised to pay it back, but didn’t. Burnley magistrates were told how mother-of-two Belinda Jane Thompson, 32, breached the victim’s trust and abused her position when she
ILLEGAL tobacco, out-of-date meat and fake DVDs have been seized from shops in Pendle during a major blitz on rogue traders. Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards officers joined forces with Lancashire Police and Pendle Council’s licensing
A NEW director of music has been appointed for Blackburn Cathedral, with bosses hailing him an ‘outstanding young man’. Samuel Hudson, 27, is current director of music at Girton College, Cambridge, and will replace Richard Tanner in running the choirs
BLACKBURN Rovers director Richard Matthewman has become the latest board member from the ‘Jack Walker era’ to leave the club. Non-executive director Matthewman, a former vice-chairman, has resigned after a 30-year involvement with the Ewood Park outfit
HUNDREDS of pupils made a stand against speeding motorists in a world record-breaking walking bus attempt. Pupils from two primary schools in East Lancashire armed with ‘slow down’ banners walked in tandem with tens of thousands of children
Ten swimmers from Pioneer 79 Swimming Club were chosen to swim for Bolton and Manchester District in the Inter-Association Swimming Gala, which was held in Macclesfield. Swimmers who competed were: Connor Makin (14), William Beavan (12), Joseph Murray
BURNLEY’s new state-of-the-art recycling centre opened its doors for the first time yesterday. The £2.3million centre at Heasandford Industrial Estate, in Balderstone Lane, replaces the existing site at Grosvenor Street. That site will now be turned
DARWEN Vale have retained their East Lancashire Rugby League shield – but only just after the defending Yr 8 champions were held to a 20-20 draw by Haslingden High School. The finals were held at Haslingden High School where, after two qualifying rounds
Ribble Valley District Under 11s cricket team got their season off to a winning start at home to Fylde on a green damp pitch. The home side took the bold move of batting first and initially it was difficult but Harry Lang from Clitheroe and Tobias Dean
Clitheroe Royal Gram-mar School played Ribbles-dale high school in the final of the year 8 Hyndburn and Ribble valley schools football cup. The game was played on the new 3g all-weather pitch at CRGS and with both teams looking to play football it had
WOW! What an amazing difference. I couldn’t get to the new Blackburn Market on Church Street the day it opened as I was in Texas, for my son’s wedding (to a Texan). I had looked round earlier in the year as the shop-fitters were in. I thought
A BURGLAR who broke into a house as a letting agent was showing a woman around has been jailed. And the viewer recognised drug addict Damien Drury as he stuck his head through a hole he had made in the back door and identified him to police
CONCERNS have been raised over a bogus recycling collector stealing sacks of textiles from outside homes in Pendle. Town hall bosses say the thief is posing as an employee of the contractor which collects the textiles on behalf of Pendle Council
Blessed Trinity College is celebrating more success after adding two more Lancashire Cup titles to its growing collection. The Burnley school has been a dominant force in county cup football in recent years – and has lifted the silverware no few than
A NURSE who fled to Spain after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children has handed himself in after eight years. Anthony Paul Johnson, who worked at Calderstones Hospital in Whalley, was arrested on Monday at Manchester Airport
A NEW disability football team is counting down the days to its debut season after its first training session was hailed a big succcess. The team, which is being run by the Accrington and District Junior Football League, will play under the name of East
JAMES Brookens made it third time lucky as he reached the finals of a world snooker competition. After twice falling at the final hurdle in his attempt to reach the 2011 Eight Ball Pool World Championships, Brookens booked his place in the World Masters
A SHOP owner said he was ‘disgusted’ after a charity collection box was stolen. Ikhlaq Hussain was alone in a back room of his hair salon in Randal Street, Blackburn, when a thief walked in and took a two-foot Coke bottle-shaped donation box from the
A MUM is looking for a publishing deal after writing a children’s book about her six-year-old daughter’s form of epilepsy. Kate Lambert wrote ‘Sarah Jayne Has Staring Moments’ to help raise awareness of absence seizures. The tale is
A GANG of robbers tied up three terrified warehouse workers before stealing a haul of cigarettes. The balaclava-clad men struck early yesterday morning at the Edge’s site, Geddes Street, Cherry Tree, Blackburn, as staff loaded up a delivery
GALATASARAY are planning a summer swoop for Blackburn Rovers’ midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen — with Ewood Park legend Tugay the driving force behind their interest. Tugay, still an influential figure on the staff at the Turkish giants,
BURNLEY have been drawn at home to Burton Albion in the Carling Cup first round in a repeat of January's FA Cup tie. The Clarets will host the League Two side at Turf Moor on the week commencing August 8, having beaten the Brewers 3-1 in the
THE leader of the English Defence League has been charged with assault following the group’s demonstration in Blackburn earlier this year. Stephen Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, of Layham Drive, Luton, has been bailed to apper before
BURNLEY boss Eddie Howe has re-shaped his backroom staff by being reunited with former Bournemouth coach Jason Blake and appointing scout Bryan Glover from West Ham United. Blake will operate alongside Howe and assistant manager Jason Tindall, following
FIFTY people were caught without seatbelts or using a mobile phone in a six-hour blitz by police. Officers ran a checkpoint in the morning in Colne Road, Burnley, before heading to Rossendale Road, Padiham, for the afternoon. The number
BOBBY Grant could return to the Crown Ground in August after Accrington Stanley were drawn at home to Scunthorpe United in the Carling Cup first round. Grant is yet to face Stanley since joining Scunthorpe, now in League One, last summer
THE tale of plant-munching Peter Rabbit has become a reality in the village that was once the home of his famous creator. A bunny boom in Beatrix Potter’s village has caused a stir with rampaging rabbits munching through gardens and vegetable
