Archive

  • Muslims start Ramadan fasting

    THE majority of Muslims in East Lancashire begin fasting today for the holy month of Ramadan. Thousands of people in the area and millions across the world will fast for up to 30 days. During Ramadan Muslims will not eat or drink from dawn to dusk in

  • Truancy shocker in Pendle and Burnley

    TRUANCY rates in Burnley and Pendle are almost twice the county average with almost 1 in 10 youngsters failing to show up for class. Schools in the two boroughs have the worst truancy records in East Lancashire, with Burnley first and Pendle second.

  • £4m car VAT fraud

    A BUSINESSMAN helped to mastermind a massive fraud and money laundering operation involving the illegal importation of £4million of high-performance cars. Thomas Beard, of Clayton-le-Dale is one of three men who have admitted their part in the scam,

  • War nurse a real- life Keira Knightley

    AT the end of May 1940 as some 338,000 British and French soldiers were being rescued from the beaches of Northern France, hospitals all over Britain were geared up to receive the wounded. One such institution was Calderstones near Whalley - a mental

  • Man's life 'ruined' by robbery charge

    A MAN acquitted of carrying out a knife-point robbery has spoken of his eight months of hell and said: "It's ruined my life." Murad Hussain Ugradar, who has worked for charity and never been in trouble with the police in his life, is considering legal

  • Ban helps more to stub it out

    THE number of people trying to quit smoking in East Lancashire has rocketed since the ban on lighting up in public places, new figures have revealed. Hundreds of people across Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Ribble Valley and Hyndburn have

  • Gran-of-five banned from every Burnley centre pub

    A GRANDMOTHER-of-five has been banned from every pub in Burnley centre after attacking two bar workers and a police officer. The town's magistrates heard how drunken Deborah Francis Cattle, 44, spat at one victim and the officer and punched the other

  • Grave toppling row - residents to meet council

    BEREAVED relatives are to meet with council representatives to discuss a controversial grave topple testing policy. The meeting with Blackburn with Darwen Council officials and councillors has been organised after the introduction of the testing for

  • Tributes to Brian Fenn

    FRIENDS and colleagues of 'Mr Burnley Wood' Brian Fenn have paid tribute to the community champion who has died, aged 66. Brian, chairman of Burnley Wood Action Group, had been ill and in hospital for about six weeks and died in the early hours of Sunday

  • Children explore different religions

    CHILDREN toured three holy buildings in a bid to help them relate to their friends from different religions. The five youngsters from a summer and after-school club volunteered to visit a Sikh Temple, a church and a mosque. Lucas Martin, 10, Dexter

  • Outspoken councillor quits Labour group

    A councillor has quit Hyndburn Council Labour group after claiming he is disillusioned with politics. But the Labour group has professed itself a happy and united team, despite a change of allegiance from one of its best-known councillors. Malcolm Pritchard

  • Judge orders recount after poll appeal

    A JUDGE has ordered a recount of votes for a controversial Burnley election. The May 3 election for the Rosegrove and Lowerhouse Ward initially led to a tied result between British National Party candidate Peter John Rowe and the Labour's Paul Reynolds

  • Four face money charges

    FOUR people have appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with offences arising from the mistaken deposit by a bank of £135,000 in an individual's account. Winston Mark Moorcroft, 38, of Rothesay Road, and David Shaun Moorcroft, 42, of Sandon Street

  • Drunk’s art attack

    ARTISTS were left angry and upset when a drunken man went on the rampage causing more than £1,000 worth of damage to their paintings. Christopher Muir targeted almost 300 pictures which had been gathered together at The Muni, Colne, for an exhibition

  • Good Samaritan attacked after going to woman's aid

    A GOOD Samaritan was attacked and her husband bitten after she went to the aid of a woman she thought was being attacked, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Suzanne Brown was left bleeding badly and husband Stuart had to have tetanus and

  • We will bounce back, says Rachel

    BURNLEY-born goalkeeper Rachel Brown insists England are still capable of progressing to the Women's World Cup quarter-finals - despite being denied an opening match win against Japan yesterday. The Three Lions conceded an equaliser with the very last

  • Seven appear in court over 'murder plot'

    LATEST UPDATE: Eight men not guilty of Blackburn murder attempt SEVEN people including two men from Blackburn have appeared in court charged with conspiracy to commit murder following a shooting incident. Baber Qasam, 29, of Chestnut Walk,

  • ‘My son died because he didn’t get help’

    A 24-year-old man's body was so badly decomposed it was not possible to determine the cause of death, an inquest heard. Neil Green's body had lain undiscovered for six days and his mum Susan told the hearing he had been failed by the system. She said

  • Paint is latest police weapon

    ANTI-burglar paint is the latest tool police are using to combat crime and anti-social behaviour. Blackburn police have been given the paint by B&Q, Grimshaw Park, Blackburn. And officers at the neighbourhood policing team are urging residents to nominate

  • Music teacher wins sex sentence appeal

    A MUSIC teacher jailed for indecently assaulting two children has been freed from jail by top judges. Bernard Robin Heading, now 67, was jailed for ten months in August this year after admitting two specimen offences of indecent assault. Heading ran

  • Students honoured at Burnley College

    HIGH flyers from Burnley College have been recognised for their accomplishments at two events. Science and humanities students were rewarded for their efforts at the department's presentation evening last week. Those on a range of courses from A Levels

  • Rossendale set for three by-elections

    ROSSENDALE voters will go to the polls tomorrow with three council seats up for grabs The seats, in the Goodshaw, Irwell and Whitewell Wards, became vacant following the resignation of councillors over the last two months. Four candidates - one

  • Borough hails falling crime figures

    CRIME figures in Hyndburn are falling at one of the fastest rates in Lancashire, thanks to the success of the partnership between authorities and community groups. The Community Safety Partnership has been ordered by the government to reduce its 2003

  • Blind singer pays tribute to grandparents

    AN international singing sensation who has wowed audiences around the world has thanked his grandparents for being one of the keys to his success. Andrew Coleman, 22, has only ten per cent vision because of glaucoma but has learnt to play the piano and

  • £180 fine for struggle with police officers

    A MAN who put up a struggle with police after they were called to a domestic row was fined £180 by Burnley magistrates. The court was told how Alan Morton, 46, was seen holding a weapon and was drunk. Morton, of Elmwood Street, Burnley, admitted two

  • Alarms warning after fire scare

    FIRE chiefs are warning people to replace their smoke alarm batteries after a couple had a close call when a blaze broke out at their home. Firefighters were called to the house in Stockbridge Road, Padiham, at 9pm on Sunday after the couple were alerted

  • Red Cross celebration

    THE British Red Cross celebrated 100 years in Lancashire with an open day at Lady Towneley House, in Manchester Road, Burnley. The celebrations included an exhibition, part of Burnley's Festival of Heritage, with uniforms and memorabilia dating back

  • £4k haul stolen in village break-ins

    JEWELLERY and electrical items were taken from two village homes, adding up to a haul worth more than £4,000. Police believe the same offender is behind the burglaries on Friday, in Nora Street and Ford Street, Barrowford. In Nora Street, the thief

  • Police peak at £2,400 in funds

    COLNE'S community police team strapped on their walking boots and tackled the Three Peaks to help raise cash for charity. Bobbies from Colne and West Craven took part in a sponsored 26-mile trek over three of the highest peaks in Yorkshire; Pen-y-Ghent

  • Bus firm launches online schools service

    AN EAST Lancs firm has launched an online school transport scheme, thought to be the first of its kind in the country. Padiham-based transport and logistics company Fraser Eagle this week launched the pioneering All School Transport, which allows schools

  • A59 death man to be identified tomorrow

    THE identity of a man found dead in undergrowth beside the A59 will be named at the opening of his inquest tomorrow. The 46-year-old man's body was discovered by police near the he 60ft-high bridge leading to Downham on Saturday. Police had initially

  • Care worker stole from vulnerable resident

    A 37-year-old care worker stole more than £2,500 from a "vulnerable" resident to pay for his gambling addiction, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that Mushtaq Younus made more than 80 withdrawals using his victim's bank card. And when the

  • Property dealer's mystery suicide

    A PROPERTY dealer who dealt on the stock market took his own life after withdrawing large sums of money from his bank account, an inquest heard. Clive Mitchell, 43, of Pendleton Road, Wiswell, was found hanging at his home on Tuesday, July 3, by his

  • Rovers get 700 tickets for Greek clash

    TICKETS for Rovers' UEFA Cup first round first leg match against Greek side Larissa FC are now on open sale. Mark Hughes takes his side to Volos in Greece for the opening leg of the competition on Thursday 20th September with a local time kick-off

  • Cotterill not expecting loan deal this week

    Burnley manager Steve Cotterill is not anticipating any loan activity this week, either into or out of the club. Following the closure of the transfer window almost two weeks ago, Football League clubs are now able to exercise loan deals. However, the

  • Seasiders will bring the noise

    IF you'd have said to me at the end of 2001 that Blackpool would now be a Championship club, and holding their own at this early stage, I wouldn't have believed you. When I had a month-long loan spell at Bloomfield Road they were a mid-table League One

  • Inquest on man found in field

    A MAN who walked out of Royal Blackburn Hospital was found dead in a nearby field a week later. An inquest in Blackburn heard that Joseph Edwin Farrow, 64, of Wordsworth Road, Accrington, was being treated for pneumonia and an alcohol-related condition

  • 'May the fancy dress walkers be with you!'

    DARTH Vader, Princess Leia, mad scientists and rabbits were some of the characters to take part in a colourful fundraiser involving 1,500 people. St Mary's College, Blackburn, held its annual fancy dress Walk In The Park event yesterday, with students

  • Skate park charges plan axed

    PROPOSALS to introduce a system of charging at a popular skate park have failed to get off the ground following council opposition. Clitheroe skate park opened in the castle grounds in April 2006 but control of the site was handed to the Oasis Trust

  • Reid will be stonger than ever

    MANAGER Mark Hughes has backed Steven Reid to come back stronger than ever as the injury-plagued midfielder nears his Blackburn Rovers return. The 26-year-old hasn't kicked a ball in anger for Blackburn since August last year after picking up a back

  • Peer will unveil foundation stone

    LORD Shuttleworth is to unveil the foundation stone of a new school that has been named after his family. Lord Shuttleworth, who is the Queen's personal representative in Lancashire, will lead the ceremony on the site where Shuttleworth College is being

  • Rock star’s bid to shine with a solo career

    A BURNLEY-born singer is aiming for rock superstardom after releasing his first solo rock album. David Readman is no stranger to fame as lead singer of German-based outfit Pink Cream 69. But the former Towneley pupil, 37, is hoping his solo effort will

  • Be a business winner

    A business chief has encouraged companies to sign up for the 2007 Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards - and reap the rewards that go along with it. The prestigious awards ceremony is being held at Ewood Park on November 16 and chairman of East Lancashire

  • Rovers will conquer travel trouble

    SOMETIMES it can be difficult for footballers getting back into the swing of things after an international break. But that is what Blackburn's players must do ahead of arguably the most difficult fixture in the Premiership calender this Saturday - away

  • This easy money can come at a very high price

    THIS WEEK, whilst minding my own business, I've been offered two credit cards, a personal loan, and a mortgage. I've been invited to consolidate my debts, carry out home improvements and buy-now-pay later. And that's not including the dozens of adverts

  • New age of the tattooed lady

    They used to be considered the symbol of a hard man - but tattoos are hitting an all-time high in the popularity stakes, thanks to celebrities flaunting their body art. We checked out the phenomenon AS recently as 10 years ago many women felt that

  • September

    My favourite month is September It's when I became a bride Remembering that lovely day When we became man and wife With family and friends celebrating That day we became as one How long we have remaining Staying together till life is done I believe

  • ‘Concrete jungle’ fear for countryside

    RURAL East Lancashire will be eaten up by urban sprawl by the end of the century, says a countryside charity. The Campaign to Protect Rural England claims that by 2100 land free from major disturbance such as towns or roads will become part of the concrete

  • Mark sets the standard

    Ribble Valley Council has joined forces with the Food Standards Agency to help caterers and restaurants comply with food hygiene regulations. The Emporium Wine Bar and Brasserie, Mood Lane, Clitheroe, was one of the first to sign up to the Safer Food

  • Teenagers admit £1m school arson

    Two teenagers have admitted a £1 million pound arson attack on a Darwen school and been warned that they could face custodial sentences. The two boys aged 15 and 17 and both from Darwen made their first appearance before Preston crown court and admitted

  • When the customer isn't king

    It's not been a good few weeks for Bill the Consumer. My mobile phone company wouldn't talk to me because I couldn't recall my secret word I set 15 years ago. Could you prompt me, please? Is it someone's maiden name? My favourite place, book, a song

  • It's a Shaw thing for new champs

    TRIUMPHANT skipper Nasser Malik has dedicated his side's Senior League title victory to president and Blackburn Northern stalwart Arthur Shaw. The Pleckgate Road side clinched their first Senior crown in 26 years after victories over rivals Baxenden

  • Historic home to get security

    SECURITY is being introduced at a historic Blackburn building in a bid to thwart vandals. The move came after a former museum worker told of her fears that the landmark of the town's industrial past was being left to go to "rack and ruin". Vandals have

  • Students: You can save lives

    I WOULD like to ask all students heading off to university in the coming weeks to make a life-saving decision as they begin a new phase in their lives, become a superhero and save a life. Thousands of students are leaving home for university for the

  • Councillor does excellent job

    FOLLOWING the article concerning Blackburn Councillor Salim Lorgat, I feel I must speak out in his defence. On a number of occasions local residents and myself have approached him with various problems, on each of these issues he has given 100 per cent

  • Dole out quicker justice to yobs

    IN reply to Ann Hodgeon (LT, September 3), I can understand how you feel about under 16-year-olds making life a daily misery for you and your family. I have just submitted a letter to our new Home Secretary Jacqui Smith on a new approach to this social

  • Community needs this public path

    MY grandchildren go to St Paul's School, Hoddlesden, as did their mother, grandfather and great grandparents. The public footpath past the school has always been available for villagers. This is not unique. I know of other schools where a footpath through

  • Baby talk signing classes help mums

    A NEW sign language course aimed at helping mothers communicate with their babies has been launched. TalkFirst has been up and running in East Lancashire for more than 18 months but up until now there has been no dedicated class in the Ribble Valley.

  • Duff: It's all to play for

    MICHAEL Duff believes qualification for Euro 2008 is all to play for as he prepares for Northern Ireland's crucial clash with Iceland tonight. It was feared a shock defeat against Latvia on Saturday would have left Nigel Worthington's men with a mountain

  • Soldier's ashes will be buried

    THE ashes of a soldier killed in a suspected hit-and-run accident will be buried tomorrow. Lance Bombardier Brett Walmsley, 25, of Greenway Street, was struck by a car when he was crossing a country road in Halkidiki on July 13. He was given a funeral

  • Come Dine with Me, Channel 4

    I THINK I must have been living under a rock because I've only just discovered Channel 4's brilliant cookery show, Come Dine with Me. The premise is that over five days five amateur chefs take turns to battle for the title of best dinner party host

  • Property dealer 'killed himself'

    A PROPERTY dealer took his own life by hanging himself in the garage of his home, an inquest heard. Clive Mitchell, 43, of Pendleton Road, Wiswell, was found hanged on Tuesday, July 3, by his partner of four years, Lisa Fielding. Miss Fielding found

  • Youth juries set to judge their peers

    A PILOT scheme where 'youth juries' decide how to punish yobs is being launched in Lancashire. Young people alleged to have caused trouble will be able to ask for their case to be heard by a jury of people their own age as part of the scheme. Students

  • Hawks suffer double defeat

    Blackburn Hawks suffered two narrow defeats at the weekend despite a couple of impressive performances. Hawks took the lead in their Northern League Cup tie against Scottish stars Fife Flyers on Saturday before eventually going down 3-1. Then they were