A FORMER police officer who admitted possessing a CS gas canister after he had resigned from the force has avoided a jail sentence. But a judge told Christopher Mottershaw, 23, that if the canister had not been empty he would have sent him to prison.
ENFIELD'S three-wicket win over Todmorden keeps them eight points clear of champions Lowerhouse in the SponsorBank Lancashire League. Chris Benbow made a welcome return for Lowerhouse with a six-wicket haul, while Nelson's Robin Peterson and Burnley
Baxenden pro Jonathan Fielding was in excellent form with bat and ball as the return of summer saw some inspired performances in the VEKA Ribblesdale League senior division. The former Ramsbottom spinner was one of five centurions, including two in the
SID SHERAZ hit Haslingden for six as Colne booked their place in the Get Solutions Worsley Cup semi-finals. Sheraz took six wickets to set up a home tie against Burnley in the last four of the competition on June 25. The Colne bowler was in sensational
A BLACKBURN chippy was racing to supply its biggest ever order supplying 200 portions of chips for a wedding reception! The Fountain Chip Shop, Accrington Road, spent hours preparing the massive order, worth about £175, for the event to be held at
PENSIONERS and vulnerable patients across East Lancashire face longer telephone waits when jobs at an NHS call centre are axed, one of its nurses has warned. People who need health advice over the phone will suffer because of the cash-saving drive
A FESTIVAL in memory of a Darwen community champion could become an annual event. The first People's Festival, organised by the Sudellside Community Association, has taken place over the past week. And although organisers said they were disappointed
A 17-year-old was today fighting for his life after suffering critical head injuries in a car crash on Haslingden Old Road. The teen from Accrington was in the front passenger seat when the Seat Ibiza went out of control on a left-hand bend and ploughed
LEICESTER City manager Rob Kelly could be lining up a move for Micah Hyde. The new Foxes chief is said to be keen on the 31-year-old midfielder, who has been transfer listed by Burnley boss Steve Cotterill because he could not guarantee him first team
LANCASHIRE headteachers are willing to help more than one school, a new poll has found. A survey of nearly 400 heads and deputies - including some from Lancashire - by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) discovered 88 per cent (340) of
SCHOOL bosses say they are cool to the idea of drug testing in classrooms, stressing education is a more effective way of tackling the menace. Random drug testing is being introduced in secondary schools across Kent on the back of a successful pilot
HOW very sad I was to read the story of Dennis and Maria Cramp (LET, May 27). When we lose our loved ones through sudden death it is final and shocking but better than the agony of being forced apart like that. What a pity there appears to be no way
I AM the husband who collected his wife from the Hollies nursing home in Clayton-le-Moors on Tuesday, May 24 (LET, May 27). When my wife was returned to the home it was with a police presence, requested by Social Services, plus an ambulance and a social
A COUPLE who met while modelling underwear laid themselves bare in front of thousands of viewers by getting married live on TV! Debbie Emmott said her relationship with Andy Salmon had never been ordinary since she first set eyes on him in a tiny
A "DANGEROUS" Pendle pervert said to prey on young girls has been banned indefinitely from every caravan and camping site in the country to protect youngsters on holiday. Convicted sex offender Anthony Stock, who also uses the name Kirkbright, has a
BURNLEY could be without taxis for several more days as the cabbies' dispute with the council shows no sign of ending. Hackney and private hire drivers said today they were willing to thrash out a solution to issues over testing and licensing of vehicles
Police are appealing for witnesses after a suspicious fire at the rear of the Tote Sport shop on Bank Street, Rawtenstall, yesterday at 7pm. A fire started in a wheelie bin spread and damaged boarding and the ventilation unit of the shop. Smoke
Police are appealing for witnesses after a patrol car was set on fire outside a house in Rock Street, Haslingden, early today. Officers were called to an alleged violent domestic incident shortly before 2am and were interviewing the suspect when they
YOUNG dancers from across the North West converged on Colne at the weekend for the annual Luther Greenwood Dance Festival. And organisers hailed the two-day festival in the Municipal Hall another huge success. Festival chairman Susan Thorpe said today
PLANS for a new Burnley Central station were today hailed as great news for the town. Burnley MP Kitty Ussher said the scheme was essential for the future prosperity and changing people's perceptions of the borough. Burnley Central has long been maligned
BLACKBURN Rovers today insisted they have not made a bid for Wigan Athletic striker Jason Roberts. Roberts' agent, Willie Mckay, claims Blackburn are one of five clubs chasing the 28-year-old, who is refusing to sign a new contract with the Latics.
THE new High Sheriff of Lancashire is backing a £3million scheme to restore Clitheroe Castle. And Peter Robinson, 63, who also lives in the town, today called on Ribble Valley residents to throw their weight behind what is the most ambitious heritage
BURNLEY racer Neil Hodgson rallied to finish fourth on his Ducati 999 at Road America. The Parts Unlimited Ducati rider started from sixth place at the beginning of lap 14 after the race had been red-flagged on lap six and re-started, setting the stage
MANAGER of the season John Coleman has praised the part his players had in his latest accolade. The Accrington Stanley boss, who was named manager of the season from all the contenders in the Nationwide Conference, Conference North and Conference South
THERE'S nothing the British public enjoys more than delivering a big juicy dollop of just desserts. And the fact Big Brother's most hated contestant ever Sezer the sleazer was so certain he'd have been taken to the hearts of schoolgirls across the
WORLD Cup fever is spreading across the country and a Blackburn company is playing its part. Marketing firm MDA, based in Queen Street, Mill Hill, has been preparing for the tournament for more than a year by sending out items from flags, banners,
A MAN cried rape and sparked a six month police hunt because he regretted having sex with a homosexual couple he met after a night out at the pub. Craig Ramell, 21, claimed he had been attacked in the early hours in Clayton-le-Moors and maintained the
DOZENS of families from all denominations took to the streets of Great Harwood for the annual Whit Walk. Led by two bagpipers, the crowd marched from St Bartholomew's Church, Park Lane, to St Hubert's Church, St Hubert's Street. Elaine Frankland, secretary
St Mary's RC Church, in Chipping, will hold their open garden weekend on Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25. A number of gardens in and around the village will be open to the public. The event starts at St Mary's Community Hall from 11am-5pm, all other
A FIRE started deliberately destroyed a derelict pub in Higher Croft Road, Fishmoor, Blackburn. Firefighters were called to the former Centurion pub at 11.45pm on Saturday as the blaze spread to the second floor. After putting the fire out, they were
YOUNG Asian men are being hit with shock tactics in an attempt to break the fatal trend of show off' driving in high-powered cars. The initiative was launched less than a year after Suhel Congress and Irfan Ahmed Musa died instantly in a high-speed
Burnley been linked with a move for Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra. However, any deal for the 22-year-old, who turned down a one-year extenstion to his contract at St James' Park, is expected to involve a fee of £300,000. As a result, it
A HEROIN addict who turned dealer to pay off a drugs debt was today starting a three-year jail term. Alexander Gough, 32, was seen by police selling drugs to a user on the streets from the passenger seat of a car. He had heroin stashed in his socks
A CAR dealer has been cleared of exposing himself and committing a sex act in front of young children in a Nelson back alley. Shaun Berry, 36, was cleared of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13, after a three-day trial at
AN East Lancashire teacher is helping tell the world about life in the region. And now Lynne Todd has won a top award for her work in teaching pupils in the USA about English customs. Lynne, from Nelson, is working as a cultural ambassador for the
Gardens in Back Church Street, Barrowford were kissed by the summer sunshine on Saturday for a charity fundraising event. The Neighbour-hood Open Gardens scheme opened up four gardens and one patio to visitors who were able to walk round them and sample
A LAST-DITCH effort is being made to stop bus service cuts in Pendle. Senior Liberal Democrat councillors were due to meet Lancashire County Council chiefs today. Among services that could be axed as part of county cuts are a number of school services
MORE than 250 people are expected to support a mountain rescue team by taking part in an annual fundraising walk. They have all signed up to join in the annual 46 mile Rossendale Way in a Day - or the slightly less ambitious Half Way in a Day. The Rossendale
HEALTH chiefs are planning to appeal over a council decision blocking plans to extend a mental health care site in Rossendale. Lancashire Care NHS Trust wanted to build an add-on at its Balladen House site in Union Street in Rawtenstall and create an
I watched a TV advert for Sat Nav or Satellite Navigation to those who are still struggling to get to grips with their in-car stereo. Apparently you can now buy systems that guide you from A to B (from reports in the popular Press, that usually means
THIS was my first experience of Darwen Music Festival and it certainly won't be my last. I was amazed at the diversity of the acts in the number of venues throughout Darwen. Certainly there was something for everyone. The organisation was first-class
HAVE you ever found it necessary to travel from Blackburn to Preston on a cold and very windy morning? The experience is not very pleasant, especially if you are disabled. Disablement does not necessarily mean you have to be wheelchair bound, but can
I READ your article (LET, May 27) about the predicament of Mr and Mrs Dennis Cramp. I would like to say that I am appalled at the heartlessness of Lancashire County Council's social services department. Shame on all of them. These people are bound together
A man badly burned after using petrol to light a barbecue today warned others not to make the same mistake. The married sales manager, 54, of Halifax Road, Nelson, was rushed to Burnley General Hospital with burns to his arms and legs after the incident
A PUBLIC inquiry will be held at Todmorden Town Hall to hear the reasons why Calderdale Council refused an application to build 28 apartments, 12 town houses, eight workshops and a cafe on the site of a former mill in the town. The giant Hope Street
BURNLEY is set to have a new train station, upmarket shopping streets and more canalside developments as part of ambitious new plans to rejuvenate the town centre. Developer Building Design Partnership (BDP) has announced proposals on how the town could
A dance sensation from Chorley was runner-up in the BBC's Strictly Dance Fever competition. Lana Williams, 20, and dance partner Darren Bailey were pipped to the winning post and £50,000, by Darrien and Holly, who were voted the winners by the audience
From Mrs Ruth Martin, Woodbine Road, Blackburn. Leaf patterns change, Grasses sway, Petals fall, Drenching spray Rain squall. Clouds race, Darkening day Birds soar, Against the grey, Banging door. Gusty winds, Changing sky, Leaves and
IT'S amazing to think that almost five years have passed since the events of 9/11. Oliver Stone's World Trade Center, starring Nicolas Cage as a fireman who helps with the rescue, is released later in the year but first up, we have this harrowing movie
"What's that coming over the hill?" Why, it's the monster new single by the Cowbridge four-piece taken from their forthcoming debut album, Not Accepted Anywhere. Hot on the heels of The Killers and The Kaiser Chiefs, The Automatic tout an infectious
Sparsely-arranged and wit-laden album Underachievers Please Try Harder should have been the making of Glasgow fivepiece Camera Obscura. Released at a time when their sonic kin Belle and Sebastian were shedding fans with the filler-ridden Dear Catastrophe
Do you find Queen's overplayed rock anthem We Are Champions more annoying than fingernails dragged down a blackboard? You haven't heard what the Crazy Frog has done to it yet. You can probably imagine it, though that familiar Queen percussion, a Europop
The good ship Simon has been in troubled waters for over a decade now, with expensive flops like his Capeman musical rather dinting the living legend's reputation. Surprise should steady his artistic stock. Production duties are taken by "sonic landscaper
Tender Trap is the latest incarnation of Amelia Fletcher and friends, who have been making melodic indie since the 1980s as twee-pop trailblazers Talulah Gosh. Have they made a rap-metal departure from the formula? Well No. Fans can be assured that
On this rather splendid release, those venerated rock alchemists Sonic Youth turn their vision inwards with a colourful sketchbook full of introspective intensity. Rather Ripped is poetic and elegiac, but never suffocating. There's a generous warmth
The Fallout Trust have a name that makes you assume they will be bland, angst-ridden indie-rock. But this single is actually knowing, exhilarating indie-rock. Following a year of relentless gigging with the likes of Tom Vek and Clor, who are both very
