HEART-start packs are set to issued for every fire appliance in Lancashire so colleagues can act quickly if a firefighter suffers a cardiac arrest. Several incidents have been reported across the UK where firefighters have succumbed to heart attacks
PLANS are being drawn up to make Colne a ‘Titanic Town’ after the success of centenary celebrations focusing on tragic bandmaster Wallace Hartley. Supporters of the Titanic in Lancashire Museum are already planning to perform a wreath-laying ceremony
A NURSERY in Kelbrook has warned its pupils and their parents to beware of a ‘vicious’ dog near the school. Brook Farm Nursery, in Harden Street, said it had issued the advice after a risk assessment found that a Labrador lurcher cross-breed was
A MOTHER-OF-TWO is helping to launch a new campaign to encourage people to stop smoking. Bobby-Jo Martin, 22, said she was inspired to kick the habit after falling pregnant with her third child and now wants to help people achieve what she has.
ALMOST 60 buildings could be transformed, and 90 students and apprentices given training, or job opportunities, if a £2million initiative to revive Bacup’s fortunes is realised. Supporters of the Townscape Heritage Initiative for Bacup will submit
It starts at 2am, an unearthly chorus of high-pitched wails that wraps the forest in a suffocating embrace. It’s as if the indri, the largest living lemurs, are singing at the door of my simple rainforest lodge in the lowland jungle of eastern
These days the news is full of high speed rail links but what about the old days? At one time the motorways were the packhorse routes, which have mostly been built over. We are lucky in our region that some still survive including this one between
AN amber beer with a sustained head. It has good floral hops on the nose together with the aroma of barleycorn malt. On the palate there is a creamy entry, hops, floral and citrus notes and a refined malt flavour.
Available at an amazing price is this ruby red fizzy from Australia. An unusual blend of the Spanish grape Sumoll and Cabernet Sauvignon produces as rich raspberry and strawberry flavour which is ideal with desserts.
St Valentine’s Day is almost here so why not pop open a bottle of real champagne. Before you ask how they do it for less than a tenner the answer is I have no idea. This is the real thing though, one third each of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot
THE humble mill town of Nelson has been in the news a lot recently after being ‘adopted’ by Mary ‘haircut’ Portas. The self-styled Queen of Shops wants to inject new life into the town centre which is brilliant if it comes off. But we shouldn
AN extra £55,000 has been pledged to provide health services for army veterans and service personnel across East Lancashire. Last year the East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group agreed to provide £100,000 towards the work, part of the area
SHE only joined Coronation Street 18 months ago, but Natalie Gumede has already made a huge impact in an explosive storyline involving male domestic abuse. “I'm still relatively new and to be part of that, and be trusted with that gift of a storyline
HELP is at hand for businesses in Chorley after the local authority boosted its specialist business advice service with the appointment of a new advisor. The role, created by Chorley Council to offer support and advice to established businesses
MORE than one in five newly diagnosed cancer patients in the county face their fight alone. New research by Macmillan Cancer Support estimates 350 people each year in Lancashire will receive no support from family or friends. The Facing the
PIANIST Lizzie Burgess lifted the 2013 Grab title with an enchanting singing performance to win the Ribble Valley’s inter-schools talent show. The St Augustine’s High School girl, whose ambition is to be a professional musician or to forge a career
A TEEN raider who took part in a robbery in which two women were terrorised, and told they would be shot, has been jailed for 32 months. Cannabis addict Paul Freeman, 18, was with a masked accomplice, but was not disguised himself, when the pair
I MUST admit I have been something of a coward during the recent snow. I have always been interested in the nocturnal life of our wild animals. Many sleep in the daytime and are more active at night. At least they avoid direct competition with
A TELECOMS company is calling on businesses to sign up to a unique scheme to raise cash for East Lancashire Hospice. Blackburn-based Unified World Communications (UWC) has provided an option to its clients to donate cash to the hospice raised by
A proposal to allow empty office blocks to be converted into flats without planning permission has been labelled ‘unworkable’ by a property expert. Planning minister Nick Boles has proposed that developers should be able to bypass complicated planning
TWO inspirational Blackburn business women got together recently to reach for success and ensure their companies get the best start in 2013. Lesley Yates from Canal Boat Cruises and Ann Ainsworth of Skills Brokerage Company Ann Ainsworth Associates
THE driving force behind a leading children’s bike distributor is revving up for further success. Caroline Sandiford, director at Rossendale firm Jim Sandiford (Imports) Ltd, has carved out a niche market importing silent battery-powered bike models
A MAN accused of sexually attacking a woman outside a Burnley pub has denied the allegations against him. Ricky Stuart, 30, pleaded not guilty to attempted rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and theft at the town's crown court. Stuart
AN East Lancashire restaurant has been named the best Chinese in the country at a prestigious awards ceremony. Yu & You, in Copster Green, is celebrating the start of the Chinese New Year with style after scooping a gong at beer firm Tsingtao
EVERYONE is feeling the financial pinch at the moment and taxi drivers are probably as badly affected as anyone else. Insurance policy premiums only ever go one way – and that’s up. At the same time the rollercoaster of fuel prices cannot help
IT is apparent that the Tories want to scapegoat the poor and attack them to satisfy the middle classes whom they are desperate to hang on to, as their political vote bank declines nationally. This is on a par with the BNP who attacked the minorities
Water companies should take a look at where they are wasting money before putting prices up. I called the water board out last year when I moved house as the water had an awful taste to it. The chap turns up, I explain, offer him a taste of
RE ‘East Lancashire pupils starting primary school are not toilet trained’ (LT, February 5) – it’s a reflection of a significant group of parents within the population of NE Lancashire and many other old industrial towns who are from socially deprived
HERE are a few more ways for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to save money: Scrap the funding for the running track. Scrap the new bus shelter/station/urinal and sell all the land. Scrap any funding for the ‘cathedral’ improvements –
Everyone should use the latest social media scare with Twitter as an opportunity to review their password management. This means across all social media, websites, PCs and any other devices they use. Passwords should be treated like toothbrushes
A total of 849,000 public sector jobs were ‘manufactured’ under New Labour to help secure future votes. These jobs could now disappear and most of the general public would not notice a drop in service levels (was it really that bad in 1997?).
A PROPOSED wakeboarding centre on Burnley’s Rowley Lake will only “deface” the beauty spot, says a local councillor. Residents living around the nature haven have said they are seriously concerned about the impact plans for a water sports complex
A TEENAGER who was paralysed when a rugby tackle went wrong has taken part in his first-ever wheelchair rugby practice. George Claxton, 16, was playing for Blackburn Under-15s when he committed to a tackle and was flipped over by the momentum of
ANGRY black cab drivers are calling for Blackburn with Darwen Council to let them raise their fares. The demand comes after the Lancashire Telegraph revealed that last year almost half of taxis in the borough failed basic safety checks. Although
A DRESS shop in Darwen wants nominations for a youngster who deserves to made to feel like a Prince or a Princess on the night of their school prom. Bridal Bliss, in Duckworth Street, will dress up one deserving child in the perfect outfit for
AN historic Darwen pub could be transformed into apartments if a planning application is successful. The former Cemetery Hotel in Cemetery Road could become four apartments under plans submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council. Records of
COMMERCIAL law firm Garricks has won three new clients as the firm continues to grow on the back of increased demand for specialist advice. Garricks has been instructed by Blackburn-based KKL Windows Ltd, Darwen’s S&A Developments Ltd and Yorkshire-based
LANCASHIRE County Council is asking people for their views on proposed changes to the current 20mph speed limit in Broadway, Helmshore. The lower limit was introduced at the end of 2011 as part of the scheme to establish 20mph as the speed limit
CHORLEY were brushed aside as rampant Rushall inflicted a crushing defeat to which the home side contributed by some woeful defending. In truth, the margin could have been even greater. Man-of-the-match Dave Walker bagged four goals and having scored
BERNARD Morley was full of praise for his team after a five-star showing at Garforth. The Rams co-manager saw his side turn on the style after struggling to victory against Wakefield last week. “We came here wanting to prove a point after the disappointing
YOUNG dancers from across East Lancashire stepped into the spotlight for One Night Only. Everything from ballet, tap and modern to street dance and musical theatre dazzled the audience at King George’s Hall in Blackburn. The original version
A PRIMARY school in Read is looking for donations to help with its gardening project. Year Four pupils at Read St John’s CE Primary School, in Straits Lane, will be working on revamping the garden area outside their classroom as part of their science
TRIBUTES have been paid to the wife of a former Burnley manager who became a stalwart in two very different communities. Connie Brown, wife of ex-Claret boss Joe Brown, has died aged 84. She was well known in footballing circles and later in life
LEE Williamson is in contention to make his Blackburn Rovers debut at Brighton tomorrow after recovering from illness. The midfielder joined Rovers last week but was unable to feature in Saturday’s win over Ipswich. Williamson however is in the squad
LOCAL history societies from across East Lancashire attended a reception at County Hall in Preston. The event recognised their role in promoting the history of the county. County Coun John Shedwick, chairman of the county council, said: “From
A FORMER furniture centre in Haslingden is set to be turned in to a tyre warehouse and workshop. Plans for the conversion of the Furniture Centre, in Beaconsfield Street, have been submitted to Rossendale Council. A spokesman for the applicants
LAND that used to be a former day nursery in Colne is set to be sold off for housing use by Pendle Council. The authority is to put the land around the Haverholt Day Nursery on the open market. Glenys Barnes, from the council’s property management
AS Valentine’s Day approaches, I’m going to confess: I love my cat more than my husband. Before you reel back in horror, I have to add, I’m not alone. More than one in 10 of us love our feline friends more than our partners. And, in a survey by
A CHAMPIONSHIP-winning cheerleading squad from Rawtenstall is looking to raise more than £3,000 to help them defend their title for the 16th year running. Alder Grange Cats have won the UKCA (UK Cheerleading Association) National Schools Championship
A SPA manager has been recognised as one of the best therapists in the UK by an international product house. Janine Bradley, who works at Stanley House in Mellor, has been recognised by luxury skincare producer ila after she introduced a unique
MICHAEL Appleton insists no-one will be getting carried away at Ewood Park after seeing his side move just four points off the Championship play-off positions on Saturday. The Rovers boss was delighted as a third successive clean sheet saw them jump
CHERRY Fold Primary School in Burnley is collecting unwanted mobile phones, Nestle cereal box tops, used household batteries and empty ink cartridges for recycling.
THE Burnley Bookworms Reading Group meets on the last Friday of every month at the central library, from 10.30am to 11.30am.
A DANCE fitness and relaxation session for adults takes place every Thursday at Healey Wood Access Point, in Burnley. The sessions run from 7pm to 8pm. Entry is £2 on the door.
BURNLEY MP Gordon Birtwistle will be holding a surgery for constituents at Burnley Library on Friday from 4pm to 5pm.
CLITHEROE reignited their play-off hopes with a fine win at in-form Bamber Bridge. Chris Dykes, Danny Mahoney and second-half substitute Isaac Kusaloka scored for the visitors after Brig, who saw Matt Mahoney dismissed in the first-half, had drawn level
THE Lighthouse Tai Chi group are running a weekly session at the Briercliffe Community Centre from 2pm every Thursday. The sessions are designed for people of all ages and levels of fitness. The cost is £4.
A JOBS club is to take place at Burnley Wood Youth and Community Centre, in Glebe Street, every Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm.
WORSTHORNE residents can meet local PCSO Dave Johnson every Tuesday between 3pm and 4pm to discuss any police issues. The surgery is held at the police station, in Brownside Road.
SENIOR Citizens can enjoy a lunch with at a weekly lunch club at Greenbrook Methodist Church, Greenbrook Road, Burnley, from 11.30am every Wednesday.
BURNLEY homeless charity Emmaus is appealing for donations for its charity superstore on Ivy Street. Anybody with good quality unwanted furniture which they would like to donate to Emmaus should call 01282 430860.
A QUESTIONNAIRE asking for views on the future plans in Read and Simonstone has been sent to residents by the parish council. More than 500 of the questionnaires have been sent out.
REGULARS will be under starters orders when a race night is held at the Inn on the Wharf in Burnley to raise money for the Horse and Ponies Protection Association. The event on February 15 starts at 7.30pm and will feature big screen races, a raffle
ANOTHER two suspects have been charged as part of an investigation into an alleged human trafficking and slavery ring in Burnley. Five people from East Lancashire and West Yorkshire are already awaiting trial in relation to the alleged exploitation
DAVID Edgar says Burnley must get back to winning ways quickly if they are to stay in play-off contention. After a previous run of four league victories out of five, the Clarets have now gone three games without a win – with Edgar’s goal not enough to
LANCASHIRE have turned their back on the Foster’s Lancashire League after taking the decision not to play any of their second team games at local grounds. The Red Rose seconds played a home game with Yorkshire at Todmorden last term – and while rain
PROSECUTORS have defended themselves after the victim of sex abuse by an East Lancashire woman and her former husband committed suicide after the pressures of giving evidence at their trial. Jurors were only told at the end of Kay and Michael Brewer
A REVIEW of playing pitch provision in Burnley is to be carried out as part of the council’s Green Spaces Strategy. Council chiefs said increased demand for junior pitches within the borough had led to the review. Questionnaires have been given
FOUR politicians from East Lancashire and Chorley could soon be rubbing shoulders with royalty, it has been confirmed. Each year Lancashire County Council bosses are asked to put forward a list of nominations for the Queen’s garden party. And
THE annual watercolour exhibition at Towneley Hall will run until the end of this month. The Brushes With Nature exhibition showcases British landscape paintings from the eclectic Towneley collection of art. Visitors from East Lancashire will
BLOOD donors can give blood at Padiham Town Hall, in Burnley Road, between 1.15pm and 3.30pm and 5.15pm and 7.30pm on Friday March 8.
MOZART, Borodin, Balakirev and Beethoven will be on the programme for Burnley Municipal Orchestra, under conductor Frank Lennon, when they perform at St Peter's Church from 3pm on Sunday, February 17.
A NEW ‘Slow’ road sign and yellow road markings have been installed in Trapp Lane, Read, in a bid to reduce the number of vehicles speeding in the area.
THE Magical Circus company will be performing a Mini Circus show on Febraury 20. It will take place at the Willow Park Children’s Centre, in Calder Avenue, Longridge, from 10.30am to 11.30am. Admission is £1 for children and £1.50 for a family
THE popular St George’s Day celebration in Sabden is set to return this year. Plans are being drawn up for an event on Saturday April 20, at St Mary’s Community Hall, featuring live music.
LANCASHIRE County Council is to investigate complaints of water running down from the drains in Simonstone Road, Sabden. Residents had complained that the water was turning to ice during cold periods.
A QUESTIONNAIRE asking for views on the future plans in Read and Simonstone has been sent to residents by the parish council. More than 500 of the questionnaires have been sent out.
REGULARS will be under starters orders when a race night is held at the Inn on the Wharf in Burnley to raise money for the Horse and Ponies Protection Association. The event on February 15 starts at 7.30pm and will feature big screen races, a raffle
AGE UK are running a yoga session for people over the age of 50 at Holy Trinity Community Hall, in Tatton Street, Colne, every Monday from 1.30pm to 3pm.
A CRAFT club takes place at the Salvation Army base in Stanley Street, in Nelson, from 2pm this afternoon.
A YOUTH club for children aged nine to 14 takes place at Nelson Baptist Church, in Woodlands Road, from 6pm to 8pm every Wednesday. The club is called the Rock Steady Youth Club.
The Friends of St John’s Churchyard hold an open meeting tomorrow from 7.30pm in the Youth Room at St John’s Church Centre, in Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, while a free cuppa is on offer at a coffee morning at Nelson Independent Methodist Chapel, in Netherfield
THIS week’s meeting of the Colne Camera Club will take a look at histograms and other information on the digital camera screen. The meeting takes place on Thursday, starting at 7.30pm, at the Peter Birtwistle Community Centre. The admission
SPORT and PE students at Nelson and Colne College sixth form have been practising their ski skills in preparation for a trip to Italy. As part of their studies the students are given the opportunity to attend a ski trip to Courmayeur in the Italian
PADIHAM enjoyed another trip to the seaside on Saturday after they recorded a 2-0 victory over Blackpool team Squires Gate. But they had young substitute Kenny Taylor to thank for finally unlocking the Squires Gate defence. In a one-sided fixture, the
DARWEN continued their winning ways with a hard-fought victory at the League’s newcomers. West Didsbury, managed by former Darwen player Andy Nelson, raced to a 2-0 half time lead after Martin Parker sliced the ball in to his own net on 18 minutes before
The pope is to resign his office after declaring he was too old to carry on as head of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI will quit on February 28, the Vatican said today, adding the announcement was a surprise. A Vatican statement said
A MOTORIST had to be cut free from his vehicle after an early-morning collision on a Burnley estate. The drivers of a Skoda and Renault Clio were involved in the smash, at around 6.45am yesterday, in Brunshaw Road, said Lancashire Fire and Rescue
UPBEAT boss Leam Richardson believes Accrington Stanley can get out of their slump and turn performances into results as they bid to beat the drop into the Blue Square Bet Premier. Richardson had seen his men take just 14 points from 21 games since the
A BABY girl given only a three per cent chance of surviving for a year has celebrated her first birthday. Mia Freya Brierley was diagnosed with Edward’s Syndrome, a terminal genetic condition that affects internal organs, when she was just five-days-old
BLACKBURN Harrier Holly Bleasdale soared to the top of the world rankings as she sealed her place on the British team for the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg. Pole vaulter Bleasdale, who finished sixth in the London Olympic final, maintained
BARNOLDSWICK Brass Band will be performing in concert at St Andrew’s Methodist Church on Saturday, February 23, from 7pm. Tickets are £5 on the door.
THE NEXT meeting of the Colne and District Local History Society takes place tonight from 7.30pm at the Birtwistle Community Centre, in Keighley Road. The talk is titled ‘The History of Northern Live Magazine’ and entry is £1.50.
SABDEN Parish Council is to apply for funding from the Green Partnership Award to tidy up the area around the Watt Street bus shelter. The parish council wants to lay new paving flags around the shelter and put a notice board up in the area.
THIS week’s meeting of the Earby and District Camera Club is a ‘close-up night’. The meeting takes place at the New Road Community Centre, on Tuesday, from 7pm, and entry is £2.
AN open meeting will take place tomorrow to discuss fund-raising ideas for St Mary’s Church, Sabden and the future use of the community hall. Anybody who wants to attend should be at the hall from 7.30pm.
PLANS have been drawn up by county council education bosses for a single-storey extension to Reedley Community Primary School, which would provide four extra classrooms and a cloakroom and toilet.
ROSSENDALE Council’s mobile information service van ‘STAN’ will be in Haslingden next week. The van will be at the Haslingden Community Link and Children’s Centre, in Bury Road, from 9.30am to 4pm on Monday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 19
BURNLEY Council’s garden waste crews collected around 700 real Christmas trees left out by borough residents in January. The trees have now been taken for recycling.
GREEN-fingered groups in East Lancashire have received compost made from food scraps and garden cuttings recycled by Lancashire residents. The groups have received a total of 12-tonnes of compost thanks to the partnership between Lancashire County
A 14-year-old-girl was sexually assaulted by a man in Sabden early this morning. The girl was walking along Padiham Road in Sabden at about 7.30am when she was grabbed by a man who pushed her down an alleyway. He put his hand over her mouth
THE trust which runs East Lancashire’s hospitals has admitted failing to act on an X-ray revealing cancer in a mum later killed by the disease. Linda Renshaw launched a medical negligence battle after she was diagnosed with the terminal lung condition
NELSON made it back-to-back league wins for the first time since August after a slender 1-0 victory over Oldham Boro. After a goalless first half at Victoria Park, Chris Turner finally got the match winning goal in the 63rd minute.
BARNOLDSWICK came from 1-0 down to beat Ashton Athletic thanks to two goals from Mark Threlfall. Town had to reshuffle their side once again with Aaron Hollingdrake and Paul Fildes unavailable while new signing Samuel Arrowsmith deputised for Billy Carrington
ENFIELD have moved quickly to replace star professional Werner Coetsee – and have snapped up Dolphins, Easterns and KwaZulu-Natal Inland ace Brad Moses. The Foster’s Lancashire League side had agreed terms with Coetsee for a third season but the all-rounder
A BROKEN down vehicle caused severe delays on the A56 Northbound between the Grane Road and junction 8 of the M65. The blocked lane caused severe traffic delays as motorists heading away from Haslingden, towards the M65 were affected. Police
NEARLY 1,400 households across East Lancashire have been given urgent advice on preparing for the introduction of the controversial ‘bedroom tax’. Government penalties for the under-occupation of social housing are set to be introduced from April
JORDAN Rhodes was in seventh heaven on Saturday after claiming a priceless winner to make him just the fourth player ever to score in seven consecutive league games for Blackburn Rovers. The Rovers striker was adamant the second half winner against Ipswich
SEAN Dyche expects to find out exactly how long Michael Duff will be on the sidelines in the next couple of days – but hopes Ross Wallace and Junior Stanislas will both be available for Burnley’s next match, whenever that turns out to be. The Clarets
DIANA Vickers is going back to the school where she was inspired to follow her musical dreams. The former Westholme pupil, who found fame in The X Factor, will be returning to the Meins Road senior school to officially open its new music centre
THREE East Lancashire businesses picked up gongs in the first multicultural E3 Business awards. More than 700 guests from the North West attended the inaugural awards night at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Thursday. Winners included Roaming Roosters
