FOUR contestants who are to appear on Gordon Ramsay's hit show The F Word said the fiery chef was really "a pussycat". Sisters and farm girls Judith Hilton, Susan Lees, Sandra Drummond and friend Justine French found Gordon, renowned for his raging
EXTRA sports lessons could be one of the keys to tackling East Lancashire's childhood obesity epidemic. That is one of the findings of a major new study into the eating habits of youngsters in Burnley, Pendle, Ribble Valley, Rossendale and Hyndburn.
A THIEF who struck four times at Burnley's TK Maxx store is awaiting sentence by the town's magistrates. The court had been told how drug addict Lee Barry Rothwell, 32, had got himself clean but then relapsed into drugs and crime. Rothwell, of Elizabeth
A YOUNG dad who was spared jail didn't do the community service he was given instead as he had a headache, a court was told. Ashaan Zaroof, 28, could have gone to prison for causing his brother-in-law - an innocent man - to attend court to answer traffic
SHOPKEEPERS are warned to be on their guard against a gang attempting to steal large amounts of cash. The gang of up to eight Asian or Eastern European men and women have targeted two grocery stores in Darwen and on one occasion stole £5,000 by distracting
A POSTMAN was left bleeding and scarred after being attacked by a dog and as he went on his rounds. James Savage had been concerned about the behaviour of the black mongrel for about 10 months and kept an eye out for it every time he delivered mail in
A ROW has broken out over who will be mayor of Blackburn with Darwen next year as parties wrangle over power. Labour leader Coun Kate Hollern said that convention dictated the role should be been given to her party next and said deputy Labour leader
A FORMER soldier smashed a window at his girlfriend's home after he spotted her and his cousin in "an amorous clinch", a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Francis Fleming, 24, lost his temper and picked up a stone after seeing the pair kissing
A CANCER research charity founded in memory of a teenager is aiming to get closer to its £100,000 goal with a glamourous fashion event. The Hollywood-themed fashion and casino night is being held at the Elizabethan suite at Bury Town Hall by The Christopher
A DANCING youngster is set to follow in her mother's footsteps after being crowned as a regional champion. Anysia Bramante-Wareing beat girls three years older than her to scoop the junior modern dance championship at the Lancaster Dance festival. Anysia
POLICE investigating an alleged £70,000 insurance fraud found 'stolen' plant machinery buried under concrete. A compound of J and M Construction UK Ltd at the back of Oak Mill, Manchester Road, Dunnockshaw, was excavated and dozens of parts, including
STAFF at a Blackburn town centre bank are to celebrate 175 years of looking after people's money. NatWest in Blackburn can trace its origins to 1832 when Manchester & Liverpool District Banking Co opened in the town. Staff at the branch will hold a
DEPARTING defender Frank Sinclair believes Steve Cotterill is the man to bring success to Burnley. And the former Chelsea and Leicester stopper revealed the Clarets boss was the main reason for his Turf Moor transfer three years ago. Sinclair had rarely
A KITCHEN manufacturers was left badly damaged after being targeted by arsonists today. Detectives have launched an investigation after the blaze at ESK Kitchen Designs, in the Daniel Street Industrial Estate, Whitworth. Firefighters from Bacup
NEW £190,000 vandal-resistant changing rooms are to replace facilities burnt down in an arson attack more than a year ago. Footballers who play on the Foxhill Bank pitches have been in difficulties since fire destroyed the rooms at the Harvey Street
A DRUNKEN man who attacked his terrified mum and wrecked her home after turning up at midnight has been spared immediate jail. Daniel Roche, 31, had grabbed Susan Robinson by the hair, abused her and pushed her onto her bed as his brother tried to fight
POLICE have pledged to crack down on a gang war after a series of violent incidents. And officers told coun-cillors and residents at a meeting of the Nelson Committee this week that they were working hard to catch those in the town responsible. Police
BROTHERS Sam and Tom Stuart are top of the golfing class in Lancashire - and they are on a mission to keep it that way. The talented Chorley siblings, who are both Lancashire Boys title holders, face a bright future after taking the Red Rose county by
DANNY COYNE: Injuries have been his biggest problem and he was never the player that he promised to be for us a couple of years ago because of it. On his comeback from injury he made elementary mistakes and the position Burnley are in they had to let
A MAN admitted having an illicit affair with a runaway schoolgirl after he gave her food and shelter. But police said they were "disappointed" with the sentence handed out to David Higgs after he admitted sexual activity with a child. Higgs, 23, of
PAUL Reynolds, Labour, won the Rosegrove/ Lowerhouse ward seat from the Liberal Democrats. Paul intends to hold a ward surgery in Rosegrove, the Enterprise Centre and Lowerhouse if he can find premises.
EVA Greenwood, at Greenbrook Methodist Church, wishes to thank the people who attended the Easter breakfast. A profit of £37 was raised and added to Lizzy's Queen's fund.
ROSEGROVE resident Mr Jack Preston (known as Mr May Day), chief organiser and co-ordinator for the Trades Union Council for the past 19 years, stepped down after Monday's event. Jack has worked hard with others to help make the May Day festival a huge
A FULL planning application has been submitted for the installation of an ATM machine at 1-3 Lowerhouse Lane. Any comments quote APP/2007/0402 before May 23, or visit the website below.
THIEVES broke into a house in Cumberland Avenue and stole more than £1,200 worth of goods, including a Time computer, mobile phones and a digital camera. Residents are asked to keep a watch out for any suspicious activity. A vehicle on Rosegrove
A DRUG addict who told police his boiler had been stolen had taken it himself, Burnley Magistrates heard. The court was told how Andrew Cocker, 32, had a long record for theft and had been stealing to fund his habit. The defendant, of Elgin Crescent
THE hunt is on to find Hyndburn's new mayor after the man who was set to fill the role next year lost his council seat. Siddique Mohammed Kazi, of Moorhouse Close, Accrington, said losing his chance to represent Hyndburn as mayor is "not the end of the
A FAMILY of asylum seekers have been given 30 days to leave the country after an MP's last-ditch to keep them in the country failed. Nigel Karim, his wife Pearl and children Crystal and Calvin have been told they must leave their home in Barkerhouse
CHILDHOOD friends of a teenage girl allegedly murdered in New Zealand are planning a memorial service for her in East Lancashire. Still coming to terms with the news of 16-year-old Jane Young's death, her many pals back home in Burnley are anxious to
THE family of a teenager killed in a car smash have said they are still trying to come to terms with his death - one year on. Carl Vause, 19, of Amber Avenue, Roe Lee, died instantly when the van he was travelling in collided with a black Mercedes on
CAMPAIGNERS have called for council bosses to protect a beauty spot. Residents Against Gib Hill Exploitation (RAGE) challenged councillors at Pendle Council's Nelson Committee meeting this week why there had been delays in making the area an official
DOG lovers flocked to Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, for an event which helped promote responsible ownership, in aid of National Pet Month. More than 200 people attended the National Pet Month Companion Dog Show, which also raised more than £200 for various
MARSDEN Heights Community College, in Pendle, was broken into twice over the weekend. A window at the Elland Road site was smashed on Saturday afternoon, and sports equipment stolen. The burglars also damaged walls and doors inside the gym. And, in
TODMORDEN Coun Tony Greenwood wants the area to be twinned with a Spanish town. He told Development Committee colleagues that more than 500 Todmorden pupils were learning Spanish. Members agreed to his suggestion that the Calderdale department
The sound of one of the world's most popular bands will fill Colne Muni with One Night of Queen on May 17. We spoke to former Stars In Their Eyes winner Gary Mullen, lead singer in the show. WHAT LED YOU TO AUDITION FOR STARS IN THEIR EYES, THE MOVE
ONE of Darwen's most hard-working bands, Avalon Way, are launching a new EP with the help of the music business producer who has worked with Peter Gabriel and Black Grape. The four-track CD, called We Are... was recorded and produced by Mark Jones
VISCOUNT Oliver's Four Tops have been wowing audiences for years with their infectious blend of pure vocal power, great dance routines and sweet harmonies. And now the band, dedicated to the unmistakable sound of one of the world's greatest R'n'B groups
COMEDIAN Mervyn Stutter will be providing the laughs at Mellor Brook Community Centre on May 12. A founder member of The Flying Pickets, Stutter is perhaps best known as the star of Radio 4's comedy Getting Nowhere Fast. His one-man show of stand-up
A DEPRESSED offender who could not do com-munity service has been given a four-month curfew. Stephen Humphries, 21, was spared jail for attempting to pervert the course of justice when he appeared at Burnley Crown Court. Humphries, who was said to be
ACCRINGTON Stanley defender Michael Welch has vowed to return to the Fraser Eagle Stadium and show boss John Coleman exactly what he has given up. Welch was one of three players released by the Reds earlier this week, alongside Mauro Almeida and Sean
A MAN who grabbed his former partner by the throat so she couldn't breathe has been spared jail. Burnley magistrates heard that David Flood, 26, who had been drinking, squeezed victim Victoria Moore's neck, then kicked the front door, causing £350 worth
THE case of missing Madeleine McCann, three, has pulled at the heart strings of people across the UK - particularly those preparing to take children abroad this summer. But would our police have done anything different in the hunt for her suspected abductor
What a historic day it was yesterday - even I got bit emotional. For a moment I had to pinch myself in case I was dreaming but there it was before my very eyes - my very first wedding invitation of the summer. Normally I have to wait until mid-June
A TALENTED team of students from Ribblesdale High School has been named the winner of the East Lancashire Young Enterprise French Language competition. The achievement meant that six of the Clitheroe school's Young Enterprise team, known as Ignite, won
A NEW £1.3 million sports facility for Pendle is one step closer to getting the green light. Pendle Forest Sports Club, Cuckstool Lane, Fence, submitted plans for a massive expansion, building six pitches, a new pavilion with top-of-the-range facilities
Michael Owen will make his England comeback at Turf Moor after Steve McClaren named the Newcastle striker in his B squad to face Albania on May 25. Owen has only just returned to action after rupturing knee ligaments in the World Cup draw with Sweden
A FATHER-of-two who was found at his home with serious head injuries has died in hospital after spending 11 days in a coma. Police are treating the death of Lee Maybury, 35, of Deerstone Avenue, Burnley, as suspicious. Prior to his death, Mr Maybury's
PARENTS are being warned to keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children after a youngster set fire to bedding at a house in Burnley. The blaze started at shortly after 1pm yesterday when a toddler, three, picked up a gas cooker lighter and
AN EAST Lancashire MP has been short-listed for a prestigious business accolade. The Forum of Private Business has announced that Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is in the running for the Business-friendly MP/MEP Award 2007. Mr Evans, who himself owns
ON Blackburn market on Friday, May 4, someone opened the zip on my shopping bag and took out my purse, I never felt a thing. I went to the office on the market to report the theft and I couldn't have found any more helpful ladies than the ones I met
WHAT is the council doing about the minority in our borough who refuse to integrate? I refer to that group of people who live in their own community, shunning the rest of us. They workshop and even shop separately. They want their own segregated facilities
MY great, great grandparents John and Ellen (nee Simpson) Barrett were transported to NSW, Australia in 1828. Ellen was allowed to bring her two-year-old daughter Mary with her, but they left behind five children. Three of these when they married came
I AM writing to express my concern and disappointment regarding the Blackburn Ice Arena's decision to charge £1.20 for an adult to accompany their child only to help them put on their ice skating boots, when the child is of a young age and unable to do
CHURCH will be looking for more of the same when they meet Burnley for the second time in a week. All of last Sunday's games in the SponsorBank Lancashire League were abandoned due to rain, so the full programme is due to be replayed tomorrow. Church
England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff got some much-needed practice for the Red Rose county yesterday, before rain again hit the LV County Championship match between Lancashire and Hampshire at the Rose Bowl. The whole of the first day was washed out and
Blackburn Rovers duo David Bentley and Matt Derbyshire have both been selected in England U21's provisional 30-man squad ahead of this summer's European Championships. Prior to the Championships, the U21s will travel to Spain for a training camp in the
A headteacher has reacted with amazement at claims of a major bust-up at a senior prom. About 150 girls from the private all-girls Westholme School, off Meins Road, enjoyed an end-of-term bash at Ewood Park on Saturday. The Year 11 girls were also allowed
Organist Frank Ashton is celebrating a special milestone after 40 years as an organist and choirmaster at one church. Mr Ashton, 74, has held the position at the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Mellor, since 1967 during which time almost 200 boys
BLACKBURN Rovers' hopes of qualifying for Europe automatically suffered a fatal blow at White Hart Lane last night but manager Mark Hughes still insisted all is not lost. A 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur means it is now impossible for Rovers to clinch
A MURDER-STYLE investigation has been launched after a pensioner died just hours after a burglary at his home. Norman Foster, 86, was taken ill after a teenager distracted him at his front door, allowing an accomplice to search his home and escape with
DON'T you just love boffins? One of the great British inventions has to be the expert (OK they're not an invention but you know what I mean) and last night a series started on BBC2 which promises to be one for connoisseurs. The imaginatively titled
BURNLEY Football Club have teamed up with the Marsden Building Society to launch two new bank accounts. By becoming a Clarets Saver' the club says fans will receive an "attractive" rate of interest on savings. The club will also receive an annual donation
HISTORY and the British people will rate him one of the most successful and determined Prime Ministers of at least the last century - the words of Jack Straw as Tony Blair yesterday said he would step down on June 27. Other East Lancashire Labour MPs
A woman drinking with her partner in a Great Harwood snooker club was left with a black eye after he launched an unprovoked attack on her. Hyndburn magistrates heard that Anthony Fenton punched his partner in the face, knocking her into a table and causing
A YOUNG boy suffered serious head injuries when he was in collision with a car in Nelson. Police said the eight-year-old was visiting grandparents with his mum in Halifax Road when he stepped out into the path of a moving car. The youngster was initially
BUSINESSES are being urged to help bring shoppers into Darwen by signing up for Darwen Shop and Business Association. The DSBA works to develop business growth in Darwen town centre, and hopes to get new members involved in its plans to hold events and
An inquest has been opened into the death of a Burnley teaching assistant who was killed when his car was in collision with a lorry and another vehicle on Longsight Road in Osbaldeston. The inquest heard that Leon Paul Atkinson, 24, of Paulhan Street
TORY MP Nigel Evans has hailed the U-turn on the enforcement of the metric system. The Ribble Valley MP welcomed the European Union's decision, saying it was the first step to securing Britain's traditional system. He said: "The Imperial system is part
A FORMER heroin addict was found dead at his home, an inquest opening heard. David McHugh, 55, of Harrison Street, Blackburn, died in the lounge at his home on May 4 and was identified by his sister Linda Frances, the hearing was told. He suffered from
