THE letter from Graham Carter (LET, October 20) was admirable in its summation of today's young parents attitudes! Why though, did he drag Maggie Thatcher into the argument? The vast majority of "mothers with babies" these days were at best in primary
AS we approach Bonfire Night the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is making a plea to those readers planning to hold fireworks' parties - think! Every year guide dogs and other assistance dogs are forced to retire after being traumatised by the irresponsible
WHILE I do not like to see others suffer I do feel that Janet Anderson getting 'front page billing' because her wheelie bin had been stolen is overdoing things just a tad! When I loved on Durham Road (a stone's throw from her house) I suffered: My bin
AN old soldier will return to the theatre of war after being awarded a place on the Big Lottery Fund-backed Heroes Return scheme. Seventy-nine years-old Reg Shortle is one of 233 veterans from the North West who have just been granted funding to revisit
AN East Lancashire headteacher was crowned as the best in the country last night and said: "I am just an ordinary bloke doing a job that I love." Iain Hulland, of Alder Grange Community and Technology College, Rawtenstall, was overwhelmed when he was
Stone 1 Atherton LR 0: A FAILURE to take their chances cost Atherton LR dear as they were beaten in a Staffordshire downpour. Paul Donnelly's second-half winner secured three NW Counties First Division points for Stone after LR failed to clear a left-wing
Canvey 3 Leigh RMI 0: LEIGH suffered their sixth consecutive defeat in a game they wanted called off. RMI, who are facing another relegation battle, made an appeal to get the game postponed after an outbreak of mumps and flu had hit the Hilton Park camp
MARK Hughes must wish he'd never been to Chelsea. And that's not just based on Saturday, when his Blackburn side suffered the club's first Premiership defeat at Stamford Bridge as they were humbled 4-0. The Blackburn boss could now be regretting the time
IT'S going to be a long, cold winter for Blackburn Rovers - and the Ice Man hath already cometh. Eidur Gudjohnsen sent shivers down the spine of Mark Hughes with three goals in 13 minutes as Chelsea beat Blackburn for the first time in all 11 of their
THEY have married hundreds of people but on Saturday it was finally the turn of two Burnley vicars - as they were the bride and groom. And Rev Rachel Simper and Rev Ian Watts will now take up posts in nextdoor parishes St James, Briercliffe, and St Cuthbert's
PEOPLE who met Peter Pike at his weekly surgery on Saturday said they would wait to see if the MP was as good as his word. A total of 14 people queued up at Burnley's Thompson Centre to ask Mr Pike about a range of issues from care for the elderly to
WORK on a scheme to put motorists in Burnley in the fast lane could start as early as next month. The £2million Intelligent Transport System will see travel and traffic information posted on electronic boards at the roadside. Messages about car parking
POLICE hunting a gang of armed robbers who stole more than £50,000 from outside a store today revealed they believe the raiders were not from this area. Detectives said the gang who robbed a Securicor van outside the Spar shop in Brunshaw Road, Burnley
Bury 1 Rushden & Diamonds 1: IT was another frustrating day at the office for Graham Barrow and his side as for the second time in a matter of days they squandered two home points. Hot on the heels of Tuesday night's draw with Boston came another
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has called on Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon to make a Commons statement on the sale of the former Royal Navy submarine that caught fire. The HMCS Chicoutimi had to be rescued off Ireland by British ships and taken to Britain's
CHILDREN as young as eight are being taken to hospital as a result of alcohol, a husband and wife team of paramedics revealed today. The couple, who tour schools across East Lancashire, said they now wanted to start including alcohol awareness in their
A BURNLEY woman potholer was rescued four hours after falling 40ft from a rope ladder in Bull Pot, Casterton Fell, near Kirkby Lonsdale. Patricia Carroll of Devonshire Road was taken to hospital with a broken wrist, back injuries and suffering shock.
EAST Lancashire bank managers were warning customers about a new type of pen that could help forge legal documents. Darwen's Midland Bank manager even sent out letters to his customers warning of the pen that could be rubbed out up to 24 hours after being
A CONTROVERSIAL application to convert a private house into a centre for the mentally ill was given the green light despite 200 objections. Lancashire Social Services was set to convert the Limes, in Blackburn Road, Darwen, following approval from the
AN 18-YEAR-OLD girl is fighting for her life after she was struck by a police car answering a 999 call. The teenager from Prestwich was hit by the marked police van as it drove along Bury New Road towards Manchester on Saturday at around 11.10pm. She
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl has been hailed a "Little Angel" after saving her mum's life. Brave Jennifer Lloyd prevented her mum, Amanda, from falling into a life-threatening diabetic coma after she collapsed at home in Glebelands Road. The youngster, who is
FEARS are growing that East Lancashire will be left with a Third World railway service after the new operator insisted there was no new cash for rolling stock. Serco-NedRailways will take over local services in the north from December 12 and says it has
COLNE had to settle for a point at Holt House after dominating a first half of missed chances. The Reds made the early running, with Paul Forsyth crossing for an Ian Simpson chance at the far post. From the last of three James Webster corners, Scott Gizon
A PENALTY from the returning Jason Jones ten minutes from time gave Clitheroe a deserved share of the points against physical opposition. With a referee happy to book players for trivial offences, while letting many late Willenhall tackles go unpunished
THIS action-packed UniBond First Division basement battle ended all square after the Magpies had looked set to pick up a first away win with a quality goal five minutes from time. But bottom placed Rocester rescued a point their spirited efforts deserved
IAN Moore is targeting December's derby date with Preston for a comeback following knee surgery. The Burnley striker went under the surgeon's knife this afternoon after struggling in recent weeks with a patella problem. Early estimates are that Moore
AN Australian pensioner whose family once lived in Darwen has made a 12,000 mile journey back to East Lancashire to hand in a book at the town library. Doug Duxbury, 75, now lives in Brisbane but he and fellow Australian citizen Ray Morton, are both originally
THE COUNTRY'S first virtual school is set to be launched next month in East Lancashire to encourage troubled pupils to continue learning. Cyber space will become a place for youngsters, who are on the verge of being expelled or caught playing truant,
RADCLIFFE Borough's Unibond Premier Division match at Guiseley was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
A DRUNKEN man couldn't believe his luck when he passed a town centre store at night - and found the doors unlocked, a court heard. And James Caine decided to start his Christmas shopping early at the TJ Hughes shop, in Blackburn. But he didn't realise
A GANG of street robbers has struck for the seventh time -- and police today said they feared they were growing more violent. Officers have warned men walking on their own at night to take extra care after the stabbing in Oakenhurst Road, Bank Top, Blackburn
TWO drunken brothers who subjected a man one thought had abused a child to a "thorough beating" have been jailed for three years. Ex-soldier Andrew Ray, 49 and Richard Ray, 46, left David Howlett in a pool of blood outside his Blackburn home at midnight
POLICE could know by the New Year whether they will be handed enough cash to replace Hyndburn's threatened council neighbourhood wardens with their own staff. The borough's 12 wardens are likely to face the axe in two years after a source of Government
A CLIQUE of non-elected Labour Party members influenced key decisions on Blackburn with Darwen Council, a secret report into the resignation of six councillors has revealed. But an internal inquiry, prompted by the walk out which left the council in turmoil
IT WAS cruelly ironic that Accrington Stanley were playing at the McCain Stadium on Saturday, because the chips were certainly down for John Coleman's men. It was a body blow when Scarborough took the lead as early as the fourth minute through a quick
TWO new anti-bullying experts have been appointed to a new government alliance aimed at cutting the number of children being picked on in their formative years. The Anti-Bullying Alliance was announced in July by Education Minister Ivan Lewis and two
A 25-YEAR-OLD man who was arrested on suspicion of the murder of father-of-four Rob Johnston has been released on police bail. He was detained last Thursday at his home in the Halliwell area following a call from a member of the public. Mr Johnston, of
Don't fall for postal con tricks DURING National Consumer Week last week, trading standards nationally highlighted risks to consumers and businesses associated with scams such as premium rate phone numbers, scratch cards, unsolicited email and post. Recent
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council constantly moans it have no money for things that need doing urgently, like safe footpaths in the cemetery for instance. Yet they seem to have an abundance of money for any whim that takes their fancy. The latest is that
A CLIQUE of non-elected Labour Party members influenced key decisions on Blackburn with Darwen Council, a secret report into the resignation of six councillors has revealed. But an internal inquiry, prompted by the walk out which left the council in turmoil
A FAMILY of ten today told how they feared their Burnley home would explode at any moment after sparking a World War Two bomb alert. The drama in Colne Road began on Friday at 11.30pm just after most of the Bracewell family had gone to bed leaving sons
HE insists he works 70 hours a week, has 1,000 cases on the go and much of his work is confidential. It sounds like the workload of a junior doctor. But in fact it belongs to Burnley MP Peter Pike who has just spent two hours listening to the concerns
THE solicitor for Nelson soldier Kevin Williams has told the British National Party to "stay away" from his murder trial at the Old Bailey. Robert Wong said the BNP's support was inappropriate and urged them to cancel a planned protest today. He said:
SO! Is it the biggest rip-off since the poll tax or is it a poor pittance for the time and effort that MPs put into working for the people? It's hard luck on Peter Pike to turn up as one of the Top Four. Or is it? £153,989 seems a lot of money when added
AN anonymous complaint about dog walkers in Great Harwood throwing dog poo into litter bins and in hedges could result in special doggie bins being installed. A resident from Waverledge Estate wrote a letter reporting seeing dog walkers bagging-up dog
VULNERABLE pensioners are being given crime-busting kits to help them guard against bogus callers. Hyndburn Homewise Society, a charity based in the borough offering housing advice to the elderly, has raised enough cash to be able to hand out the free
EAST Lancashire MP Nigel Evans has told international politicians at the United Nations headquarters that easing Third World debts was vital to promote peace. The Ribble Valley Tory was at an Inter-Parliamentary Union function in New York. He told the
POLICE are hunting a "baby-faced' burglar who sneaked into a sheltered accommodation flat. The raider stole a cash card from the flat of an 85-year-old Clitheroe woman after banging on the front door of the housing complex and walking into her ground
POLICE and residents in Clitheroe have declared decriminalised parking a success after wardens issued more than 330 tickets in six weeks. Many householders in town centre streets feared traffic chaos when Ribble Valley Council-appointed wardens took to
A BURNLEY side without Ian Moore is almost unthinkable! The Clarets striker has been a seasonal feature of life at Turf Moor since signing from Stockport County in November 2000. One hundred and seventy one league appearances in four-and-a-half subsequent
PADIHAM shot holes in the division's meanest defence to strengthen their position at the top of the table after their tough fixture at the Barton Stadium on Saturday. Neil Almond broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half when he raced away
GUISBOROUGH Town are becoming a bogey side for Bacup, but the visitors had only themselves to blame for their fourth defeat against them in two seasons. Bacup controlled the entire first half, but failed to give the home goalkeeper cause for concern.
ROSSENDALE fell to their third straight defeat against a strong, well organised Ossett side. The Yorkshire visitors won the battle and controlled midfield, and once they had taken the lead they never looked like losing it. First Division top scorer Danny
BLACKBURN Rovers are hoping to avoid selling any of their top players to free up January transfer window funds for Mark Hughes. Weekend speculation linked Barry Ferguson with a move to re-join former Rovers manager Graeme Souness at Newcastle in the new
QUESTION from my six-year -old daughter: 'Mum, what's a love machine?' She almost caused a car crash as she asked me this question on the way home from school last week. It slipped from her tongue as easily, and innocently, as "What is the world's highest
AN appeal was today launched for voluntary rangers to work in Ramsbottom's countryside. Countryside services in Bury, Bolton and Salford run the Croal Irwell Valley Voluntary Ranger Service. They want volunteers - who are enthusiastic, motivated and looking
CORONATION Street's cheeky Chesney today revealed he wished his pet dog Schmeichel had been named after Burnley hero Robbie Blake. Haslingden High School pupil Sam Aston has captured the nation's hearts with his portrayal of the ITV soap's loveable little
AN East Lancashire headteacher was crowned as the best in the country last night and said: "I am just an ordinary bloke doing a job that I love." Iain Hulland, of Alder Grange Community and Technology College, Rawtenstall, was overwhelmed when he was
A SUSPECTED drink-driver, travelling at speed, fled after causing a four car pile up yesterday morning, police said. Residents of St James Street, Blackburn, reported seeing the silver Vauxhall Astra van speeding down the road, at 12.10am, before breaking
A WIDOW has raised money for East Lancashire Macmillan nurses as a thank you to the woman who helped her cope with her husband's death. Margaret Bickerstaffe, 62, of Wensley Road, Blackburn, who lost her husband in July, said she would never have managed
DOCTORS today warned an East Lancashire diabetes epidemic was inevitable as rising obesity takes its toll. The area has one of the highest levels of the illness in the country because of poor diet and problems linked to deprivation. And Dr Geraint Jones
blasts players PRESTON 3 FOREST 2 BILLY Davies subjected his players to a 10 minute rollocking after they came nail-bitingly close to squandering a three goal lead at Deepdale. North End coasted to a 3-0 lead against a Forest side which lacked flair and
LEST we forget, yesterday's clash of the Premiership titans was dubbed as the 'Match of the Decade'. Yet in reality, Manchester United's media-driven rumble with old foes Arsenal wasn't even the game of the weekend. Sky's own tag-line of '50-50' was far
NORTH End are playing a waiting game to see if cash-strapped Leeds put up or shut up in their bid to sign David Healy. North End manager Billy Davies hailed the Deepdale faithful for the warm welcome they gave the striker in Tuesday's game against QPR
SEDGLEY Park lost narrowly 13-8 in their National League Division One clash at Bedford. Full reaction on Tuesday
RHYDDINGS Business and Enterprise College last week launched its first stationery business -- selling pens, notebooks and all the student essentials. Kelly Whittle, 14, of Roe Greeve Road, is taking part in the entrepreneurial endeavour and hopes to learn
YOUNG people who could be at risk of missing out on a mainstream education will soon be able to access Lancashire's first ever Virtual School. All six secondary schools in Rossendale: Alder Grange, Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar, All Saints, Whitworth,
Stop this now! SCHOOLS across East Lancashire have learnt to live with the threat of fire. Pupils at Brindle Gregson Lane Primary in Hoghton know full well the devastation that can be caused by an arson attack on a school. Their building burnt to the
