A MAN who abused a cabbie claimed he was not a racist - and handed a court letters from his Asian neighbours in a bid to prove it. Burnley magistrates heard how Brian Cook, 62, had taken the victim's taxi badge and said it was not him and was shouting
MORE than 50 Burnley back streets could be gated over the next two years as part of a plan to combat crime and anti-social behaviour. The council wants to spend £100,000 on the first part of the plan which will see 23 alleygates put up in areas of high
A SPECIAL needs nursery is celebrating after the completion of a new £40,000 sensory play room. The refurbished room at Rainbows, a special needs therapy nursery for pre-school children based in the Holden Centre, will provide a hot water bed, touch
A VEHICLE firm has secured a multi-million pound contract to supply the Rolls Royce of coaches. David Fishwick Vehicles Sales has become only the third dealership in Britain to sell Optare coaches. And the firm based in Byron Road, Colne, has already
ANIMAL lovers are being urged to leave chicks where they find them by a couple who care for birds of prey. Conservationists Phil and Judith Brown, from Sunnyhurst, Darwen, made the plea after they were handed a five to six-week-old tawny owl which had
A BANNED driver caught on a "goped" was bailed but was later found with a cannabis haul on him, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard that Lee Foster, 18, who had previously been spared jail for supplying hard drugs, had 14 bags of cannabis and
FOUR people have been arrested as part of an investigation into a suspected £200,000 fraud at a Blackburn mobile phone firm. Bosses at GM Group, Daisyfield Business Park, Appleby Street, called in members of Blackburn Police's ethnic crimes unit amid
A GREEK hotel owner has been acquitted of negligence over the death of a two-year-old Blackburn girl in a pool. The court heard how Kirsty Wright's parents Lee Wright, 40, and Linda Threlfall, 38, were accused of being "negligent" after allegedly falling
BURNLEY are believed to be in the hunt for Cheltenham Town hot-shot Kayode Odejayi. The 25-year-old striker, cousin of Clarets frontman Ade Akinbiyi, is poised to hold transfer talks with a mystery Championship club early this week after being the subject
AN eagle-eyed building society cashier who rumbled a would-be £25,000 fraudster was praised by a judge. Hazel Herridge, who was working at the Rawtenstall branch of the Halifax, alerted a supervisor and kept Amanda Carter talking while police were called
A WOMAN assaulted her ex-partner in a row over furniture after their relationship ended, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Kim Ada Olson, 44, became involved in a scuffle with Jeanette Drabble. It was alleged Olson had grabbed her hair
IT'S a show that has been 10 years in the planning, six months in preparation and will probably be the most important two hours in Ricky Birch's life. For Ricky, a lifelong fan of rock group Genesis, will be presenting his own one-man tribute to the
A COUPLE are hoping to conquer Africa's highest mountain to raise money for a cancer charity. Gavin Roper, of Wheatley Lane Road, Barrowford, and partner Kelly Love, 28, are hoping to raise £6,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Mr Roper, who came up
A puppet festival which is in its fifth year looks set to capture the imaginations of young people from across the Valley. The award-winning Horse and Bamboo Theatre, in Waterfoot, is hosting the event, which will feature eight puppet companies from
VANDALS have forced the partial closure of the toilets at Burnley's award-winning bus station - and portable loos are set to replace them. Council bosses have pledged to install portable toilets outside the £3million flagship facility after vandals repeatedly
A TEENAGER has appeared in court charged in connection with an incident which left a man with severe head injuries. Ahsaan Ul Ha Iqbal, 19, of Whalley Range, Blackburn, appeared before the town's magistrates charged with taking a car without consent
Legal action has been taken to halt the deterioration of a grade II listed building that could be the key to the canalside redevelopment. Hyndburn Council has served a notice of intention to carry out emergency measures to the owners of the Hargreaves
PASSENGERS face an increase in rail fares on a popular line linking the Ribble Valley and Manchester in a move that has upset councillors. Fares on the Clitheroe to Manchester line will rise by by 30 pence after community rail funding for the route's
Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol is reported to be lining up a fresh move for Blackburn Rovers winger Morten Gamst Pedersen. Jol has admired the Norwegian for some time and he tried to sign him last summer in a £5million deal, but Rovers rebuffed
CAPTAIN Peter Cavanagh has urged Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman to sign top quality names this summer after committing himself to the Reds. Cavanagh yesterday ended speculation surrounding his future by penning a new one-year deal at the Fraser
PROPOSALS to build a new DIY store in Clitheroe have been approved following an appeal by developers, it was annouced today. Homebase appealed against Ribble Valley Council's decision to refuse planning permission at the site in Queensway at the junction
The New Mayor of Blackburn, Maureen McGarvey's civic parade through Blackburn Town Centre. Pictured is Coalition Leader For Darwen Cllr Tony Melia (R) arriving at the Cathedral.
The New Mayor of Blackburn, Maureen McGarvey's civic parade through Blackburn Town Centre. Pictured is Coalition Leader Liberal Democrates Cllr David Foster arriving at the Cathedral.
The New Mayor of Blackburn, Maureen McGarvey's civic parade through Blackburn Town Centre. Pictured is the Mayor Maureen McGarvey with the Mayoress Mrs Ann Law-Riding (L). With Cllr Graham Burgess behind.
The New Mayor of Blackburn, Maureen McGarvey's civic parade through Blackburn Town Centre. Pictured is the Mayor Maureen McGarvey with the Mayoress Mrs Ann Law-Riding (L). With Cllr Graham Burgess and the New Council Leader Cllr Colin Rigby behind.
The New Mayor of Blackburn, Maureen McGarvey's civic parade through Blackburn Town Centre.
The New Mayor of Blackburn, Maureen McGarvey's civic parade through Blackburn Town Centre.
ONE of Burnley's most historic buildings - which was ravaged in a fire four years ago - is set to rise from the ashes. Rossendale-based developers Bridgewater Properties Ltd has announced plans to turn The Holme in Cliviger - which is thought to be more
STEPHEN Warnock today insisted making the switch from Liverpool to Blackburn Rovers has proved to be the making of him. The 25-year-old full-back has been a revelation at Blackburn since he took the bold decision to quit Anfield for Ewood Park during
AS MARK Hughes left Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening he must have thought to himself if only' If only Morten Gamst Pedersen had scored with that header in the FA Cup semi-final a month ago. If only Blackburn Rovers had reached the final instead of
ORGANISERS of East Lancashire's Race for Life are searching for two women runners to proudly wear numbers one and two for the event. And those with a special reason for taking part - such as in memory of a departed loved one or a relative or friend who
A CROOK who tried to buy a £200 television from Asda with fake cash could end up behind bars. Burnley magistrates heard how Darren Thorpe, 39, handed over 11 counterfeit £20 notes for the TV and a digibox, but was caught when the assistant put them under
WORSLEY Cup holders Nelson will live to fight again another day as they beat Church in a low-scoring affair in the first round yesterday. The holders struggled at Seedhill, with only captain Mike Bradley making any impact as he hit 34 in his side's total
A FREE mini-bus service is set to be launched running between the Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital - to allay fears over transport between the two sprawling sites. The issue of how staff, patients and visitors were going to travel
DETECTIVES are hunting a "despicable" crook who preyed on a pensioner. Police said the bogus caller conned the 77-year-old woman into handing over £40 - before returning in a bid to get even more money. He struck at her home in Devon Road, Blackburn
POLICE who raided a Blackburn house found a broom cupboard cannabis farm. But Blackburn magistrates heard miniature pot' plants were not a good advert for their owners' gardening skills despite them both having previous involvement in cannabis cultivation
A DRUG addict whose life went downhill after three family members killed themselves has been jailed for 20 months for burglary. Claire Sorbie, 29, had been a user for 13 years and went out offending after her life took a downturn following the deaths
A MAN left a pub licensee husband with a smashed eye socket, a court heard. Peter Campbell, 29, of France Street, Accrington, over-reacted and swung his arms about after feeling a hand on his shoulder in the Thorn Inn, Accrington. Peter Hardy was hit
TRADERS are at odds with their member of parliament over plans for a new supermarket. Rossendale MP Janet Anderson is backing plans for a supermarket in Bacup but traders are strongly opposed to the proposal. Mrs Anderson, who sits on the All-Party
L-R are Mark Perkins, Ben Hennessy, Lee Ashworth, James Pratt and Cameron Downing entertaining people at the station.
Kathleen Ord from Pete Riley and the Lavernes, a local Clitheroe band who performed at the Castle Bandstand.
Pete Riley and the Lavernes, a local Clitheroe band who performed at the Castle Bandstand. L-R are Pete Riley, Gaynor Sutcliffe, Naomi Koop, Kathleen Ord, Simon Bradly and Declan Sanderson.
HUNDREDS of youngsters were kept on their toes when they took part in one of the country's top music, dance and speech festivals. Prizes, including the prestigious Horace Tattersall Memorial to the most promising musician, were awarded for outstanding
Lancashire all-rounder Tom Smith says he's been very frustrated by the lack of opportunities he's had this season. The 21-year-old former Chorley pro's participation this season has been limited to one LV County Championship appearance against Surrey
I've always hated Monopoly. Even when I owned Mayfair and Park Lane and had 15 hotels and 41 houses on each, I still detested the tedium of it. Not only did you have to land on every single property from a set (nigh on impossible) to have any chance
A CAREER criminal who raided a hardware store was caught after a police dog followed a scent back to his home. Burnley magistrates heard how officers found two laptop computers hidden under Darren Storer's pillow after the dog had led them to his front
A CORONATION Street star joined 800 fundraisers on a 10-mile trek across East Lancs yesterday. Julie Hesmondhalgh, of Church, who plays Hayley Cropper, was among a group raising cash for local charities and good causes. She pulled on her walking boots
HISTORY was brought to life as scores of tourists descended on Clitheroe at the weekend for the town's annual festival. Events included a "Meet The Victorians" event at Clitheroe Castle Museum and a re-enactment of a battle between Normans and Saxons
A dramatic finish at Applegarth with Qadeer Ahmed run out chasing the winning run saw Earby's Veka Ribblesdale League senior division match against Padiham end in a tie. With one wicket left but five overs to bat, the 2006 runners-up Padiham looked to
IN the spirit of unity, could we now organise the renaming of our local landmark as the Blackburn with Darwen Tower? Just a suggestion. FULL NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
WE have two daughters, one in Norfolk and one in Newcastle, whom we often visit. We also go to Wiltshire, my home, and have recently been to Cornwall. They all have a litter problem but not nearly so bad as Blackburn and Darwen. They all remark on it
WHAT great news that, after 24 years, the Labour party are not in control of Blackburn Council. I, at last, welcome a group likely not to take power for granted and to really think about the policies that they implement. The Conservative-led group now
AS a parent of a pupil of Crosshill School, I felt I had to respond to the article about the campaign to save it from closure. We have been aware of this situation for some time and I have to admit I was horrified to hear of the proposals. It may seem
EAST Lancashire maintained top spot in the Lancashire League as they held off champions Burnley in a tense game at Alexandra Meadows. Pro Shanan Stewart was again in supreme form as he smashed a superb 93, piling on 135 for the third wicket with skipper
THIS year's Accrington Carnival princess has been selected at a ceremony on Saturday. Megan Young has been chosen as the carnival's princess after Romi Jane Young was selected as Queen earlier this month. The selection was held at Oswaltwistle Mills
BLACKBURN Rovers stars are putting their money where their mouths are in aid of East Lancashire nurses. Not one of Rovers first-team squad failed to heed a plea by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to donate a day's pay to benefit hard-up nurses. And
A FLASHING inter-active speed sign has been hailed a success in helping to put the brakes on speeding motorists. The sign has been put up in Pole Lane, Darwen, a road which is often used as a short-cut to the motorway. It tells drivers their speed and
THE new Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen led the annual civic procession through Blackburn town centre yesterday. Dozens of civic dignitaries attended the event which saw the introduction of Coun Maureen McGarvey, accompanied by her mayoress Ann Law-Riding
A TEENAGER who made a split-second decision to drive after drinking would suffer the consequences for much longer than most. Blackburn magistrates heard that soldier David Livesey Catley would be punished by his regiment as well as the courts. And defence
