Adoption Information Evening, Central Library, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Blackburn Flower Club, Brownhill United Reformed Church Hall, Brownhill Road, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Practice Night. Age Concern Advice Surgery, 11a High Street, Rishton,
THE health of our children is quite rightly near the top of the national agenda. Junk food and lack of exercise have been cited as the main factors in a worrying rise in obesity among the young over the past few years. Encouraging children to leave their
WHEN a mum-to-be's tummy start's to swell, belly dancing might be the last thing on her mind. But that's not the case for one group of women, as JENNY SCOTT discovered. . . BABIES and belly dancing -- it's a combination that might not seem obvious, but
I HAVE never been against change and think postal ballots are a good idea. I am, however, very concerned that the anonymity of the voter is no longer protected. Any voter can now easily be checked by council officials to see how he or she has voted. Surely
A GREEN-fingered grandfather from Hindley is raising money for charity by opening up his garden to the public. Rod Raines, of Leigh Road, spends around eight hours a day tending to his giant garden which is tucked away behind his house. The 73-year-old
A CADET force which teaches first-aid and other key medical topics to youngsters is enjoying a more than healthy existence. For Bury St John Ambulance, which has just staged its enrolment and presentation evening, has a 25-strong membership of cadets
IAN Miller today explained why he quit Blackburn Rovers in favour of a move to Second Division Blackpool. The hugely popular 49-year-old has left his post at Rovers' Academy to become Colin Hendry's new first team coach at Bloomfield Road. And Miller
BLACKBURN Rovers have agreed a new deal with versatile midfielder Jonathon Douglas, writes ANDY NEILD. I can reveal the Republic of Ireland international has signed a new three year contract with the club. And Turkish midfield ace Tugay is expected to
COUNCILLORS in Padiham are to reject proposals by British Telecom to scrap two payphones in the town. The phone giant wants to close two of the nine phones in Padiham because they are no longer deemed to be profitable. BT suggested the phones in Station
POLICE are preparing to question 60 people as part of an investigation into election fraud in Burnley, it was revealed today. The investigation was launched last month after council staff became suspicious about the number of applications for proxy votes
A CYCLEWAY and footpath could be built as part of a park on the site of a disused East Lancashire railway line. Plans could transform the former Padiham branch line, which closed in 1993, into a park that follows the line of the railway. The landscaped
A BURNLEY engineer has been rewarded for his heroic efforts at work. Philip Cage, a development engineer at Robert McBride Ltd, in Windermere Avenue, has been declared the North West's Hero at Work. He will now battle it out against nine other employees
A THIEF who helped himself to a crate of lager has had a drink problem since he was 12, a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard how Marc Brian Swain, 28, had tried to walk out of Barnoldswick Co-op without paying. Staff took him to the foyer where
A CAMPAIGN to restore rail links between Skipton and Colne is set to move up a gear following a £3,000 grant. The Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) plans to use the cash to buy computer equipment for its publicity campaign. The
A NEW high of £1.35 a gallon was being charged at a Blackburn garage which was forced to put up the cost of fuel by more than 35p in the space of a few hours. The petrol station had been bought for Skewbridge service station in Whalley New Road and proprietor
POLICE investigating an activated burglar alarm in the early hours of the morning gave chase when a man spotted nearby refused to stop. Blackburn magistrates heard that, as he ran away, James Halstead was seen to throw a knife down a back alley. After
THE case of an Accrington mother and daughter who were prosecuted for animal cruelty is being used to launch a new RSPCA campaign. Susan and Kimberley Ireland, of Accrington, were taken to court after RSPCA inspectors found two dogs in their home infested
BURY Council is to host a major environment fair in September to show its commitment to improving everyone's surroundings. Community groups and businesses will join the authority to highlight the work being done to cut damaging emissions and tackle other
A 33-YEAR-OLD woman has appeared in court charged with the murder of her husband a week after they returned from a honeymoon cruise. Newlywed Catherine Osliffe is alleged to have used a kitchen knife to stab Ian Roger Osliffe, 35, in the chest. He died
AFTER 237 years of prize sheep and champion heifers, judges at the Royal Lancashire Show are finally turning their attention to women! In a bid to woo a wider, younger audience to the historic event, organisers are giving humans the chance to be one of
FREE energy-efficient lightbulbs were handed out in Burnley as part of World Environment Day. Organisers from Burnley and District Friends of the Earth were in town near the bandst to offer help and advice on Saturday. Burnley & District FOE spokesperson
POLICE in Burnley are appealing for witnesses to an attack in which a man had his hand sliced open with a Samurai sword. The victim, an Asian man in his 20s, underwent surgery at the Royal Preston Hospital yesterday to try to save his left hand. He had
ENGLAND star Wayne Rooney could play in Burnley after new Clarets boss Steve Cotterill finalised his first pre-season friendly with Everton. Toffees manager David Moyes has promised to bring a full-strength side when they come to Turf Moor on Thursday
WHILE the rest of the Veka Ribblesdale League have seemingly surrendered the title to defending champions Read, the chase for the championship won't be given up by Settle. The North Yorkshire club is nine points adrift of the leaders but are doggedly
ENGLAND star Wayne Rooney could play in Burnley after new Clarets boss Steve Cotterill finalised his first pre-season friendly with Everton. Toffees manager David Moyes has promised to bring a full-strength side when they come to Turf Moor on Thursday
A FORMER parish councillor has called for tomorrow's North Turton parish election to be called off. David Smith said election notices were not displayed in Edgworth until a day before the deadline for nominations. But Blackburn with Darwen chief executive
BACUP-BORN opera star Sean Ruane was the special guest at the opening of new £2.8m showcase office development in his home town. Ruane, who has sung at a variety of international events this year, interrupted his rehearsals to give a special solo performance
MOUTHWATERING deals will be on the menu at the launch of a new Rossendale business club. More than 100 of the Valley's leading firms are expected to attend the major networking lunch at St Mary's Chambers in Rawtenstall on Friday. Organisers are keen
COUNCIL chiefs in Rossendale have declared this year's postal vote a success after recording an increase in voters returning ballot papers. Already more than 32 per cent of voters have now returned their ballot papers, compared to last year when 29.8
RADCLIFFE-based A&E Threads has been honoured by the Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) awards, for its sustainable business programme. The company, which manufactures threads for the trade and consumer markets, has been honoured for its
DEVOTION to cartoons has led a Radcliffe man to open a specialised store in the Lowry Outlet Mall, Salford Quays. Robert Marks has opened the region's first official Warner Bros. animation art gallery, containing original transparencies and limited-edition
BLACKBURN and Darwen said its farewell to the mayor as VIPs joined the borough's residents at a civic funeral. Mourners packed into Blackburn Cathedral for the funeral of Mike Barrett and heard him described as an energetic, considerate man who fought
AS someone whose only experience of going to sea is boarding a cross-Channel ferry, Anthony Lee is hardly a seasoned sailor. The 27-year-old archeologist has stepped off dry land so few times that he doesn't even know if he gets sea sick. But he is getting
POLICE have pledged to crack burglary and car crime after a major fall in offences in the last year. Figures for April 2003 to March 2004 show a 21 per cent fall in burglaries and a 20 per cent drop in car crime in Blackburn. And the commitment comes
PROSTITUTES have called for a "tolerance zone" where they can ply their trade in safety and with immunity from prosecution. They were responding to demands for a crackdown on street girls and kerb crawlers, prompted by concerns that they were plaguing
PRIMARY school children in Bury are being challenged to put their creativie skills to the test and complete the work of well-known writers in the Write Here, Write Now 2004 awards. Youngsters, aged eight to ten, will be given the opportunity to complete
Nature Watch, with RON FREETHY I'VE just had a letter from David Bursborough of Infirmary Street, Blackburn, who wanted to know the the name of the bird which he have photographed. Well, David the bird is a JAY. The jay is a member of the crow family
AFTER many years of being in a deteriorating situation through lack of investment and being the subject of concern by the public and users, we are delighted to see Sunnyhurst Wood and the parks looking their delightful and beautiful best. We are not blessed
A LEIGH man has admitted assaulting another man. Aaron Lilley, of Westleigh Lane, had been due to face trial accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Michael Barker with intent on November 9. But after his plea of guilty to assault causing actual bodily
YOUR correspondent Mr R Barber (Letters, May 27), writes that he is convinced that Lancashire motorists are being "persecuted" by speed cameras. He arrives at this conclusion by virtue of the fact that Lancashire has more static Gatso cameras than some
The Martin Dobson column. . . BURNLEY have made their move on the management merry-go-round and Steve Cotterill is the man charged with making some tough decisions. There is no doubt changes need to be made by the man who has been installed as the new
A BURNLEY community warden left his wife with a fractured shoulder after punching her to the floor during a late night row, a court heard. Ex-soldier and security guard David Bullen, 54, hit his wife Christine in the face during the incident, in January
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has collapsed and died after suffering a suspected seizure in his bedroom. Today the father of Chris Bradshaw paid tribute to the teenager he described as 'an absolute treasure.' The student at St Mary's College, Blackburn, had been
ARSONISTS are believed to have been responsible for a blaze that broke out at a recently sold house. Police were today investigating the fire at the mid-terrace property in Tunstill Street, Burnley, and are appealing for witnesses to contact them. Firebugs
COUNCILLOR Philip Walsh and the parish council have achieved some success on the issue of wheelie bins being left all over the place after being emptied. Burnley Council is to investigate. It is hoped that more information will be available at the parish
A PENNILESS raider who invaded a young family's home as they slept has been jailed for 18 months. Burnley Crown Court heard how ex-convict Mohammed Hussain, 22, had been homeless at the time and struck after his mother suggested he live in the garden
A FENCE has been removed from a Burnley bowling club after a 13-year-old was impaled on a spike after climbing over it earlier this week. The railings were removed by Burnley Council workers yesterday following the accident on Sunday when Jadon Gotthardt
AN UNRULY teenager banned from a Padiham estate where he had lived flouted a court order by going home to his mum. Burnley Magistrates heard how Daniel Graham Smith, 18, earlier made homeless by an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, had then found accommodation
A BURNLEY community warden left his wife with a fractured shoulder after punching her to the floor during a late night row, a court heard. Ex-soldier and security guard David Bullen, 54, hit his wife Christine in the face during the incident, in January
SUPPORTERS of Bury FC are hoping the ubiquitous red and white Cross of St George will be replaced by blue and white favours druing a two week Shakers extravaganza. Forever Bury, the club's fans' trust, are organising a "Blue and White Fortnight" in a
TWO Pendle teenagers have proved that apprenticeships can take them a long way - having travelled across the globe in their new jobs. Mandy Cullen, of Burton Gardens, Brierfield, and Katie Slater, of Bracewell Street, Nelson, both 17, are both approaching
A FATHER of two attacked the mother of his children in a Boxing Day row, a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard how William Anthony Monaghan, 46, had been provoked by his estranged partner Joanna Monk after she accused him of having an affair with
EAST Lancashire took the brunt of freak storms which whipped across the area, ripping up trees, hurling slates from roofs and smashing greenhouses. Overhead lines extending over an area of 500 square miles of the Ribble Valley were put out of action.
A £2 MILLION-plus scheme to renovate a tower block in Blackburn got under way. Bowland House, at Larkhill, Blackburn, was the third block in the area to receive a seven-figure facelift, following Pendle House and Ribble House. And profits had jumped again
HYNDBURN Council have chosen a firm they could hand their housing stock to if tenants vote 'Yes' in a ballot next year. North-West based Contour Housing look set to get the contract, after beating off competition from 10 other firms. Twin Valley Homes
AN artist inspired by the Lord of The Rings is fulfilling a lifetime's ambition by exhibiting work in his home town. Edward Foster, 30, is a part-time artist, and spent four years producing a series of paintings based around the works of author JRR Tolkien
YOUNG children have gone right to the top in their bid to get free fruit at school to stop them getting fat. Health Minister Melanie Johnson was today considering written requests from pupils at Accrington's Peel Park Primary School to extend a national
AN outraged father has challenged Royal Mail bosses to push his disabled son's wheelchair to the post office they want him to use. Company bosses said they believed it was reasonable for pensioners and the disabled to make their way to one of two alternative
CONSTRUCTION sites across the region are facing a health and safety blitz in a bid to reduce the number of serious accidents. The inspections, part of the Health and Safety Executive's FaTaL Risks Campaign 2004, will concentrate on the three main causes
THE funeral of Bury's first lady mayor took place in Whitefield on Wednesday. Mrs Christina Ormrod (82), who had represented Pilkington Park in Whitefield for more than two decades, died peacefully on May 29 after a long illness. The Conservative councillor
RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has made a Commons condemnation of local authorities such as Rochdale and Sandwell in the West Midlands who are trying to prevent fans flying the flag of St George from their cars to support the England soccer team in Euro
VOTES from the Ribble Valley and Lake District have been sent to election staff at Burnley Borough Council by the Royal Mail. The Royal Mail has already put "special procedures" in place to ensure the votes intended for South Lakeland and Ribble Valley
FRIENDS of a charity champion who died when a sea diving expedition went tragically wrong are gearing up to raise money in her memory. Members of Ribble Valley Rotaract hold their first event this weekend, and are hoping for many of Heather Schofield's
A LONG-TIME glue sniffer who sank his teeth into a police officer and flouted court orders has kept his freedom. Burnley Magistrates heard how Allan Murgatroyd, 35, was subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order which banned him from misbehaving while
HEART attack victims in Padiham will soon have an increased chance of survival after the town council bought life-saving medical equipment. Councillors gave unanimous backing to donate £2,805 from the reserve fund to buy a defibrillator for the town.
SAJID Mahmood is quietly making a name for himself around the county circuit after an impressive start to the season. The Lancashire pace bowler's one-day performances have seen him go to the top of the wicket-takers list in Division One. The 16 scalps
BLACKBURN Under 15s suffered a disappointment when they went down by eight wickets to Burnley in the Lancashire Schools' Merit Cricket League at Lowerhouse. The Blackburn youngsters fared quite well with the bat making 164 all out largely due to Clarke
The Glenn Keeley column. . . SO the waiting is almost over. After months of hype and feverish anticipation, England will finally face France in a Euro 2004 clash of the Titans at the Estadio Da Luz on Sunday evening. With the big game just four days away
BLACKBURN Rovers have agreed a new deal with versatile midfielder Jonathon Douglas, writes ANDY NEILD. I can reveal the Republic of Ireland international has signed a new three year contract with the club. And Turkish midfield ace Tugay is expected to
IT'S been a successful time for Bury Shukokai Karate Club coach Peter Allen and his proteges. In recent competitions they came out on top in two team events, winning the North West Karate Championships and then excelling at the corresponding North East
A GRANDMOTHER suffered a broken nose and bruised face after an incident in Blackburn. Linda Moore, 52, said she was attacked near her home in Cowell Way on Sunday afternoon. She said: "I have no idea what happened or why. I am still in shock. I was heading
A 52-YEAR-OLD man stopped by plain-clothes police officers sped off, colliding with their car in the process, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard David John Kennedy had a woman and a young girl in the car as he drove at up to 50mph along residential
PROJECTS set up to get elderly folk skiing and dancing their way into action have won a regional award. Staff from Blackburn with Darwen's Primary Care Trust along with the council and volunteers were celebrating after scooping a £1,000 prize last night
A GRIEVING family today spoke of their heartbreak after relatives' graves were attacked at a cemetery. Three graves belonging to two men and a young girl have been desecrated at Pleasington Cemetery's Muslim section, prompting a police investigation.
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has collapsed and died after suffering a suspected seizure in his bedroom. Today the father of Chris Bradshaw paid tribute to the teenager he described as 'an absolute treasure.' The student at St Mary's College, Blackburn, had been
ACCRINGTON Stanley have hit a stalemate in their bid to land Altrincham midfielder Ian Craney, writes SUZANNE GELDARD. The two sides were thought to have agreed a deal for the highly rated 21-year-old early last week. But further discussions led to a
A BILLBOARD poster featuring scantily-clad women has been criticised after it appeared near a mosque in Bury. The advert showed four models with their backs to the camera, wearing only G-strings and high heels. It also contained the slogan: "It's string
