VANDALS attacked Sudell Primary School in Darwen, forcing teachers to turn away pupils on the first day of term. More than 35 windows were smashed and equipment wrecked.

Fire crews from five towns were called in to tackle a blaze at Smirthwaite Street social centre, Burnley. There was extensive fire and smoke damage to the premises, just 10 months after the re-opened following a £150,000 face-lift.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.