LEISURE chiefs have revealed for the first time images of Blackburn’s new swimming pool complex, which is currently under construction and due to open next year. The artist impressions show what the Water Play Zone will look like, with two flumes
POLICE are asking for your help to trace two men they need to speak to. The first is Jason Edward Smith, whose last known address was in the Witton area of Blackburn, and who it is believed could have vital information about a robbery in Tower
A FIVE-year-old boy was left screaming in pain in the street after being hit by a car. Little Faris Sheikh was playing close to his grandparents’ Blackburn home with a group of friends when he was struck by a silver or grey vehicle around 8pm on
A DRUNK dad hurled a pan of broccoli at his ‘ex-partner’ on Father’s Day and repeatedly kicked her when she slipped in it and fell, a court heard. Burnley magistrates were told how alcoholic Wayne Gray, 44, had been asked for a meal by victim Suzanne
A RETIRED minister turned author has recounted the sacrifices made by his five uncles on land and in the air during the battles of the Great War. Hugh Neems, 86, of Todmorden, grew up hearing the tales of how both his maternal and paternal relatives
THREE years after he enlisted for World War One in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Fred Shorrock of Blackburn, was taken prisoner by the Germans. One of thousands of men captured he was also one of the few who managed to escape. He had a Yorkshire
AT the outbreak of World War I, 20-year-old Moses Johnson, worked in a Clayton-le-Moors pit — he hewed the coal out of the seams. One day in April 1915, so the story in the family tells, he walked to Manchester at the end of his shift, to enlist
A DARWEN dental practice is looking to expand and take on up to 30 new people after winning a prestigious award for the 10th year in a row. Bateman and Best Dentist has picked up a British Dental Association Good Practice award every year since
LANCASHIRE doctors have called for urgent action to tackle a workforce ‘crisis’, after a new report highlighted the dwindling number of GPs in training. The GP Taskforce report, published by Health Education England, found GP recruitment has been
A NURSERY has risen two grades to become ‘good’ after an Ofsted inspection. Stepping Stones Nursery in Hoddlesden was given the rating after being visited last month. Results, published this week, praised staff in a glowing assessment of the
AN Accrington composer described as a ‘national treasure’ has been made a Honorary Doctor of Philosophy by Edge Hill University. Accrington-born Sir Harrison Birtwistle is considered to be one of the leading voices of British music and is known
RAMADAN creates an uber breed of Muslims that apparently only exist in Britain. They impose stringent and rather scathing rulings which, outside of Ramadan, would never cross their minds. Look at the Muslim staff member in Tesco who wouldn’
A dog takes centre stage in Akshay Kumar latest comedy ‘Entertainment’. An ardent animal lover, Akshay was overjoyed to be working alongside ‘Entertainment’ and canine artist Junior. He said: “I myself grew up with a dog, which my dad had got
A park and ride scheme on Eid for visitors to Pleasington Cemetery, Blackburn, will again be conducted this year. The scheme was considered a great success in 2013 as it helped to minimise disruption and congestion in the cemetery for visitors.
A Blackburn Law firm which backed a Srebrenica Memorial event were inspired to do so after one their staff members visited and spoke to families of the massacre. Curtis Law Solicitors were one of the lead sponsors for the Srebrenica Memorial event
As the Palestinian conflict unfolds daily, thousands of people across the UK and globally are engaged in fundraising activities aiming to provide vital supplies. In a small corner of Blackburn, at the foot of Whalley Old Road beneath the Little
A CLITHEROE man is to take on the Great North Run in memory of his friend’s five-month-old daughter who died in April. Dad-of-three Iain Warburton, will aim to complete the half marathon in September, to help establish the Bella’s Bubbles charity
PLANS to provide trains for the Todmorden Curve scheme are being chased by Haslingden’s MP. Graham Jones wrote to Lancashire County Council for an update on progress and has set up a meeting to raise some issues. He said: “I have received a
A WANNABE car designer had a real Mini adventure when he was given a VIP tour of the car giant's headquarters. James Newton, 12, his parents Pete and Paula and brother Peter, 10, were invited to the BMW Group's Oxford Plant and met managing director
I SEE that Burnley have denied making another bid for Troy Deeney, and I think they have enough strikers now anyway. After the signing of Lukas Jutkiewicz they have five strikers, with Danny Ings, Sam Vokes, Ashley Barnes and Marvin Sordell also at the
A POPULAR event in Barnoldswick that attracts thousands of visitors has been thrown into doubt in a row over road closures. Barnoldswick Beach runs throughout August and sees the Town Square transformed into an inland beach, complete with seaside
THE Eid festival is to be held early next week and already we have the chorus of voices wary about the number of young people driving their cars at speed. Barring the obvious dangers of driving at high speeds, the whole experience for everyone
A NATIONAL auditor has raised concern about the state of the finances at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals. The National Audit Commission flagged up weakness in the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust’s (ELHT) arrangements to ‘secure
AS a Lancashire Telegraph columnist, Margo Grimshaw has often made her views known about law and order. But now the lady of Toad Hall, near Samlesbury, has come up with an old-fashioned method of punishment for drunken revellers in Blackburn centre
AN apprentice groundsman who keeps the hallowed pitch at Turf Moor in top condition has won an award for his work. Chris Pickles has been recognised in the Myerscough College Apprenticeship awards. He won the Sportsturf – Groundsman – Intermediate
EAST Lancashire’s water supplier has said that there are no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban despite the recent hot weather. Temperatures have soared across the region over the last few weeks, with the mercury rising to 26°C at its peak so far
ACCRINGTON Stanley’s first mascot, the grandson of a club stalwart, has been welcomed back as a VIP. Les Pilkington, 97, enjoyed the pre-season friendly against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday as the club’s special guest. The grandchild of one-time
LANCASHIRE’S chief fire officer and a charity stalwart have both received awards from UClan. Fundraiser Margaret O’Donoghue from Longridge and Chris Kenny, Chief Fire Officer for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, were made Honorary Fellows of
SWIMMING pools at a leisure centre have been closed for the next two weeks for maintenance work. Council bosses have closed the baths at Padiham Leisure Centre, in Park Road, to allow work to be carried out. The essential work, which comes
OSWALDTWISTLE Civic Arts Centre will host spiritualist medium David Holt tonight at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 and available from www.spiritsurvival.com or on 01254 380293.
A FORMER homeless teenager is set to ‘realise a life-long dream’ after being accepted to study to become a vet at a prestigious London university. Amy Wynne, 19, is preparing to move to Kentish Town from the Salvation Army’s Accrington Crossroads
A UKIP MEP has responded to the Government’s announcement that the Working Time Directive wasn’t working. The Government said it would be asking trainee medics to voluntarily opt-out of the EU’s working time directive, that limits employees to
POPLAR Social Club in Wellington Street, Accrington, will host Eddie’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Night from 8pm this evening. For details call 01254871020.
ONE-to-one help to quit smoking will be offered at Great Harwood Health Centre from 11am to 6pm on Monday. For details call 01254 283370 or 0800 3286297.
FIRE crews were called to an Accrington venue yesterday after a plastic sheet set alight. Firefighters arrived at Elmfield House in Riding Barn Street shortly after 11am. The service said that a construction worker had placed a plastic sheet
A NEW ‘Stepping Out’ health walk has been launched in Accrington by the NHS. The walk will set off from Springhill Community Centre in Exchange Street every Monday at 10.30am, and last for up to 40 minutes. Organiser Fran Riley, of Lancashire
POLICE are appealing for help to trace a missing man. Heath Joseph Nield, 31, of Rochdale Road, Bacup was last seen by his mother at his home address at about 7.45am on Thursday. He is described as white, 5ft 10, stocky, with short dark brown
NEW students at a high school are being urged to sign up for their very own iPad device. Accrington Academy is for the first time asking incoming Year 7 students to sign up for the tablet scheme, after bringing it in this year. During the spring
THE former Franky’s Bar in Darwen was yesterday sold at auction for £50,000. The bar in Church Street, which was Darwen Central Conservative Club, was badly damaged by fire after an arson attack in November, 2012. Workmen were called in to
THE owners of Darwen Furniture and Gifts in Bolton Road, Darwen, will transform the former stables at the old building into a new cafe. Catherine and Michael Almond transformed the former Bowling Green pub into a shop with cafe 18 months ago.
OLD-TIME fiddle and banjo music will be coming to Enfield Cricket Club next month as part of a special American night. Last seen in the UK supporting folk superstars, Show of Hands, duo Matt Gordon and Leonard Podolak will play at the club on Saturday
THE state-of-the-art indoor BMX and skatepark is set to open in the Darwen next month. The £60,000 park will be the first in Blackburn with Darwen, based near junction 4 of the M65, and it aims to become a regional centre for the sports. To
A MISSING dog that prompted a dozens of people from across East Lancashire to carry out a search mission has been found. Willow, an 11-month-old black labrador, was discovered on the Smallshaw Industrial Estate, off Accrington Road, Burnley, on
PICNIC Cinema is set to return to the Ribble Valley next month. Film lovers can camp out overnight and watch their favourite flick. Gisburn Forest will host a screening of 28 Days Later on Wednesday, August 13.
A NEW youth club has started at St John’s Church Centre, in Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, from 6.30 to 8pm on Friday nights. The club is for people in years six to eight and entry is £1 which includes refreshments.
A FORMER shop at 45 Scotland Road, Nelson, could be turned into a sunbed salon and beauty parlour after plans for the work were submitted to Pendle Council.
LANS to build four new homes on land off Waidshouse Road, in Nelson, have been re-submitted to Pendle Council. A decision on whether to approve the scheme is likely to be made in August.
THE CLOVERHILL Residents Action Group in Nelson is appealing for more residents to come to their monthly meetings. The group meets on the first Thursday of every month at the Nelson United Reformed Church, in Brunswick Street, between 7pm and 9pm
LONGRIDGE Library is to hold two talks to commemorate the start of the First World War. A Longridge Soldier’s Life is on Monday, July 28. A Wartime Family - Experience Life in 1914 Lancashire is on Monday, August 4.
WILLOWS, Wags and Whiskers dog kennels, cattery and stables in Crawshawbooth is hosting a family fun day featuring a sniffer dog demonstration. The centre in Gibb Hill Lane will be holding the open day on Sunday, September 7, which will also include
THE National Flood Forum is looking to form a group in Whitworth. Hannah Tankard from the NFF said: “A Whitworth flood group would represent the Whitworth community, identifying issues that lead to increasing flood risk such as blocked drains,
ROSSENDALE MP Jake Berry was impressed by the ‘real creativity’ of students’ work at a Rawtenstall school’s enterprise week. The Year 10 students at Alder Grange Community, Technology School learned how to make adverts, websites, and sweet packaging
AN application to install a cashpoint at the new Morrisons M Local store, in Gisburn Road, Barrowford, has been submitted. The store will open in the former Metro Filling Station.
A SOUP and social event takes place at St Luke’s Church, in Burnley Road, Brierfield, today from 12pm.
A MINING museum could be expanded after plans for the work were submitted. The owners of Woodend Mining Museum, at Smithson’s Farm, Reedley, want to create extra space. They said: “The existing building comprises two small rooms that house
St John Ambulance wants parents across East Lancashire to learn first aid. The first aid charity launched a short spoof film, Safety Suit, to encourage parents to pick up potentially life-saving skills ahead of the summer holidays. In the film
THE team behind the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft spent more than £23m with their suppliers in the north west last year. The Typhoon's front fuselage is built at BAE Systems, in Samlesbury and plane assembly happens at nearby Warton, while
PARACETAMOL used to treat acute lower back pain is no better than a dummy pill, research in the Lancet has suggested. The largest trial to date suggested the drug does not improve recovery time or provide greater pain relief than a placebo. The
PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has urged people to spell out their wish to be an organ donor. Mr Stephenson attended an event at the Houses of Parliament organised by NHS Blood and Transplant and the British Kidney Patient Association, which highlighted
AN engineer who works in Barnoldswick is calling on other women in the industry to enter for a prestigious award. Sara Underwood, an apprentice engineer at Rolls-Royce, was a finalist at Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Young Woman
A STOP smoking clinic runs at the 4 Court Pharmacy in King Street, Blackburn from 2.30pm to 7pm on Monday to Wednesday and from 3pm to 7pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
BURNLEY’S Alzheimer’s Society support group will hold an open session at the Resource Centre, at 62/64 Yorkshire Street, from 6pm to 8pm on August 13.
VOLUNTEERS from the Walking for Health project will lead a moderate to fast walk around Clayton-le-Moors on Monday from 1.15pm. It sets off from the Wellington Inn in Barnes Square. Call Fran Riley on 01254 358046.
THE government has developed a ‘casual attitude’ to the human form of mad cow disease, MPs have warned. The Science and Technology Committee said the low incidence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) was being ‘used as justification for
SURGEONS have pioneered a new knee operation that could prevent the development of arthritis and extend sporting careers. The procedure, which is currently being trialled at Southampton General Hospital, involves coating damaged cartilage with
POSTERS of a Music Revolution, an exhibition focusing on the vibrant artistic scene in the North West during the late 1970s, is open at The Whitaker art gallery, in Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall, until Sunday.
BURNLEY MP Gordon Birtwistle is running an advice stall in the town centre every Saturday, weather permitting. Mr Birtwistle will be outside Marks & Spencers from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
A GROUP of 23 children from a Burnley nursery school have taken part in Lancashire County Council’s Share a Story award. The youngsters from Taywood Nursery School, in Accrington Road, listened to four stories read by library staff and chose which
FIREFIGHTERS battled a blaze at a children’s play area in Bacup. One crew attended the scene in Hawthorn Road just after 10pm on Wednesday. Watch manager Damian Hartley said: “A small rubbish fire was burning within the compound of the children's
STEVEN Burke’s hopes of a second Commonwealth Games medal were blown away in the 4,000m individual pursuit. Burke, who was a member of the England team who won silver in the team pursuit yesterday, could only record the 10th fastest time at the
A CLAMPDOWN on cannabis production, by Burnley Police, led to seizures of several large plants from properties in Straight Mile Court and Granville Street on Tuesday. A man was arrested in connection with the offence and was bailed pending further
STAN the Van, Rossendale Council’s travelling customer services vehicle, will be parked in Rawtenstall town square on Monday, August 4, from 9.30am to 4pm.
THE case against Jordan Liam O’Mara, 24, of Saltburn Street, Burnley, was adjourned by the town's magistrates. O’Mara is accused of concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property – £4,469 – by allowing a NatWest
Thomas Keenan, 27, of Lowerhouse Lane, Burnley, is facing trial before Burnley magistrates,after denying assault by beating.
RESIDENTS in the villages of Barrow, Sabden, Read and Simonstone have reported speeding motorists to community police, who have pledged to tackle the problem as a priority.
GRAHAM Jones, MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn, spent a day with Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team. The Labour politician was ‘surprised’ that the intrepid group is made up entirely of volunteers and their work is funded solely by donations
POLICE are to increase patrols around Red Spar Road, in Briercliffe, after complaints of problems with dangerous bike riding and double parking.
A Calderstones resident who assaulted two staff was ordered to pay a total of £400 in compensation by Blackburn magistrates. Catherine Louise Harrop, 23, admitted assaulting Amanda Basterfield and Emma Grime. Richard Prew, defending, said Harrop
THREE members of a Cliviger church have raised £1,000 for Pendleside Hospice. Kath Rhodes and Sue Ashby-Smith, with help from her husband Martin, organised a meal at Bertram’s, the restaurant at Crow Wood Leisure Centre. Kath and Sue said: “Many
POLICE are appealing for information after a cyclist was knocked off his bike. A white vehicle collided with the 52-year-old man at around 6.30pm on Thursday along Haslingden Old Road, Oswaldtwistle near De Nero’s restaurant. The vehicle stopped
THE doors have swung open on a new luxury pad for four special orangutans. The family are back at Blackpool Zoo after their home was given a £1 million transformation, giving them three times more space. The development means the orangutan
BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer will be out to prove that bigger is better when his side visit Bradford City in pre-season friendly action tomorrow afternoon. The Rovers chief is set to pair new signing Chris Brown with Rudy Gestede up front
THREE men remain in contention to partner Danny Ings in Burnley’s opening game of the season, but Lukas Jutkiewicz hopes to force himself to the front of the queue with another goalscoring display tomorrow. Jutkiewicz, Ashley Barnes and Marvin Sordell
A BLACKBURN teenager is hoping to take the music industry by storm with his debut single after landing a record deal by posting videos of him singing in his bathroom on the internet. Nathan Grisdale, 19, saw his song ‘Smile’ reach number 44 in
A CAREER crook said to have been part of a gang of raiders which left a £50,000 trail of destruction at a Nelson ex-care home, is facing jail. Mark Smith, 54, was caught on stairs in 50-room Oakfield House on Edith Street, when the owner arrived
POLICE are to increase patrols around Barrow Park, in the Ribble Valley, after complaints of anti-social behaviour in the area were made by park users.
AN activity afternoon for the over 50s organised by Age UK Lancashire takes place on Wednesdays, from 2pm, at the Best Centre, in Bridgewater Close, Hapton. Events include table tennis and indoor bowling. The afternoon costs £2.50.
A SINGING for pleasure group called Folkus meet every Thursday, from 7.30pm, at Sabden Baptist Church, in Clitheroe Road. The group meet in the church hall and sing traditional, pop, folk and Christian songs.
LANCASHIRE players Sophie Lamb and county champion Hollie Muse are among the five so far selected for the England team which will defend the Girls’ Home Internationals at Donabate in Ireland on August 6-8. The remaining three will be picked on the final
A PENDLE firm has undergone a management buyout giving it a 'stronger platform for further growth'. Tharstern Ltd, which provides software services to the printing industry, has been sold for an undisclosed sum. The deal has been led by managing
THE East Lancs Radio Club, for radio amateurs and short wave listeners, will hold their next meeting on Monday, from 7pm, at the Gannow Community Centre, in Adamson Street, Burnley.
A JOBS club takes place at Haslingden Library between 10.30am and 12.30pm every Tuesday. The drop-in session is run by Lancashire Adult Learning and offers advice on courses and training, how to produce a CV and how to tackle interviews.
THE WEDNESDAY Club in Briercliffe for over-55s will meet this week, from 3pm to 4.30pm, in the community centre on Jubilee Street.
POLICE in Burnley said there has been a spike in burglaries across the borough, but especially in the Lanehead and Harle Syke areas. Officers attended two burglaries in Harle Syke on Tuesday, where thieves targeted vehicle keys as well as other
THE first delivery of parts of the huge wind turbines for Coal Clough Wind Farm will take place today. The 110m-high turbines will be delivered to the Cliviger site over the next six weeks, along the M65 and through Brierfield and Burnley.
A CHILDREN’S hospice is opening its doors to the public this weekend to demonstrate the specialist care they carry out. Visitors will be able to experience taster sessions in alternative therapy used by Derian House, Chorley, such as reiki, aromatherapy
VETERANS in Haslingden are bringing their art work to sell when they open a pop-up shop and hold an art class. Members of Veterans In Communities, based in Bury Road, will be relocating the popular Friday art class. The pop up shop, in the
TWO girls from Burnley have received funding for a seven-day residential trip to Portsmouth, as part of a Tall Ship Challenge. Rachel Dooley and Georgina Cambridge have received £300 from Lancashire County Council towards the £1,600 total cost
ANTI-social behaviour around Green Street, Hapton Road and Cemetery Road in Hapton is causing upset among residents. Community police in the area have promised to tackle it as a priority after residents reported the problem at a recent PACT meeting
RESIDENTS living in Rosegrove and Lowerhouse can meet their local policing team at a PACT meeting on Tuesday, from 6pm, at the Fold Community Centre, in Venice Avenue, Burnley.
NEIL Howard, 38, of May Street, Nelson, was given a community order for possessing an imitation firearm in a public place and abstracting electricity. Howard was fined £210 by Burnley magistrates.
DOZENS of family friendly bike rides will take place in September as part of the South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival. Organised by Pennine Prospects, there will be more than 30 cycling events between September 6 and 21, including ones in East
POLICE are to increase patrols around the Queensberry Road area of Burnley after residents complained about anti-social behaviour and drug dealing. The issue was raised with the neighbourhood police team at a recent Police and Communities Together
BACUP and Accrington were among the top 10 worst performing towns in terms of house prices in the first half of 2014, according to new figures. Property website Zoopla said homes across Britain had typically added £90 to their value every day for
PILGRIMS from East Lancashire preparing for this year's Hajj are being warned to be wary of rogue travel agents Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards service, Lancashire Council of Mosques and Lancashire Police have joined forces to offer advice
FAITH Pitman will compete for the bronze medal in the repechage competition this evening after defeating Marcon Bezzina of Malta. The Todmorden judoka’s gold medal hopes in the women’s judo were shattered this morning after losing to Canadian Beatrice
THE return of Blackburn’s ‘beach’ has been delayed after a dispute over which company would provide the attractions. Borough regeneration boss Maureen Bateson believed everything was signed and sealed to bring ‘Blackburn Beach’ back to King William
Chorley’s Ryan Bennett narrowly missed on a place in tonight’s 100m backstroke final after recording the ninth quickest time in the semi finals. Bennett, swimming for host nation Scotland having qualified on residency grounds, clocked 54.87secs
I love "organisations". Sometimes a misnomer! I've been a member of many going back 40-50 years, led a few. I guess family was the first "organisation" I joined. You don't get much choice, do you. Then neighbourhood, a pretty poor council estate
A ROADS boss who headbutted his neighbour and threw her husband over a gate after trying to gouge his eyes out has been convicted of assault. Harry Ferris, 65, exploded twice over perceived slights from his next-door neighbours the Hellawells within
STEVEN Burke is set to get a second chance to go for gold today in the individual pursuit after claiming a silver medal on the opening day of competition in the Commonwealth Games. Burke and his England team-mates, including Chorley’s Sir Bradley Wiggins
OCKERT Erasmus will lead the Foster’s Lancashire League into battle this morning as they look to defend their Lookers Interleague Twenty20 title when the competition bursts into life for its third year. The South African, who is professional with Accrington
NIAMH Robinson returns to the pool tomorrow after impressing on her Commonwealth Games debut on Thursday. The 14-year-old from Darwen, competing for the Isle of Man, set a new personal best as she reached the semi finals of the 50m breaststroke
A VIOLENT and controlling man has been found guilty of murdering former Pendle schoolgirl Jayden Parkinson. Ben Blakeley, 22, killed his 17-year-old pregnant ex-girlfriend in the countryside on December 3 last year — 24 hours after she had told
A MULTI-MILLION pound development – including a nine-screen cinema and six restaurants – will ‘transform’ Burnley town centre. The former Pioneer site, which was once a Leos store, has been bought from Burnley Council by leisure and retail developers
Lancashire law firm and Chamber Diamond Ambassador, Napthens has appointed a professional services specialist as its new director of finance. Shru Morris joins the growing law firm following more than 10 years in the sector, having worked as an accountant
KARATE, contrary to popular understanding is a fairly new phenomenon. Although derived from older systems from China and Okinawa, karate as we know it was introduced to Japan in the early 1920s by teacher Gichin Funakoshi. Accepted wisdom is
A MAN was dragged into an alleyway and stabbed in an unprovoked assault in Accrington town centre, police said. Barman Joseph Allen was walking home from a late shift at a local pub when he was jumped from behind yards from his front door around
KIERAN Trippier insists Burnley do not need to make big money signings to succeed in the Premier League – after the Clarets dismissed reports of an £8m bid for Troy Deeney. Burnley had a bid rejected for the Watford striker earlier in the summer
BLACKBURN Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes is hoping to repay the club’s faith in him by spearheading a charge to the Premier League this season. The front man signed a contract extension earlier this month keeping him at Ewood Park until the summer
A TEENAGER was sexually assaulted during a trip to the cinema, police said. The man, believed to be in his mid 20s, approached the 19-year-old girl at a screening of a horror film at The Vue Cinema in Blackburn, detectives said. MORE TOP STORIES
