Archive

  • It's really not worth the risk

    CIGARETTE smokers make the choice to take nicotine, tar and a myraid of other noxious chemicals into their bodies each time they light up. But today they have been told that it is not just their health and the health of those close to them that they are

  • Plenty of activities for young people

    OVER the last few weeks the topic of young people gathering in Blackburn town centre has been featured in the paper, giving an impression they had nowhere else to go. I think it is important to identify some of the alternative options provided by the

  • Darreners being pedantic

    IN response to Derek Jackson's letter (LET, February 7), while the traffic situation around the Fernhurst Farm junction is a nuisance, it is nothing in terms of the sheer frustration caused by the pelican crossing on Montague Street near the junction

  • Murder charge man in court

    A 38-year-old man has been charged with murder following an incident at a house on High Street in the Golborne. Timothy Ashcroft, of High Street, Golborne, was charged on Saturday and is due before Wigan magistrates on Monday. The body of 44-year-old

  • Amo return on hold

    LORENZO Amoruso's plans of a comeback have been halted again. The Italian defender, who hasn't appeared for Blackburn Rovers since October, broke down in training two weeks ago with a calf injury while making his way back from a knee operation. His recovery

  • Assault: Police appeal

    POLICE are appealing for information after a serious assault. A 56-year-old woman spent two days in hospital suffering from cuts to her head, black eyes, a broken nose, a suspected fractured cheekbone and bruising following the incident in Sharp Street

  • Diving with sharks to help charity

    A BURNLEY woman with epilepsy is planning to face her fears head-on -- by diving into a tank with some of the scariest creatures in the sea. Katherine Sutton, 20, of Brunshaw Road, took up scuba diving after her epilepsy was brought under control. After

  • Shock at drug death of 'bubbly' daughter

    A MOTHER has told an inquest of her shock after her "bubbly" 25-year-old daughter died of an accidental drugs overdose. Stephanie Deakin, 25, was found dead at her home in Towneley Street on September 6 last year after having taken methadone. Her mother

  • Bay tragedy death toll rises

    THE death toll in the Morecambe Bay cockling disaster has risen to 20. A body, believed to be of Chinese origin, was found washed up on the beach in Morecambe on Sunday at 1.30pm. It comes 10 days after a group of Chinese cocklers became trapped by rising

  • Howard stirs up storm

    TORY leader Michael Howard has sparked a political row after announcing he is to visit Burnley to lay out his views on race relations and asylum seekers. The former Home Secretary, himself the son of Eastern European immigrants, will visit the town on

  • A tragedy in waiting...

    WARNINGS that a tragedy was waiting to happen came true when Morecambe Bay's treacherous sands claimed 19 victims last Thursday. Experienced cross bay walker Alan Sledmore voiced his fears about the safety of inexperienced cocklers in the Citizen last

  • Early strike fails to spark goal show

    Bury 1 Cambridge Utd 0 by Phil Thorp: BURY fans who decided to treat their partners to a Valentine's Day out at Gigg Lane may have some relationship troubles to iron out over the next few days. In retrospect, a box of chocolates, bouquet of flowers or

  • Friends hop to rescue

    VOLUNTEERS have hopped to it to help Barrowford Park's frogs. Last March hundreds of dead frogs were found drowned in the park's lake after slipping down from the nearby wetland area and finding themselves unable to get out. So volunteers from the Friends

  • Girl held for quiz over fires

    A TEN-YEAR-OLD girl has been arrested by police investigating a series of arson attacks -- including the £150,000 blaze at an Accrington DIY store. The girl was arrested following a suspicious fire in an outhouse behind Krunchy Fried Chicken, Blackburn

  • Ray relief for Lions

    RAY Wilkins breathed a huge sigh of relief after Alan Moore's last-gasp miss spared Millwall a trip to Turf Moor. The Lions assistant boss believed his side earned their quarter-final place after stepping up the pace after the break. But he admitted his

  • Stone aims to steer clear of trouble

    EVENT sponsor John Stone has more reason than most to want a good result on the North West Stages. For two years running, the Blackburn businessman has been prevented from making a challenge for victory by mechanical problems. But Stone, who is managing

  • Charity to benefit from partnership

    CHARITY and motorsport come together in a unique partnership next weekend when the North West Stages takes to the road. Marie Curie Cancer Care, which has its regional headquarters in Chorley, will be the main beneficiary when a record 100 cars and crews

  • Nelson trouble

    NELSON'S plight became serious as they slumped to defeat with an abysmal second half display against Leek at Victoria Park. The Blues have now gone eight league games without a win after promising so much in the first half of the season. Nelson looked

  • Injury controversy

    PADIHAM secretary Alan Smith is calling for commonsense to over-ride rules when it comes to a serious injury occurring in the last few minutes of a football match. On Saturday the Storks were losing 3-1 at home to Oldham Town in the North West Counties

  • Dan's the man once again for Magpies

    A DETERMINED display against a strong Witton team brought Chorley a point from a contest that kept a 300-plus crowd richly entertained. Seven players, five of them Magpies, were booked in a bone-crunching contest which threatened to slip from the referee's

  • Amo return on hold

    LORENZO Amoruso's plans of a comeback have been halted again. The Italian defender, who hasn't appeared for Blackburn Rovers since October, broke down in training two weeks ago with a calf injury while making his way back from a knee operation. His recovery

  • Chaplow set for Clarets' history books

    RICHARD Chaplow stands on the verge of making history by becoming the first Burnley player ever to earn an England Under 21 cap. The Clarets midfielder, 19, has been sensationally promoted to David Platt's squad for tomorrow's friendly against Holland

  • Cameras guru lams speeders

    A POLICE chief who helped shape speed camera policy has told drivers to break the culture of thinking it is fine to break the limit. Chief Superintendent David Mallaby spoke in defence of the cameras at a meeting of the Lancashire Police Authority, at

  • Help me out of this mess!

    A DARWEN woman is hoping for support from fellow Darreners later this month when she will try to get on TV for a house makeover. Marion Cimen, 45, of Blackburn Road, saw an episode of BBC1's DIY SOS programme and she decided it was just what her home

  • Knife terror in the woods

    A 14-YEAR-old girl was left with a four-and-a-half-inch wound after being slashed across the throat with a knife. Blackburn magistrates heard the terrifying attack took place in Sunnyhurst woods in Darwen when the girl was confronted by 20-year-old Zoe

  • School unveils £1m sports hall plan

    A HIGH school in Waterfoot is hoping to raise £1million to pay for a new sports hall. Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, in Glen Road, today announced it will attempt to raise the money to replace its gymnasium, which provides only limited facilities

  • Council chairman's top honour

    THE chairman of Lancashire County Council, Vali Patel is celebrating after being named as a shining example to others. County Councillor Patel was chosen as the winner of the Lloyds TSB Asian Jewel Award 2004 for Public Service Excellence (Northern).

  • Missing detective phones to say 'I'm coming home'

    A POLICE officer sparked a major alert after telling his family he was going to harm himself. Detective Constable Tony Hall went missing after making the threat following a meeting with his estranged wife in Ribchester on Friday afternoon. Yesterday,

  • Home move 'could kill elderly residents'

    THE son of one of 22 elderly people set to be moved when a sheltered housing scheme closes says he fears the upheaval could kill somebody. Residents have been told Seaton Court - operated by Twin Valley Homes - will be demolished next January and they

  • Schools playing 'Russian roulette'

    TEACHING unions today warned East Lancashire schools were playing a game of "Russian Roulette" when it came to education watchdog inspections. There was no way of knowing which school might be the next one forced to adopt special measures, they said.

  • Report calls for action on parks

    PARKS in Blackburn and Darwen are being neglected and council money wasted, according to a report into how the borough's open spaces are run. The report, written by a council scrutiny committee, also found that the council had no overall strategy and

  • Reds fail to play their Cards right at Woking

    DEADLY duo Lutel James and Paul Mullin really had the Cards marked on Saturday until they were dealt another cruel late blow. Just a week after two injury time goals turned a 2-1 Stanley lead into a 3-2 defeat against Dagenham and Redbridge, more 90th

  • Capital punishment for North End

    PRESTON squandered the chance to climb into the play-off zone with a poor show against 20th-placed Watford. A goal in each half secured Watford's win - and it was only acrobatics by youngster Andrew Lonergan - in goal for Jonathan Gould for the second

  • A lifeline of hope so pupils can still learn

    PUPILS with emotional, social and behavioural difficulties would have had school doors closed to them at one time. But now there is provision for excluded primary as well as secondary pupils across East Lancashire, where they can shut out difficulties

  • Council tried to be helpful

    I FEEL I must correct the comments by T J Bradshaw (Letters, February 5) in which he was critical of councillors. They refused planning permission to Mr Barry Tyson to brew nearly 600 pints of beer a week in a micro brewery in his garage in Pole Lane,

  • Groups should ask community

    FOLLOWING your article on residents protesting about the application for planning permission at Watery Lane (January 31). I would hardly call residents voicing concerns and seeking reassurance a protest. Maybe if the details about the application relayed

  • Club boss held on drugs charge

    A NIGHTCLUB owner has been charged with allowing his all-night dance venue to be used for supplying drugs following a police raid involving 200 officers. Police became the first in the country to use groundbreaking new anti-social behaviour laws to close

  • Howard stirs up storm

    TORY leader Michael Howard has sparked a political row after announcing he is to visit Burnley to lay out his views on race relations and asylum seekers. The former Home Secretary, himself the son of Eastern European immigrants, will visit the town on

  • Treat Leigh with respect, says Hull boss

    SHAUN McRae has issued a stark warning to his Super League stars before his Hull side visit Hilton Park for a tasty Powergen Challenge Cup tie against Leigh Centurions. Director of Rugby McRae has told his players: "Treat Leigh with great respect, because

  • Spirited RMI fight on to the end

    Leigh RMI 1 Stevenage 3 by David Magilton: NEVER-say-die will be RMI's motto until the end of the season. They have just 12 games left to turn round their fortunes, and although manager Phil Starbuck remains optimistic, their future in the Conference

  • The night Gray knew he was calling Toon

    FORMER Sunderland stalwart Michael Gray is settling comfortably back into Premiership life - and it's Newcastle United fans that have made him feel at home! The Toon Army booed and jeered Gray's every touch of the ball for Blackburn during the 1-1 draw

  • Taking a piece of Burnley to India

    A BURNLEY woman is hoping to take a taste of Burnley's history to the Indian subcontinent next month. Barbara Baldwin, 51, of Coal Clough Lane, will be visiting charity projects in deprived areas of India as part of a delegation from Oxfam. The manager

  • Neighbours' planning row erupts

    A ROW between neighbours in Trawden came to a head at a meeting of Pendle Council's Colne Committee. Village shop owner Graham Spencer was granted planning permission to build a two-storey house next to the store in Lanehouse, on the site of a current

  • 50 years ago

    THE Pendle Wizards Society was set to meet at Nelson Civic Theatre. The society was formed in Nelson to stimulate interest in magic and had about 14 members. And a crack appeared in Darwen Public Library due to its foundations slipping.

  • 25 years ago

    WHEEL-chair bound pensioner Grace Culshaw, who had had both legs amputated, was left stranded for more than two hours at Accrington Victoria Hospital because of the ambulance drivers' dispute. East Lancashire housewives paid the price for the severe weather

  • 10 years ago

    THE last surviving member of Accrington Pals celebrated his 101st birthday with a quiet family party. William Marshall went to the Somme when the average life expectancy of a private at the front was a matter of weeks. Shock waves went through Blackburn

  • Club boss held on drugs charge

    A NIGHTCLUB owner has been charged with allowing his all-night dance venue to be used for supplying drugs following a police raid involving 200 officers. Police became the first in the country to use groundbreaking new anti-social behaviour laws to close

  • Facelifts are lined up for the play areas

    PLAY areas in the Ribble Valley are to receive major improvements from today Ribble Valley Borough Council is starting improvement works on the play area within Clitheroe Castle grounds. And from Monday, March 15, work on Clitheroe play areas at Low Moor

  • MPs want super carriers role for Typhoon

    EAST Lancashire MPs are calling on the Ministry of Defence to adapt the Typhoon Eurofighter for naval use. They have attacked the government's refusal to consider deploying the revolutionary new war plane on two Royal Navy super carriers to come into

  • 'Billy No Mates' 37-mile relay race

    IT may be billed as a tough relay race that could put any team of athletes to the test. But that did not deter runner Graham Cunliffe, who entered the 37-mile Rochdale Canal Relay...and completed all the stages on his own! Graham, 47, took on all runners

  • Chaplow set for Clarets' history books

    RICHARD Chaplow stands on the verge of making history by becoming the first Burnley player ever to earn an England Under 21 cap. The Clarets midfielder, 19, has been sensationally promoted to David Platt's squad for tomorrow's friendly against Holland

  • Boss recognises Wise old tactics

    STAN Ternent acknowledged that old pal Dennis Wise lived up to his surname to help steer Millwall into the FA Cup quarter-finals. The Lions player-boss was at the centre of several controversial incidents throughout a sometimes brutal fifth round clash

  • Cup romance running out

    VALENTINE'S night can't have been a happy one in the Moore households. Ian and Alan's partners might have anticipated a little sweet talk after their other halves spent the day on a date of a very different kind. Instead their ears were probably bent

  • Rams miss out at Hey

    RAMSBOTTOM were left to rue Robbie Smith and Matt Swailes' missed chances when Abbey Hey scored the only goal of the game. Demis O'Hanjanian was given time and space inside the Rams half and curled a looping shot over the stranded Paul Horridge to put

  • Reds take their first steps to cup final

    COLNE took one step towards their first cup final of the season with a 2-1 first leg win in their NWCL Division Two Trophy semi-final. The FA Vase quarter-finalists had to come back from a goal behind on Saturday against Cheadle Town, who went ahead on

  • First point won

    ROSSENDALE scored their first goal of 2004 to earn their first point of the new year. But they had to battle against a Farsley Celtic side who dominated the first half, with Andy Watson testing Dale keeper Mark Andrews early on while Roy Stamer should

  • Clitheroe go clear after a thriller

    A THRILLER at Shawbridge saw Clitheroe go behind three times, be reduced to 10 men but still take all the points to keep them at the top of the North West Counties League. The Blues dominated the opening exchanges with Lee Cryer and Neil Spencer both

  • MPs want super carriers role for Typhoon

    EAST Lancashire MPs are calling on the Ministry of Defence to adapt the Typhoon Eurofighter for naval use. They have attacked the government's refusal to consider deploying the revolutionary new war plane on two Royal Navy super carriers to come into

  • 10 years on, and it is never a doddle

    QUESTIONS I commonly ask while writing this weekly column include: "Do you think this is boring? "Is this a valid point?" "Is this going to get me into trouble?" Colleagues, friends, family members -- I have given them all earache over the years as I

  • MP examines pub glass bottles ban

    MP JANET Anderson is considering whether to try and introduce legislation to ban the sale of glass bottles of beer over the bar in pubs. Bacup police in her Rossendale and Darwen constituency want the law changed so that drinkers have the choice of their

  • Council's boundary wishes

    COUNCILLORS have formed their response to the Boundary Committee on the future of the valley. Rossendale Council agreed that it supported a South East Lancashire unitary authority of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, including Whitworth, if restructuring

  • Rail users have their say

    RAIL user groups and passenger committees have met with bosses of Arriva Trains Northern to learn about changes at the company. The six-monthly stakeholder conference is part of the firm's plan to keep passengers in touch with the rail operator, which

  • Ecstasy shame man has his jail term cut

    A BLACKBURN man who brought shame on his family by supplying ecstasy to friends has had his sentence cut in London's Appeal Court. Zaheer Dassu, of East Park Avenue, received a four-year sentence at Preston Crown Court last April after admitting having

  • 'Danger' cigarettes flood in

    DANGEROUS fake cigarettes manufactured using slave child labour are being sold in East Lancashire, trading standards chiefs warned today. They claim East Lancashire is being 'flooded' with counterfeit cigarettes sold on the quiet in pubs, clubs and at

  • The 'bird man' calls for help

    THE 'bird man' of East Lancashire is calling on help for his 40 feathered friends. Bill Higham, also known as Barn Owl Bill, keeps his collection of 40 birds at home in Leyland, but has found a new home in the shape of a disused wild bird centre. But

  • Guide... to what children need to know about finance

    SIXTEEN-year-olds are worth £2.1 billion but almost half do not know the difference between a credit and a debit card, a survey showed today. Three-quarters are ignorant of what a direct debit is, while 49 per cent would not feel confident filling out

  • School unveils £1m sports hall plan

    xA HIGH school in Waterfoot is hoping to raise £1million to pay for a new sports hall. Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, in Glen Road, today announced it will attempt to raise the money to replace its gymnasium, which provides only limited facilities

  • Schools playing 'Russian roulette'

    TEACHING unions today warned East Lancashire schools were playing a game of "Russian Roulette" when it came to education watchdog inspections. There was no way of knowing which school might be the next one forced to adopt special measures, they said.

  • Family is 'lucky to escape fire'

    A FAMILY of four had a lucky escape after a fire broke out in the kitchen of their home in Bury. A faulty toaster burst into flames at the house in Belbeck Street, Elton, shortly before 11pm on Sunday. The family, who were upstairs at the time, had bought