IT has been difficult this week to understand what was in the minds of the group of Darwen youngsters who set up their own stunts in the style of the Jackass TV programme. What possesses a boy to jump over fires, staple a hand, set fire to feet or have
Marvin wants to share your home HE'S a bit of a ladies' man whose sunny nature hasn't been dented by a fairly traumatic start to the year. And now Marvin the sunny-natured black cat, is on the lookout for a new home. Five-year-old Marvin was found on
THE HARPERS INN, Fence WE'VE all been there. It's a week since you did the shopping and if you wanted anything more exotic than beans on toast after work, you would have to be East Lancashire's answer to Nigella Lawson. There's only one sensible answer
LAST year I wrote about Alms Houses and mentioned the wonderful example found at Waddington. I asked readers to list other Alms Houses which they knew of in Lancashire. An impressive list developed from letters received. Here are a few: Penny Alms Houses
REFERENDUM? When the politicians at Westminster who are paid to scrutinise options and select the option most beneficial to the country at large realise no matter which option they choose there is a strong possibility the outcome will be detrimental to
AS Manchester City and England goalkeeper my job is all about making great saves. But even I can't save children if they take unnecessary risks. That's why I am appealing to all your young readers to stay out of quarries in the summer. They may seem like
A MOTHER drove her car at her own son in a prank staged for a Jackass- style stunt website. But Beverley Clare, of Darwen defended herself saying she was only going at 5mph and her son was not hurt. And the mother of Anchor Avenue said she is ready to
A JUDGE has hit out at the levels of street violence in Burnley after sending a thug to jail for glassing a teenager in a vicious early hours attack. Judge Michael Byrne slammed tattoed yob Paul Hartley's behaviour as "nothing short of scandalous", criticised
BLACKBURN Rovers' under 17s will play Aston Villa under 17s in a national play-off semi-final tie at Brockhall tomorrow (kick off 3 pm). Last Saturday, Rovers beat Southampton 3-1 away in the quarter-finals. Yesterday, Villa entertained Sheffield United
BOLTON Wanderers stunned the world of football earlier this week when news of their ambitious plan to sign Rivaldo hit the headlines. The former Barcelona and AC Milan star is reportedly close to signing a two-year contract with Wanderers. And if Reebok
A PATRIOTIC former mayor has slammed vandals who stole his English flag and set it alight on St George's Day. Granville Lord said he was flying the cross of St George to mark the patron saint's day, but would have removed it if had offended anyone. He
A SPURNED slaughterhouse worker subjected his ex-girlfriend to a "vicious and sustained" attack after smashing his way into her home in the early hours. Burnley magistrates heard heartbroken Paul Andrew Davison, 20, punched sobbing and terrified Gemma
A JUDGE has hit out at the levels of street violence in Burnley after sending a thug to jail for glassing a teenager in a vicious early hours attack. Judge Michael Byrne slammed tattoed yob Paul Hartley's behaviour as "nothing short of scandalous", criticised
TWO East Lancashire soldiers have been honoured in a list of brave servicemen for work around the world. Lance Corporal Adrian Redfearn, of Rishton, and Lieutenant Michael Peel, of Nelson, are among 120 soldiers singled out for their actions. The soldiers
TWO East Lancashire soldiers have been honoured in a list of brave servicemen for work around the world. Lance Corporal Adrian Redfearn, of Rishton, and Lieutenant Michael Peel, of Nelson, are among 120 soldiers singled out for their actions. The soldiers
POLICE today released details of a cannabis factory unearthed at an Oswaldtwistle house. The plants were found at the house in Stanley Street on Thursday night and taken to Accrington police station. Sgt Clare Holbrook, of Accrington police station, said
POLICE in East Lancashire today warned motorists not to think they can get away with breaking the speed limit. The warning came as officers prepared to hand over policing of mobile speed camera sites to civilians, who will take over the duty from police
A FORMER employee of Holland's Pies who planned to take the company to an employment tribunal has settled out of court. Father-of-one Faruk Hussain, 25, of Pendle Street, Accrington, had brought a case against the Baxenden based company after being dismissed
MONDAY, APRIL 25 BLACKBURN: 10am-1pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrug Pharmacy, 5 Stonybutts; 10.30am-4.30pm: Boots Chemist, 2 Cobden Court; noon-1pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road. DARWEN: noon-1pm: Lloyds Chemists,
THURSDAY, APRIL 29 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohens Chemist, 63 Whalley Range; To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive;
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; The Surgery (Chiropody), 132 Lammack Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The
CLARETS midfielder Lenny Johnrose is backing Burnley's young side to grow stronger on the basis of their battle to beat the drop this season. The 34-year-old has been impressed with the Clarets young guns since his return to the club on transfer deadline
LEIGH opened their 150th anniversary season with a 64-run victory over a Huyton side who had done the double against them in league games last year. But the first group match in the Premier Division Knockout Trophy competition had started badly for the
RADCLIFFE distance runner Michael Aspinall put in a superb performance in the London Marathon to finish in a very impressive 2 hours 34 minutes 26 seconds. The 20-year-old student's excellent achievement meant he finished an amazing 114th out of an estimated
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent will regard survival in the First Division as one of the major feats of his management career. While he has enjoyed promotions with both Burnley and Bury, maintaining the Clarets status this term will be a landmark achievement
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is ready to open talks with Tugay over a new contract. The former Turkish international midfielder's present deal is due to expire in the summer. But Souness has revealed he wants to offer new contracts to both Tugay and
A DISPLAY celebrating the history of Darwen Gala will go on show during the weeks leading up to this year's event. Organisers of the gala, which takes place on August 21, plan to show memorabilia dating as far back as the first ever events. Chairman John
PROTESTERS have forced councillors to defer a decision to introduce car parking charges in Rawtenstall. Thousands of shoppers, commuters, residents and traders have been consulted over the past month about car parking charges. Many people are opposed
A LEIGH man accused of carrying a revolver and a dismantled handgun in his car is to appear before the Crown Court. John Martin Flatley, aged 44, of Maple Crescent, Leigh, was stopped by police in Spotland Road, Rochdale, last month, and the vehicle was
A FRAUDSTER who dishonestly obtained £600 from a Government department has had his jail term cut by London's Criminal Appeal Court. Mayula Kibula, 31, of Castle Street, Tyldesley, was jailed for 15 months at Sheffield Crown Court in February, after pleading
WEEKLY recycling collections are due to start next month, but Blackburn with Darwen Council said it has no plans to extend its controversial fortnightly rubbish collections. Every home in the borough will receive a green recycling box and collections
TWO brothers who denied a charge of attempted murder will face trial in July. Migtaba Ali, 19 aMustafa, 20, both of Montague Street, Blackburn made a brief appearance before Preston Crown court. Both denied attempting to murder Makhdoom Ali and a second
LABOUR Party chairman Ian McCartney is to visit Blackburn on Monday. The Minister without Portfolio is to meet Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Sir Bill Taylor before undertaking a tour of the town. According to Councillor Bill Taylor, Mr McCartney
A LUCKY lap-dancer has scooped a competition to meet her favourite pop idol in one of the world's most glamorous cities. Karen McIntyre (above), 19, flew to Hollywood this week for a dream meeting with one of pop's biggest names -- Christina Aguilera.
WITH a favourable weather forecast at last, and carp seemingly ready to feed, prospects for the next few days appear to be very good indeed. For some, like those at Copthorne last Saturday for example, it really cannot get a lot better yet for others,
DAMIEN Duff once described him as a massive influence on his career. But the former Blackburn Rovers star and Republic of Ireland international is just one of a host of Premiership footballers who can count Alan Irvine as a man who helped to get them
WITH promotion already won, Sedgley Park President Geoff Roberts is already looking to the future. "We have a strong management structure, we know what we're doing, we know how to market the club and we feel we are ready for the challenge the step up
WITH the disastrous few months Leigh RMI have had, the last thing you would expect to hear from Phil Starbuck is that he is looking forward to next season. Yet the Hilton Park manager is keen to build on the club's potential and believes RMI will bounce
I sat watching a big-screen Jesus being whipped to shreds. The first nail drove into a clawed hand, apparently Mel Gibbon's own. He didn't just want to direct his controversial Passion; he wanted to identify himself as one of those responsible for the
THE plug plants on my windowsill are just about ready now to be potted on into this year's summer hanging baskets. If you have enough space in a frost-free greenhouse or porch to house your hanging baskets until all danger of frost has passed, you can
CHRIS Davies letter (LET, April 22) is just typical of a pro euro left-wing liberal who wants to chuck away what little identity British people have left. Why don't you ask a British fisherman if we should join the new EU constitution? And if our so-called
SATURDAY'S LET, April 17 had the usual slot for the future week's speed camera sites. In the article was the information that civilian operators are taking over the operation of mobile speed cameras! At a starting salary £16,000, isn't it surprising how
I WANTED to write and thank all your readers who lodged their support of the British Lung Foundation's (BLF) campaign for the implementation of the new NICE COPD Guideline. More than 2,000 people returned signed postcards in just 14 days to the BLF asking
A DISUSED tyre and exhaust centre was badly damaged in a suspected arson attack in Leigh early on Saturday. Firemen were called to the former ATS garage, on Rothay Street, at 2.15am after flames were seen coming through the roof. Police evacuated an elderly
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is hopeful Jonathon Douglas will agree to sign a new contract with the club. As we revealed earlier this week, Rovers have already opened talks with the young Irishman about a new deal. But so far Douglas has rejected Rovers
GRAEME Souness has broken his silence over the dispute which led to Andy Todd being dropped from the first team. Souness wanted Todd to be a substitute in Rovers' recent game with Leeds United but the former Bolton and Charlton defender refused to take
A BURNLEY soldier awarded an MBE for his services to the Army took time out of his busy schedule to meet Burnley Mayor Coun Lilian Clark. Paul Fletcher, warrant officer 1st class in the Royal Logistic Corps, and his family joined Coun Clark in the mayor's
A BURNLEY company is sponsoring a world-record attempt to make the first ever kite-powered crossing of the Gobi Desert. Network VEKA, the Burnley-based national trade body, is sponsoring 60-year-old consultant professor Brian Cunningham in his record
A SERBIAN couple who snatched handbags from mostly elderly and vulnerable victims in "professional" thieving jaunts in Burnley, were today both behind bars. The pair, who were joined in one offence by a schoolboy, targeted a pensioner on a walking frame
A PIONEERING solar power trial has been backed by councillors. Pendle Council is one of only a handful of authorities to take part in the scheme, which could slash heating bills by up to 60 per cent. The project is part of a partnership between the council
A PIONEERING solar power trial has been backed by councillors. Pendle Council is one of only a handful of authorities to take part in the scheme, which could slash heating bills by up to 60 per cent. The project is part of a partnership between the council
A TEENAGER has told a court he did not stab Sean Whyte in a disturbance in a Colne street. Hasan Mumtaz, 18, of North Street, denies murdering Sean Whyte, wounding and violent disorder. His brother Wasim Mumtaz, 21, also of North Street, denies violent
LABOUR councillors today claimed Accrington Town Centre Regeneration Board is failing the town. And they have said it should be helping all of Hyndburn's town centres - not just Accrington. But Tories at Hyndburn Council hit back, saying they were still
CAMPAIGNERS bidding to force the BBC to back down over plans to screen a controversial cartoon. It ridicules the Pope and campaigners are calling on "right thinking people" from throughout East Lancashire to attend a protest meeting on Thursday. One of
A WOMAN obtained more than £70,000 by forging her husband's signature on loan agreements and credit card applications. Blackburn magistrates heard that Christine Helen Crossley's marriage was in the "death throes" when she embarked on her cross-county
FRIDAY, APRIL 30 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
MONDAY, APRIL 26 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
TUESDAY, APRIL 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: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver
A PENSIONER awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours list today relived her day at the palace and said: "I still don't think I deserve it!" Betty Barker travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive her 'gong' from Prince Charles. Betty, who lives in Waddington
COLNE have signed experienced Kiwi all-rounder Andre Adams to replace Mark Cleary, who walked out on the club this week. Adams, 28, who has played 41 one day internationals for New Zealand, is a right arm medium pace bowler and a good batsman. Meanwhile
ANDREW McDonald will get a tough early test of his bowling credentials at Alexandra Meadows tomorrow. The Australian professional and his new HASLINGDEN team-mates go to East Lancs for a meeting of last year's top two. Cricket chairman Stuart Taylor said
SPENNYMOOR UNITED...3 RADCLIFFE BORO...1 Unibond League Premier Division THIS loss at Brewery Field ensured a nail-biting finale to the regular season. Boro complete their league fixtures when Burscough visit Stainton Park, and Kevin Glendon's boys need
YOUNGSTERS from Darwen Vale High School will become international DJs when their radio station broadcasts across the world. The pupils launch their radio station on the internet for a week in July, and listeners are expected to tune in from as far as
A MOTHER drove her car at her own son in a prank staged for a Jackass- style stunt website. But Beverley Clare, of Darwen defended herself saying she was only going at 5mph and her son was not hurt. And the mother of Anchor Avenue said she is ready to
A MAN going through a divorce forged his wife's signature on an insurance document, a court was told. Anthony Lees, aged 56, of Sycamore Drive, Radcliffe, appeared at Bury Magistrates Court and admitted a charge of making a false instrument to deceive
TWO people were taken to hospital after a furniture delivery van collided with a car in Hoghton. The Pristine Pine van's trailer ended up on its side almost in a front garden after pushing a stationary Vauxhall Corsa up the road. Chorley councillor David
YOUNG people in Blackburn are set to rap their way to better health. A group in the Bank Top area plan to produce their own CDs to promote healthier lifestyles. The youngsters have successfully bid for a £2,500 grant from the Neighbourhood Renewal Community
EDUCATION professionals today warned that schools will fail education watchdog inspections if teachers are not told what is expected of them. And a leading teaching union said East Lancashire schools "will topple like dominoes" into special measures if
A MOTHER-OF-FOUR who killed a 68-year-old man while in a drunken rage has been jailed for two and a half years. A court heard that Barbara Bower had gone looking for her teenage daughter and went to the house, which was converted into flats, thinking
BLACKBURN Hawks are still in with a chance of winning the English Ice Hockey League North's play-off title, but face the toughest of tasks. The only team they have been unable to 'cut it' against this season have been the Sheffield Scimitars. In seven
