A WOMAN who was allegedly ill-treated by her ex-husband started a fire at home. Caroline Quinn, 35, set a mattress alight, making sure all the children were out of the house, but left her ex-husband inside, Preston Crown Court heard. She was given a two-year
A BLACKBURN man was ordered to serve a second prison sentence as a result of an incident that started outside the home of his former partner. Blackburn magistrates heard that Garry Entwistle, 42, was armed with a baseball bat as he shouted abuse outside
DRIVERS on the M65 should be spared any more major roadworks for up to 10 years, according to a highways boss. When the current resurfacing work on the Blackburn-Huncoat stretch of the motorway is complete, there should be no need for any more major disruption
JUDGE David Connor points an accusing finger at Rotary club vice-president Nick Stratton, who stood in the dock for the best possible reason. Nick and David, a local solicitor, were taking part in a mock trial held as a fundraising event. He was found
NEIL Warnock felt a 5-0 scoreline was a harsh reflection on his team's efforts at Ewood on Saturday -- though he admitted that Rovers' overall quality counted for too much in the end. The Sheffield United boss blamed his side for conceding gift goals
CRICHTON: Appeared to be fouled for the goal but otherwise had little to do apart from one superb first half save...6 COX: Credited with the Cardiff goal but otherwise impressive as the Clarets snuffed out the threat of Nogan and Co...7 DAVIS: Bagged
MILLER: A nightmare first half but rescued his reputation with a couple of good moments after the break. A better keeper than he showed here...5 McATEER: Seemed to enjoy himself, got forward and created the third goal with an excellent pass ...7 DAILLY
WING wizard Glen Little today apologised after getting sent off during Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Cardiff at Ninian Park. Little was red-carded by referee Mike Halsey in the 73rd minute after aiming a kick at City's Richard Carpenter. Now the 24-year-old
STAFF and students at Blackburn College are raising money to help flood victims in Mozambique. Donation boxes have been placed all around the college in Feilden Street while students have also organised a number of fundraising events. Members of the beauty
RAIN or shine, she's out in all weathers - but somebody thought she must be starting to feel the chill. After three years of shrugging off the Blackburn downpours, a kindly passer-by has finally given grandmother a coat in time for Mother's Day. The much-loved
THE furious son of Blackburn shopkeepers today hit out at town hall planners as council workmen began erecting a bus stop outside the family store. Sabir Ravat, 31, said he could see no reason why transport bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council had
Division One: Blackburn Rovers 5 Sheffield United 0 - Peter White's match verdict BULLY boys beware -- this Blackburn Rovers side is no longer a soft touch for those First Division sides who are forced to rely on brute force in the absence of real quality
JAMES Allsop stole a bottle of whisky from Asda to finance a trip to Chorley to see his probation officer. Allsop, 22, of Conway Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and Blackburn magistrates remanded him in custody until April 13 for pre-sentence
MORE than 200 people enjoyed a blend of English and Asian entertainment and cuisine at the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen's annual ball. The event, at King George's Hall, Blackburn, was attended by dignitaries and guests from across Lancashire, including
I AM sure fans of all ages will be upset that they can no longer watch 'Home and Away' when in a few months it goes on to Channel Five, which many viewers can't receive. ITV has more viewers, so what is the point of a mean trick like this? We all pay
OVER-75s may be getting a free TV licence from November 1, but that is if they have a pre-paid coloured TV licence valid until October 31, or pre-paid monthly direct debits from and including May, 1999. Is it lawful to cancel my monthly direct debit after
NEW boy Carl Lomax proved a last gasp hero for Colne but lost his nerve minutes later and had to settle for just one goal on his home debut. The striker converted an 85th minute penalty into three points for Colne in this FNWTL Division Two clash after
IF we are to have local 'cabinet' government forced upon us, it would seem only fair that the cabinet be selected from the party that represents the most people of the electorate -- which may not necessarily be the party with the most candidates. In the
Division Two: Blackpool 0 Preston North End 0 BLOOMFIELD Road is a world away from Monte Carlo but David Moyes showed a poker player's cool after this derby tussle ended with neither side hitting the jackpot. And the North End boss, fresh from taking
PADIHAM today moved a step nearer their goal of a return to the First North Western Trains League after their revamped Arbories stadium passed a weekend ground inspection. The FNWTL's ground-grading committee gave the Storks the all-clear following an
AT long last, the Ribble Valley's answer to London's Jubilee Line extension is complete and, true to form for such projects, late and massively over the original £300,000 budget. At least the Jubilee Line provides a useful new transport link, but the
RAMSBOTTOM boss Ken Bridge celebrated his March manager-of-the-month award in style as David Yorke Robinson and Danny Goodall each bagged a brace in United's best win of the season. With Abbey Hey reduced to 10 men just before half-time --when Dave Starkie
Accrington Stanley 0 Chorley 0 ACCRINGTON Stanley slipped down to fourth place in the UniBond First Division after their second successive goalless draw in a tense Lancashire derby with Chorley. Stanley aim to rewrite the history books by bouncing straight
A RANDOM road safety blitz on taxis found seven cabs that were considered to be so unsafe that police insisted they were towed away, it was revealed. In all 18 taxi drivers from Accrington and Blackburn had their licences suspended, including the seven
SUPERSTITIOUS Carl Fogarty today blamed the fickle finger of fate for his South African disaster. The reigning world champion had warned that the omens were stacked against him in the build up to the opening round at Kyalami. And, when he crashed out
SPARE a thought for Dr Massimo Corbascio. The Italian doctor, who follows the World Superbike championship around working in the riders' mobile clinic, had worked manfully for three days trying to make Carl Fogarty's shoulder race fit. On the day before
A CHEQUE for £1,340 was presented to Muriel Jobling, chairman of Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle, during a visit to Pendleside Hospice, Reedley, by Muriel Syed, president of Burnley Soroptimists. The money was raised during a casino evening organised
A SINGER who made his mark as a teenager in a skiffle band has died at his home in Pendle. Pat Belshaw played alongside 60s popsters Bernie Calvert, Bobby Elliott and Tony Hicks who later went on to find fame with The Hollies. Mr Belshaw died aged 56
CAMPAIGNERS fighting for home rule for Padiham say local people overwhelmingly support the move. Independent councillor Granville Lord is continuing to collect signatures this week on a petition calling for the town to have its own council. "We have to
A NETWORKING lunch for managing directors is being staged later this month. The event, at Northcote Manor on April 19, is organised by the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and follows a similar event last September which proved to be a major success
A TEENAGE dad who attacked a man, knocking out two front teeth and leaving him cut and bruised, has gone to custody for four months. Burnley Crown Court heard how Kevin Beardsworth, 19, headbutted his victim, Lee Astin, three times, punched him twice
THREE German apprentices have been welcomed to an East Lancashire factory. BAE Systems at Samlesbury is playing host to the workers from German aerospace giant Dasa as part of an exchange programme between the companies. The programme, backed by the Government
A MAN was being questioned today about the shotgun shooting of teenager Adam Hayes after being arrested less than half a mile from the scene of the attack. The local man was detained in the early hours of Saturday, seven weeks after the 17-year-old was
BURY boxer Ady Lewis wants to defend his British and Commonwealth bantamweight title at Gigg Lane - if the council will let him. Bury Council banned boxing just as the "Mighty Atom" - the smallest professional boxer at 4ft 10" - was starting his rise
KIDS gazed in amazement as Stromboli the entertainer breathed fire in a church. And there were gasps of awe as he swallowed a real sword. There had never been anything like it in 150 years at St Peter's Church, Belmont, but members were determined to
SURVEILLANCE cameras have been installed in Mill Hill in a bid to cut crime in the area. The area was labelled a 'hotspot' in a special audit carried out to take a close look at crime patterns in the Blackburn and Darwen area. Mill Hill was seen as an
SHOPPERS were invited to sit down and take the weight of their feet to celebrate the end of British Gas standing charges. The comfy, bright red sofa looked like an April Fool prank to many shoppers when it was brought into Blackburn town centre by a British
A COLLECTORS' fair at West Craven High School, Barnoldswick, attracted enthusiasts from both sides of the Pennines, including Amelia Warren, four, and her mum Helen, pictured picking up a bargain doll. The event yesterday was one of a series of fairs
THERE was plenty of 'flower power' on display during a Mother's Day celebration, when visitors to Groundwork Rossendale's countryside centre, Rawtenstall, were invited to take part in a craft workshop to make flowers from recycled materials or decorate
A BLAZE severely damaged a house in Keighley Avenue, Colne. Firefighters were called to the Pendle Council property at 8pm yesterday to find the house well alight. Fortunately the couple living there were out at the time and no-one was injured. Station
CARDIFF boss Billy Ayre blamed referee Mike Halsey for plunging his side deeper into relegation trouble after Mike Ford's late point-saver was disallowed. The powerful central defender rose to head home an Andy Legg corner in the dying seconds but Mr
AN annual showcase for young talent amongst schoolchildren in Pendle got off to an energetic start. The week-long Pendle Schools Festival gives youngsters a chance to show off their skills in a non-competitive atmosphere in front of proud parents and
TWO East Lancashire ice skaters who starred in a pop video with superstar Robbie Williams have been given the chance to train with former world champ Christopher Dean. Jonathan O'Dougherty and Pam O 'Connor (pictured), who are ranked third in Britain,
A WAVE of police raids on the homes of known burglars, drug dealers and car thieves were carried out at dawn today as officers launched a major operation in Blackburn. The crackdown follows the success of a similar operation 12 months ago, but this time
A NEW organisation to help victims of crime has been launched by Blackburn MP and Home Secretary Jack Straw. Lancashire police authority chairman Dr Ruth Henig, Lord Shuttleworth, the county's Lord Lieutenant, the county's chief probation officer John
GRAEME Souness is still fervently chasing what he describes as mission impossible -- a place in the promotion play-offs for Blackburn Rovers at the end of the season. Their chances improved slightly after Saturday's 5-0 win over Sheffield United but,
Division Two: Cardiff City 1 Burnley 2 - Pete Oliver's match verdict THE curse of Kurt Nogan has haunted Burnley fans everywhere over the last four years. But Stan Ternent's gutsy Clarets finally cracked his spell in typically resolute style to wreck
RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans is calling on the English, Scottish and Northern Ireland Football Associations to provide cheap tickets for families in the wake of a successful experiment by their Welsh counterpart. At last Wednesday's international between
IN reply to Councillor Dave Hollings and Pauline Lishman, who I assume is a Labour supporter (Letters, March 23), the opinions expressed by myself in this newspaper are entirely my own (and I still stand by them) and no one else's -- and that includes
Bury 3 Scunthorpe United 0 THE Shakers finally buried any lingering fears over their Second Division future with a convincing win over visitors Scunthorpe. And it was a personal milestone day. Dean Crowe, notched his first goal for Bury, Andy Preece converted
IN reply to your article concerning the Russian asylum seeker (LET, March 27), I can sympathise with his plight. But if everyone with a gripe should up and leave their particular country, to head for soft, idiot-governed England, where would that leave
DARWEN'S fast-fading promotion hopes were dealt a further blow when they were held to a disappointing draw in their final home game of the season. Boss Steve Wilkes made three changes to try instigate an improvement after the mid-week defeat to Warrington
THE recent appearance in Looking Back of Blackburn Rovers' legend Bryan Douglas as a schoolboy soccer hero of more than 50 years ago and the passing mention of his Ewood Park pal of the 1950s and 60s, ex-England captain Ronnie Clayton, provoked a clutch
ROSSENDALE kept up the pressure on top club Vauxhall with a fine 2-1 win over St Helens Town. Off the pitch, with their ground improvements, United are still hoping they can snatch a place in the UniBond League next season and they are not letting anyone
TOY giant Tri-ang moved its headquarters and showrooms to Blackburn creating 15 new jobs, it was revealed. Building work on offices and showrooms was well under way at Shadsworth industrial estate, and the firm expected to move in by the beginning of
A CURIOUS paradox emerges in politics as Tory leader William Hague, trailering the thrust of his forthcoming general election campaign, accuses Labour of abandoning so-called Middle Britain. For, at the same time, Tony Blair finds himself beset by rumbles
LOWERHOUSE Junior School's first spring fair proved a "blooming" great success, with head Dominic Conti admitting: "When you hold these things you never know how many people will turn up. I was pleasantly surprised at how many came through the door."
A JOBLESS 58-year-old man, who got "greedy" and carried on claiming benefits after finding work, has been jailed for six months. Burnley Crown Court heard how the DSS overpaid Harry Wright by almost £7,400 and how he got housing and council tax benefit
WING wizard Glen Little today apologised after getting sent off during Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Cardiff at Ninian Park. Little was red-carded by referee Mike Halsey in the 73rd minute after aiming a kick at City's Richard Carpenter. Now the 24-year-old
BURNLEY has a major drink problem which is fuelling outbreaks of violence, claims a Crown Court judge. Judge Raymond Bennett, the town's Honorary Recorder, spoke out after sentencing two teenagers involved in a late night town centre fracas. One defendant
GRAEME Souness is still fervently chasing what he describes as mission impossible -- a place in the promotion play-offs for Blackburn Rovers at the end of the season. Their chances improved slightly after Saturday's 5-0 win over Sheffield United but,
POLICE have switched on the latest spy-camera technology to help them fight crime in a problem plagued park. Problems at Rhyddings Park, Oswaldtwistle, have brought complaints from local residents. And police have revealed they will be using a mobile
AN American business guru has helped East Lancashire's women executives find the way to greater success. Professor Mortimer Feinberg flew from New York to give two workshops to business leaders. His two 'Vision to Succeed' workshops addressed delegates
MORE than £390million of new investment and thousands of new jobs have been attracted to the North West in the year since the region's development agency was launched. And highlights cited by the organisation include the investment of £3.1million to help
A PENDLE Council report promises an extension to a private home for the elderly at Reedley will mean a jobs boost. Despite objections from neighbours, the council's Brierfield and Reedley area committee is recommended to grant planning permission to build
A DEFENDANT who threatened in front of a judge to punch a female custody officer in the face has been sent to prison for three months. Shabir Khan, 28, in the dock at Burnley Crown Court, grabbed hold of Group 4 officer Ruth Simmons and drew back his
SHOCKED Burnley fans dived for cover when hooligans opened fire on their coach on the way to the crunch game at Cardiff. The fans were on a coach organised by Accrington Clarets and were under police escort as they approached the Welsh capital on Saturday
LANCASHIRE Lynx slumped to another crushing defeat at mid-table Batley which leaves them anchored at the foot of the Northern Ford Premiership. Leading 16-6 at the interval, the Yorkshiremen went on to run in a total of six tries as the Lynx went down
LOCKS were licked into punk and other wild styles during a mad hair day at Avondale School in Darwen. The event was held in aid of school funds. About 350 pupils and all of the staff paid 50p each to take part. Parent and Teacher Association secretary
