IT'S difficult to get to grips with the scale of the scenes of death and destruction we have all witnessed on our TV screens over the past few days. Here in East Lancashire people have already begun to organise fund-raising events to do what they can
IN respect of the recently announced proposal that the government is considering issuing identity cards to all citizens, at a cost to each individual, it is my intention not to pay anything towards the cost regardless of the consequences. When identity
I FULLY agree with the decision to ban HGVs from Grane Road. It should not, though, be at the expense of residents on other equally unsuitable roads. I live on Haslingden Old Road, a road even more accident prone and unsuitable for HGVs than the Grane
A WHEELCHAIR user from Darwen escaped with his life from a Thai beach when the tsunami struck. Edward White, 56, and his wife Margaret, 67, of Holden Fold, said they had just got off the sands in time when the tidal wave hit Patong Beach in Phuket. And
AN ENVIRONMENTAL campaign group has thrown a spanner in the works over £150million plans to revamp secondary education in Burnley and Pendle. The Burnley branch of pressure group Friends of the Earth is objecting to plans to build one of the proposed
HEREFORD 3, LEIGH RMI 0: LEIGH'S troubles increased when they fell to another defeat to promotion hopefuls Hereford. With just seven points this season RMI are looking doomed to relegation and manager Geoff Lutley admitted his side were outclassed by
AN ENVIRONMENTAL campaign group has thrown a spanner in the works over £150million plans to revamp secondary education in Burnley and Pendle. The Burnley branch of pressure group Friends of the Earth is objecting to plans to build one of the proposed
NORTHAMPTON 2, SHAKERS 0: Shakers slumped to a second defeat this month at Sixfields but this one can be filed in the box marked 'preventable'. In the first week of December Bury returned from Northampton after a costly 1-0 FA Cup second round defeat
PENDLE: The council's Nelson Committee is to review the operation of the Parkwise traffic warden scheme and consider changes at a meeting on January 8. While Pendle Council admit there have been teething problems, including complaints about the new wardens
A GROUP of Colne youngsters could be on the path to movie fame after receiving a festive boost of thousands of Lottery pounds to make a film. Up to 11 young people aged from 10 to 17 from the town will work with Colne's Zumamedia Arts Limited, using £4,000
SLAUGHTERMEN scattered when a two year-old bullock went berserk and cleared four 5ft gates between Blackburn Corporation abattoir in Sumner Street and nearby railway sidings, before starting an eight-mile chase. Three abattoir hands were given a lift
ATHERTON and Tyldesley Round Table is looking for new members to help with a busy 2005 programme of events. This year the organisation has collected for Children in Need, put up a Christmas tree and crib outside Atherton parish church and organised a
STAFF at the RSPCA's East Lancashire centre in Altham are expecting a busy New Year as they work to re-house animals left homeless after Christmas. Last year the East Lancashire branch found more than 800 animals a new home, making it one of the country's
AN ANCIENT coat of arms has been re-created from a 300-year-old piece of oak by a Ribble Valley craftsman. Stonyhurst College's historic crest has been carved by nationally-renowned sculptor Martyn Bednarczuk, of Barrow, near Clitheroe, and now has pride
A DISASTROUS year for one of England's rarest breeding birds, the hen harrier, has seen the majestic bird of prey stage a last stand in the Forest of Bowland - its only remaining breeding ground. Reporter ADRIAN WORSLEY braved the winter elements to find
There is life after Blake 'OUT with the old and in with the new' is how the saying goes at this time of year. And as 2005 looms, the first part of that prophecy looks destined to be fulfilled with the imminent departure from Turf Moor of Robbie Blake.
A WHEELCHAIR user from Darwen escaped with his life from a Thai beach when the tsunami struck. Edward White, 56, and his wife Margaret, 67, of Holden Fold, said they had just got off the sands in time when the tidal wave hit Patong Beach in Phuket. And
Different league WITH the outbreak of war, all League soccer was suspended and promising footballer Sam Wadsworth, like so many more young men, went off to fight. The horrors of that conflict can today be only vaguely imagined. Few came out of it unscathed
A COMMUNITY open space is set to be created in Rawtenstall thanks to a £34,000 cash injection. Cribden Neighbourhood Association has raised the cash to upgrade a neglected piece of land in the village. The makeover is set to take place at land between
EAST Lancashire-based holiday company MyTravel was today sending a passenger jet to the Maldives to bring back travellers caught up in the tidal wave tragedy. And the firm, which employs 300 staff in Helmshore and Accrington, is telling other customers
EAST Lancashire could be set for more speed cameras - but the only people likely to be caught breaking the limit would struggle to reach the pedals. For instead of monitoring the county's roads the Safety Cam-Car is actually the latest children's attraction
A SECOND campaign to get a law of causing death while driving disqualified passed through Parliament in honour of a 12-year-old Blackburn road victim has been launched. While Hyndburn MP Greg Pope has pledged to continue lobbying the Government to get
AN anti-sleaze campaigner is enlisting the help of Jack Straw to clean up Blackburn's streets. And Luke Carter, 20, who wants the Blackburn MP to help him stop advertising firms using scantily-clad women to sell products, has won backing from the Bishop
New year push for volunteers VOLUNTEERS are being urged to make a positive resolution for 2005 - by helping out in their local charity shop. There are currently vacancies at Sue Ryder care branches in Castlegate, Clitheroe; Rainhill Road, Barnoldswick
Teenagers - they're just as bad as ever WHEN I read about Lancashire police using new powers to fine children as young as 10 yesterday, I was appalled at this seemingly draconian step. But only for about three nanoseconds. Because I quickly remembered
I WOULD like to express my thanks for all those involved with the firework and Lancashire Evening Telegraph carol service at the Cathedral. As usual it was a wonderful experience and the Salvation Army Band confirmed that the devil does not have all the
AS readers enjoy the festive season, The Meningitis Trust would like to flag up the perfect way work off the festive fare and get fit in a great cause. We are looking for runners to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon and Big Relay 2005 and help raise
IN his "Diary," Jack Straw urged us to believe that there is no such thing as political correctness and that we should all pull together in "multi ethnic" Britain. A repertory company has been forced to abandon a play written by a Sikh, because Sikhs
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes could be handed a £1 million transfer bonus when the window opens in three days' time. James Beattie's imminent departure from Southampton is likely to net Rovers a seven-figure windfall. And I can reveal that money
Dickov's goals are priceless KARREN Brady needs to take a long, hard look at herself in the mirror after slamming the way Blackburn Rovers conduct their transfer business. If the Birmingham City chief executive genuinely believes the £2.2 million offer
BOXING Day saw an influx of visitors to Hurstwood eager to enjoy the spectacular views looking towards Pendle and the Yorkshire Dales, and the sun shimmering on the crisp white snow. The parking facilities were stretched to accommodate all the visitors
PLANS detailing Nelson's long-awaited new bus station, which is expected to kick-start vital regeneration in the town centre, are set to go before planning councillors for the first time. Lancashire County Council has submitted an outline application
PRISONERS gave up their sweet allowances to give children from single parent and under-privileged families something to tuck into during a trip to the panto. Members of Blackburn Gingerbread were given tickets to see Aladdin at King George's Hall, Blackburn
SMOKEY the cat was the toast of Darwen by waking a family when their house set on fire. Smokey stayed calm as flames built up downstairs in the property in Everton Street and leaped onto the bed of 14 year-old Heath Holiday and sank in his claws. The
TWO men who were killed when a car ploughed into a lamppost on a motorway sliproad on Christmas day have been named. Musbo Mpofu, aged 27, was driving the Mazda Xedos when it left the exit sliproad on the M66 near to Whitefield at 7am on Christmas morning
BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill was today resigned to the fact that Robbie Blake will soon be sold to Birmingham. Cotterill's delight at yesterday's hard-fought 1-0 win over high-flying Wigan was soured by the news that City are close to agreeing a fee believed
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes could be handed a £1 million transfer bonus when the window opens in three days' time. James Beattie's imminent departure from Southampton is likely to net Rovers a seven-figure windfall. And I can reveal that money
BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill was today resigned to the fact that Robbie Blake will soon be sold to Birmingham. Cotterill's delight at yesterday's hard-fought 1-0 win over high-flying Wigan was soured by the news that City are close to agreeing a fee believed
EDGWORTH Cricket and Recreation Club is to be torn down and replaced by a new £240,000 modern building for community groups. Trustees of the Barlow Memorial Institute, which manages the premises, off Bolton Road, applied for £160,000 funding from Sport
MARINE 1, RADCLIFFE BORO 3: Radcliffe Boro kicked off their festive campaign with a superb three points at Marine. A first half strike from Ciaran Kilheeney followed by second half goals from Gary Sampson and Steve Foster gave the Boro victory. Kevin
PEOPLE of all faiths have united in East Lancashire to say prayers for those who have lost loved ones in the disaster in the Pacific Ocean. Canon Andrew Hindley, of Blackburn Cathedral, said: "We will be saying prayers three times a day every day for
THE ENVIRONMENT Agency has suggested ways to help make the North West a better place in 2005 - with environmentally-friendly New Year's Resolutions. Reduce, reuse, recycle - most councils offer recycling facilities for glass, paper, metal and sometimes
NEW-style assistant practitioners are set to take on extra responsibilities, as hospital bosses try to reduce the number of hours worked by doctors. East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed 14 assistant practitioners, a new post created to absorb
THE Health Protection Agency is warning of a serious infection which can lead to meningitis peaking during the festive season. And they are reminding people in East Lancashire that the onset of winter brings an increase in the meningococcal infection
POLICE bosses today claimed they have been armed with the support of the public over the force's cash crisis as they get ready to take on the Government. Lancashire Constabulary is facing £4.2million of cuts, unless it can convince The Office For The
