A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Forum Meeting, Methodist Church, Fence, 7.30pm. North Blackburn and District Probus Club, Lammack Methodist Church, Blackburn, 10am, Speaker: Ben Edwards. An Evening
THE police and the medical profession were just two of the public services on show at a jobs fair in Blackburn at the weekend. Held at the Job Centre Plus, Penny Street, it was aimed at encouraging people to take up careers in the public sector. There
WHEN I saw the billboard headline on April 23 "Blackburn eyesore coming down," I thought: "About time, too." Imagine my disappointment when I read your report that night and discovered that Blackburn Town Hall tower block is to be left standing after
WHEN Martin Smith (Letters, April 13) talks of UN resolutions concerning Israel, there are a multitude to consider -- perhaps resolution 242 which reminded Israel of "the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war," or 681 calling on Israel
A RAMSBOTTOM firefighter who died trying to save a drowning teenager is to receive a posthumous Queen's Commendation for Bravery. Sub-officer Paul Metcalf was aged 40 when he died trying to rescue Reyaz Ali, a student at Darul-Uloom Islamic College in
SINGER Natalie Taylor is hoping to net a success after stepping in as a final minute substitute on a would-be World Cup anthem. Natalie, who is a special needs teacher at All Saints County Primary School in Whitefield, was lead vocalist on the dance track
GRAB your flags and don your wigs... Ewood Park is gearing up for a party! For Rovers are planning a fun-packed finale when the curtain falls on the Premiership season against Fulham on Saturday May 11th. And top of the bill will be the much-delayed celebration
ACADEMY hot-shot Jonathan Walters today completed his move to Bolton Wanderers. The disgraced striker, who was suspended by Rovers for a serious breach of club discipline, has joined the Trotters for a fee in the region of £30,000 after being told he
BLACKBURN winger Damien Duff is ready to put pen to paper on a lucrative new deal with Rovers after pledging his future to the Worthington Cup winners. Ewood officials are hoping to ward off interest from a host of Premiership big guns -- including Liverpool
FIVE people appeared before Burnley magistrates yesterday charged with possession of Samurai swords and firearms. Asad Khan, 19, of North Street, Burnley, Adeel Iqbal, 19, of Allen Street, Burnley, Ballal Hussain, 20, of Colne Road, Burnley, Shehzad Khan
GREEN-fingered mental health patients who use gardening to build a path to recovery are on the lookout for some horticultural challenges. Registered charity Greenspace, in Ebor Street, Burnley, provides work forces for projects for people who are disabled
TOWN centre bosses today praised supermarket bosses for investing £145,000 in a key site and said: "This is a sign of new confidence." Lisa Durkin, town centre manager, said Kwik Save's decision to give their Croft Street store a facelift would help attract
A BURNLEY school is being transformed with a skate park for the bank holiday to help keep youngsters and their boards away from the town centre. Burnley Borough Council has teamed up with Tribe Enterprises, who ensure safe practices when skating, in a
POLICE officers accused of manslaughter tried to resuscitate the man as he lay in police cells, a court heard. A court in Teesside heard that Humberside officers PC Matthew Barr and Sgt John Dunn began trying to revive former paratrooper Christopher Alder
RESIDENTS in Pendle are invited to enter a bowling competition on Monday, June 3, as part of the Queen's Jubilee festivities. It will consist of singles matches, is open to anyone over the age of 16 and will take place in Marsden Park, Nelson, from 1pm
A DEVASTATED schoolgirl today made a heartfelt plea for the return of her rabbit. Nicola Hartley, 10, of Walton Lane, Nelson, said Cheeky was in his hutch at 10pm on Friday but had vanished by Saturday. She has had him for six months since he was born
A GRADUATE who plans to become a teacher is undertaking an extra curricular activity of his own - walking 240 miles from Barrowford to Cambridge. John Wightman, 22, of North Park, Barrowford, is tackling the mammoth trek to raise money for a trip to Namibia
RADCLIFFE author Glennyce Eckersley has published another book about angels. Her new book is a collection of true stories about angels and near-death experiences. The mother-of-two grown-up daughters has already written the hugely successful best-seller
COLNE Asda employee Anne Spencer swapped her uniform for cowboy boots and stetson in preparation for her business trip to the US. Anne, who works in the general merchandise department of the store, will fly out to Bentonville, in Arkansas, on June 2,
VOLUNTARY groups working with young people in Pendle could receive a share of almost £3,000. The District Youth and Community Service Advisory Committee of Lancashire Youth and Community Service in Pendle has grants amounting to £2,684 for this financial
MORE than 300 people turned out to a funeral yesterday to pay their respects. Rachael Varey, 53, was buried yesterday at Dill Hall Cemetery in Church surrounded by her family and friends. The mother-of-five, of Whinney Hill caravan site in Accrington,
THE father of a boy who won a discrimination case after being banned from a school trip today claimed it would change the way children with disabilities were treated forever. Malcolm White added that the family's "two years of hell" will have been worth
THE Clarets youth team are in action this afternoon as they looked to maintain their recent good form. This afternoon's game against Grimsby Town follows the latest victory which came last Wednesday with a comfortable 2-0 win over York City at Gawthorpe
CLARETS keeper Nik Michopoulos has been handed a timely boost after the disappointing failure to reach the play-offs with a recall to the Greek international squad. Michopoulos is now hoping that he will claim his 14th cap for his country in one of the
FORMER winner Danny Thurlow danced through to the semi finals of a Battle of the DJ's competition at The Bridge, Church Street, Accrington. Danny, a winner two years ago, beat Trevor McDonald and Graham Hargreaves to win his third semi-final place along
ANOTHER night of mirth and merriment is lined up for the Lock 'n' Load Comedy Club. The latest dose of hilarity brings Mick Ferry - known for his role in a TV documentary on up and coming comedians - to the Blackburn stage at the Wharf Pub in Eanam Wharf
LANDLADY Sue Nesbitt has said a fond farewell to the Borough Arms after two-years as manager . She said: "I have to take things as it comes as the bar has been put up for lease and I was offered another job. "I have made some excellent friends and so
BLACKBURN-based brewers Thwaites has taken over one of Britain's best-known cask ales - the Lancaster Bomber. The brewery has struck a deal with Mitchells of Lancaster to keep the ale in production and hopes to re-launch the brew this week. Mitchells
TEACHERS and pupils all across Bury will be hoping to prove they're a class act. For they are taking part in a special Eden Project evening to be staged at Bury Town Hall tonight (Tues April 30). The event, which has been organised by the Bolton and Bury
CLARETS keeper Nik Michopoulos has been handed a timely boost after the disappointing failure to reach the play-offs with a recall to the Greek international squad. Michopoulos is now hoping that he will claim his 14th cap for his country in one of the
AFTER 16 years with the Scottish FA Craig Brown returned to club management yesterday and confessed: "David Moyes told me to take the job." And now Preston North End's new manager is looking forward to getting together with his predecessor to find out
PLANNING permission has been granted for two mobile phone antennae and dishes on top of the BT Exchange in Back Wood Street, Darwen. Opposition from residents was retracted because the applicant agreed to remove a ladder from the side of the building.
A MAN indecently exposed himself to a woman on a disused playing field, Darwen police say. The offender, said to be aged 45-50, was seen near to some bushes on an area known as the Moss, near Rivington. His trousers were down and he exposed himself to
AFTER a 19-month wait and a repair bill totalling thousands of pounds, Darwen's most cherished landmark has officially re-opened. The 104-year-old Darwen tower was welcomed back at a gathering of council chiefs and proud Darweners yesterday. And the long-awaited
RAIN failed to dampen spirits for Haslingden High School's annual fun run through the town. For a third year in succession Select Education, based in Preston, sponsored the run. Business manager Sue Phillips presented awards to the winners. She said:
A FORMER escort girl who hacked her businessman boyfriend to death with an axe joked with friends about missing out on a white dress and a £20,000 ring in the days following the killing, a court heard today. A 35-year-old woman, identified as Mrs F, told
CAMPAIGNERS from a closure-threatened primary school in Ramsbottom believe they may win their fight to keep St Paul's open. When the plan to shut St Paul's CE School and move the pupils into an extended St Andrew's CE School was approved by Bury Metro
THE importance of tonight's Unibond Division One clash at Trafford cannot be over stated for Radcliffe Boro. Having occupied the second automatic promotion place behind champions Harrogate Town for the vast majority of the campaign, a late season dip
ORGANISERS of an information project for young people in the Audley area of Blackburn are appealing for more volunteers to help with everything from writing CVs to helping young people make education choices. The Queen's Park and Audley youth information
A BLACKBURN businessman has been banned from acting as a company director after his computer consultancy firm failed with debts of more than £40,000. Paul Anthony Smith, of Viscount Avenue, Lower Darwen, agreed to a four and a half-year disqualification
PLANS to replace an abandoned pub with a new block of flats on a Blackburn estate have divided the community. Members of Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning and highways committee gave approval for the new 30-apartment block on the Shadsworth estate
A PRIME store on Blackburn's £2million revamped Church Street is available after a major chain went into liquidation. Famous Army Stores has gone into receivership leaving the spot without a tenant. Council chiefs today expressed disappointment at the
A POLICE officer narrowly missed being run over and his vehicle was rammed three times by a stolen Land Rover during a motorway chase in East Lancashire, it was revealed today. Police have described the incident as "dangerous and totally reckless" and
A POLICE officer narrowly missed being run over and his vehicle was rammed three times by a stolen Land Rover during a motorway chase in East Lancashire, it was revealed today. Police have described the incident as "dangerous and totally reckless" and
THE RSPCA investigated more than 2,000 complaints of animal cruelty in Lancashire last year according to statistics released today. The figures also show that 44 convictions were made in 2001 as a result of 34 prosecutions -- the highest in the North
CLEANER-turned-ghost-duster Brenda Hill today relived the moment she came face to face with a spook in Blackburn's most haunted building. Blackburn Telephone Exchange has been plagued by things that go bump in the night since it opened in the early 1960s
ROSSENDALE United have to go all out for a win tonight when they make the trip to third-place Ashton United - but their play-off hopes look to have gone for this season. The defeat to Chorley on Saturday virtually ended any bid for a top five spot while
ACCRINGTON Stanley are hoping more than 1,000 fans will turn out at the Crown Ground tonight to cheer the Reds to a double cup success. The Lancashire Marsden Cup winners are trailing 1-0 from the first leg in the UniBond League Cup final to Bradford
CLITHEROE were outgunned by Salford for the second time in a week - but on this occasion there was no power cut to save them! Last week an electricity failure caused the NWCL Division One match to be abandoned with the visitors leading 2-1, so it was
ACCRINGTON Stanley have to beware in their UniBond League Cup final tonight - Bradford Park Avenue's wing wizard Dean Calcutt is back. The Reds need to overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at Park Avenue if they are to lift their second trophy in
A 22-YEAR-OLD man died after his van was pushed 300 yards along a railway track by a train. The incident occurred at around 5.30pm yesterday at Wards level crossing near Midge Hall in Leyland. The 17.06 train service from Preston to Ormskirk was carrying
FIREFIGHTERS rescued a horse from a ditch in a dramatic three-hour operation. The animal had fallen 20ft into a water filled gully, near stables off Moorside Road, Tottington, after it was thought to have been startled by lightning. The horse, called
A COWARDLY thug who attacked an 89-year-old Ainsworth woman in her home robbed her of her most precious asset: her independence. Following her ordeal, Miss Margaret Chorlton will be unable to return to her home. She is still recovering in Fairfield Hospital
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Rhyddings High School Students present An Evening of Dance, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, 7pm. Friends of Bold Venture Park, Catholic Club, Wellington Fold, Darwen, 7.30pm
AN hour-long session with a government health minister has brought no public about-turn from Lancashire County Council leader Hazel Harding on the future of 35 care homes threatened with closure. But she does think talks arranged by Lancashire MPs Gordon
DENISE Hendry was said to be "poorly but stable" in Royal Preston Hospital today more than two weeks after being admitted to its critical care unit. The wife of former Blackburn Rovers hero Colin Hendry was admitted on Friday April 12 after contracting
I WOULD like to express my delight to whoever on the council has come up with the excellent idea of slowing down drivers on our roads. The people behind the scheme of neglecting our roads, allowing them to become riddled with holes, bumps and dips should
THE unusual story of the mouse 'processed' in a bank's money-dispensing machine (LET, March 23), reminded me of a mouse I had in my workshop. My lathe had a red push button for 'ON' and a green one for 'OFF,' at the front of a four inch square metal box
I SEE Eric Leaver has joined those decrying the efforts of those committed to reduce the appalling toll of casualties on the counties roads. (LET, April 24). According to him, twenty-odd deaths a year is "very very few." Well, I don't think the families
QUEEN'S Golden Jubilee celebrations in Tottington are set to be a smash hit among villagers. For they are to mark the occasion with a free "Music in the Park" event in the village's Whitehead Gardens. The day is being planned as a fun day out for all
FRED Dibnah marked the start of his birthday celebrations with one almighty bang. The Bolton steeplejack and TV personality visited neighbouring Bury on Sunday to do what he does best -- felling a 150ft high chimney in the Kirklees Valley, Brandlesholme
AINSWORTH is a step closer to producing a Village Design Statement (VDS) which will give residents the opportunity to help shape and safeguard the village's future. A steady stream of villagers visited Christ Church Ainsworth Primary School for the recent
MEMBERS of Bury's Walnut Avenue Allotment Association are digging for victory after being nominated for a national award. The pioneering project has been entered for a Government award scheme for creating the North West's first horticulture training and
POLICE have launched an investigation into allegations surrounding postal voting in Pendle after LibDem and Labour officials accused each other of abusing the system. Lord Tony Greaves, the Pendle-based Liberal Democrat peer, said he complained to police
THE father of a boy who won a discrimination case after being banned from a school trip today claimed it would change the way children with disabilities were treated forever. Malcolm White added that the family's "two years of hell" will have been worth
BLACKBURN keeper Brad Friedel said his goodbyes at Brockhall today before jetting off to America to start the countdown to the World Cup finals. With Rovers now safe from the threat of relegation, the United States international has been given special
THREE employers from BSN Medical in Brierfield climbed three peaks in less than nine hours to raise funds for Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle. Nigel Waring, of Brunshaw Road, Burnley, Steven Cocker, of Gorple Road, Worsthorne, and Craig Holdsworth
POLICE have launched an investigation into allegations surrounding postal voting in Pendle after LibDem and Labour officials accused each other of abusing the system. Lord Tony Greaves, the Pendle-based Liberal Democrat peer, said he complained to police
A YOUTH, aged 16, from Radcliffe has been jailed for three years at Liverpool Crown Court, after being found guilty of the manslaughter of a 68-year-old man, also from Radcliffe. John Eric Conwell, known as Eric, was walking home from a bowling club function
A NEW £121,000 visitor centre which aims to attract interest from across the world has finally opened its doors. Pupils from Trawden County Primary School were the first through the doors of the newly-transformed Aisled Barn visitor centre in Wycoller
COUNCIL chiefs today gave their clearest indication yet that not all of the 35 care homes on a closure hitlist will be shutdown. But they insisted that they still need extra cash to build a new modern care home if they are to keep every pensioner in county
THE Blackburn-born producer of the television character Mrs Merton scooped a BAFTA award. Mark Gorton, a former Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School pupil, won the Best Talk Show award.
BLIND walker Steve Cooper of Nelson was hoping to make history by completing a three peaks challenge in less than 24 hours. He faced Britain's highest peaks - Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis.
HIC! Safety assured, the champagne drunk and it seems the only danger now might be suffering a nose bleed as we move onwards and upwards towards the mid table respectability we enjoyed in the early weeks of the season. We could in fact finish as high
A TOUCH of Shakespeare comes to Accrington Town Hall on Saturday when an evening of song and photography will bring the work of the Bard to life. 'Kean on Shakespeare' is a multi-media evening's entertainment performed by Burnley mother and daughter Brenda
DISABLED shoppers have been promised new parking spaces after they lost their traditional spots as part of a town-centre redevelopment. The relocation of Accrington's fish market has resulted in the temporary loss of the special parking places used by
A GOVERNMENT initiative to benefit residents in Hyndburn's most deprived wards will be launched next month. The Keep Warm Keep Safe project, funded by neighbourhood renewal money, will involve representatives contacting and visiting homes in Church and
HYNDBURN Council hit squads targeting tenants who have fallen behind with their rents have cut debts by nearly half. The tough action has also included chasing arrears through the courts. In the 1999-2000 financial year tenants owed the council £333,025
FORGET Kevin Costner. Ribble Valley schoolchildren are being offered a £1,200 prize for their own interpretations of 'Waterworld'. Budding young artists from Ribble Valley primary schools are being invited to vie for the top prize set by Steve Punchard
SEASON ticket sales at Turf Moor smashed through the £2million barrier yesterday, more than £500,000 up on the same stage last season. Clarets fans are reminded that today is the final opportunity for them to buy season tickets for the next campaign at
PAUL Gascoigne may be playing at Turf Moor next season - but not for the Clarets. First division rivals Portsmouth are the latest club to have been linked with a move for the former England star as boss Harry Redknapp prepares for next season. Gascoigne's
LANCASHIRE will stick with their new-look one-day team as they continue their Benson and Hedges Cup campaign with a trip to Durham tomorrow. Despite wins in their opening two Championship matches, cricket manager Mike Watkinson rung the changes for the
MORRIS dancing and months of pub fundraising have raised £1,000 for charity. Raymond Mill, landlord of the Forester's Arms in Pleasant Street, Haslingden, handed over two £500 cheques to representatives of Lee Sykes National Centre and Rossendale Hospice
BLACKBURN keeper Brad Friedel said his goodbyes at Brockhall today before jetting off to America to start the countdown to the World Cup finals. With Rovers now safe from the threat of relegation, the United States international has been given special
IS Rod Stewart a typical man? In not being able to go more than more than 24 hours without sex, is he "normal"? I wouldn't dare put the question to my husband, who would probably turn purple with rage and mutter something about our own "once in 24 years
AN OFFER to buy out Bury FC should be tabled in time for Shakers' crucial High Court date this week. The cash-strapped club will return to Liverpool on Friday to either be granted a month's extension to their administration period or be placed into liquidation
RESIDENTS in a Darwen street claim they have been unable to sit out in their gardens after the owners of a nearby property left rubbish and dog mess to rot. And the smell from the garden in Westwell Street has got so bad that nearby home owners fear the
A LANDOWNER who wants to build 12 houses in Haslingden is planning to address councillors at a meeting tomorrow to persuade them to grant approval. Leo Wrigley, of Rising Bridge Road, says the land behind his home is no use for agriculture -- but it is
A LEARNER driver said to have crashed his car at 95mph after a night out and then claimed it had been stolen, has escaped a jail sentence. Burnley Crown Court heard how Richard Evans, 22, who had been drinking, tried to avoid being prosecuted for motoring
A WOMAN was seriously injured when the bike she was riding was hit by a car on Friday. Carol Ann Bond, 53, was riding her tricylce along Moorside Lane in Woodplumpton, near Preston, at around 2.20pm. Mrs Bond, from Kingsway Avenue, Broughton, Preston,
AN extra £13million is to be pumped into Lancashire schools in a bid to give youngsters a sporting chance of enjoying exercise. Lancashire County Council has been given £11,396,000 and Blackburn with Darwen Council £2.5million by the Government's New
A SUMMER programme of events and entertainment has been planned by Blackburn with Darwen Council to follow the success of last year's Festival 150. Over 120,000 people attended events in 2001, which also saw the rise of the North West's largest and best
FORMER Accrington Stanley full-back Stan Lynn has sadly died at the age of 73. The Bolton-born right-back began his career at Stanley, playing 47 times before moving to Villa for £10,000 in March 1950. He became a Villa legend, playing more than 300 times
