A STAR women's footballer is auctioning off a signed pair of gloves to raise money for St Andrews Scout group in Burnley. The former Everton and England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis, a proud Claret season holder as a child, has put the framed
A SPECIALIST engineering company is delighted to be expanding its overseas market thanks to a six-figure funding deal. Optima Control Solutions provides hi-tech machinery and systems for industries which include the production of food and drink
A PIECE of history rescued from a burning church during the First World War has been returned to its rightful home. The embroidered banner, which dates back to the 19th century, was donated to Stonyhurst College in 1920. MORE TOP STORIES:
IF THE music doesn’t “moo-ve” you in the heart of the East Lancashire countryside then the chances are you’ve “herd” it all before. There was no shortage of animal magnetism at the inaugural Moofest, at Wellybobs Farm, Darwen, with no fewer than
I CAME across this on the internet. “So it started. My normally sensible wife retreated into her once a year two week hibernation. Conversation may be considered only if it includes the present state of play with whosoever is on the court at that
NEW name, new resolve and new hope - Holly Bradshaw has had a week to remember after many months to forget. Aside from getting married, it’s been a miserable 16 months for the 23-year old Blackburn Harriers pole vaulter, nee Bleasdale. After making
CAIRNEY gone, very likely Gestede and Rhodes too. We can’t splash the cash so additions will be loan and fringe players for Rovers next season. We are a club on the way down at the moment. It’s critical we stay in the Championship. The fans
DURING Mr Cameron’s negotiations with the European Union can he: 1) Get permission to control our borders and stop thousands of immigrants pouring into Britain? No. 2) Get permission to rule our own country with British law taking precedence over
RE: Sir Bill Taylor column: Calling all gloom & doomers! Jeremiahs I recall that Birmingham City Transport buses were always immaculate. Didn’t Birmingham Corporation run a municipal bank? And was this subsumed into the old Trustee Savings
A RIBBLE Valley pub has scooped an accolade at the Thwaites Awards for Excellence, which rate food, drink, entertainment and hospitality. Michael and Carolyn Heathcote won the gong for best turnaround for their work improving the Higher Buck, Waddington
ONCE again, willing East Lancashire fund-raisers have excelled themselves. Defying tiredness and blisters, they ran, jogged or walked the East Lancashire Hospice Raring to Glow event, some finishing in the early hours. Their efforts are expected
A BUDDING teenage sailor is celebrating after receiving a top award for clocking up 100 nautical miles off the west coast of Scotland. Alder Grange student Kimberley Hartley has been given the ‘Competent Crew’ sailing award through the Royal Yachting
INDIE music darlings The Wonder Stuff will be rocking Acre Bottom in September after they were confirmed as headliners for this year’s Ramsbottom Festival. The Midlands musicians, who famously teamed up with comedian Vic Reeves for 1991 No.1 ‘Dizzy
A MONSTROUS make-up masterpiece has earned one Blackburn College student a chance to be crowned the best in Britain. Katie Martin created an amazing body art extravaganza inspired by Hollywood smash-hit film Jurassic Park. And the judges were
THEY might have been rocking out since the 1960s but British legends Status Quo showed they can still thrill a crowd. The rock veterans pulled out all the stops in a supreme performance at Hoghton Tower as they entertained the thousands of fans
A TASTE of life on the beach matched the holiday temperatures in landlocked Burnley at the weekend. Supporters of Rosehill Baptist Church brought the seaside to East Lancashire as they imported a lorryload of sand and created their own lapping
SALMON have been spotted in Burnley’s Towneley Park and Colne town centre for the first time in several decades. Campaigners from the Ribble Rivers Trust have been working to improve the River Calder for the past five years, removing barriers to
FORMER Burnley footballer Clarke Carlisle has paid tribute to the van driver who consoled him on the roadside following his suicide bid last year. Chris Kilbride, 24, who swerved to avoid Mr Carlisle when he threw himself in to the path of oncoming
A DARWEN-BORN thriller writer is releasing her latest novel with a series of book signings on a national tour. Former Darwen Moorland High School pupil Sharon Bolton, who writes under the name S J Bolton, has written her ninth book – Little Black
VISITORS to Haworth Art Gallery can now partake of brunch and afternoon tea at a sumptuous new tea room which has opened there. The Gallery Kitchen is set to prove as big a draw as the gallery itself, which is famous for having the largest collection
YOU might have been forgiven for thinking that an Eighties revival disco had spilled out onto the streets of Blackburn, given the amount of bunny ears, deeley-boppers, cowboy hats and tutus dazzling onlookers. But the eye-catching spectacle was
Burnley actress Helen Ternent recently joined the West End cast of record-breaking musical Jersey Boys, she tells Diane Cooke about her steady rise to fameLITTLE did Helen Ternent know when she was a keen member of Burnley Basics theatre group that one
A 25-year-old man went to bed after a night out before getting up at 6am and driving to help a friend who was stranded.Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard how Andrew Brown was stopped by police as he went to pick up his friend and a breathalyser showed
BURNLEY have confirmed that they have agreed to sign Genk striker Jelle Vossen subject to personal terms and a medical. The Belgian side released a statement this morning announcing that Vossen's move to Burnley was imminent, and the Clarets have
BASICS Junior Theatre group in Burnley has long been the training ground for many a successful actor's top stage career in the West End and beyond. One such novice was Burnley actress Helen Ternent, who is currently appearing as Francine - Frankie
TO say that this week's pub visit was an enjoyable one, would be an understatement in the extreme. It's a watering hole that transformed itself from a boarded up eyesore, into a multi-award winning boozer, in less than three years. MORE TOP
PLAYWRIGHT Nick Verity has asked Burnley Garrick theatre group to read through his insight into one of Yorkshire's great philanthropists to get it performance ready.The play tells the story of Titus Salt, a mayor of Bradford, who took over his father's
YOUTH theatre group Buckshaw VAMP is off to Wonderland for a Mad Hatter's tea party.Its latest production is Alice in Wonderland JRThe Show is on a Buckshaw Community Centre, Unity Place, Buckshaw Village, PR7 7HZ on the July 11at 5pm and 12 at 2:30pm.Tickets
FIVE Post Office branches in East Lancashire have been selected for the roll-out of the mail giant's assault on the mobile phone market.Bosses at the Post Office have launched their own cut-price mobile service, in partnership with EE, as they seek fresh
EVER wanted to chat to a Muscovite?Linguist Simon Kerins is running a Russian for Beginners course this autumn - "in response to popular demand".The eight-week course will run at The Inn at the Station, Clitheroe, every Thursday between September
CLITHEROE’S Samantha Murray fought right to the very end in the scorching 38 degree heat during Saturday’s women’s final of the Modern Pentathlon World Championships. Murray had a fantastic start in Berlin after clocking a joint first place swim
RAMSBOTTOM tasted Twenty20 defeat for the first time this term. Chris Cook-Martin top-scored with 37 in Rawtenstall’s three-wicket win at Acre Bottom. Matt Kershaw made 25 not out to help the visitors reach their target of 142, after Rammy finished
RIBBLESDALE Wanderers’ professional Ryan Canning smashed an unbeaten 106 in earning a four-wicket win over Earby in a high-scoring game. Earby set an impressive 229-8 from their innings (Chris Walton 71, Ian Britcliffe 5-57), but unbeaten scores
NEW name, new resolve and new hope - Holly Bradshaw has had a week to remember after many months to forget. Aside from getting married, it’s been a miserable 16 months for the 23-year old Blackburn Harriers pole vaulter, nee Bleasdale. MORE
BIRTHDAY celebrations began early for Accrington’s Jacob Clarke in their 54-run win over Todmorden at Centre Vale. Two days before turning 20 he recorded not only a personal best but the leading amateur bowling figures in the Lancashire League
STEVE Kindon sits in the sunshine, a cup of coffee and a half-lit cigarette on the table in front of him, and for the next two-and-a-half hours he dips into the archives from an era when football was perhaps a less complicated pastime. He talks
COMMONWEALTH super middleweight champion Luke Blackledge has been forced to pull out of a scheduled bout because of a skin infection. The Darwen fighter, who won the Commonwealth title when he defeated Liam Cameron at King George’s Hall in Blackburn
BASICS Junior Theatre group in Burnley has long been the training ground for many a successful actor's top stage career in the West End and beyond.One such novice was Burnley actress Helen Ternent, who is currently appearing as Francine - Frankie Valli's
Had a pretty audience participation time recently! Last week we went to The Jersey Boys at the Empire, Liverpool. Brilliant. Then straight back up the M6 to the snappily titled, Civic Theatre, Oswaldtwistle for the West End staged musical play,
Chateau Argadens 2014, £8.95, The Wine Society It might sound daft but there’s a distinct hint of lemon sherbet which takes me right back to my schooldays with this white Bordeaux blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes. There are also flavours
FORMER Melody Maker journalist and music PR Brian Southall once came to East Lancashire for an interview as a sports reporter at the Nelson Advertiser. He turned it down and one suspects, looking back on his amazing career in the music business, that
A 13-YEAR-OLD girl has suffered head injuries after being hit by a car in Blackburn. The child was involved in a collision with the side of a BMW 1 Series on Brookfield Street at around 6:40pm last night. She was taken to Manchester Children
AS the weather hots up, Brits show a surprising lack of awareness when it comes to their pet's hydration and are happy to let them drink puddle water, milk and even the nation's favourite brew - tea. A survey carried out by pet product expert,
A MOTORCYCLIST has died in hospital after crashing into a stone wall in West Craven. An appeal was issued by traffic police after the 34-year-old left Bleara Road, in Earby, on Tuesday, June 23. MORE TOP STORIES: He collided with the wall
TWO people died after they were hit by lightning while out walking as summer thunderstorms battered Britain. Another two people were taken to hospital following the electrical storms which hit the Brecon Beacons at the weekend. The country
A PIECE of history rescued from a burning church during the First World War has been returned to its rightful home.The embroidered banner, which dates back to the 19th century, was donated to Stonyhurst College in 1920.It was rescued by medical officer
VETERANS from East Lancashire who served in the Far East campaign are invited to join the nation in commemorating the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) on Saturday, August 15.On the day a flypast and traditional Drumhead service organised
A RIBBLE Valley pub has scooped an award at the Thwaites Awards for Excellence, which rate food, drink, entertainment and hospitality. Michael and Carolyn Heathcote won the Best Turnaround gong for their work improving the Higher Buck, Waddington.The
FURTHER improvements have been made to the way members of the public can access Burnley Council services available online.Council bosses are seeking to make it easier and more efficient for residents to report issues such as missed bin collections, graffiti
A CONVICTED killer has been found in Preston after going missing following his release from prison. Christopher Maunder was released on licence from prison on July 2 to an address in Blackburn. MORE TOP STORIES: Maunder was jailed for 10
BLACKBURN Rovers are looking to add a fourth Scotland international to their ranks – as well as running the rule over South Africa’s skipper. Reports have linked Chris Maguire, an international team-mate of Rovers trio Grant Hanley, Craig Conway
BOSSES at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust have declared themselves as happy with the findings from the first national children’s inpatient and day case survey.The independent survey from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) asked the views of young patients
ONE lucky winner scooped the jackpot of £5.5 million in Saturday's National Lottery, Camelot said. The winning Lotto winning numbers were 14, 39, 13, 46, 35, 49 and the bonus number was 03. MORE TOP STORIES: Set of balls eight and draw
THE head of a Blackburn nursery has described the 'wonderful accomplishment' of being awarded the highest grading by Ofsted.The Coach House Nursery in Shear Bank Road has been rated as 'outstanding' following an inspection last month.The education watchdog
TWO men have been charged following an investigation into child sex offences in Darwen. Peter Yates, 66, of Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen, and his son Shaun Yates, 43, of Lea Hall Road, Birmingham, are accused of sexually abusing 10 girls from seven
PLANS have been submitted to build four new houses on land that used to be part of Amtrack Buildings, in Holly Mount Way, Rawtenstall.A spokesman for the applicant said: "It is proposed to erect two pairs of semi-detached dwellings (three bedroom
A ‘HEROIC’ dog walker rescued an eight-year-old boy who got into difficulties after jumping into a river. Brandon Tither was one of several children playing in Colne Water at an area known as ‘the beach’, behind Colne Cemetery and around a quarter
A BLACKBURN pub is set to go under the hammer. The Lockside Tavern has a guide price of £140,000 and will go up for sale on Thursday, July 16, at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium. MORE TOP STORIES: The Bolton Road pub includes a
A 27-year-old Clitheroe man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates after cannabis with a value of £12,000 was found at his home. James McKenzie, of Beech Close, Clitheroe, was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court charged with producing 896 grams
A 25-YEAR-OLD man went to bed after a night out drinking alcohol before getting up at 6am and driving to help a friend who was stranded. Blackburn Magistrates’ Court heard how Andrew Brown was stopped by police as he went to pick up his friend
A THIEF drank half a bottle of vodka in a corner of a Tesco Blackburn Magistrates heard. Khurram Kiyani, 34, of Woodlands Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of stealing, receiving a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay £16 compensation
DAVID Jonathon Frith, 38, of Elm Grove, Darwen, was fined £435 with £450 costs and a £520 criminal courts charge, and 10 points were imposed on his driving licence by Blackburn magistrates, after he was found guilty of being drunk in charge of a Honda
ADAM Henley has barely had chance to draw breath this summer — not that the young Blackburn Rovers right-back would have had it any other way. When the final whistle sounded on Rovers’ 3-2 home win over Ipswich Town nine weeks ago, the vast majority
CHRIS Taylor was so intent on staying at Blackburn Rovers that he turned down longer-term contract offers from other clubs. The popular midfielder committed his future to Rovers on Thursday when he signed a new one-year deal. MORE TOP STORIES
OFFERS are being invited for the old St Philip’s Church Tower in Blackburn. The tower, which borders St Philip’s Street and Cavendish Place in the town centre, is being marketed by Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors. A spokesman for the company
A BLACKBURN carer could not contain her excitement after scooping a second lottery jackpot. Maggie Rollinson’s ticket won the £1,000 top prize in the East Lancashire Hospice weekly draw – six years after she pocketed her first big win. MORE
TORY MP Jake Berry is asking for a meeting with new local government secretary Greg Clark to discuss legal loopholes exposed by the saga of the proposed travellers’ site in Lower Darwen. In Autumn last year John Loveridge applied for planning permission
SEVERAL vehicles, including taxis, were broken into in Accrington while their owners were praying at mosques. Police in the Central and Spring Hill areas have now urged residents to take care, and to report any suspicious behaviour to them.
SEVEN men who carried out a spate of burglaries in which more than £100,000 of gold jewellery was stolen have been jailed for a total of 37 years. The targeted raids, which caused distress among Blackburn’s Asian community, included a number during
A BRITISH schoolgirl who fled to Syria has gloated over the fate of the tourists massacred on the beach in Tunisia. Amira Abase, 16, one of three girls who vanished from their east London homes in February to join Islamic State, wrote that she
BURNLEY are today set to announce Belgian striker Jelle Vossen as their second summer signing, but talk of Derby County agreeing a fee for Jason Shackell is thought to be premature. The Clarets have, however, reached an agreement with Genk for
