NO politicians have been able to find a magic wand to solve the problems faced by the National Health Service in meeting the needs of all patients effectively in the shortest possible time. And few would envy those tasked to manage an NHS in which resources
BLACKBURN Hawks are without a match this weekend as original opponents Billingham Bombers are unable to fulfil the fixture. The Hawks, who are unbeaten in the National Ice Hockey League's northern section in four matches, had hoped to see off their Teesside
AS parents know, it can be very hard work shopping with very small children. Pushing a child in a trolley full of shopping can be difficult. Walking a small child while carrying shopping is harder. It makes it easier having car parking spaces allocated
AS a former governor at Queen's Park High, I feel that I am reasonably well qualified to respond to the question 'Who is to blame for the poor standards at Queen's Park?' (LET, October 9). It is blatantly obvious where the blame lies for the present situation
COUNCIL staff have been warned about sending abusive e-mails after a senior officer inadvertently forwarded copies of an "offensive" message to hundreds of colleagues. Cath Hitchen, an assistant director for Blackburn with Darwen Council's education and
LEIGH Centurions head coach Darren Abram has signed a contract to stay with the new Super League club. Abram and his assistant Tommy Martyn have both signed two-year deals at Hilton Park after guiding Centurions to National League One play-off success
FORMER Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has admitted he tried to line up Mark Hughes as the new manager of Sheffield Wednesday. Bates has been trying to take over at Hilsborough since the turn of the year and he claims he held talks with Hughes in March about
The Saturday Interview - this week: JIMMY KHAN THE hairs sprang up on the back of Jimmy Khan's neck. Three o'clock on December 12, 1988, heralded one of the proudest moments of the 25-year-old's life as the first notes of the Pakistan national anthem
BURNLEY planning bosses have dispelled rumours that a casino for the town is on the cards. Reports in the UK highlighted Burnley as a location earmarked by gambling firms. But council chiefs said today there were no applications in the pipeline for a
A PHONE mast campaigner has urged the people of Burnley to take a stand against mobile phone companies. Campaigner Dennis Cannon, who set up Together Against Masts (TAM) in 2000, wants people to write to government planners after it emerged mobile firm
WORSHIPPERS will be filling Bury with the sound of music on October 23 to help raise £1m for a Christian community project. Visitors to Bolton Road Methodist Church will be joining hundreds of singers across the world in the 'Big Sing' to raise money
A MAN who was found stabbed to death next to his burning car has been named as Radcliffe takeaway worker Abdul Sameh Yadgari. The 35-year-old's body was discovered by police near a block of flats in Blackley. He had suffered several stab wounds and severe
THE owner of a farm in Trawden has been given seven days to apply for planning permission for kennels or face prosecution. Work to transform agricultural buildings at Slack Booth Farm, Hollin Hall, into kennels for greyhound breeding began in September
A MUM of eight affectionately known as 'Ma' to those who grew up on an Accrington estate has died. Janet Barnes, 58, collapsed and died of a heart attack at the home of one of her daughter's. And her family today paid tribute, saying she would do anything
A POPULAR Indian restaurant was shut down for two days after environmental health officers discovered an infestation of cockroaches. Bury Council's health inspectors found scores of live German cockroaches on the premises of the Khan Saab restaurant,
A REVIEW has been launched into the effectiveness of signs warning about a low bridge after a wagon became stuck in the morning rush hour. Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration, revealed the move after the jam at Skew Bridge, in Whalley New
STEVE Cotterill is convinced that Richard Chaplow can become Burnley's deadly weapon. Chaplow, 19, faces Ipswich Town today after opening his England goalscoring account last weekend with a goal for the U20s against Holland. And Clarets boss Cotterill
LEIGH Miners Rangers U12s deservedly went into second round of the Lancashire Cup after a fine 20-6 win over West Bank Bears. The Miners points came from tries by Mikaluaskas, Marsden, Slater and Eccleston with Mikaluakas landing two goals. Man of the
ASTLEY & Tyldesley Road Runners sent their second string runners to Bury to compete in the Red Rose Cross Country Race 1. John Lee and Bob Stevens ran well in the muddy conditions finishing 91st and 99th. Craig Bradbury and Gary Stevens found the
LANCASTRIAN RK squash first team had a comfortable victory for the third consecutive week. Only in one matchdid Rochdale make any significant inroads where a crafty, grafting opponent managed to make things tough for Mike Carter. Carter missed a match
Skirlaugh 31, Leigh East 16: THERE was no change to Leigh East's terrible away form at the weekend as they stuttered and stumbled their way to a defeat against Skirlaugh. With Skirlaugh languishing at the foot of the National Conference Premier table
LEIGH RU re-gained the Brian Drummond Memorial Trophy and retained their undefeated league record with a 29-18 win at Warrington, Poor Leigh defensive play allowed Warrington early possession and although they missed a penalty, they took the lead with
LEIGH Centurions used a snub at last week's National League awards ceremony as additional motivation for their promotion-deciding clash with Whitehaven. The Cumbrians scooped the prizes at the end-of-season presentation in Leeds, while Leigh left empty-handed
INJURY-HIT Golborne Parkside feilded their youngest-ever team in their fixture against Burtonwood but still came away with a super 22-0 win. Facing a undefeated bigger and older team who, up to Saturday, boasted the best defensive record in Division Three
Leigh Centurions 32 Whitehaven 16 (aet): LEIGH'S long and winding road to the promised land of Super League has finally ended in glory - but not without another rollercoaster ride of emotion. After three previous Grand Final defeats their agony was prolonged
STEVE Cotterill is convinced that Richard Chaplow can become Burnley's deadly weapon. Chaplow, 19, faces Ipswich Town today after opening his England goalscoring account last weekend with a goal for the U20s against Holland. And Clarets boss Cotterill
FIXING boilers, fitting U-bends and repairing leaky taps is just all in a days work for one Rossendale plumber. But those expecting the best plumber in Lancashire at their doorsteps could be in for a shock. That is according to Joanne Nuttall, who has
ROSSENDALE'S internationally-acclaimed opera star Sean Ruane is set to make an emotional return to the area for a special concert this Christmas. And he admits he is probably more nervous playing at home in Bacup than in Milan -- because so many people
A MAN has been arrested following a suspicious death near Leigh. A 38-year-old man was discovered at his home on Cottesmore Way, Golborne, by officers at 5.15pm on Thursday night with serious head injuries. He was taken to Wigan's Royal Albert and Edward
WARRANTS have been issued for the arrest of two directors of a Blackburn company involved in the slaughter of animals. Blackburn magistrates issued the warrants at the request of the Meat and Livestock Commission. The commission said that Ghaffar Ahmed
A FORMER Lancashire Evening Telegraph type-setter responsible for introducing the 37.5 hour working week has died aged 84. Blackburn-born Joseph Frederick Wade died after a long battle with a degenerative brain disorder at his home in Cumbria. Mr Wade
with KINGFISHER YOU do not need to be an expert to get yourself a Ribble barbel or two, but if you want to get a big one it certainly does help. And there are few anglers more expert on this particular river than Preston scrap metal dealer David Dean
THE fact that Coronation Street fans will recognise the face of the latest 'newcomer" featured highly in one tabloid paper at the weekend. It revealed that for actor Ken Kitson, who appears as entrepreneur Frank Walker buying McCarthy's wine bar, it is
A TYLDESLEY resident is fuming over the announcement of the closure of Tyldesley baths. Like many others he claims that the town has been forgotten since it was taken under the wing of Wigan. He says the boxing club will be the next to go to make way
A DISABLED woman has died after fire swept through her home as she slept. Alison Cross, aged 53, was in bed when a fire started downstairs at 9.30am on Friday, in Springside Road, Bury. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus found her in the bedroom
DESPITE taking a two goal lead into the interval with goals from Jordan Potter and Andy Woodhouse, Boothstown U13s could not hold on and lost 3-2 to a battling Old Strefordians side. Goalkeeper Nico Horodniczy made a string of marvellous saves to earn
HINDSFORD lost 6-3 after extra time in the Murray Shield away at Elton Vale. Hindsford took the lead when Dan Toone headed home a Tony Brown corner and Neil Critchley made it two when he slipped the last defender and then rounded the keeper. Elton Vale
LEIGH RMI Chairman Bill Taylor is asking the people of Leigh to unite in the sentiment of the town's sporting feel-good factor and get behind the football club. Taylor watched his side lose at home to Stevenage in front of just 235 paying spectators at
ATHERTON CCs junior presentation is to be held on October 20. The club has enjoyed a successful season with the Under 13's winning the league championship and cup. The evening will be held in the club pavillion at 8pm. Players wishing to attend must contact
DID President Bush and his side-kick Tony Blair think that once Saddam Hussein had been disposed of peace would prevail? Wrong! All these two have done is open a can of worms and the loss of life on all sides could go on for a years. They have both lied
IAM a Year 8 pupil at Queen's Park Technology College and I don't think it is fair to close down the school. The headmaster only started last year and he has not had enough time to put his mark on the school. Also I don't think it is fair to make the
IN blaming Saddam for lying over WMDs, Jack Straw has, in one sentence, shown his complete lack of understanding and rewritten history. Not content with "failing to spot" Robert Mugabe (it was dark) and shaking his hand, Mr Straw has now compounded his
A MAN has been charged in connection with a drug-dealing operation at a Burnley post office - six years after police began looking for him. Arshid Khan was arrested by officers from the National Crime Squad in Bradford last week. He has been accused of
LORENZO Amoruso today said Mark Hughes has managed to restore harmony in the dressing room at Blackburn Rovers after replacing Graeme Souness as the club's new boss. The former Rangers star has admitted that a rift did exist between Souness and several
A MAN has been charged in connection with a drug-dealing operation at a Burnley post office - six years after police began looking for him. Arshid Khan was arrested by officers from the National Crime Squad in Bradford last week. He has been accused of
DARLINGTON 1, SHAKERS 2: First-half goals from Chris Porter and Terry Dunfield earned Shakers a great victory at Darlington on Saturday. Full report on Monday Barrow keen on Irish trialist SHAKERS boss Graham Barrow is still looking to improve his squad
THE death of Kenneth Bigley will not bring down the Labour Government, nor persuade Tony Blair to resign. The fact that we were fed a truckload of codswallop by a Prime Minister pledged to support George Dubya in his post 9/11 Middle East crusade won't
PEOPLE living in a Colne street claimed they were "second-class citizens"' after losing their fight against a flats scheme. Residents of Atkinson Street said plans for a three-storey block of apartments on land off Hagg Street would spoil the area and
COLNE is a town on the up, according to councillors. A new bar is to open in part of the Royal Mail sorting offices and Pendle members hailed it as a sign the night-time economy is booming. The Colne and District area committee gave XLCR Vehicle Management
PENDLE planners have urged people to be 'more politically correct' when objecting to planning applications. Coun David Robertson made the request after reading remarks querying "the type of people" who would occupy proposed flats in Spring Lane, Colne
Mark Babych is the man responsible for providing top-class entertainment for thousands of East Lancashire theatregoers. He spoke to JOHN ANSON. . . I'M not quite sure why I found the idea of Mark Babych offering to make me a cup of tea when we met to
CHARITY dance arranger Edith Willcock has organised a Halloween cabaret dance at the Monaco, Hindley, on Saturday, October 30, from 7.45pm with proceeds going to Diabetes UK. Dress for the evening is orange and black and there will be spot prizes. For
EAST Lancashire fire chiefs today warned it was only a matter of time before pranksters "cost someone their life." Accrington crews rushed out on Thursday at about 6pm to a reported fire at a empty house in Richmond Avenue. The caller, who used a mobile
RESIDENTS in the west of Accrington claim the use of a terrace house as a drop-in centre for Asian women is causing traffic problems in their street. Last month the Aawaz Women's Voluntary Group won planning permission from Hyndburn Council to turn a
REVELLERS in Accrington town centre are being warned to confine their drinking to licensed premises as part of a police crackdown. Officers have revealed that the town's alcohol ban has been flouted in recent weeks, especially in the St James's churchyard
RESIDENTS in the west of Accrington have glimpsed the plans for the first new housing to be built under Hyndburn's housing regeneration programme. The proposals for 29 homes on land between Londsdale Street and Newark Street have been drawn up by Manchester-based
RIBBLE Valley residents are demanding a pedestrian crossing be installed at the spot where an 82-year-old woman died following a road accident. Annie Bowker, of Crowtrees Gardens, Chatburn, sustained severe head injuries after she was involved in a collision
A 21-YEAR-OLD leisure centre assistant stole cash from the till because of financial problems, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that inquiries began when audit staff at Roefield Leisure Centre, Clitheroe, became concerned that takings at
BORDERLINE pupils wanting to try for a place at grammar school could lose out because of changes in the rules on school admissions. Pupils who failed the entry exam for Clitheroe Royal or Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar schools this year were allowed to
COULD the annoying ring of mobile phones in the cinema or theatre be a thing of the past? The French government is to allow blocking devices to be used to stop mobile phones receiving calls and so end a major annoyance for many. And now UK cinema and
IN an era when four-wheel-drive turbocharged cars dominate rallying, Calum Duffy's performance on the Philips Tour of Mull was nothing less than brilliant. Victory -- by over a minute and a half -- in an elderly Ford Escort over a field packed with state-of-the-art
TOUGH fell runner Dionne Allan has stormed to her first British title and home international championship at the age of 15. Leigh Harrier Dionne, is the first club member to collect a national hill running gold and the second to win an England vest this
TYLDESLEY RU's failure to once again to turn pressure in to points may cause them more problems as the season progresses. Despite dominating in the forwards, the inability to get the ball out to the backs saw visitors De La Salle pull off a 13-8 win.
LORENZO Amoruso today said Mark Hughes has managed to restore harmony in the dressing room at Blackburn Rovers after replacing Graeme Souness as the club's new boss. The former Rangers star has admitted that a rift did exist between Souness and several
THREE teenagers have made a pop video which goes public next month. Richard Nicholson, who recently won an award for one of his short films at the Co-op Young Filmmakers festival in Bradford, will be joined by fellow-Darwen Moorland High School pal Chris
DARWEN MP Janet Anderson has welcomed news that the Christmas Day (Trading) Bill has been passed. The Bill, backed by shopworkers' union USDAW, means all large stores must close on December 25, guaranteeing most shopworkers at least one day off over Christmas
A POPULAR Darwen club has closed after undercover police discovered "anti-social" activities on the premises. Officers who visited the Central Club, in Church Street, during the past month said they found the rules of the licence were not being followed
GIRLS in an East Lancashire borough have one of the shortest life expectancy levels in the country, new statistics have revealed. Baby girls born in Blackburn with Darwen between 2001 and 2003 are expected to live 77.6 years -- only a few months longer
A SCHOOL cook has been hailed as a council's best employee - thanks to Bob the Builder! Janet Martindale encourages youngsters at Cedars Infant School, Hawthorne Street, Blackburn, to eat healthy school dinners with theme days. And her imaginative work
PATIENTS are being sent on 200-mile round trips for routine operations as part of a cut-priced deal aimed at slashing waiting lists. But thousands of pounds are also being spent at local private hospitals because some people are refusing to travel. Government
COUNCIL staff have been warned about sending abusive e-mails after a senior officer inadvertently forwarded copies of an "offensive" message to hundreds of colleagues. Cath Hitchen, an assistant director for Blackburn with Darwen Council's education and
SEDGLEY Park player-coach Tim Fourie wants his team to use last Saturday victory over Penzance and Newlyn as the benchmark for their season. Park came back from 17 points down to beat the Pirates 28-27 and end a run of five straight league defeats. "Saturday's
THE Cart and Horses, Astley, team took on the cream of the country's quiz champions in front of the nation on Tuesday. They starred on the BBC afternoon programme "Eggheads" but no-one looking in would have realised they were locals. It was announced
HINDSFORD U16s came from a goal down to beat Valley 4-1 in the U16s section of the Leigh Youth League. Valley dominated the first half but only led by a James Chamberlain goal at the break. Against run of play Hindsford hit back with strikes from Matt
Leigh RMI 1 Stevenage 2: FOUR successive Conference defeats have added to the pressures mounting on Phil Starbuck, but Leigh's manager remains defiant that he can turn the club's fortunes around. "I have never known anything like it in my time in football
