THERE is a strong case for saying that any local council should be extremely careful about becoming involved in putting money into league football. Maintaining swimming pools, pitches and other sporting facilities for the people it serves to use for their
A MAN has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after his housemate was stabbed twice. Rikki Burke, 21, of Whalley New Road, Bastwell, Blackburn, was due to appear before Blackburn magistrates today. Alan Fielden, 40, has
A PIZZA chef has been charged with murder after the man he was accused of assaulting died. Damien Fiocca, 18, of no fixed address, was due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates today to face the upgraded charge. Andrew Rawes, 29, formerly of Burnley
A TEAM of trading standards officers from Eastern Europe have been sent to Lancashire for a training course. Lancashire County Council said its officers were working with the team, which is responsible for consumer protection laws in Estonia. Visitors
AUDITIONS for the principle parts in Greenbrook AOS's production of Calamity Jane will take place tomorrow at 8pm at Greenbrook Methodist Church. Anyone interested is welcome to come along. Production dates are April 19 - 24.
OSWALDTWISTLE Players' spring production will be Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward. Catherine Allan will direct the production which will be on at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre from April 21 - 24 April. A read-through for anyone interested in going for a part
REGARDING St George's surgery in Blackburn moving. We were told that when the surgery moves to Haslingden Road it will be better for patients. What rubbish. I normally get a repeat prescription in 24 hours. Today I asked for a repeat prescription and
I AGREE with Hyndburn MP Greg Pope. We should have a national anthem of our own for all English sports teams such as Jerusalem or Land of Hope and Glory. As for the Football Association saying their players sing the National Anthem with passion is a laugh
AT last it is the turn of part of the Nova Scotia area of Blackburn to be redeveloped and not before time. This was the most neglected area of the town and the buildings that were constructed in later years had only a short term life span. There is now
VIRTUALLY all terrorist outrages since 9/11, culminating with the recent ones in Turkey, have been carried out in the name of Islam. It does not seem unreasonable that the security forces have been concentrating on that, I am sure very small, Muslim community
A FEW weeks ago I rang Blackburn Transport to ask them why the Little Harwood bus no longer went from the Boulevard. I was told that due to popular demand it was only gong to go from Ainsworth Street. A short time after, the buses started going again
WITH regard to the article 'Old folk's homes facelift up £7.5million.' So Lancashire County Council has miscalculated the cost of refurbishing the remaining homes for the elderly by £7.5million and is set to spend the extra cash. Perhaps they can say
THE funeral is taking place on Wednesday of one of the borough's oldest residents, who passed away at the age of 103. Mrs Ada Davenport, of Ainsworth Road, Bury, died in hospital last Tuesday (9 Dec). Originally from the James Street area of Bury, Mrs
A COUNCILLOR has sparked a furious row after calling for a £45,000 sponsorship deal with Accrington Stanley to be scrapped to save money. Labour councillor Tim O'Kane says the three-year deal, announced in June, should be one of the first things to be
Who killed Evelyn Lund? THE husband of a woman whose body was found in a French lake has revealed that their relationship had turned violent before her death. Robert Lund, 51, still lives in the converted farmhouse he bought with his wife Evelyn, near
COMMUTERS could be faced with a bleak mid-winter as Metrolink and bus drivers threaten industrial action. Bus drivers from First Manchester in Bury, Bolton and Leigh will be balloting for industrial action from Thursday (Dec 18) until January 5, after
A BURY firm is to channel its expertise into a major rail link after clinching two contracts worth £6 million. The orders secured by ventilation specialist Senior Hargreaves have been won for work on the final phase of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL
A DRUNKEN former serviceman racially abused a taxi driver after a Christmas party, a court heard yesterday. Burnley Magistrates heard that former soldier Jonathan Harvey, 36, had too much to drink at a friend's works party earlier that night. Jobless
A MAN accused of being the co-supplier in an alleged plot to peddle amphetamine on the streets of East Lancashire told a jury he did not deal drugs. David Hancox, 39, admitted he used the drug but told Burnley Crown Court he had never sold amphetamine
ANDY Preece's contract as player/manager of Bury Football Club has been terminated by mutual consent, according to the club's website. A statement reads: "This action has been necessitated by the need to make a significant reduction in expenditure in
TRIBUTES have been paid to the owner of Nelson's first supermarket who has died, aged 84. The funeral of Eric Turner, known as Barmy Mick, will be held at Carlton Crematorium in Fleetwood at 2.30pm on Thursday. Mr Turner, an ex-prisoner of war, set up
A BANNED driver who got behind the wheel while almost twice the limit has been told he could face jail. Burnley Magistrates heard John Paul Lawrence, 23, claimed he had not been driving and refused to answer police questions. Lawrence, of Ann Street,
TRANSPORT bosses are encouraging people in Bury to use public transport over the festive season. Details of services are now available in GMPTE's annual Christmas and New Year timetable booklet and on www.gmpte.com Commercial public transport operators
A COUPLE who missed out on their honeymoon to Florida when their plane twice broke down on the runway won a US holiday. Paul and Caroline Bridgford's pre-Christmas present also included £2,000 holiday spending money and £3,000 to spend on their home in
AN East Lancashire animal sanctuary is inviting people to spread some Christmas cheer this year by posting seasonal greetings on stable doors. Staff at Only Foals and Horses Sanctuary, in Oswaldtwistle, are hoping to celebrate in style by decorating the
A BURY firm is to channel its expertise into a major rail link after clinching two contracts worth £6 million. The orders secured by ventilation specialist Senior Hargreaves have been won for work on the final phase of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL
ALBERT Doweck has resigned as Bury FC chairman after only five months at the helm writes Bury Times Sports Editor Phil Thorp That was the shock news to come out of Gigg Lane ahead of Saturday's crucial derby clash against local rivals Rochdale. The club
LOCAL lads are guaranteed a treat at a Blackburn nightclub later this week -- when glamour girl Jordan pays a visit. The 'Christmas cracker' will be doing a public appearance at Jumpin' Jaks nightclub, in St Peter Street, on Thursday night, December 18
AS the national Pop Idol final draws near, a Clayton-le-Moors pub has been unearthing some fine East Lancashire singing talent in its own karaoke competition. Fortes Arms owners Nick Hargreaves and Damien Nickleson set up the competition to run for seven
A FAMILY that has battled with damp in their home for 12 years has pleaded with the council to move them for the sake of their health. Mr Graham Scotson, of Cornwall Drive, Bury, contacted Bury Council to ask again if his family could be moved, following
BLACKBURN keeper Brad Friedel today paid a glowing tribute to Craig Short and Andy Todd after hailing the defensive pair's role in the club's recent revival. Three wins from the last five league games have helped to restore confidence at Ewood. And although
SCHOOLGIRL Rachel Farrar showed off her culinary talents in a Ready Steady Cook competition at Darwen Vale High. The teenager was taking part in the local finals of the Darwen Rotary Club competition. Representatives from Darwen Vale and Westholme schools
THE future of a 110-year-old building in the centre of Darwen which has stood mostly empty for ten years could finally be secured. Manchester-based Cottonloft Ltd has applied to convert the old technical college, on the corner of Union Street and Knott
TWO women and their young children could have died after consuming instant mashed potato and tea made with a kettle where ecstasy had been hidden. And a court was told that Jeffrey Farquhar, 20, had been "stupid almost beyond belief" for his part in the
Who killed Evelyn Lund? THE woman who was the last friend to see Evelyn Lund alive has revealed how she became desperate and depressed before her disappearance. Marianne Ramsey said she became concerned because the mother-of-three couldn't stand up for
A BANNED driver has been sent to jail for five months after magistrates told him he had "flagrantly disregarded," court orders. John Wayne Taylor, 21, of Regent Street, Haslingden, was convicted of driving while disqualified allegations when he appeared
TWO Rossendale high schools are celebrating today after scooping a Lottery boost of £2.6million. Alder Grange Community and Technology School, Rawtenstall and Whitworth Community High School have each been awarded £1.3million from the Sport England Lottery
RADCLIFFE capitulated against second-placed Hucknall Town in a 6-1 Unibond Premier Division home defeat on Saturday. New boy Steve Foster grabbed Borough's goal with a 20-yard header in the 80th minute. But Hucknall were already 4-0 up by then thanks
EAST Lancashire schoolchildren have a chance to enjoy unique interactive lessons at Manchester Airport in 2004 - aboard a Monarch DC10 aircraft. The DC10, which first operated in November 1980 and made its last flight two years ago, will become a permanent
YOUNGSTERS in Blackburn and Darwen are being urged to "aim higher" in their educational ambitions...by going to university. The Aimhigher Roadshow is visiting Year 9 pupils across the area in a bid to encourage more to carry on studying. Aimhigher is
FIVE East Lancashire councils have been handed over £1.5million to tackle their housing problems. The Government's North West Regional Housing Board, which was set up to tackle the region's worst problems, said the money will be used to prevent collapsing
PATIENTS in East Lancashire want choice from their local health services to be a right, not something to fight for. Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority has published the responses it received after asking the public what choices they wanted
CHRISTMAS cheer has returned to the family of Frosty the inflatable snowman, thanks to kind-hearted bosses at a Lancashire store. As reported in last week's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Frosty met his end when he was deflated during an attempted drunken
REJUVENATED Rossendale United are hoping to make it third time lucky at Guiseley in their FA Trophy second round replay tonight. After the sides drew 0-0 at Dark Lane, the original replay at Nethermoor was fraught with problems for Dale right up to its
A BURY Council boss has died in a swimming accident in the Caribbean. Mr John Ball, who was a procurement manager in the environment and development services department, was on holiday in Cuba when he got into difficulties while swimming in the sea during
Christian Charity Shop, 27 Mincing Lane, Blackburn, 10am-3pm. Life drawing classes, Mid Pennine Gallery, Yorke Street, Burnley, 7-9pm. Brierfield Bridge Club, Whitfield Senior Citizens Centre, 212a Manchester Road, Nelson, 1.30pm. Step One Singles Chat
BLACKBURN'S newest education venue celebrated its 500th learner just four months after it opened. The Neighbourhood Learning Centre, in Pringle Street, has hosted a variety of courses and learning opportunities since it opened in July, ranging from English
JACK Straw has been re-selected as Labour candidate for Blackburn at the next General Election. Mr Straw was given the news at at specially convened meeting of the Blackburn Constituency Labour party's executive committee. Mr Straw, who is also Foreign
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council has scooped a national award for the services it provides to young families. The Council was one of 17 across the country to pick up a badge of excellence for its Sure Start programme. The Sure Start unit helps young families
YOU can follow the yellow brick road to Brunshaw Youth Centre on Morse Street, Burnley in the New Year. For that's where Brunshaw Action Group and Brunshaw Youth Centre will be performing the enchanting musical The Wizard Of Oz. The showstopper runs from
HOW discerning the maxim "Don't see old friends as new enemies" penned by your columnist Shuiab Khan and endorsed by Rani Beg (Letters, December 9). I share their dismay when people do this, particularly in the case of America, Britain's tried and trusted
OVER the years too much has been said or written about the state of our NHS hospitals. I have just spent 12 months in Burnley General Hospital spending time in the intensive care and high dependency units, as well as time on different wards and the rehab
A BURY motorist had an amazing escape when he suffered only cuts and bruises after his car was dragged for a mile under the wheels of a 40-ton lorry. Robert Isherwood's car, a Peugeot 206, became wedged between the front and rear wheels of the fully laden
TOWN Hall leaders are confident that Bury Council will get a superb Christmas present from Government inspectors. The Audit Commission will announce on Thursday (Dec 18) whether Bury has risen up the Comprehensive Performance Assessment league. Bury received
BLACKBURN keeper Brad Friedel today paid a glowing tribute to Craig Short and Andy Todd after hailing the defensive pair's role in the club's recent revival. Three wins from the last five league games have helped to restore confidence at Ewood. And although
FAMOUS watercolours from Towneley Hall will go on display in the New Year. A collection of paintings by Noel Harry Leaver will be displayed in the parlour from January 10 until late March. The collection belongs to the hall and includes watercolours of
PLANS to regenerate an East Lancashire town looks set to get a council cash boost. Burnley Council's executive committee has been asked to agree to a contribution of £16,685 towards Padiham Life's bid to the North West Development Agency. The NWDA invited
A BURNLEY high school celebrated the success of students at a prize-giving ceremony. John Tat, headteacher of St Theodore's, welcomed back former pupils, who left school in the summer after completing their A levels, before handing over to special guest
A FATHER-to-be who moved his friend's car a short distance outside a takeaway has lost his driving licence - before he had even got it. Burnley Magistrates heard that Michael Webb, 20, faced being banned but had never actually passed a driving test. The
JUST over 100 people enjoyed CRaCA's Christmas Dinner at the Fighting Cocks. A three-course meal was followed by entertainment from the Dalesmen and a disco. A raffle held during the evening raised around £200 for the Kettledrum Football Club, and quiz
POLICE are gearing up for this weekend's Lancashire soccer derby following trouble between Burnley and Preston fans last year. Officers are hoping to avoid a repeat of the scenes last December when a group of about 100 Clarets fans invaded the pitch following
A BANNED driver who sparked a high-speed police chase in which he hit another vehicle head on is behind bars for a year. Burnley Crown Court heard car-obsessed father-to-be Stephen Warburton, 21, had nine previous convictions for driving while disqualified
A WASTE boss is launching a new scheme aimed at slashing the amount of illegal flytipping in Burnley. The initiative comes amid claims that new rubbish disposal charges are forcing traders to dump their waste in the back yards of empty properties. Lancashire
AN ENGINEER who achieved a lifelong dream of seeing Everest has issued a message of thanks to sponsors who helped him get there. And Philippe Handford, 43, of Ribblesdale Place, in Barrowford, revealed he is now well equipped to tackle the British winter
PENDLE has scooped two top prizes from among more than 500 entries in an environmental awards scheme. The borough council was awarded the regional gold and regional champion titles in the district councils category at the national Green Apple Environment
BOBBY the Ewood Park cat went missing. The black cat, which prowled the dressing room, the drying room and stands at the football ground for six years, disappeared, to the sadness of club staff. The villagers of Stanhill were planning a Christmas Carol
FOUR girls from East Lancashire Girl Rangers were providing a guard of honour for Princess Margaret when she went to see a gala performance of Sinbad the Sailor. They were Helen Seed, from Burnley, Valerie Hampshire, from Blackburn, Yvonne Willis, from
RESIDENTS in Great Harwood have been warned to be vigilant after a woman was tricked into leaving her house by a burglar. Police said the incident could be linked to a similar incident last month. A man climbed over the back gate of a house in Park Road
A COUNCILLOR has sparked a furious row after calling for a £45,000 sponsorship deal with Accrington Stanley to be scrapped to save money. Labour councillor Tim O'Kane says the three-year deal, announced in June, should be one of the first things to be
POLICE in Prestwich are appealing for help in identifying the burglars who attacked a pub landlord, as he tried to restrain one of them, when they broke into his pub on Bury New Road last month. At around midnight,on Thursday, November 27, the 32-year-old
CLARETS captain Graham Branch has set his sights on a first team return at Preston this weekend. Branch has been out of action for three weeks with a nagging calf injury sustained against Reading. But the versatile skipper hopes to boost manager Stan
TRADING Standards bosses have praised pubs for offering cut price deals on soft drinks in the run-up to Christmas. A number of pubs across East Lancashire are offering buy-one-get-one-free soft drinks or free soft drinks all night for designated drivers
CLARETS captain Graham Branch has set his sights on a first team return at Preston this weekend. Branch has been out of action for three weeks with a nagging calf injury sustained against Reading. But the versatile skipper hopes to boost manager Stan
Who killed Evelyn Lund? THE husband of a woman whose body was found in a French lake has revealed that their relationship had turned violent before her death. Robert Lund, 51, still lives in the converted farmhouse he bought with his wife Evelyn, near
A FESTIVAL of Rossendale Life is being planned by the latest Strategic Partnership group - Confident Communities. The initiative has been set up to give community organisations a direct link to councils, NHS, police and other public bodies. Organisations
A QUARRY in Rossendale is set to be transformed into a venue for outdoor sporting activities for the community. The derelict Hurdles Quarry, off Bacup Road, Waterfoot, will be developed to provide leisure uses including archery, rock climbing, mountain
A NEW group called Confident Communities has been formed in Rossendale to give residents their say on a variety of issues. The forum will allow the public to voice their concerns and ideas on what they would like to see happening in the community to the
PLANS for Weir Baptist Church's new building are set to be unveiled at a special meeting in the New Year. Members of the church have seen funds swell to £102,000 through a number of community fundraisers and various grants over the past year. The church
PARENTS in East Lancashire are being urged not to risk their child's safety when buying bikes as Christmas presents this year. Lancashire County Council's road safety group is reminding parents to be aware of cycle safety over the festive period - after
A 20-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man has become the first in Lancashire to receive a new sentence aimed at tackling offending among 18 to 20-year-olds. Matthew James Henry Swindlehurst has been made subject to an Intensive Control and Change Programme which is
A MAN was killed by a train after crossing the track at an unauthorised point following a drink with a friend last night. British Transport Police said that Christopher Wilson, 27, was found underneath the train and was dead by the time police arrived
FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw celebrated the world-breaking news of Saddam Hussein's capture in true British style - by making a cup of tea. The Blackburn MP revealed that he had been wakened by a telephone call at around 8am on Sunday giving him the news
CHRISTMAS shopping is bad for your health according to a new report. And people in East Lancashire are likely to complain of more headaches than the average Christmas shopper. A Royal Mail survey has revealed more than 14 million people in the UK are
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman gambled and won as his side claimed their second Football League scalp in the FA Cup. A penalty by Paul Howarth in the sudden-death shoot-out was enough to book the Reds a place in the third round for the first time
