Reporter HELEN PRIEST is writing a weekly column as she trains for this year's Race for Life, raising money for Cancer Research UK, at Witton Park, Blackburn, on June 25. A GENEROUS offer to run with an honorary member of the Darwen Dashers could be just
A WOMAN has admitted setting fire to a Blackburn property, being reckless as to whether the lives of others would be endangered. Emma Warner, 25, pleaded guilty to an arson charge relating to an address on Carlinghurst Road, Blackburn on January 31 this
REGARDING your article (LET, April 26) about the Grane Road between Blackburn and Haslingden, I agree with the measures proposed in your editorial -- to stop access to and from A56. As an HGV driver for a large haulage company, I use the Grane Road daily
EVERYTHING that Eddie Duxbury reported about the Ashworth Street estate in Blackburn (Letters, April 25) is exactly the same as Douglas Place, Roe Lee. My neighbour and I have had serious problems with drug abusers, loud music, theft, drunks etc in the
IT WAS reassuring to read (LET, April 16) that our teachers and other educators are organising an anti-racist conference at Ewood Park in Blackburn next month. Ewood Park is where so many of us go to watch footballers from every corner of the globe, with
REGARDING your report on the call by residents for extra safety measures on the Grane Road between Blackburn and Haslingden (LET, April 25), it is not speed that causes accidents -- it's the sheer frustration of being stuck behind a lorry or tractor that
CLIFF Westell's polemic (Letters, April 3) states that "George Bush believes that this is a modern crusade against Islam..." If this is a war on Islam, then why on earth attack the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein, whose Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz
FIVE men with connections to a Chinese Triad gang have been jailed for their part in the kidnap and torture of an illegal immigrant working in Tyldesley. The men, who were jailed for between three and 13 years at Manchester Crown Court, had connections
A WITCHCRAFT enthusiast was stabbed and bludgeoned to death by three men while camping out on moorland above Todmorden, a court heard. Brothers Nicholas Grundy, 22, and Daniel Delker, 23, teamed up with David Sandham, 24 to kill drifter James Bowman,
THE partner of a tragic 28-year-old who suddenly died at the wheel of his car today spoke of the "perfect guy" who died in her arms. Rebecca Bell, of Progress Avenue, Blackburn, was too distressed to attend the inquest of her partner Warren Andrew Bell
WORLD famous opera singer Russell Watson is being sued by a Preston businessman. Ian Boasman, who runs Bistro French restaurant, Avenham Street, claims he transformed the singer into a star after spotting him as a cabaret entertainer. But Mr Boasman believes
NUISANCE traders could soon be stopped from touting their products on the streets of Preston city centre The council is looking at introducing a new bylaw to control unlicensed selling, including flyer distributors. They hope the move will help clean
A FORMER British Nuclear Fuels worker and his wife, whose children died of cancer-related illnesses, plan to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Joe McMaster -- a former chemist at BNFL Springfields, near Preston, for
A JUDGE ordered a pre-sentence report on a burglar, the day after he had slammed him for wasting public money. Judge Raymond Bennett allowed Thomas Kelly's case to be adjourned for reports by the probation service after previously saying he would pass
FEWER people complained about services at Burnley General Hospital during the last 12 months than at any time in the last five years, Health Trust directors were told. Greater public awareness of the Patients' Charter was expected to result in a rise
A WITCHCRAFT enthusiast was stabbed and bludgeoned to death by three men while camping out on moorland above Todmorden, a court heard. Brothers Nicholas Grundy, 22, and Daniel Delker, 23, teamed up with David Sandham, 24 to kill drifter James Bowman,
A TEENAGER abused police called to a pub after a pensioner suffered a serious head injury, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Lee Bradshaw, 18, swore and called a female officer a bitch and ended up arrested. Bradshaw, of Montague Road, Burnley
MORE than 20,000 properties in Burnley are being targeted in the town's biggest ever housing survey. The homes are due to receive a postal survey this week as part of Burnley Borough Council's research into the housing market and housing needs. The authority
A £27million redevelopment at Burnley General Hospital has been approved by planners, after a row over parking was ironed out. The proposals by East Lancashire Hospitals Trust for a major new building housing 170 beds, a large outpatient department, rehabilitation
SHAKERS fans have been urged to stay off the pitch during the post-match celebrations. Failure to heed the request could see the lap of honour cancelled.
INJURED striker David Nugent looks set for a dramatic comeback in time for next week's play-offs. The teenage front man suffered an ankle injury in the draw with Scunthorpe United on Easter Monday but has made a rapid recovery and will be fit to give
IT may be party time at Gigg Lane on Saturday but Andy Preece will accept nothing other than another passionate performance. Visitors Wrexham will have their foot firmly off the pedal after already clinching promotion while Shakers avoided the dreaded
ENVIRONMENTAL groups aiming to improve the Leeds and Liverpool Canal corridor through Nelson and Brierfield have been promised a slice of more than £240,000 of funding. Pendle Partnership has agreed to allocate £90,000 in the next three years for the
COUNTRYSIDE lovers can enjoy a free activity packed day at Bury's Burrs Country Park on Sunday. The fun starts at 11am until 3pm. Countryside Ranger, Kathryn Fairclough, said: "There's going to be lots going on and everyone is invited to join in the fun
PRESTON Mariners were narrowly defeated by Manchester Saints in their opening North West League match of the season. The game got off to a slow start with neither side scoring in the first innings. Preston scored three in the second with James Leckey
YOUNG tennis aces from around the country gathered at South Ribble Tennis Centre, Bamber Bridge at the weekend at the Bowker North of England Junior Tennis Championships . The centre was taken over by more than 500 budding Anna Kournikovas and Tim Henmans
A SUPERB all-round display saw Preston overcome Netherfield in the National Knockout last weekend to set up a 'derby' match at home to Leyland in the next round on May 11. Preston restricted their opponents to 195 for 5 in their 45 overs. After struggling
The £2million move by Lancashire Constabulary to create 80 more community beat managers' posts this year has been hailed as another sign of how police philosophy in the past couple of years has come "full circle" back in favour of foot patrols. But this
THE time has come again for Pendle's pensioners to take to the stage for the annual over 60s talent contest in Colne. The YOURS Silver Stars Talent Contest is back in town and will be searching for Pendle's top performing pensioner at the first local
RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has become a parliamentary film star - but he's stayed staunchly behind the lens! Mr Evans was among 300 MPs who entered Parliament's annual photography competition, organised by photo chain Jessops. His photograph showed
CHINESE food handlers are invited to a food hygiene course in Clitheroe on Monday, May 19. The event is hosted at the Ribble Valley Town Hall, in Church Street, by Ribble Valley Council environmental health officers and consultant food hygiene trainer
RAIL enthusiasts are drawing up a plan for the reinstatement of the picturesque Wensleydale Railway. David Butterworth, a member of Ribble Valley Rail and the North West Rail Passengers Committee, has called a meeting at BAE Systems in Samlesbury on Wednesday
RESERVE team manager Ronnie Jepson was satisfied with his side's 7-2 win at home to Bury yesterday. But he felt they should have at least hit double figures in their quest to guarantee a place in the Avon Insurance Premier Division. "The chances we had
HAT-TRICK hero Robbie Blake turned on the style for Burnley's reserve side to edge them nearer safety in the Avon Insurance Premier Division. Reserve boss Ronnie Jepson welcomed a rare opportunity to field a good mix of experience and youth and it paid
RESIDENTS are angry at plans to build a new discount store in the centre of Leyland. Discount chain Aldi is hoping to buy land in Westgate and transform it into their latest shop. Representatives from the company called a public meeting for locals to
Stan Ternent has only offered two players new contracts resulting in 13 of his first team squad being released. With solid performances behind them Drissa Diallo and Graham Branch will be given the chance to sign new contracts, which leaves a mixture
HAKAN Sukur has stunned Blackburn Rovers by saying he's ready to walk out on the club and head back to Turkey this summer. The former Inter Milan star has reportedly told the Turkish Press that he's unhappy in England after failing to adjust to life in
RADCLIFFE Euro MP Chris Davies has a higher public profile than any of his European colleagues, according to a university academic. In a research paper published this month, Dr Phil Harris says that European politicians have a notoriously low level of
BUDDING female cricketers are a step closer to forming their own team at Darwen Cricket Club. A taster session for girls interested in playing will be held at Shadsworth Leisure Centre in May. The date has yet to be confirmed. Rachel Walmsley, England
DARWEN'S top building surveyor enjoyed a pint to mark his retirement. Surrounded by work colleagues and friends, Gordon Holden, 59, of Lyndhurst Road, waved farewell to his hard-hat image after more than 30 years. Gordon worked for Darwen Council in 1973
A ROSSENDALE man has appeared in court at Rochdale as a result of an accident involving a cyclist. Alan Wayne Yerkess, 40, of Osbourne Terrace, Stacksteads, is accused of driving dangerously in Rochdale Road East, Heywood. He also faces a charge of failing
VANDALS caused almost £1,000 worth of damage to a landmark sculpture in Stacksteads. The damage was caused sometime over the Easter holidays to the Coming Full Circle, situated in Moss Meadow, off Newchurch Road. Vandals kicked down the dry stone wall
PUPILS at four East Lancashire secondary schools are preparing to take part in a pioneering UK pilot project to develop drugs education. As the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed in January, the schools have been selected to participate in the biggest
BACUP'S new police station could be up and running in as little as 12 months if a site inspection proves the former nightclub is structurally sound. Police are hoping the £500,000 state-of-the-art headquarters will be given the go-ahead by the end of
ATTENTION! Medical breakthrough! Doctors and scientists are considering the possibility of fitting brains, manners, common sense and consideration for others between motorists' ears. I would advise strongly against this as (a) drivers wouldn't notice
THE pound will shortly be replaced by the euro, and there will be massive public support for the move. I am of course, talking about the Cyprus pound, which has been linked to the euro ever since the common currency was launched four years ago. Ten more
RADCLIFFE schoolgirl Nicole Uren is a national champion. Nicole (9), of Lever Street, fought off a challenge from 45 other youngsters to win at a major horse riding competition. Riding Penric Vision, she took the Waxwing First Ridden Championship at the
TWO-hundred mourners paid their respects to a mother and two sons who died in a Blackpool hotel last month. Three white coffins could be seen at the front of Blackpool's Sacred Heart Church yesterday, containing the bodies of Patricia Jarvis, 36, and
A LANCASHIRE nurse will face misconduct allegations at a three-day hearing of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's Professional Conduct Committee beginning on June 30. Mrs Susan Mary Cheshire, 41, from Blackburn, will face six charges including failing
A WAR of the roses helped a marriage blossom for sixty years. Lancashire man James Walsh, 85 and wife Agnes, 82, originally from Yorkshire, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Saturday surrounded by family and friends. One guest even flew
BLIND student Munawer Sheikh is hoping to become a Pop Idol a year after he was rejected by tough-talking pop maestro Simon Cowell. Blackburn College student Munawer, 22, said he wants to prove that the visually impaired can be successful in the pop world
THREE people were injured in an accident which a witness described as like "a scene from a horror movie". A BMW car and Nissan van were in collision in Penny Street, Blackburn at 1pm yesterday and two pedestrians were also knocked down in the incident
CHORLEY Harrier Katie Ingram won individual bronze and team gold medals as England's under 20 women finished 1-2-3-4 in fell running's Home International at the P and O Knockdhu Classic in Ireland. This year the under-20s raced over a 4km course instead
IT WAS a relatively quiet weekend at Clitheroe Golf Club, president Derek Wood having persuaded a number of members to join him for a two-day break at the Marriott Golf and Country Club, Manchester. A competitive team event on Sunday resulted in a win
NELSON PGA professional Neil Reeves is hoping to take a big step towards winning a luxury five-day trip to one of Europe's leading courses. The final takes place at Hesketh Golf Club on 19 May giving the players a chance to book their place in San Lorenzo
HARRY Aspden, Blackburn's best known cyclist, sadly passed away on Sunday at the ripe old age of 91. Aspden had lived almost all of his married life in Langho and was remembered by generations of local folk for his pedalling to his work at the Ribble
PRESTON skipper Chris Lucketti believes North End have what it takes to make the play-offs next season, before Craig Brown even reveals any potential summer targets. North End travel to Norwich on Sunday for their final game of the season. They have the
FOUR men have been convicted of an international smuggling operation involving drugs with a street value of up to £200 million. They were arrested after police and customs officers from three countries covertly filmed them bringing cocaine, amphetamines
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Sing & Swing evening with Haslingden Choir & Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Swing Band, Clitheroe Parish Church Hall, 7.30pm. Accrington Camera Club meets Primetime
WITH polling for seats on five of East Lancashire's councils taking place today, many voters may already be pre-judging the result - as yet another victory for the apathy. But it is an attitude that people would be rash to adopt this time round. For so
WAY back in the 1920s, there was a second-hand clothes stall on Blackburn market -- mostly gents clothing, I think. As a customer tried on a jacket or overcoat, the lady stall holder would grab a fistful at the back, show him the front in the mirror and
AN aspect of the recycling issue which needs addressing by shopkeepers and customers alike is to charge for each plastic carrier bag. When I bought a newspaper in town I was asked if I wanted a carrier bag to put it in! Sometimes your goods are given
I AM disgusted at Burnley Council's stance on the hiring of a new director (LET, April 17). Council leader Stuart Caddy should realise that it is not rocket science to identify the weak areas in the council and the borough as a whole. It is interesting
I HAVE to admit I couldn't believe the Burnley scoreline when I heard about it on Saturday. And I can't imagine a worse match than away to Wimbledon to try to bounce back from that result, or end the season on. With everything that's been happening with
HAKAN Sukur has stunned Blackburn Rovers by saying he's ready to walk out on the club and head back to Turkey this summer. The former Inter Milan star has reportedly told the Turkish Press that he's unhappy in England after failing to adjust to life in
MORE than 800 men are to be DNA tested as part of the police inquiry into murdered schoolboy Imraan Vohra. Imraan's body was found in Avenham Park, Preston, on July 13 1985, but nobody was ever convicted of the crime. Now six retired detectives will be
BIRDS of a feather are flocking together for this year's Race For Life as a team of women from BAE Systems, Samlesbury, enter the charity event at Preston Sports Arena. Employees in the finance department at the aerospace company are spreading their wings
POSTAL workers from a Preston depot were tested for the killer bug Sars yesterday after returning from China where the deadly disease has claimed scores of lives. Two employees from the Pittman Way depot in Fulwood, who had just returned from a two week
A BANNED driver was caught out after police saw him trying to park -- but he could not get the vehicle in the space. Burnley magistrates heard how Christian Bowles, 24, had never held a full driving licence -- even though he was a mechanic and was said
COMMUNITY beat manager for Hapton PC Tony Himycz will change his shifts in a bid to be on duty during times when residents are most concerned. The move comes after PC Himycz held two surgeries in the village to enable people to meet him and air their
EDUCATION Secretary Charles Clarke has given the parents of Burnley a school places pledge -- but still left town being accused of failing to do enough. The government's education supremo made the comments as he visited a new £1.2m state-of-the-art learning
One woman even rang the police to compain about "vandalism" to more than 70 graves. In fact, the headstones had been laid flat after an urgent council review of cemeteries throughout the borough. The move -- announced last week -- comes after a woman
A TRADITIONAL Last Night of the Proms concert will be performed in Colne by an orchestra of under-18s on May 10. Tickets for the Pendle Youth Orchestra concert at the Hippodrome Theatre are selling fast, with only about 100 of the 550 seats yet to be
A STUDENT and floor manager who was over twice the legal limit has paid the price with a two-year driving ban. Burnley magistrates heard Martin John Sheen, 23, did not think he had a drink problem, but had reviewed his drinking habits since the offence
A MOTHER-of-two killed herself after a debilitating illness became too much to bear, an inquest heard. Sheena Chew, 42, of Oak Terrace, Barnoldswick, took a massive overdose of anti-depressants following her nephew's engagement party in February. Husband
TALENTED Catherine Cordey was one step away from being able to teach the French horn just four years after she began learning it. Catherine, 18, an A-level student at Accrington and Rossendale College passed the Associated Board Advanced Certificate.
DOZENS of dads took their daughters to work at British Aerospace, Samlesbury, as part of the 'Take Your Daughter to Work' national initiative. The project aimed to give young girls a better understanding of the world of work and career opportunities available
TODAY marks the beginning of a festival celebrating the best in local and international ale. The third Great Harwood Beer festival takes place at The Royal Hotel, Station Road, in the town. The festival is organised by Peter Booth, landlord of The Royal
THE son of a 61-year-old woman spoke of his on-going trauma after finding her dead. Michael Craig Edgar, of Huddersfield, discovered the body of his mother, Pamela, in her bed at her home in Foxwood Chase, Burnley Road, Accrington, in January. The widow
A TOWN is set to get a new sports hall to be used by both the community and its high school. Planning councillors at Lancashire County Council have been urged to approve an application by the school, due to be discussed next week. The new sports hall
SOAP star Julie Hesmondhalgh has recruited her Coronation Street mates to do their party pieces and raise money for her favourite local charity. Celebrities including Suranne Jones, who plays Karen McDonald, Jenny McAlpine (Fizz), Kevin Kennedy (Curly
MORE than 500 pupils, staff and guests were evacuated from Stonyhurst College after a blaze in a storage building. Fire crews were sent at 11.15am yesterday as the pupils were at morning mass. A police investigation has been launched into the cause of
A FORMER teacher and youth worker from Birmingham is the new rector of St James's, Clitheroe. The Rev Mark Pickett, 42, takes over from the Rev Ron Philpott, who is retiring after 10 years. Mark Pickett grew up in Eastbourne and after training as a teacher
FORMER MP Lord Waddington has warned that a North-West Regional Assembly would leave East Lancashire at the mercy of Manchester and Merseyside urban interests. The former Tory Home Secretary and Leader of the House of Lords said the plan proposed by the
A COUPLE who took the heartbreaking decision to turn off the ventilator keeping their daughter alive are to mark the anniversary of her death with a fund-raising drive. Matthew Turner, 30, of Oak Close, Barrow, near Whalley, hopes to raise more than £1,000
Stan Ternent has only offered two players new contracts resulting in 13 of his first team squad being released. With solid performances behind them Drissa Diallo and Graham Branch will be given the chance to sign new contracts, which leaves a mixture
ROBBIE Blake believes Burnley owe it to their supporters to end the season on a high. The striker admitted the fans had been let down by some below par performances in recent weeks. But he revealed the team would probably have settled for a mid-table
BEWARE of an invasion by the 'Men in Black' this weekend. That's the message as West Bromwich Albion prepare to descend on Ewood. Albion might have already been relegated back to the First Division, but that won't stop them from staging a huge party this
LIBERTY X pop star Kevin Simm has been honoured with a place in a men's magazine -- on a list of the world's hottest women! Liberty X were placed at number two in Maxim's Best Girl Band top ten -- even though two of the singers, Kevin and Tony, are men
ST JOHN Ambulance bosses in Leyland fear a life-saving caravan could have been used as a drugs den. The voluntary organisation's van, full of medical equipment, was broken into over Easter and the ambulance service has found a catalogue of damage. They
COACHES working with the borough's many sports clubs are invited to sign up for a series of courses. Bury Sports Development Unit has co-ordinated the programme to give groups a better understanding of disability, equity and child protection issues. The
POLICE are calling for a better public response to a Darwen police surgery on Saturday morning. Members of the public are invited to the meeting, from 10am to midday at the Sudellside Community Centre. PC Geoff Unsworth said: "We've had six of the surgeries
A WOMAN from Darwen who emigrated to Australia has been awarded a medal for her work with female AIDS victims. Stephanie Moore, 53, formerly of South Street, moved Down Under four years ago when given the opportunity to create a service helping women
TWO-hundred mourners paid their respects to a mother and two sons who died in a Blackpool hotel last month. Three white coffins could be seen at the front of Blackpool's Sacred Heart Church yesterday, containing the bodies of Patricia Jarvis, 36, and
EAST Lancashire went to the polls today to deliver its verdict on its local councils -- and the BNP. The far-right party has fielded22 candidates across three boroughs, a year after it shocked the country by grabbing three seats in Burnley. This time,
I AM trying to locate anyone who may be a relative of my grandparents. John William Jones jnr, born 1861 in Preston, his father John William Jones snr, mother Elizabeth Chandler Smith Jones and brother Harry Jones. Both John jnr and Harry were raised
LEADERS of the Christian faith in Blackburn and Darwen are to join forces at two events to give information and answer questions about Christianity. Organised by Churches Together, the events will take place at Revidge Fold United Reformed Church, Shear
SHAKESPEARE is set to return to Hoghton Tower for the first time in 400 years. This summer will see a series of open air productions of one of the Bard's most popular comedies Twelfth Night. Speaking at the official launch of the Shakespeare at the Tower
RESIDENTS on a Little Harwood estate say they will not be beaten by thieves who stole a pair of rose bushes dedicated to community figures who died. The 68 householders of Glenfield Close have pledged to create a new garden to remember Laura Haworth,
BLACKBURN'S skyline changed shape this week with the arrival of two massive cranes which will help complete a £1.8million bridge project. Waterfall bridge, which lies beneath Stancliffe Street between its junctions with Peel Street and Wellington Road
OVER 550 firearms have been handed in to Lancashire Police since the start of a national amnesty to reduce gun crime on Britain's streets. Officers who helped organise the amnesty say they are pleased with the response which has seen hundreds of dangerous
THE partner of a tragic 28-year-old who suddenly died at the wheel of his car today spoke of the "perfect guy" who died in her arms. Rebecca Bell, of Progress Avenue, Blackburn, was too distressed to attend the inquest of her partner Warren Andrew Bell
JEAN Rawlinson and Wendy Dodds finished first and second over 50 women in the second English Fell Championship Race of the season recently. Competing in the 11.25 mile Anniversary Waltz at Newlands near Keswick, Rawlinson, pictured left, finished in 2
THE third of the Pendle Forest Orienteers Spring Series of events is on Saturday at Alkincoats Park, Colne. It is signed off the A6068, 1km north of the town centre. With white, yellow and score courses, they are ideal for first timers, youth and school
ELEANOR Markendale of Pendle AC has won the under 15 pentathlon at the Lancashire Schools and County Combined Events Championships at Preston. Setting personal bests in the hurdles, shot and 800m and missing her best by just 2cms in both the high jump
KENNETH Ferrie won his first European Tour Title last weekend and nobody was more pleased then Salmesbury Golf Centre coach Jeff Mathews. While coaching in Northumberland, Mathews, coached the young golfer along with his promising older brother. "He had
THE 49th running of the classic Three Peaks Fell Race turned into a Clayton cakewalk as the club fielded the men's and women's winners in the same year for the first time in their history. Although for both winners - Dave Walker and Bev Whitfield - it
LAST Saturday's game against Bradford was the last one at home for this season. It's amazing how fast it's all gone. Twelve months ago this week we were welcoming new boss Craig Brown to Deepdale, to be followed shortly afterwards by barely known striker
