A DEPUTY mayor has thanked the public for their support after the latest round of crown post office strikes closed one of the town’s branches. Between nine and 12 counter staff from the Burnley branch on Hargreaves Road staged a half-day walk out
WORK on the second phase of the On the Banks masterplan at Burnley's historic Weavers’ Triangle is to start after the council released £1m from its budget. Among work planned for the coming year is the development of Slater Terrace, Sandygate Mill
ACTRESS Julie Hesmondhalgh is preparing to leave Coronation Street as her character is given the devastating news she has pancreatic cancer next week. Hayley Cropper’s illness is part of a planned departure for Julie, bringing her 15 years in the
SIGNS and roadmarkings at a key motorway roundabout are being monitored after drivers’ complaints of road chaos where new traffic lights have been installed. Drivers have been confused after the signals at Gannow Top – where traffic comes on and
A STATE-of-the-art production line for the assembly of tails for the F-35 fighter is up and running at BAE Systems' Samlesbury site. The defence giant, which employs thousands of workers in East Lancashire, is ramping up production of the stealthy
Firefighters have hit out at mindless youths who lit a series of deliberate fires along the canal in Accrington. Crews were diverted for around an hour as they were forced to deal with the fires. Officers said the deliberate fires put the public
OF all the great artists announced for this year’s Ramsbottom Festival, none has created more excitement than Sinead O’Connor, who is to close the festival on the Sunday night. The Irish singer who possesses one of the most distinctive voices in
A DOG walker got a £145 bill because he did not clean up when his dog fouled a grass verge. Malcolm Wilkinson, 66, pleaded guilty and was fined £75 and ordered to pay £50 costs and a £20 victim surcharge. In a prosecution brought by Chorley
Want to raise the blood pressure of any MP? Just say ‘IPSA’ to them, and they’ll begin to palpitate immediately. The initials stand for the ‘Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority’, the regulator set up in the wake of the expenses’ scandal
SIX years ago, this newspaper launched the Wasted Lives campaign to try to do something about the rising tide of death and injury on the roads involving young drivers. The Lancashire Telegraph campaign highlighted rising accident figures and called
Despite the political mudslinging, perhaps the Tories should remember that they are taking £20billion out of the NHS. There have been too many political appointments on both sides. Firstly they all should remember it is our NHS and we want it.
RE: Rovers Trust in bid to secure Ewood Park as a ‘community asset’ – the thought of Ewood Park being sold is a nightmare. Everything possible must be done to stop Venky’s selling the ground. They must be made aware that they have no right to even
REGARDING the firefighter from Chorley injured in an arson attack getting a £2.2m pay-out – we owe a huge debt of gratitude to these heroes who go to work each day and put their lives on the line for the rest of us. I hope the money goes some way
WHAT puzzles me about your story of a thief taking cash, wallets and mobile phones from Stubbins Primary School is, why does it take five days to get a police appeal for help from the public? If I’d seen the van involved, I’d have forgotten about
I am concerned that the academics, politicians and the Lancashire Telegraph is pushing down a path of wasting public funds which will not be realised by a tangible and real reduction in child casualties. There are already quite extensive 20mph
Could schools please tell us exactly what strategy does the National Curriculum lay down for teaching youngsters how to cross a road? Is there a scheme of work? Is there even a slogan? Can any teacher inform us parents? And, if there is not, exactly
WITH reference to the campaign for 20mph limits on residential streets, I live on a road that is a route to a primary school. There is only a pavement on one side but that does not stop pedestrians from walking in the road as they make their way
RE: ‘Lancashire County Council warns of £300m budget cut’, earlier I read that local authorities in East Lancashire had sent a postcard to the government objecting to the privatisation of Royal Mail. I fear this is a largely symbolic gesture and
SUSPECTED burglars of an electricals company in Haslingden have been bailed. The two men, aged 24 and 25 and from Bradford, were arrested following the incident, in which the alarm system and CCTV of W H Good were disabled when the offenders lifted
TWO World War Two survivors visited Alder Grange Community and Technology School to talk about their experiences. Former Scots Guard Ted Davidson and George Cartmel, who was a child during the war, talked to a Year 10 GCSE history class at the
AN elderly woman was left ‘deeply distressed’ when a distraction burglar walked into her home and stole her purse. The thief gained access by claiming he worked for the council and was there to fix her toilet. The woman, in her late 70s, was
PLANS have been submitted for the construction of a wind turbine in Gisburn. The proposed development at Shuttleworth Hall Farm would have a blade tip height of 74 metres, with the hub standing at 50 metres. A spokesman for Mosscliff Environmental
‘RUSSIAN for Beginners’ classes will return to the Ribble Valley in September. The eight-week course, which will run at The Inn at the Station in Clitheroe, will be held each Thursday from September 12 to October 31. Each session will take
AN AWARD-winning not-for-profit community project that supplied, laundered nappies and promoted the reusable sort is to close. YummyBums was set up in 2009 by Barrow-based mum-of-two Sarah Parry and won one national and three regional awards last
A MAN said to have held the dealing phones in a drugs plot is facing jail. Shahid Ansar, 22, admitted conspiring to supply Class A drugs between December 2011 and April 2013, when he faced Burnley Crown Court. The defendant, of St Paul’s Road
A MUM collapsed and died just hours after taking her daily dose of methadone, an inquest heard. Kellie Pounder, 38, fell off the end of the bed in the early hours of March 19 as she complained of breathing difficulty. Her friend, David Ashley
NATIONAL Grid workmen this weekend return to finish the gas main replacement that caused a traffic nightmare on the A666 through Darwen last year. The company and borough council will dig up the road on Saturdays and Sundays, avoiding the rush
THE coldest spring in 50 years decimated Lancashire’s butterfly population, wildlife experts said. Staff at the Lancashire Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Butterfly Conservation said that they had seen a reduction of more than 50 per cent in species
SLACK Alice are heading for Colne’s Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in August, but not before they headline a special night of their own at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre. Formed by Cliff Stocker in the early 1970s, these seasoned bluesmen always
A LANCASHIRE scheme to take the worry out of caring for a loved one has been commended at a national ceremony. The Municipal Journal's Achievement Awards 2013 singled out the Peace of Mind for Carers service funded by Lancashire County Council
MEASLES outbreaks in Lancashire have already exceed the total number of cases for the whole of last year leading to calls for parents to immunise their children against the disease. There have been 96 confirmed cases of measles since January, higher
A FATHER-of-two has come up with a sound idea to raise awareness about testicular cancer, after admitting he was too embarrassed to see a doctor. Neil Livesey, 45, was diagnosed with the disease in 2010 and, after coming through a successful treatment
A DAD who sent his 10-year-old daughter into East Lancashire 'drugs dens' to pick up heroin, could be facing jail. Burnley Crown Court heard how the 34-year-old man had the child knocking on doors to ask for drugs and then handing over a note.
“I’ve never seen anyone eat in that place over the road,” mused a pal of mine the other night as I got stuck into a post-work pint in Blackburn town centre. My mate was pointing out of the window of the Postal Order in the general direction of
A MAN was knocked unconscious by a cyclist following a row in a town centre. The 44-year-old was attempting to cross Manchester Road, in Barnoldswick, when a cyclist rode past at speed, coming from the direction of Walmsgate, almost knocking into
CHAS Hodges took piano lessons from his hero Jerry Lee Lewis, joined the Beatles for a night while The Libertines and Lily Allen have cited him as a major influence. And now he’s heading to Colne for the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival
A NEW health watchdog said he would meet with hospital chiefs to discuss yesterday’s damning Keogh Report which criticised the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, but admitted he had ‘scant resources’ to properly investigate concerns. Sir Bill Taylor
A SUPER slimmer who shed almost 12 stone has been congratulated by Coronation Street beauty Samia Ghadie at a national slimming competition. Alwyn Beckles, 44, was one of just 36 entrants from across the UK and Ireland to win a place in the finals
A former Burnley mayor and a councillor with 30 years of public service has been made an honorary alderman at a ceremony at Burnley Town Hall. Ex-councillor John Greenwood began his stint at the former Padiham Urban District Council in 1968 and
MUSIC lovers heading for this weekend’s annual Tockholesbury Festival will get the chance to see an East Lancashire acoustic duo who have made remarkable progress in the last 12 months. Bad Cardigan — 19-year-olds Jack Anwyl and Tom Randell — will
ONE of the North West’s leading covers band, A Few Good Men, will be playing an intimate gig at the Millennium Theatre at Waterfoot next Saturday. The five-piece, renowned for their live shows featuring rock and pop covers will be performing at
A LOUT who attacked a man with a metal bar in his own home, leaving him with horrific injuries, has been spared jail. Michael Warner, 24, had seen his girlfriend enter Aaron Moss's home in Nelson, went to see what was happening, knocked on the
THE hot weather is expected to continue for the foreseeable future with temperatures of 25 degrees predicted right up until the beginning of next week. East Lancashire sunlovers can look forward to another weekend of barbecues and sunbathing
THE RAC Foundation is the latest organisation to back the tougher driver training system called for by the Lancashire Telegraph’s ‘Wasted Lives’ campaign. It wants a three-stage graduated system of licences over four years to help reduce road deaths
A HALF-NAKED man allegedly molested two very drunk schoolgirls and held them ‘prisoners’ in a house, a jury was told. One of the alleged victims claimed she woke up to find Mark Hagans on top of her in his boxer shorts, trying to kiss her, Burnley
A WOODLAND paradise in the heart of Gisburn Forest will be the setting for the third Cloudspotting Festival, which starts next week. The opening day features a headline show from Liverpool’s lab-wearing psychonauts, Clinic. The Welsh flag will
RAPPER Jay Z is to return to Manchester in October after a sell-out show last summer. The American rapper, record producer and entrepreneur has confirmed he will play the arena as part of his Magna Carter European tour. Tickets for the show
LANCASHIRE stars have been transformed into beauty salon professionals as filming gets under way for a new celebrity TV show set in a spa. Shameless actor Jody Latham and former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan will be put through their
THE Pendle Inn at Barley raised £150 for Pendleside Hospice. The money was raised by selling pie and peas to walkers taking part in last month’s Pendle Pub Walk.
THE Prince’s Trust in Burnley is recruiting for its summer programme. The free scheme is suitable for people aged 16to 25, and will not affect Jobseeker’s Allowance claims. It is ideal for helping to boost confidence. Call 01282 714161.
LANCASHIRE County Council’s Young People’s Service has awarded a grant of £950 to St Andrew’s Scouts in Burnley, to hold a centenary celebration camp, with games and activities. The decision to award the funding was agreed with LCC’s cabinet member
STUDENTS at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form recently met Labour party leader Ed Miliband, right. The A-level government and politics students met Mr Miliband at a Labour party event in Preston. As part of their course, some of the students
PUPILS have been fund-raising in memory of a Royal Marine Commando who died aged 19. Youngsters at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, where Wes Clutterbuck was a pupil, held several fundraising events including a non-uniform day, bake sales
BEDS at Burnley General Hospital have been left empty while staff at the Royal Blackburn struggled to cope with huge surges in patients, it has been revealed. The finding was published among more detailed information released as part of the Keogh
AFTER leaving bosses seeing double for 49 years, twins Joe and Tom Healey retired from their factory jobs on the same day. The pair, 64, have worked at the same companies, married women from the same town, and both have two children. Joe, secretary
A ‘RISHTONER at heart’ has had her work for the community recognised. Christine Hammerton, 69, was given the Rishton Award 2013 and a cheque for £50 for her voluntary work in town at the Rishton Festival – where she is chair of the committee.
CHARITIES, business and community groups are being urged to host events in Accrington town centre. Hyndburn Council is offering free event space as part of a drive to create summer events. Call Rob Grigorjevs on 01254 388111.
A WOMAN was rescued after getting trapped in her bedroom at a nursing home. Fire crews were called to the home in Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle at 7.40pm on Wednesday. The door had jammed so firefighters removed it from the hinges.
FREE bike lessons are on offer as part of a scheme to increase cycling in Great Harwood. The free sessions are organised by GoVelo and Lancashire County Council. To book a free cycling lesson, call 01282 787464.
AN electrical fault in a hand dryer saw a primary school evacuated. Firefighters were called to Spring Hill Primary in Accrington just before 1pm on Monday. The dryer in the toilets had caught fire, causing slight smoke damage to the block.
PUPILS at an Oswaldtwistle primary school have visited famous London landmarks. The children from St Paul’s CofE, in Union Road, saw St Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge, the Tower of London, the London Eye and even got to visit Buckingham Palace
POLICE in the Whitehall area are investigating concerns about juvenile nuisance in Alfred Street and the park off Watery Lane.
TWO nights of Broadway classics get under way tomorrow at Darwen Library Theatre. Performances come from Darwen’s Pepperpot Hill Theatre Group and entry costs £10.
THE Park pub in Cemetery Road has DJ Ian tomorrow from 8pm. On Saturday, local band Callout perform from 9pm and on Sunday Jimmy Edwards is on at 4pm followed by Sticky 13 bingo and DJ Ian.
THE Friends of Sunnyhurst Wood’s 12th annual children’s painting contest, features St Cuthbert’s, St Edward’s and Avondale schools. Work is at the visitor centre on August 9 and judging is on August 17 from 3pm.
PLANS for a dormer on the roof at Cranleigh in Cranberry Lane, Darwen, have been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council by Layla Hendi.
PLANS to build a two-storey side and rear extension and demolish the garage at a property in Moorlands Court, Darwen, have been refused because its impact on the location.
SAINSBURY’S in Darwen has announced that the ReachOut Project, delivered by Groundwork Pennine Lancashire, will be its fundraising partner for the next year. ReachOut helps young people participate in the community, bridging the generation gap
A 54-YEAR-old Darwen woman appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with a £66,000 benefit fraud. Lesley Henderson, of Ellerbeck Road, faces three charges of failing to notify a change of circumstances, that her husband Ian Henderson was working
BLACKBURN schoolboy Lucas Wilkinson, 12, is set to have his hair shaved off to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The St Bede’s High School pupil had the idea for a school project, which asked his class to come up with ideas to help ‘change the
THE first of a series of breakfast prayer meetings for Christian Leaders in Blackburn will take place on July 17 at 8am, at the Salvation Army Citadel on the junction of Salford and Vicar Streets. The idea for the prayer breakfasts came from a
TOCKHOLESBURY music festival returns to The Royal Arms in the village tomorrow and Saturday. Organisers said they had learned lessons from last year and there will be a dedicated beer tent, which will also play host to the marquee stage. There
A ‘HERO’ burst into a burning flat to help rescue a man who was asleep inside. Daniel Khan, 24, had been visiting his mum in Conway Avenue, Blackburn, when he saw smoke coming from his friend Kenny Macfarlane’s home. He said that after banging
A TEENAGER who battled a brain tumour has taken part in a four-day yacht adventure which he described as ‘inspirational’. Brandon Holtom, 17, was invited on the trip by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, along with 20 other youngsters in recovery
BLACKBURN company Ensor Building Products has donated £250 to sponsor a Military Wives Choir concert at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday, September 28. A cheque was presented to Kingsman Anthony Cooper from 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment
THE next Sky Ride Local guided bike ride will be on Sunday. Pleasington Panoramique will climb through Witton Park and explore the Billinge and Pleasington districts. It will be a ‘steady’ ride, for fairly confident riders. Meet at 10am
BLACKBURN Ramblers will host a walk to Lynton and Foxup for new and old members on Sunday. Walkers should meet at 9am in Blakey Moor, Blackburn before making their way to the start of the walk together. For further details, see www.blackburnramblers.co.uk
CHILDREN can eat free from Saturday at Blakey’s Cafe Bar at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, during the summer holidays. For every £5 spent on an adult lunch menu item, one child’s meal can be ordered for free.
SHALE gas company Cuadrilla has begun discussions with communities about the next steps for its exploration of Bowland shale. The company recently announced the appointment of planning consultants Arup to carry out environmental impact assessments
CHUTNEY for Change has launched a unique line of products at Blackburn Market. The group of volunteers take food that would usually end up in landfill and make chutney and reinvest the profits into their education programme.
HEALTHY Living is offering a free, confidential home visit to people in Blackburn and Darwen that will provide advice and support with fuel debt, fuel suppliers and saving energy. Contact the office for more information or to book an appointment
AN exercise-a-thon is to be held to raise enough money to send a little boy on his dream trip to Disney World. Little Rohan Flynn suffers from infantile facio-scapulohumeral dystrophy, which causes muscle weakness and means he cannot smile.
A CHARITY dog show to raise money for Ross-endale and Pendle Mountain Rescue and Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund will be held at Witton Park on Sunday. Registration for entrants is from 10am. Entries for each of the 10 novelty classes, which include
THE developer behind a controversial scheme for 133 new homes has pledged to make a £100,000 payment towards affordable housing and public transport. But the move to allow the development at Pole Lane, Darwen, to go ahead despite a missed deadline
A PUPIL has been recognised as the BTEC child and social care Student of the Year. Hashmi Hussain, who is the only boy on his course at Our Lady and St John Catholic College in Blackburn, was shortlisted from more than 700 entrants and selected
A BLIND ex-serviceman who defended his country during the Second World War thanked the charity that supported him after he totally lost his sight. Vernon Cocks, 93, who has Age Related Macular Degeneration, lived in Blackburn where he worked as
AN AWARD-winning actor broke another man’s eye socket in a nightclub attack, a court heard. James Cartwright, who has appeared in a number of TV programmes including Holby City, threw a heavy punch that hit Phillip Mason in the face, Preston Crown
A MAN was treated at the scene fro smoke inhalation after a chip pan fire damaged a flat in Blackburn. Firefighters were called to the ground floor flat on Conway Avenue in Bastwell at 6.12pm on Tuesday. There was fire damage to the kitchen
AN application to build a 27-metre high 50kw wind turbine at Rattenclough Farm, in Wesley Street, Sabden, has been submitted to Pendle Council.
ICT drop-in workshops are held at Audley Neighbourhood Learning Centre every Thursday from 1pm - 3pm. Contact 01254 507720, or email daniel mason@blackburn.gov.uk.
A MAN needed hospital treatment after cutting himself with a blade in Burnley town centre. The incident happened in St James’ Street at around 10.35am yesterday. The man is understood to have used a razor to cause lacerations to his left arm
A CAR boot sale will be held at Corporation Park, Blackburn this Sunday to raise money for the park’s conservatory. Sellers’ spaces still available for the event, which will run from 10am-2pm, costing £5 per car and £10 per van. Meet at the West
OLYMPIC champion Ed Clancy took the Colne Grand Prix title after prevailing in a bunch sprint after a frantic night of racing. Clancy, winner of this race in 2011, took the honours with a well-timed move to finish ahead of Dean Downing. And
A CAR was destroyed when it was set on fire in a field in Blackburn. Firefighters were called to land off Higher Audley Street, near Jans Conference Centre, at around 10pm on Tuesday after they were alerted to the blaze by a concerned person who
TWO rare black and white nineteenth century Blackburn one pound notes sold for £630 at an auction yesterday. One note sold for £360, while the other fetched £270 at the auction at Spink in London. Both notes featured the words ‘Blackburn Bank
TWO budding writers will have work published in prestigious anthologies. Chloe Flynn and Rachael Rowbottom, who attend Thomas Whitham Sixth Form in Burnley, have both been shortlisted in creative writing competitions. Year 12 student Chloe
RESIDENTS were furious after two groups of travellers set up camp in Blackburn’s premier park. An investigation has been launched into how the groups were able to pitch up at Witton Park. Three caravans and several cars arrived on Tuesday evening
DAWN raids were carried out in one of East Lancashire’s biggest crackdowns on wildlife crime. More than 20 police and RSPCA officers swooped on 11 homes across Pendle yesterday. The operation targeted people suspected of training their dogs
ENGLAND have dropped Steve Finn on his home ground and will bat first in the second Ashes Test at Lord's. The Middlesex seamer misses out with Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan coming in, while the Australians have made two changes to their team from the
POLITICAL and religious leaders have praised prosecutors in the North West for taking out the most Forced Marriage Protection Orders of any English region in the past twelve months. Ministry of Justice figures show they took out 39 orders compared
GARY Bowyer says Yann Songo’o has impressed during his trial spell at Blackburn Rovers – as he prepares to make a final decision on whether to offer the defender a contract. The 21-year-old has featured in three pre-season friendly games for Rovers after
DANNY Ings is ready to put two painful summers behind him and make it third time lucky with Burnley. Ings is keen to hit the ground running this season after failing to start the last two seasons with the Clarets because of two serious knee injuries.
PLANS to build a two-storey extension at a property in Britten Close, Blackburn look set to be approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee. The plans were submitted by landlowner Stuart Mitchell and planning officers have recommended
PROPOSALS for 60 homes look set to get the green light at the third attempt. Officers have recommended Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee to approve the construction of the estate on Queen Victoria Street in Mill Hill. And one
A POSTWOMAN told how she was attacked twice by dogs on her rounds and appealed for owners to keep their pets under control. Nicola McGlynn, who works in Blackburn, needed hospital treatment on both occasions, once for a bite to her leg, and then
A 50-FOOT Mickey Mouse image is dominating a Burnley town centre street as a new nightclub prepares to open its doors. Club boss Leon Kelly commissioned Brighton-based graffiti artist Aroe to paint the giant cartoon character on the side of his
JAMES Anderson’s first senior skipper says it was clear from the start that Burnley’s headline-grabbing pace ace had something special – and never had any doubt about throwing the ball to him for the first time in a Lancashire League game. Anderson
A BOYS’ Brigade member has achieved the organisation’s highest honour - and a date with royalty. Oswaldtwistle Boys’ Brigade member Dean Martin, 18, was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Badge during a special ceremony in Liverpool. In recognition
