A DAMAGES action against airlines about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been blocked by a High Court judge. The ruling was a blow for a group of 55 survivors of DVT, including a Bury woman, and relatives of those who died who are seeking damages from 27
HEALTH bosses have issued an appeal for people to help themselves over Christmas and avoid a lengthy wait for treatment. Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust has issued advice about self-care because many illnesses can be managed easily at home. A
A POLICEMAN has been warned about his future conduct by force bosses over a Union Jack inside a patrol vehicle. The officer received "words of advice" after the postcard-sized flag was spotted by a colleague while they were working at a Blackburn Rovers
MOTORISTS are being told there will be no excuses if they are caught drink-driving over the Christmas period. And people are being offered a £50 to £500 reward to shop their friends who drive while over the limit by using a new hotline. The Lancashire
DARWEN Street bridge could be illuminated at night in a bid to make a more attractive entrance into Blackburn. The bridge is one of several structures being looked at by Blackburn with Darwen Council as part of a project designed to bring the town centre
RUMOURS that circulated at the funeral of chip-pan fire victim Wayne Fletcher caused police to launch an investigation into his death. But an inquest heard that although a person had been arrested and interviewed in connection with the incident, the police
A PLECKGATE history teacher will return to the classroom after spending three months in Afghanistan. Adam Gagan, 27, has been in the country's capital Kabul with the Territorial Army, helping full-time squaddies with peacekeeping operations. He helped
COMMUNITY members in Whitebirk are celebrating after improvements have been made at two previously derelict sites. Money from Barclays SiteSavers has been used by Groundwork Blackburn to carry out the environmental improvements at the Delph Lane Community
BACUP Bobbies are a step closer to moving into a new £500,000 headquarters -- in a former nightclub. Officials are currently in the final stages of thrashing out a deal with the Co-op and Rossendale Borough Council, which jointly own the former Horace's
THE popular East Lancashire Railway is back on track once more after being hit by floods and badly damaged earlier this year. Since the busy Bury to Rawtenstall tourist line was hit by the bad weather the East Lancashire Railway has only been able to
A "GOOD DRINK" to celebrate the Christening of his baby daughter cost Marcus Mullen his driving licence when he was breathalysed the following day. Blackburn magistrates heard that Mullen was stopped in the afternoon of the following day but was still
FATHER Christmas is hitting the streets aboard Tyldesley Rotary Club's sleigh. December 20-22: Somerfields, Shuttle Street.
Burnley's fans, players and reporters may be moaning about the long trips to Gillingham and Brighton either side of Christmas but one player is looking forward to a bit of sleep. Clarets striker Gareth Taylor celebrated the birth of his second son, Finlay
WHEN it comes to football, there are enough books of records and statistics to fill Turf Moor. In the modern age the obsession with all things statistical seems to be growing as we are told how many shots teams have in a game, the number of times they've
HOMELESS youngsters got a taste of the 'Delias' when an award-winning chef came to cook at a shelter for the homeless. Langho-based restaurant Northcote Manor sent along 21-year-old chef Lisa Allen, finalist in the UK Chef of the Year Award 2002, to present
MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 25 BLACKBURN: 10am-1pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; noon-1pm: Moss Pharmacy, 98 Audley Range. DARWEN: noon-1pm: Geloo Bros Ltd, 14 Union Street. ACCRINGTON: 11am-noon: Bentley's Chemist, 42 Avenue Parade; noon-1pm: Nash Chemists
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 BLACKBURN:noon-1pm: Shadsworth Pharmacy, 221 Shadsworth Road. DARWEN: noon-1pm: Boots Chemists, 8 Market Street. ACCRINGTON: 11am-1pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 13 Peel Street; noon-1pm: Nash Chemists, 322 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle. CLITHEROE
HYNDBURN Council has pledged to keep up the pressure on taxi drivers to make vehicles are safe for passengers. Results of a series of checks announced this week revealed that police pulled two thirds of the vehicles they checked off the road immediately
AN inquest has failed to establish how a drug addict who took a massive amount of anti depressants and a heroin substitute died. George Lewis Shepherd, 54, was found at his home in St Leger Court, Accrington, by friends on September 18. The inquest in
YOUNG people in Barnoldswick who told the council they needed more activities to keep them occupied have finally seen their persistence and involvement pay off with the launch of a new skate park. Local children have spent their spare time raising cash
A FIREMAN today spoke of the worst year of his life after he was cleared of impersonating a police officer during a bust-up with a woman motorist. Nick Isherwood, 42, a station officer at Nelson Fire Station, said the case should never have been brought
A BRIERFIELD man accused of murdering his wife has been remanded to await trial. John Boyes, aged 66, of Elland Road, pleaded not guilty at a Preston Crown Court hearing to murdering Celia Boyes on July 23. A trial date has been set for January 27. The
SHAKERS 1, ROCHDALE 1: JON Newby hit the goal trail again in the 62nd minute, but Rochdale equalised four minutes later in a Lancashire derby draw at Gigg Lane. Full report and all the reaction later.
FURTHER education in Burnley has received a major boost after plans to create a super college for the town were revealed. The scheme is aimed at providing school leavers with some of the best education in the country. Under the plans, Habergham High School
THE head of the Lancashire Police Federation is assuring the people of Burnley that its new community crime fighters are not policing on the cheap. Concerns have been raised after the move to put 14 crime prevention workers on the streets of Lancashire
A SWAN which crashed landed into a wall during his first flying lesson was in trouble again this week, getting stuck in an icy canal. Swanny, named by vets who patched him up after his flying accident, was rescued from the icy waters near Barden Lane,
A DRUNK man, involved in late night trouble in Burnley, couldn't believe how he had behaved when later he was awakened in a police cell. The town's magistrates heard how Kevin Smith, 24, had not the remotest idea where he was or what he was doing there
REGARDING a new operator "muscling in" on the popular 346 bus route from Accrington to Darwen (via Blackburn town centre), which traditionally has been run by Blackburn Transport, I have used this route for several years and I have always been impressed
A MAN has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with deception offences involving holidays to Mexico, a Mercedes car and air travel. Edward John Van Vessen, 26, currently living in Hollywell Drive, Preston, and formerly of FA Halleweg 11, Amstelveen
BLACKBURN-BORN broadcaster and journalist Alan Fawcett has died at the age of 50. He was taken ill before Rovers' Worthington Cup game at Wigan on Tuesday night and died in hospital the following day. Alan, who worked in the commercial department at Rovers
A TOWN centre store has been closed because of structural problems. British Home Stores, in Blackburn shopping centre, was shut yesterday. Its manager said there had been "structural problems" but refused to be more specific. When asked if the store would
KNOTT End -- the name means a hill close to the coast -- is one of my favourite birdwatching places but there are plenty of historic spots to enjoy. I began my trip, which was wet and windy, by looking out on a high tide. Waves were breaking on an area
HOME: In the west end of Morecambe -- my only memory is of playing with toys in a large stone sink. We moved to Lancaster when I was very small. HOLIDAY: We used to have "runabout" tickets on the railway for a week and went all over the North West. Somehow
EVERY year at this time police launch campaigns to discourage people from putting lives at risk by drink driving over the Christmas and New Year period. And every year, despite all the warnings, drivers are caught over the limit either at roadside checkpoints
with KINGFISHER THERE are sure to be a number of new faces lining the banks of the Ribble over the holiday period, following the release of information concerning the capture of another fantastic barbel. Mark Halstead, an Accrington engineer and holder
CALORIE-laden Christmas pudding is definitely off the menu at the Strachan household for super-slimming siblings Helen and William. Over the past year the pair have literally become shadows of their former selves by shedding a combined 17 stone -- the
A CAR trader faces a bill of nearly £2,000 after selling an unsafe car. Gordon Horne, aged 45, of Patterdale Avenue, Blackburn pleaded guilty to supplying a car in a dangerously unroadworthy condition contrary to the Road Traffic Act 1988 at a hearing
A YOUNG maths genius has raised cash for charity by pitting her wits against one of the world's greatest numerical mysteries. Kathryn Wesley, 17, a pupil at Westholme School, Blackburn, raised £500 for the Christie Hospital by reciting Pi from memory.
A PRISON officer was left suffering minor brain damage when he tried to break up a pub fight. Barry Bishop was smashed over the head with a piece of wood in a beating which left one witness fearing he would be killed, Burnley Crown Court heard. Andrew
A BAND of musicians and poets are looking for new members to help with an experimental musical experiment. The Rossendale group are currently looking for new members to help integrate music with poetry. This could be in the form of single musician or
COMMERCIAL property specialists Kings Business Transfer have wrapped up the sale of a Lancashire fish and chip shop. The agents announced the completion of the sale for The Village Chippy in Stubbins, near Ramsbottom, this week. "There is always a lot
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today backed Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke to gun down Manchester United as they prepare to face their old club at Ewood tomorrow. The former Reds duo will spearhead Souness's attack as Rovers attempt to put a spanner in United's
WHILE most of the country is winding down for Christmas, Burnley physio Ian Liversedge suddenly finds himself the busiest man at Turf Moor. "It is amazing how these things happen like this," he said. "When we played Manchester United a few weeks ago we
IN a few days time Santa will be flying over Turf Moor with his sack full of gifts, but what is on the wish list for those below? Well to start with the club itself, perhaps if they aren't to get the £4million they are owed by ITV Digital they would settle
WHILE most of the country is winding down for Christmas, Burnley physio Ian Liversedge suddenly finds himself the busiest man at Turf Moor. "It is amazing how these things happen like this," he said. "When we played Manchester United a few weeks ago we
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26 BLACKBURN: 10am-1pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; noon-1pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road. DARWEN: noon-1pm: Geloo Bros Lts, 14 Union Street. ACCRINGTON: 10am-noon: Aston Pharmacy, 351 Blackburn Road; noon-1pm: EB Haworth
NEXT year's elections in Hyndburn will be all postal for the first time in a bid to increase voter turnout. The innovative pilot postal voting scheme has been approved by the government. The scheme will mean everyone who is eligible to vote next May will
A NIGHTCLUB boss has spoken out to defend his venue after police wrongly claimed they had raided the premises looking for drugs. Ian Jackson, owner of Monroe's Club, on Wood Street, Great Harwood, was angry when details of a police swoop were released
A RELIGIOUS tuition centre at a house in Vaughan Street, Nelson, has been given temporary permission to continue operating, despite objections from concerned residents. However, controls have been placed on the number of pupils attending. The centre is
KEITH Gillespie hopes he has done enough to warrant a place in the starting line-up to take on former club Manchester United tomorrow. But there is one player who the Blackburn Rovers winger hopes is a million miles away from a comeback - Roy Keane. The
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today backed Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke to gun down Manchester United as they prepare to face their old club at Ewood tomorrow. The former Reds duo will spearhead Souness's attack as Rovers attempt to put a spanner in United's
EWOOD legend Fred Pickering got the chance to meet up with a few old friends when he was invited to be the guest of honour at last week's game between Rovers and Everton. The Merseyside club are currently celebrating 100 years of top-flight football and
WHATEVER the result from the Premiership clash at Ewood Park tomorrow, Rovers and United will meet again next month in the two-legged Worthington Cup semi-final. Rovers have confirmed the dates for their two-legged Worthington Cup semi-final clash with
ROVERS midfielder David Thompson earned a place in the Opta Index Premiership team of the week for his performance at Everton. Back on Merseyside, Thompson tormented the Toffees rearguard with 13 deliveries into the box, including the cross for Andy Cole's
FURTHER education in Burnley has received a major boost after plans to create a super college for the town were revealed. The scheme is aimed at providing school leavers with some of the best education in the country. Under the plans, Habergham High School
A POLICEMAN has been warned about his future conduct by force bosses over a Union Jack inside a patrol vehicle. The officer received "words of advice" after the postcard-sized flag was spotted by a colleague while they were working at a Blackburn Rovers
ONCE more the year draws to a close and the time for reflection is upon us. Life is busier than ever at the Lancashire Council of Mosques, an umbrella body for the county's mosques which aims to represent the views of the Muslim community in Lancashire
IS Chapels Nursery School another sad loss for the community of Darwen? As a parent and someone who lives in Darwen, I am concerned to say the last, about the proposal to change the use of what is probably one of the best purpose-built nursery schools
IT now appears to be another case of self-inflicted agony. I refer to the siting of Blackburn Rovers stadium at Ewood -- no good for fans; no good for residents. Guide is where it should be. Too late! SAM SPENCE, Ribblesdale Place, Blackburn.
HERE'S a culinary conundrum for cooks this Christmas: should you stick with tradition or try something new? One the one hand, custom dictates that dinner should be turkey with all the trimmings. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it. But on the
JUST as in other households across his diocese, Christmas for the Bishop of Burnley means spending treasured time with his family. The only difference is that the Right Rev John Goddard has two -- his own beloved wife and sons and his extensive church
Dear Santa. PLEASE, please, please don't send me another pair of socks. Or, for that matter, another pair of gloves. Or more kerchiefs. I say kerchiefs because I seem to remember that is how they were described when I started receiving hankies as Christmas
YOU are God! (Directions for interactive fans: nod head vigorously in agreement). You are almighty. An Einstein. Your creative genius is simply out of this world. (Male interactive fans beware of whiplash). Still more. You're a genetic whiz-kid who has
THE leader of the Conservative group on Hyndburn Council likes his seasonal festivities to be on home ground. Tomorrow, for instance, he will attend a family carol service with his young daughter Sara at Holy Trinity Church, Oswaldtwistle. He said: "Traditional
