THERE can be few things more upsetting than falling ill a long way from home. Having to go into hospital in strange surroundings, thousands of miles from family and friends when you are already at a low ebb through sickness must be a truly depressing
THE Blackburn and Darwen Branch of Arthritis Care thanks the pupils and staff of Witton Park High School for a wonderful afternoon last Tuesday. Our members enjoyed refreshments and entertainment and were presented with a cheque for money raised on the
CAN anyone offer elderly Charlie a caring home for the rest of his days? Charlie is a 12-year-old neutered Jack Russell terrier cross who was taken to the RSPCA at Altham after his owner became ill and could no longer look after him. Staff say he would
AS I walked towards the village school alongside a local six-year-old boy, he seemed deep in thought, staring down at the pavement. As I knew him quite well, I thought I'd attempt to cheer him up on such a beautiful morning. Remembering my own school
A LEIGH man who has devoted his sporting life to Leigh Centurions will be honoured for his services to sport in Greater Manchester over many years tomorrow night. Dave Phillips has worked tirelessly for many years for the club at all levels as player,
BILL Kenwright's record-breaking production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a mind-blowing piece of theatre. And this phenomenal explosion of fun is all set to attain its usual smash-hit
"BETTER than the real thing!" screams the flyer -- I don't know about that but Legends is certainly a great show. The fact that it is back in Blackpool for a fourth summer season shows how popular this look and sound-alike extravaganza really is. You
A YOUNG boy is facing brain surgery after he was left with a fractured skull in a road accident. Friends of Garred Simpson, 11, watched in horror when he collided with a car shortly after they set off to go to a fun fair. Garred, of Carr Hall Road, Barrowford
A PENSIONER left stranded in America with a $100,000 medical bill after being diagnosed with cancer was back home today following an international mercy mission. Phoebe Morley, 76, smiled and said: "Blackburn, here I come," as she was stretchered on to
EWOOD chief Graeme Souness is ready to make Blackburn his last ever club by agreeing to sign a bumper new deal. Souness has ended speculation surrounding his future by shaking hands on a four year contract which will tie him to the club until June 2006
BURNLEY Citizens' Advice Bureau in Parker Lane will close on Wednesday at 5pm and the premises will no longer be used in this capacity. The new advice service, at Burnley District Citizens' Advice Service will operate from two sites from Monday, July
POLICE in Padiham are appealing for information after a man walked in to the house of an elderly woman and stole her purse. The man, described as white, with short mousey hair, slim build and wearing dark clothing, walked in to the local authority owned
THE crowds flocked to Turf Moor this weekend to take advantage of the Clarets pre-season Open Day 2002. There were various activities throughout the day for both children and adults but the highlight of the event was an opportunity to watch the players
LANCASHIRE Fire and Rescue have sent a safety message out to homeowners about the dangers of using polystyrene ceiling tiles following a house fire in Burnley. Firefighters were called to a house in Merton Street on Saturday after it is believed a microwave
BURNLEY'S draft strategy for tackling crime and disorder during the next three years will be put forward this week for approval by Lancashire County Council. Each of the 12 districts within Lancashire were required to produce a Crime and Disorder Reduction
PENDLE florist Janet Boast has won second place in the Interflora Florist of the Year competition at Tatton Park, Cheshire. Janet, who works in Going Dutch Continental Florists in Nelson, represented the North West region in the final. She has been a
AN interest in flying and photography led to local historian Bert Hindle setting up an exhibition at Colne Library. Bert, 80 of Crabtree Street, Colne, has put on a display on 100 Years of Flying in the library's gallery. It features more than 70 colour
THE emergency services will be heading for Pendle at the weekend for a major activity and fun day to promote the serious message of child safety. A Safety Awareness for Everyone Day takes place on the Boundary Mill and Asda car park site, off Corporation
A PHOTOGRAPHER today launched a manhunt for 50 volunteers willing to have their picture taken for an exhibition about East Lancashire folk. Reg Whittam, of the Garth Dawson photographic studio in Accrington, will use computer manipulation technology to
A MOTHER whose son was scarred for life after he was attacked with a broken bottle today backed a new town centre drinking ban. Sue Stafford said her son, who does not wish to be named, was marked in 11 places on his body including his head, back, chest
WHEN London clothier John Brabin discovered the Preston rag trade was a closed shop, little did he know he was about to weave his name into retail history. Brabin was cold-shouldered by members of the Preston Guild in 1668 and unceremoniously escorted
CLARETS keeper Nik Michopoulos was beaten four times out of four in a penalty shoot-out - but Burnley still made a winning start to the Isle of Man Football Festival! That is because by then he was playing for opponents Wrexham after their keeper Andy
CHERRY Tree reached the final of the Jennings Ramsbottom Cup after celebrating a six wicket victory over Clitheroe yesterday. The Ribble Valley club scored 149 with pro Dexter Fitton leading the way on 72 and Simon Bishop adding 26 as Nigel Robbins and
ROVERS boss Graeme Souness has slapped a "£20million plus" price-tag on star winger Damien Duff. Liverpool are one of several Premiership clubs interested in Republic of Ireland World Cup star Duff. But Souness believes Duff is going nowhere unless Rovers
CLARETS keeper Nik Michopoulos was beaten four times out of four in a penalty shoot-out - but Burnley still made a winning start to the Isle of Man Football Festival! That is because by then he was playing for opponents Wrexham after their keeper Andy
THE Shakers kicked off their official pre-season friendly programme with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Chorley. A goal in each half from trialist Steve McAuley, the former Crewe skipper, and 17-year-old Dave Nugent gave Andy Preece's side the edge. The
A MOTORCYCLIST was left fighting for his life and two others seriously injured after a collision in Egerton Road, Belmont, at 1.40pm yesterday. A Yamaha 426 ridden by a 37-year-old man from Billinge collided with a Honda 400 ridden by a 30-year-old man
PUPILS took time out of class for their annual music extravaganza. More than seventy children and staff of St Peters CE Primary School took to the stage for a dramatic rendition of 'Joseph'. And the final performance, which came after months of preparation
DARWEN choristers were today due to perform in front of some of the world's top athletes -- as part of the official Commonwealth Games welcoming ceremonies. Choirs from across Lancashire have been chosen to sing every hour as athletes make their way from
COMMUNITY groups in Bacup and Stacksteads have been awarded cash injections from a community chest. Bacup and Stacksteads Community Chest Grants help the development of local community and voluntary organisations and their activities. Groups which have
RAMSBOTTOM councillors are trailing by as much as 50 per cent behind their colleagues in other parts of the county when it comes to allowances. Now an independent panel is recommending increases to bring elected members of Bury Metro up to the level of
ROSSENDALE Council has accepted outside help in a bid to get services back on track after being branded the worst council in the country. Members of the council heard a presentation from Ted Cantle, an executive director of the Improvement and Development
WATCHING TV may be the last thing on your mind as the holiday season looms -- but Blackpool hoteliers and holidaymakers are being urged to check that their television licences are valid or face the consequences. Since the launch of its dedicated business
A BLACKPOOL mother is supporting a House of Commons move to change the law on toys in chocolate eggs after her four-year-old daughter choked to death on a piece of plastic from a confectionery egg. Ann Day, of Buchanan Street is welcoming attempts to
BIRD droppings may be considered lucky in some circles but they represent a serious hazard to Blackpool's ongoing attempt to improve the standards of sea water. Flocks of starlings are the culprits, according to a joint report carried out by Blackpool
STRIKES took place across the Fylde this week as council workers turned out in force to campaign for a 6% pay increase, bringing local schools and services to a halt. Staff from Wyre, Fylde and Blackpool Borough councils picketed from dawn to dusk on
THERE'S trouble at mill -- Marton Mill that is -- as calls to open the Blackpool landmark to the public grow louder. And as the granddaughter of a famous local author airs her disgust that the mill is locked, a senior member of one campaign group plans
AFTER twenty years as headteacher at St Peter's RC Infant School, Blackburn, Mary Atkinson has marked an exercise book for the last time. She is taking early retirement as the school is to amalgamate with St. Peter's RC Junior School Miss Atkinson, originally
DRIVERS David Thelwell and John McDonald were caught red handed stealing groceries and alcohol from the back of a lorry. Blackburn magistrates heard that the two men worked for T and S Stores and one of them was followed by security investigators for
HOSPITAL staff are celebrating after successfully bidding for £290,000 to buy revolutionary medical equipment. The Department of Health awarded the cash to Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Trust, which will spend it on introducing innovative nasal
CHOREOGRAPHER Roy Pemberton is putting his tap shoes on one last time in aid of the Magic Eye Appeal, months after overcoming his own battle with cancer. A team of dancers will stage a one-off variety show called Energy -- The Magic of Life to raise funds
CORISANDE Lee, the 16-year-old Pleasington amateur, won the Lancashire Strokeplay at Fairhaven yesterday. Lee hit a seven over par 82, bringing her handicap down one to seven. Lee will be competing in the Lancashire Strokeplay championnship on the same
A CITIZEN reader says immigrants are costing us dear (Letters, June 27). You bet they are. Yarls Wood burnt out, costing £30 million -- and that's for starters. We who have worked and paid our way are told to pay out more, all towards these economic migrants
I EXPECTED replies to my letter on the Euro but the ramblings of Mr Rimmer leave me confused. Firstly, I didn't know England was an island. Secondly I see no relevance to sailing the Atlantic in convoys during the last war and a single currency in 2002
PARTS of a vandalised former school are being transformed into prestigious Georgian style apartments. Developers Redwaters has almost completed converting two derelict school blocks into luxury homes on the site of the former Leigh CE High School off
LEIGH Centurions' worst fears have been confirmed. Scrum-half Willie Swann will be out for up to six weeks after a specialist decided that surgery was required on his damaged knee. Swann, who has already missed one game, is now likely to be out until
PENSIONER John Maude gave short shrift to a firm masquerading as a government agency, after they demanded that he pay £95 or face prosecution. Mr Maude (76) discovered a letter on the doormat of his home at Anthony Fold Farm, Shuttleworth, on Monday.
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Sale of Goods, St Luke's Church Hall, Hancock Street, Blackburn, 7.15pm. Proceeds to St Luke's Guides. North Blackburn and District Probus Club, Lammack Methodist Church
THE more through the gate - the more money for players! That's the simple logic that faces Bury FC boss Andy Preece. Preece is desperate to bring in some new faces as the newly-relegated Shakers prepare for life in the Nationwide League's basement division
I LIVE in the Hill Top home for the elderly in Accrington and I and my friends are very happy there. It is our home and the thought of having to move is very worrying. I do hope that common sense will prevail and that Lancashire County Council will do
LANCASHIRE County Council has come up with yet another mind-boggling idea -- delving into their own monies. (I didn't think they had any) to help staff and businesses "get on their bikes." (LET, July 12). They are offering a £700 interest-free loan, repayable
OFFERING £700 loans for council staff to get on their bikes (LET, July 12) is a welcome initiative by Lancashire County Council, to be followed soon by Blackburn, it seems. But your statement that, "It is difficult to think of anything that might put
SWING your pants at Flares night club and celebrate the release of Austin Power's latest film, Goldmember! The Blackpool Promenade club (opposite North Pier) has joined forces with the Odeon Cinema to hold a 60s and 70s night at the club on Friday, July
Centurions 29 Hull KR 24 by Mike Hulme IT was a case of sweet and sour for Centurions coach Paul Terzis as he reflected on the victory that cemented Leigh's second spot in the NFP table. Terzis declared himself satisfied with Leigh's narrow victory but
THE future of Rovers winger Damien Duff still hangs in the balance amid reports of a new swoop by Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier in the wake of the collapse of Lee Bowyer's move to Anfield. Williams held further talks with Duff's representatives over
ROVERS boss Graeme Souness has slapped a "£20million plus" price-tag on star winger Damien Duff. Liverpool are one of several Premiership clubs interested in Republic of Ireland World Cup star Duff. But Souness believes Duff is going nowhere unless Rovers
AN environmental initiative which aims to reduce the number of carrier bags consumed in Burnley each year was launched at the town's Sainsbury's store. The Bag for Life campaign is a joint initiative between Burnley Borough Council and Sainsbury in Active
A YOUNG boy is facing brain surgery after he was left with a fractured skull in a road accident. Friends of Garred Simpson, 11, watched in horror when he collided with a car shortly after they set off to go to a fun fair. Garred, of Carr Hall Road, Barrowford
IN the wake of the Looking Back's glimpse earlier this month of the old Unicorn Inn left isolated 37 years ago by demolition on Mount Pleasant, Blackburn, comes Langho reader Peter Slater's recollections of its last landlord and his reluctance to leave
THE third of three teenagers who took part in a vicious street attack which left their victim brain damaged and unable to ever live on his own again has been sent to detention for 18 months. Philip Lawrie, 19, was part of a gang which set about Andrew
A PREGNANT woman was terrorised by her former partner who threatened to slash her throat and chop her into pieces, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how the mother of two received relentless threatening phone calls and offensive text messages
ADVENTUROUS Julie Hayhurst, 21, Broadfield Road, Fern Gore, Accrington, took the plunge for charity. The worker from Rists in Accrington took part in a sponsored parachute jump for Derian House Children's Hospice.
MUSIC teacher Paul Lee was to appear on BBC Radio 2's The Organist Entertains once a week for six months. Paul, 28, of Riverside, Low Moor, Clitheroe, submitted a tape of his music which was accepted by the show's presenter Nigel Ogden.
YOUNG worshippers at an Accrington church have been doing their bit for orphaned children in Kenya. The children, from St Joseph's RC Church, in Belgarth Road, have been raising funds for youngsters aged from three, who have HIV. They met Roger Broughton
ONE lane of the M65 eastbound between Huncoat and Hapton was closed when a car set on fire. The owner of the Vauxhall Corsa, Andrew Morley, of Bradford, had pulled on to the hard shoulder. Firefighters from Accrington attended and put out the fire but
A LYTHAM man has been confirmed as one of the five men killed after a helicopter plunged into the North Sea on Tuesday. Norfolk Police named Denis Kelleher of Teal Lane, Lytham, as one of the dead after a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter in which he was travelling
AN East Lancashire MP today revealed he is to tackle the government over a failure to provide enough cash for old people's homes in the area. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is unhappy about a new report showed that 13,000 places for pensioners in residential
BLACKPOOL'S new England Under-19 starlet, Oliver Newby, clinched a win for his side in a low scoring Northern Premier League thriller at Stanley Park last Saturday. On a very green looking track, Blackpool's decision to put St Annes in to bat was completely
EXACTLY three months after that fateful afternoon against Coventry City, the Clarets played their first serious pre-season game in the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Football Festival. In a match that perfectly fitted the oldest cliche in the football
DARWEN extended their lead at the top of the Northern Premier League to five points despite a frustrating rain-affected winning draw on Saturday. The Birch Hall side had current champions Netherfield in all sorts of trouble at 52-6 when the ground was
LOWERHOUSE professional Jacques Rudolph's rich vein of form goes on! The sensational South African smashed another ton - his fourth in succession - in his side's narrow home win over Rishton. Rudolph - who has already set a club record for successive
IN our edition of May 30, 2002, when describing the tragic drowning of a ten-year-old boy on an outdoor pursuits trip to the Lakes, we incorrectly referred to him as having been on an "outward bound school trip". In fact, only the Outward Bound Trust
THORNTON Action Group is celebrating getting the wheels in motion for a replacement bus service. An improved evening bus service between Cleveleys and Poulton has been introduced recently to compensate for the withdrawal of the F9 service in April. It
THORNTON Cleveleys Rugby Club is set to move to new pastures next year as an ambitious proposal to relocate grounds gets under way. Council members have welcomed the proposal to move the playing grounds from the current location off Fleetwood Road to
VANDALS have wrecked a mini-bus which has been ferrying the elderly in the Wyre area for more than 30 years. As a result the bus will probably be retired from service. Vandals smashed the rear windows and slashed the tyres when the coach was parked overnight
A BLOOMING shire horse and a Britannia figure made of seasonal plants are two of the stars of this year's fund-raising Staining in Bloom display. And the floral masterpieces have earned Staining a place representing Britain in the international Nations
DIG out your safety pins and spike up that hair! Punk is back in Blackpool for a three-day festival at the Winter Gardens. Organisers of annual punk festival Holidays in the Sun (HITS) are bringing together old and new skool punk, with more than 100 bands
DARWEN DJ Graham Turner had cause to celebrate last night after scoring another Top 10 hit single. Graham, one of half of dance duo Flip and Fill, released Shooting Star last Monday. It entered yesterday's offical top 40 as the highest new entry at number
TROPHIES were clinking in Darwen as outstanding pupils were awarded for their achievements. The annual ceremony, sponsored by Cheshire Building Society, took place at Avondale School. Trophies, plates and vouchers were presented to the most improved pupils
POLICE have issued a renewed appeal to catch the offenders who attacked a 52-year-old man with learning difficulties. Gordon Earl was targeted twice in four days in his home last weekend. In the first attack on Friday evening, a man posing as an insurance
YOUNGSTERS in Rossendale were given a free trip into the past at the weekend during a Bringing History Alive day. The event was held at Helmshore Textile Museum yesterday afternoon and it cost children nothing as part of Lancashire County Council's 12
RAWTENSTALL teenager Rachel Yates has taken a step nearer to her ambition of singing in the West End after she was signed up by Colne-based Rock-It Records. Rachel, 15, has been given a three-year management contract and will be making a promotional CD
UNRULY children are making life hell for elderly residents on one Bispham estate. And they've called for an emergency community meeting to voice their concerns. Kingcraig Road has been a peaceful area for many years according to the pensioners living
AFTER nearly 70 years, Blackpool bosses have decided to move the traditional Talbot Square illuminations switch-on to a new venue -- a town centre car park. The electric shock follows talks between Blackpool Borough Council and police, fire and ambulance
A BLACKPOOL pensioner paid a high price for being neighbourly when two thieves stole her purse. The robbers -- a man and a woman -- knocked at the door of a house in Tarnbrook Drive at 6pm on July 10 and asked a 79-year-old lady for a bottle of water
ONE woman's courage, bravery and ability to inspire others will be recognised next week when she carries the Commonwealth Games' torch along Blackpool Prom. Stephanie Syson from Horncliffe Road, South Shore, has battled for years with a serious eye condition
A NUMBER of controversial cut-backs are on the cards for Wyre residents and traders as councillors decide to streamline existing services which they say will save £280,000 of tax-payers' money. The cut-backs include the closure of Fleetwood's outdoor
PARTNERS in a crime-fighting initiative have launched a new web site to provide information on how people can protect themselves and their property. The site is part of the Community Safety Partnership network which involves local authorities, police,
SUPERMARKET giant Lidl looks set to finally open the doors of a new Blackburn store by the end of the year. Lidl was given the go-ahead to build the store in Whalley Banks, despite concerns from residents about increased traffic. Residents were divided
THE BOSS of industrial tapes and films group Scapa has had a £27,000 bonus payment due to him postponed after the company reported disappointing profits. Chief executive Tony Watson, 47, had been entitled to the bonus after successfully completinged a
THE Darwen Magic Eye Appeal wants ideas from pubs, clubs and factories in a bid to boost the charity fund. Ian Ashton, in charge of the town's efforts for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph appeal, has challenged any organisation to hold some sort of fundraising
POLICE are investigating distraction burglaries after two similar crimes on the elderly in one day. Thieves conned their way into two Blackburn houses by pretending to be from the water board. And while they fiddled with taps and filled up baths with
A PENSIONER left stranded in America with a $100,000 medical bill after being diagnosed with cancer was back home today following an international mercy mission. Phoebe Morley, 76, smiled and said: "Blackburn, here I come," as she was stretchered on to
MAY I appeal to readers who adopted a kitten earlier in the year to please now begin to think about having it neutered/spayed. At 5/6 months old both sexes become sexually mature and at this young age a female can become pregnant. Contrary to what some
IT'S wrong to gloat, but I confess to enjoying the fact that no-one these days seriously claims that the euro is a "weak" currency. Two years ago it was a different story. In these columns I was having a hard time defending the euro against hostile letter
REALITY is starting to appear through the Las Vegas smokescreen. Firstly, people are starting to grasp that copying Las Vegas is impossible. Unless you can operate in a country of two hundred million people who cannot gamble for forty years anywhere else
A ST ANNES mother is warning other parents to be vigilant after she and her daughter were the victims of a sex pest on local sand dunes. June Davies said that she and her 13-year-old daughter Carly were taking a rest from a walk in the dunes off Clifton
A BURY man who has devoted his sporting life to cricket in the area will be honoured for his services to sport in Greater Manchester over many years tomorrow night. Martin Kay has been instrumental in organising and developing cricket in Bury, and has
