SWINTON's game against Oldham at Gigg Lane on Sunday was hit by the weather, but the Lions have two games lined up in the next six days writes STEVE BOTT. "The pitch was still rock hard on Sunday and its a mess now, because, at the moment, its flooded
AS Britain awaits the verdict in the case of 'metric martyr' greengrocer Steve Thoburn, of Sunderland, prosecuted for selling bananas by the pound, a strong backlash against the imposition of 'foreign' weights is revealed among East Lancashire shopkeepers
The Light Fantastic String Quartet, Westholme Theatre, Meins Road, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Blackburn Rambling Association, Oddfellows Hall (Mind Centre entrance), Regent Street, Blackburn, 8pm. Parents and Toddlers, Daisyfield Centre, Blackburn, 10am-noon.
IN A busy weekend at home, Blackburn Hawks took the vital league points in a hard-fought 9-7 win over rivals Altrincham Aces, and went down by the odd goal in seven to Whitley Warriors in a cup tie. Unbeaten in three outings against the Aces so far this
CLITHEROE boss Dave Burgess has urged his players to put the FA Vase to the backs of their minds when they take on Ramsbottom in the Worthington Challenge Trophy tonight. Clitheroe won through to the quarter-finals of the Vase with a nail-biting 4-2 extra-time
SOCCER: Bury boss Andy Preece is hoping his side's Division Two match against Brentford will get the go-ahead tonight but the Gigg Lane pitch is making it a doubt. "The pitch is looking a bit dodgey. It is still quite hard and the rain is just settling
WAS Steve Barker (Sports Letters, January 9) really at the same games? Regarding the Birmingham game, what really surprised me was the relatively small number of away fans for such a big city club and how quiet they were, although, in fairness, the first
A DENTIST who lost a tooth in an unprovoked assault after the Burnley v Blackburn Rovers derby today said he felt sorry for the attacker after he was jailed for two months. Blackburn dentist Chris Lees also called for an end to football violence and said
THE Bishop of Blackburn today spoke of his sorrow over the internet baby row and said: "It isn't like buying a car." The Right Rev Alan Chesters spoke to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph as baby-buying couple Alan and Judith Kilshaw prepared to go to
IN REPLY to J Taylor's remarks (Sports Letters, January 3) about Stephen Cummings' view of Burnley's football town, I believe that Mr Cummings' view relates to Burnley supporters being extremely loyal to their club, despite their many downs. Mr Taylor
PLANS for Blackburn's new multi-million pound police station are running three months behind schedule after engineers underestimated the cost of the project. It was hoped the centre at Whitebirk would be finished by February 2002. But now it looks like
WOMEN are being encouraged to produce recipes for a community day at King George's Hall, Blackburn, to celebrate international women's day. The event will take place between 1pm and 4pm on Thursday March 8 in the Winter Suite. Organisers want women to
IT WAS hardly the weather to "get on yer bike" but a display of cycling memorabilia still proved a draw for visitors to Groundwork Rossendale's countryside centre. The exhibition, was organised by cycling enthusiast Anthony Curtis, of Peel Street, Haslingden
AN £800 mountain bike recovered by police before it had been reported stolen has been reunited with its schoolboy owner -- thanks to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. And the story had a twist for 11-year-old Lloyd Bury (pictured). Richard Bury said son
BBC North West TV newsman Stuart Flinders was over the drink-drive limit when he was stopped as he travelled to an all-night garage to buy spearmint in the early hours. A blood sample showed that he was one-and-a-half times the legal limit. Flinders,
A TYPICAL Northern pub holds a host of characters in Darwen Library Players' latest production, entitled To. Jenny Billingsley, of the Players, said: "It takes an ordinary evening and explores the life of the landlord, landlady and customers. At first
POLICE officers were flooded with customers for their postcode marking scheme at Darwen police station. More than 160 youngsters arrived with scooters and bicycles to be stamped with their postcodes on Saturday. PC John Sergeant said the scheme had been
MARTIAL arts experts demonstrated a new type of aerobics with karate moves at Darwen Leisure Centre. Mick Jones, bronze medallist at the 1999 Karate World Championships, showed how it was done at the Kiai Bo introductory session. If there's enough interest
BIBBY Distribution is right on course with plans to double turnover to £150m over five years after new business increased last year's figure by 20 per cent to £87m. The company -- which runs a global operation for Ineoa Acrylics from Walker Park in Blackburn
TRADE and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers has announced plans to review UK arrangements affecting collective redundancies. The review, involving the CBI and TUC, will consider whether the current laws are working and in particular whether more should
HOME Secretary Jack Straw opened the new remote video response centre of Guide Security Services. The company recently moved to the Walker Park site, Blackburn, from Rawtenstall, and now monitor properties all over the area using high-tech equipment.
EAST Lancashire firms are being a last chance to enter this year's Occupational Health and Safety Awards. The scheme, run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, is open to all sectors of industry and commerce. Last year there were nearly
A BURY business was raided by police and Customs and Excise officers as part of investigations into a multi-million pound mobile phone fraud. The Bury swoop was one of 21 raids carried out throughout the UK under the codename Operation Degree. Customs
A TAXI driver was held at gunpoint and robbed of nearly £100 when he dropped three men off in Whitefield in the early hours of Saturday (Jan 20). The Rochdale cabbie had collected the fare from his home town and was told to go to a cash machine before
DECISION day is drawing nearer for the future use of the Brandlesholme CP School site. Town hall bosses have been discussing plans for the former school, which closed last year, for months. They want to sell off a large part of the area, but retain areas
PUB managers Diane and Michael Heys are hoping to use their years of pub experience to boost the popularity of the Woodlands Hotel in Preston New Road, Blackburn. The couple, who have managed the Royal Hotel in Heysham between 1997 and 2000 and The Queen's
PHEW! The roar which went up around three sides of Turf Moor at full time on Saturday was borne as much out of relief as anything else. Until then it had been six games, 49 days and 540 minutes of football without a win. And you had to go back to late
CAR parking charges will be introduced in Ribchester and Slaidburn from April 1. Ribble Valley planning committee agreed the following tariffs: Ribchester Pope Croft site: Cars -- up to one hour 25p; up to four hours 60p; up to eight hours £1.20. Coaches
SHIFTING the course of a footpath affected by storm damage and erosion could save £235,000, councillors will be told. A bridge carrying the path over Woodnook Water, Priestley Clough, Accrington, was washed away more than five years ago and the retaining
A COLNE school provided a study in excellence when Ofsted inspectors called. The school standards team spent two days at Park Primary and found leadership and management at the 370-pupil school "outstanding". Staff created an exciting and caring environment
A BUS service for residents of the Windy Bank area of Colne has been reinstated after calls for a re-think by County Councillor Tim Ormrod. The Waterside ward councillor took action after being contacted by local residents, left without a public transport
A DENTIST who lost a tooth in an unprovoked assault after the Burnley v Blackburn Rovers derby today said he felt sorry for the attacker after he was jailed for two months. Blackburn dentist Chris Lees also called for an end to football violence and said
INFLUENTIAL midfielder David Dunn is hoping to put pen to paper on a new contract with Rovers by the end of the week. The England Under 21 international has been in talks with the club about extending his existing contract which runs out in 2003. But,
BLACKBURN Rovers today quashed talk of a move for Leeds United midfielder David Batty. Batty has been linked with a return to Rovers just 24 hours after reports suggested Graeme Souness was poised to make a move for fellow Ewood old-boy Tim Sherwood.
ROVERS: Blackburn Rovers are determined to make a draw at every home game for the remainder of the season -- and it's all about promotion! But supporters need not worry for the 'draw' and 'promotion' in question have nothing to do with manager Graeme
'Attack' leaves relatives distraught A FAMILY today spoke of the latest shock to hit them after their brother was left fighting for his life following an accident with a taxi. John Gorton, 35, of Accrington Road, Burnley, remained in the intensive care
A MAN jailed for five years for repeatedly assaulting his partner was branded a danger to women by a judge. Martin Jamie Laird stabbed his former girlfriend Anne O'Donnell in the head, narrowly missing her eye, deliberately fractured her finger, held
AS the year 2000 has ended, may I thank the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for everything you have done for me and your readers? It is hard to believe that I have done all I set out to do in my sponsored swims for charity. To see them reported in your paper
IN response to Mrs Ellen Ashcroft's remarks (Letters, January 4), it is a sad fact of life that litter seems to plague Blackburn and Darwen and this does make an unsightly mess and is smelly for all residents and visitors. Her suggestion that councillors
THE Millies are set to return after last year's successful awards night for all the North West amateur theatre groups. Last year East Lancashire societies picked up more awards than any other region and National Operatic and Dramatic Association organisers
REFERRING to Ada Gibson asking: "How old is your Christmas tree?" (LET, December 21), mine is 70 years old. My late parents bought it but I don't know where or what it cost. J CROASDALE (Mrs), Nutter Road, Accrington.
STUDENTS of Speakability drama school, Blackburn, celebrated their achievements in the recent exams this week. Introductory drama: honours, Ben Jones, Natalie Dootson; highly commended, Laurie Sugden, Rachel Dootson; commended, Hayley Jones, Zoe Jones
A FORMER Bury Times employee has been invited for a trial with county cricket champions Surrey. Tommy Read, opener for Ramsbottom Cricket Club who worked for the BT's Special Publications department last year, is over the moon at the unexpected offer
HOPES are high that Bury's home clash against Brentford tonight will beat the arctic weather. The club are desperate to play the Bees after Saturday's visit by high-flying Stoke City was postponed because of a frozen pitch. The cancellation cost the Shakers
THE Save Our Shakers bandwagon heads for The Theatre of Dreams in a few weeks time - powered by the Bury Times. That's when a huge fundraising dinner in the Manchester Suite at Manchester United Football Club, Old Trafford is to be held. Sponsored by
STRIKER Mike Norton will spend a two-week trial at Gigg Lane. Norton, 19, from North West Counties League outfit Woodley Sports has scored 16 times this season. "He's a good prospect and we want to have a look at him," said boss Andy Preece.
VIOLENCE flared in Bury on Friday afternoon (Jan 19) , leaving one security guard injured and a teenager suffering a suspected fractured skull. Police and ambulance staff were called to Bury College shortly before lunchtime after three male students were
IT IS that time of year again, when the FA Cup gets to the exciting stage and the little minnows battle it out with the big fish in front of big crowds. Or do they? Having seen some of the attendances at some of the third round games, I'm not so sure.
EAST Lancashire traders who are bending the law to sell goods in pounds and ounces today blasted Government legislation that requires them to convert to metric measures. Several shopkeepers across the area are still using imperial weights and measures
IT has been said many times before, but it doesn't seem to have sunk in -- a section of Rovers supporters need to research what their so-called title actually means. Although not ideal, I believe that supporters have a right to watch a game of football
EDUCATION and social services chiefs have announced a massive shake-up of nursery education in the Blackburn and Darwen which could see the creation of "Nursery Centres of Excellence". The council is about to begin a wide-ranging review of the care and
BOSSES of East Lancashire's big aerospace firms today warned that without more government help the industry in the UK will wither away. Ken Maciver, general manager of TRW Aeronautical Systems which owns the old Lucas Aerospace company; John Weston, the
THREE blocks of flats are to go out with a bang after council planning bosses gave the go-ahead to blow them up. The Queen's Park flats, which consist of Alexandra House, Victoria House and Elizabeth House, will be turned to dust making way for a new
ELEVEN North West councils have been asked to bid for more than £50m to help deprived children. Blackburn with Darwen can get up to £2.7m if it can devise suitable schemes, while Lancashire has a maximum allocation of £12million. In total the North West
JOE and May Mercer's wartime wedding has stood the test of time. The couple (pictured) celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with family and friends at St Stephen's Club, Little Harwood, when they raised a glass to the last 60 years. And May revealed
THIRTY-four days and counting . . . Bury boxing sensation Ady Lewis is itching to get back into the ring. Monday, February 26 is the date the two-time British and Commonwealth boxing champion is looking to in a bid to regain his bantamweight crowns so
IT WILL be better once they're at school. People kept telling me that, when I whinged about the children, about having no time to myself and about being stressed by the demands of it all. Now one of my daughters is there, and although I do have a little
A GUIDE for bosses aimed at cutting deaths and injuries amongst teenage workers has been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The guidance will also be helpful to parents, guardians, teachers and people who organise work experience, says
MORE than 40 per cent of companies in the North West are enjoying increases in sales, according to a new survey from Lloyds TSB Commercial. The Business in Britain Survey, which polls 2,000 businesses with annual turnovers of between £2m and £100m, also
A RACIST thug who battered a man to death as he slept, was jailed for life at Manchester Crown Court yesterday, Monday. Simon Rawcliffe, aged 28, was convicted of murdering Liaquat Ali, 30, when both lodged at a house in Wash Lane, Bury. Rawcliffe was
CAMPAIGNERS have won the latest round of the Barracks Lodge saga. Local residents and environmentalists cheered as members of Bury Council's planning control sub-committee rejected a fresh application by Stately Homes Ltd to develop the lodge and land
THOUSANDS of shoppers were evacuated from Bury's Mill Gate shopping centre on Saturday (Jan 20) after a gas alert was sparked by a faulty detector. Shoppers were told to leave the centre and ushered out via fire exits. The drama began at around 2pm when
TWO people were injured when three vehicles were involved in a collision. The accident happened on Friday (Jan 19) in Bolton Road, close to its junction with Waterloo Street in Bury. A Bedford van, driven by 70-year-old Mr Harry Pilling from Wood Street
A TEENAGER was punched in the face and robbed of a mobile phone during a bus journey through Prestwich. The 16-year-old boy, who was returning to his home in Salford, was approached from behind by two thugs and was struck on the chin by one of the thieves
A POSTMORTEM has confirmed an elderly motorist died from a heart attack seconds before his car ploughed into parked vehicles. Mr Ronald Carnegie (70) from Waterfold Lane, Bury, was driving his Peugeot 206 along Rochdale Road on Thursday morning (Jan 18
NIMBLE-FINGERED members of Soroptimist International of Bury had it all sewn up for charitable causes. They made 37 blankets for the premature baby unit at Fairfield General Hospital and a large number of teddy bears which were sent off to the "Teddies
ARE they made of sterner stuff in Leigh or was the weather kinder to the town than anywhere else in the North West on Saturday? Whatever the reason league secretary Malc Blakeley was able to account for four matches being played. Not a lot admittedly
LICENSEE Paul Taylor is inviting customers to a one-off fundraising event not to be sniffed at. Paul, who manages the Shakespeare Hotel, in Wytham Street, Padiham, is hosting a pig racing night to help one of his regulars raise enough money for a challenge
MAGISTRATES in the three licensing divisions of East Lancashire will meet next month for the annual "Brewster" sessions. Licensing committees will be holding annual meetings in Blackburn, Burnley and Accrington during the first half of February. The meetings
CLAIRVOYANTS Liz and Hannah will make special guest appearances at the Spread Eagle Hotel, in Lamb Row, Barrow. Customers wanting to know what is in store for them over the next 12 months are invited to take part in various fortune telling traditions,
CLARETS captain Steve Davis is hoping to make it third time lucky by winning at Scunthorpe tonight to set up an FA Cup fourth-round clash at Bolton. After a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor and a last-ditch postponement a week ago because of the big freeze at Glanford
BURNLEY'S FA Cup saviour Lennie Johnrose has vowed to show Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws that the Clarets are no soft touches by booking a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Laws suggested that the postponement of last week's scheduled third-round
FA Cup third round replay Glanford Park 7.45pm LAST SIX RESULTS Scunthorpe United Chesterfield (a) lost 1-0 Burnley (a) FA Cup, drew 2-2 Ipoua, Hodges Macclesfield (h) drew 2-2 Ipoua, Stamp Lincoln City (a) drew 1-1 Ipoua Cheltenham (h) drew 1-1 Torpey
BULLISH Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws believes Burnley won't be relishing their trip to Glanford Park tonight. The Iron haven't won in six League games but Laws insists that's not a true reflection of their recent form. Having played well in the 2-2 at Turf
A FARMER who wants to build a house for his son on land classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty has suffered a setback. G J Gornall and partners want to build the home on land at Armridding Farm, Chaigley but Ribble Valley planning officers want
CORONATION Street star Vicky Entwistle insists she did nothing wrong after being arrested over an alleged assault on a man. Miss Entwistle, who lives in the Ribble Valley and plays loudmouthed Janice Battersby in the soap, said her arrest, in connection
ST PAUL'S church Longridge was filled to capacity as family, friends and members of the local community paid their last respects to Pat Walker, of Gas Street. Mrs Walker died peacefully in Ribchester Hospital after a long and courageous battle against
A PARISH priest gave his last service at St Mary's Church, Gisburn, on Sunday as he prepared to retire. Canon Graham Walker, who was priest-in-charge of the parish, is also retiring from St Aidan's CE Church, Hellifield, and plans to live in High Bentham
POLICE who investigated the disappearance of a teenager whose body was left undiscovered in a mill lake for ten days could face criminal charges. A report into the way officers handled the disappearance of Accrington teenager Sajjad Mahmood is to be passed
A FATHER is threatening legal action over claims his son was left sitting in a school corridor for 45 minutes with a broken knee. Lee Woolley, 14, was hurt after chasing a classmate who accidentally slammed a door on his leg at Moorhead High School, Cromwell
HOSPITALS were stocking up with extra equipment and supplies to treat possible Gulf War casualties. The Regional Health Authority wrote to Blackburn and Burnley hospital managers with suggestions that retired doctors and nurses could be called up to help
A YOUNG mother from Blackburn and her five-year-old son were left for three days without heating after a gas leak in the kitchen. A council engineer fixed the leak at the house in Mona Road three days after it was first reported.The council said they
A BOSS of a liquid gas company which protestors claim could destroy most of Burnley today accused them of whipping up an hysterical reaction. Harry Sutton, projects manager at Alta Gas on the town's Heasandford industrial estate, said a leaflet sent to
A PUBLIC meeting will be held to discuss a controversial plan by a Padiham church to site a mobile phone antennae in its tower. The vicar of St Leonard's Church, Canon Jim Duxbury, had hoped to leave the legacy of an income from Orange to his congregation
SUNDAY'S whiteout at St Andrews did of course raise the old issue about a winter break in football. My views on the matter are as clear as a blanket of snow: it's a barmy idea. I appreciate no-one wants to have their weekend's plans scuppered at a few
STAR striker Tony Black is in line to make a surprise return as Leigh RMI should finally get their ill-fated Nationwide Variety Club Trophy replay against Northwich Vics concluded tonight. Thirteen weeks after they first drew 3-3 at Drill Field, the replay
POLICE who investigated the disappearance of a teenager whose body was left undiscovered in a mill lake for ten days could face criminal charges. A report into the way officers handled the disappearance of Accrington teenager Sajjad Mahmood is to be passed
YOUR report headlined 'CHAOS!' (LET, January 12), reveals only the tip of the iceberg. Are we to act surprised as Blackburn grinds to a halt under the direction of the town's traffic engineers? Or are we to accept the glib reassurances that the new junctions
ALTHOUGH the present government's stated aim is decentralisation, bringing government agencies within reach of everyone so that we can easily seek help and advice or make a complaint, in actuality, they are hell bent on centralisation. Thus community
REGARDING the debate on language, M Whittaker (Letters, January 16) makes a good point. However, the BBC does not live up to this adage on foul language. One cannot, however, moan that there is no warning of foul language in programmes on all channels
HAVING watched George W Bush and Al Gore slugging it out in debate on TV, I do hope that we don't sink to the level of Americans. Surely, it's enough to have party political broadcasts in the run-up to the next election. Do we have to do everything that
THE Master of Holcombe Harriers should not try to invoke sentiment for the fate of the hunt's dogs (LET, January 16). They will be killed anyway eventually -- whatever Parliament decides. Hunting dogs have a very short life -- whoever heard of them dying
A PAIR of pantomime dames appear as the ugly sisters in Trinity Drama Group's show opening this week. Norman Hornby, right, and Steuart Kellington, centre, are the pair determined to outshine Cinderella, played by Emily Croydon, left. Emily's father Kim
A 90-year-old woman was astonished to find she was guest of honour at a surprise birthday party at her local church. Members of St Mary's Church, Mellor, presented villager Mary Lee with a bouquet of flowers, sherry and cake after the church service on
BLACKBURN Rovers winger Damien Duff has been cleared of any involvement in a nightclub incident which led to claims that a man had been assaulted. Martin Coad, 19, of Clayton-le-Moors, contacted the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last week and said he had
A VOLUNTEER at Blackburn Cathedral shop was presented with a clock when she retired after 12 years' service. Minnie Lewine, of Rolleston Road, Blackburn, is leaving to live closer to her son in Southport, and was thanked for all her work by the Dean,
TERRY Robinson has revealed that Bury FC matches could be broadcast to millions of people in India. Robinson said the cash-strapped Shakers had "the best people" currently working on a deal to show Bury matches in India - where the Gigg Lane club's centre
RAMSBOTTOM United bid to get their much-postponed Worthington Trophy first round game against Clitheroe played at the Riverside tonight (kick-off 7.45pm). Midfield man Danny Goodall has a 75 per cent chace of playing in the game. He has been out of action
