A DANGEROUS paedophile who committed a serious sex attack on a girl has been jailed for four years and one month. Stephen Southworth, 59, had gone "on the run" to a guest house where children were staying after his conviction for indeceny with a child
SEVEN people have been arrested over an alleged murder plot which has left police with continuing fears over the "victim". Six men and a woman, all aged between 21 and 30, were held after early morning raids yesterday at addresses in Blackburn, Greater
LANCASHIRE have named an unchanged line-up for today's County Championship clash against Warwickshire, from the one that saw off Durham within two days last week. It is Lancashire's last Championship match of the season at Old Trafford.
FORMER Coronation Street actress Sherrie Hewson has donated a five figure sum to an animal sanctuary after appearing on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The actress, who played Maureen Holdsworth in the ITV soap, has helped secure the future of Only Foals
Clitheroe co-manager Neil Reynolds is hoping a win tonight against FC United at Shawbridge can launch the Blues' season in UniBond Division One North. Reynolds' side has taken just one point from 15 this season and will be missing goalkeeper Pete Collinge
Colne travel to Trafford tonight in the Vodkat NW Counties League Division One with boss Nigel Coates saying he is still looking for fresh faces. "I'm looking to bring in another forward in the next week or so, and a wide player would be useful too,"
A "LOVERS' lane" in Burnley is set to be closed to cars after complaints about 'amorous' behaviour in the area. Dyneley lane, which runs between Bacup Road and Burnley Road in Cliviger, is part of the Lancashire Cycleway - a 260 mile figure of eight
If you find getting to the shops difficult, Whiteheads Supermarket in Higher Deardengate is now providing a home delivery service. There is a charge of £2.50 and to arrange delivery just contact 01706 213719.
A CAMPSITE owner has positively identified an on-the-run East Lancashire sex offender and his girlfriend as the missing Jersey kayakers. And Gerard Hayslop's father has urged his son, from Burnley, to "hand himself in" as the police hunt centres on him
A TALENTED singer has raised £100,000 for the hospital which saved his life by staging 80 street concerts in town centres. Gregory Paul, from Burnley, who likes to perform Frank Sinatra numbers, set up the fund-raising group Songs for Christie's in 2004
LONG-awaited plans to regenerate a clearance site in the heart of Blackburn could be thrown into jeopardy. People living in Infirmary have been waiting for months for work to begin on a 131 home development on land bordered by Infirmary Street, Hall
A police officer found a man using a golf club to smash the windows of a house, Blackburn magistrates heard. Anthony Bell shouted to the officer: "I'm not going back to prison because of that bitch" before struggling and eventually breaking free.
A WOMAN conned banks out of more than £17,400 by pretending to be members of her family to get credit, a court was told. Caroline Garnett, 28, who had been privately educated, stole and went on shopping sprees in a bid to overcome low self-esteem and
ARSONISTS who set fire to a kitchen manufacturers may be too young to be prosecuted, police said. Police are hunting four youngsters aged between nine and 12 years old in connection with the fire, which started at kitchen appliance firm Burco Dean Appliances
John Horman joined a vintage car cavalcade from Turton Tower to Gawtiorpe Hall, Padiham, in his 1911 Model T Ford
Bethany Quinn and Kezziah Copping in traditional dress and playing traditional wooden made game.
Friend's of St John's school are holding a treasure hunt on Friday 14th September, It starts at the main school at 6pm and ends up at the Butcher Brigg, where there will also be a BBQ.
Laura Emmis from East Lancs Hospice gets a welcome hosing down from Lancashire Fire Service.
A MAN had domestic violence allegations against him thrown out after a court decided that he had not attacked his partner. James Johnston, 27, said the charge of assaulting his ex-partner, Alison Shaw, had blighted his life in the eight months it had
Watch your step and watch your tyres and suspension, Manor Rd is being re-surfaced and the road is quite rough, already we have witnessed several motorists tearing along the rough ground, but who cares? as long as they only hurt their own vehicles and
WIND turbines should not be placed on Trawden's hillsides because they will "ruin" the area for tourists, councillors said. In a u-turn from Pendle Council's policy to champion individual electricity generation, plans for a 15m turbine at Cemetery
Local Kate Hackney with grandad Peter Meridew from Adelaide, Australia watching the pommie tradition.
James Bamber celebrates a direct hit to knock off some Yorkshire puds
PARENTS are set to go back to the classroom in order to understand and support their children after a pilot course proved a huge success. A dozen parents from The Redeemer Primary School, Blackburn, took part in the parent fellowship course over five
LEARNER drivers preparing to take new tougher theory tests can practice at home thanks to a free council CD-ROM. Entrants to the driving theory test will now face 50 test questions and must get 43 of them right in order to be able to apply for a full
A new office is opening on Friday to provide more space for firms in Ribble Valley. Fern Court in Moor Lane, Clitheroe, is at the foot of the castle rock in the town centre. Independent financial advisor John Turner and his wife, Sam, secured £103,000
DOUBLE yellow lines are set to be introduced outside a Burnley school in a bid to cut down on dangerous parking by parents. The acting headteacher of Worsthorne County Primary School has written to Lancashire County Council asking for waiting restrictions
A GRANDMOTHER'S final wish to send her family on a well-deserved holiday has been granted - six months after her death. Linda Bouchear, of Woodville Terrace, Darwen, had been planning to send her son's young family on holiday before she suddenly died
ONE of Lancashire's last remaining textile firms is being sold in a bid to secure its future amid a battle with foreign competitors. JH Birtwistle, which employs 71 staff at its factory on Grane Mill Road, in Haslingden, is in the process of being sold
SEVEN people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder after a shooting incident in February. The six males and one female, all aged between 21 and 30-years-old, were arrested in a 7am swoop in an operation involving more than 100 police
SOCIAL workers, nurses and health visitors are joining the fire prevention battle as part of a new scheme. They will be able to recommend homes for free fire safety checks after being given training by Lancashire fire and rescue service. Throughout
RISHTON chairman Alan Craven praised his side after lifting the Lancashire League title. The Blackburn Road club won their first title since 1996 after beating Lowerhouse on Saturday to get the four points they needed to be crowned the new champions.
LANCASHIRE Wildlife Trust is to fight European Union proposals which they claim could destroy over a million acres of wildlife habitat in the UK. Under current legislation, up to eight per cent of farmland must be set aside for wildlife. But the EU
TRADERS have condemned a proposed £20million bus lane plan which would link Darwen and Accrington to Blackburn town centre. The proposed new routes are part of East Lancashire Rapid Transit plan by Blackburn with Darwen council and Lancashire County
A PRIMARY school in Darwen has been praised by Ofsted inspectors. Sudell School was said to provide a good quality of education where morale was high and everyone shared the same vision and commitment to improvement. The report said teaching and learning
A CHORLEY ambulance could not respond to an emergency call after vandals hurled a heavy cobblestone through its windscreen. Ambulance bosses slammed the culprits warning they could have put lives at risk. The attack on the vehicle, which was parked
CLARKE Carlisle has hailed the summer capture of Stephen Jordan as an "unbelievable signing". The 27-year-old admitted he was impressed with the business Burnley manager Steve Cotterill did in the summer, even before he made a £200,000 move from Watford
A THUG was involved in an "unprovoked," gang attack on three people leaving a pub, a court heard. Katherine Jarrett, 22, of Duke Street, Clayton-le-Moors, was said to have been "psyched up" and to have repeatedly punched a man, Burnley Crown Court was
Phil Eastwood scored twice and Phil Booth scored late on to rescue a point for Rossendale United as they drew 3-3 with Skelmersdale United.
Ramsbottom fell to a heavy defeat at Congleton. Anthony Johnson scored twice but a Steve Maden penalty miss proved costly as Congleton scored two late goals to condemn the Rams to a third successive defeat.
VINNIE Braine scored EIGHT minutes into added-on time as Padiham snatched a draw. The Storks went into the half-time break in control and leading 1-0 through Paul Fildes. But Norton dominated after the break, equalising through Mark McDonald on
NELSON recorded their first victory of the season with a 2-1 win at Runcorn. Terry Fildes' re-vapmed side dominated the early proceedings and took the lead on 22 minutes when Ryan Cross scored with a spectacular shot from wide out on the right. The
AFTER a tough start to the season, Bacup were their own worst enemies as they were beaten 3-2 by Maine Road. And they were gifted their opener when Ian Barker cut out an attempted pass from Maine Road keeper Greg Hall to his full-back and played in Tony
DARWEN got a deserved first away win of the season at New Sirs, in a match they controlled for most of the 90 minutes. The first goal arrived on 14 minutes when Stuart Telfer's low cross found Ricky Fogarty and he steered the ball into the net. Daisy
CLITHEROE suffered defeat at the hands of Newcastle Blue Star despite carving out a number of chances. Craig Sargeson was played in very early by Joel Byrom but the keeper saved as the ball was drilled low across him. Peter Collinge made a superb reaction
AN engineering company has broken its own record for the 2007 intake of apprentices. Fort Vale Engineering, Brunswick Street, Nelson, has taken on eight new recruits for its advanced modern apprentice programme. The company which employs about 240 staff
WHEN Seamus McDermott set up McDermott Homes from a spare bedroom he did not envisage 15 years later the company would have a turnover of £40million. In 1992, aged 28, the son of an Irish building family left Dublin for Burnley, after seeing a gap for
COMPANIES have just under three weeks left to enter the Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards 2007. A number of companies have already returned their applications and now we are urging other firms to send in their entries to ensure they do not miss out
SOME of the world's largest and most successful companies now have a significant presence in East Lancashire. We look at what has made the area such an attractive location for "blue chip" businesses and whether it can last. East Lancashire has long
An internationally recognised business improvement expert is launching a new company inspired by the methods of car manufacturer Toyota. Andrew Scotchmer, 39, is setting up Complete Kaizen - a Japanese approach to business. Kaizen means gradual improvement
THE search is on to find the top 100 brands in the north west. The CBI and the Chartered Institute of Marketing North West is conducting a survey in a bid to highlight the area's top performing businesses. Voting will be by sector and there will be
A COLLEGE student is embarking on a high flying career in retail just weeks after passing his A levels. Lance Mitson, 19, from Ulster Street, Burnley, has been appointed store manager of the town's Asda where he previously worked part-time. The former
DRINKING wine would probably feature on many people's list of favoured pastimes, but Stuart Rothwell has taken his hobby to a whole new level. Stuart has opened up The Vineyard in Ramsbottom, and through the wine shop, he wants to put a stop to the snobbery
NOMINATIONS are being sought for the North West Chartered Accountants business awards. The event at Ribby Hall, near Preston, on November 22, will feature categories including intermediary of the year, accountancy personality of the year, dealmaker
THE re-branding of East Lancashire to attract millions of pounds and thousands of people to the area is to officially take place later this month. The area is to be re-named Pennine Lancashire in a bid to get more people to work, live and visit East
THE largest independent training provider in the North West has won a contract to help train utility workers in South Africa. Training 2000, Harwood Street, Blackburn, has provided a pilot programme for senior managers, advising them on the challenges
A COMPANY is set to break through the £10million turnover barrier after opening 26 branches across the UK. All Trades Network was set up in 2002 by business partners Keith Roberts, Cliff Whitehead and Michael Gibson. The company based in Blakewater
BLackburn Rovers title winner Stuart Ripley last night hit out at the England fans who turned David Bentley's dream debut into a nightmare. Bentley was booed by home supporters after coming on as a late substitute in the 3-0 win over Israel on Saturday
A HAPLESS' teenager who flouted a community order he received after a street melee got a second chance from a judge. Stevie Rowley, 17, who had passed weapons to others in the disturbance, kept his freedom and was given a new order at Burnley Crown Court
A drug addict who flouted a community order imposed for car theft has been jailed for 89 days. Burnley Magistrates heard how Mark Butterworth, 29, had breached the order a second time and had shown a very poor response. Butterworth, of Elgin Crescent
FOUR young arsonists are being hunted by police after a kitchen manufacturers was deliberately set on fire in Burnley. A fire was started at kitchen appliance firm Burco Dean Appliances in Langham Street after children believed to be just 12 years old
A man who attacked a woman and put her in hospital has been jailed for 20 months. The victim was left with a nasal fracture after the attack at Ewood Triangle, Blackburn, on May 22 last year, Preston Crown Court was told. Samuel Kitson, 31, of Ellesmere
TWO cousins used a stolen taxi to try and get cash for their "raging drug habits" a court was told. Matthew Dwyer, 23, and Michael Dwyer, 24, were sharing a house, Burnley magistrates heard. Matthew Dwyer had picked up his co-defendant in the stolen
BRIGHTLY coloured dragons joined hot-air balloons in lighting up the sky above Barnoldswick at the weekend. Pendle's first Festival of Flight saw the annual hot air balloon event being expanded to include stunt kite displays, monster kites and giant
A SHOPLIFTER who boasted of carrying 'protection' in his pocket has been banned from all Burnley town centre stores. Lloyd McMillan, 21, was also jailed for 120 days for a string of offences. The two-year ban - part of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order
The family of tragic toddler Levi Bleasdale, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver, have laid flowers on her grave at St Leonard's Church to mark the second anniversary of her death. Levi was three years old when she was knocked down crossing Ormerod
THE benefits team at Ribble Valley has been named one of the best in a Government survey. The council was one of only two authorities in the country to be ranked in the top ten for all seven categories of the 2007 best value benefits survey. The survey
I'M thinking of packing in my job and living off the land. Hugh-Fearnley Whatsisname seems to get along okay doing it. All right, he's got his own TV series and a few highly lucrative book deals. But apart from that he appears to survive by being creative
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw has described the Stephen Lawrence police inquiry as his proudest achievement in government. Mr Straw was presented with an anti-slavery medallion by the Archbishop of York as a token of thanks for the inquiry, set up into the
CELEBRITY chef Keith Floyd said he felt it was his duty to promote home grown Lancashire food. The TV cookery show host launched the Pennine Lancashire Festival of Food and Culture at a dinner at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Clayton-le-Moors on Friday.
Parents have until October 19 to submit applications for their children to attend Darwen's primary and secondary schools next year. Booklets containing instructions should have been delivered to all parents. Parents who have not received a booklet
BRITAIN is going veggie - it's official! Percentage wise, there are more than twice as many vegetarians in the UK as there are in the whole of America. Viva! - the national campaigning vegetarian group - says the UK leads the way in making ethical choices
OVER the last few weeks on TV and in newspapers there has been a lot of news about underage drinking, juvenile nuisance and gun and knife crime. What is wrong with the youth of today? Why do they misbehave? Who is at fault? Is it parents, schools,
ABOUT two years ago I wrote a letter to attempt to get bums off seats' from the Accrington and district public, to support the emergence of a famous football club. It seemed to work. Attendances were on the up and a cut off/break-even figure of 2,800
A CALORIE-conscious outlook by a confectionery giant has resulted in healthier year-end profits, it has been revealed. Snack food trader Glisten, which has a confectionery operation in Hill Street, Blackburn, has seen its year-on-year pre-tax profits
A FEMALE motorist was taken to hospital after a collision involving three vehicles on the M65 earlier today. Police say a pick-up truck travelling eastbound near junction four at Darwen crashed into the central reservation just after 8.15am. Two other
A man set himself on fire after drilling in to a gas camping stove that he had been using to support a work bench. Fire crews were called to Whitebirk Road, Blackburn, at 7pm on Sunday but the man had already extinguished the flames using a kettle full
DARWEN retained the Northern League 20/20 Cup with an easy win over Lancaster in a repeat of last year's final. But their semi-final clash with St Annes at Birch Hall immediately before the final was a real nail-biter. Skipper Keith Semple, who plays
JOHN Coleman hailed two-goal heroes Paul Mullin and Andy Procter after Accrington Stanley secured their first home win of the season. Procter began and ended the comfortable 4-1 triumph over fellow strugglers Grimsby Town to lift the Reds off the bottom
David Bentley says he has 'no regrets' after being booed by a section of England fan at Wembley on Saturday. Bentley pulled out of Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad for the European Championships in the summer citing fatigue after a long season
THE prolific Mr Joseph is to his fans, one of the great undiscovered treasures of the singer song writing movement. Inevitably he gets comparisons to Springsteen - moreso with this album based around his experiences across the Atlantic. Slightly
THIS could have gone one of two ways. Ms Tunstall could have fallen into the Radio 2 trap and become a female James Blunt. Thankfully, she's dropped some of the blandness from her debut album and returned to her throaty, country-tinged vocals and
KOSHEEN have always been at their happiest with synths beeping and electronic drums laying down a heavy beat behind Sian Evans's clear vocals. So Damage, their third album, contains little to surprise. But the trio are good at what they do. It
Emanuel are an average post-hardcore band from Indiana. Average for their genre, that is: their screamed lyrics include lines about paralysis, blindness and animals with broken legs and their energetic riffs are blurry and bass-heavy.
Who knew that crossing The Lighthouse Family with Spiritualized would give you a band that sounds exactly like The Verve? The Orange Lights' vocalist Jason Hart has toured extensively with gospel - meets - drone ensemble Spiritualized, whilst keyboard
Ash recently announced that they'd stop releasing albums in favour of singles, which doesn't explain this. In principle their decision is a canny move in an increasingly download-based music world. But this track, taken from their final album, Twighlight
Shy Child are a new rave-type duo who put the Mercury Prize winning Klaxons to shame. The New York City boys Pete Cafarella and Nate Smith are also one of the few bands to use the Keytar, which is surely worthy of a small prize in and of itself.
Who would have thought a fusion of acid house, gospel and blues could come together so well? As Alabama 3 celebrate international recognition of their music through television and film, not least in the form of The Sopranos' opening theme, it seems
SMOKE poured out of a Blackburn factory today after an electrical fault sparked off a blaze inside, firefighters said. Crews from Blue Watch at Blackburn fire station were called to Pioneer Quality Foods, in Birley Street, at around 1.25am. Firefighters
MORE than 100 jobs are to be created after a fast growing firm announced a £5million expansion. Precision Polymer Engineering Ltd (PPE) has revealed it is to almost double the size of its factory in a move which will see its workforce rise from 187 to
