BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes praised his players' staying power after they completed a clean sweep of victories over the festive period at the expense of Portsmouth last night. First half goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen and Paul Dickov saw Rovers record
BOLTON boss Sam Allardyce is believed to be considering offering Matt Jansen the chance to resurrect his career at The Reebok Stadium. As I understand it, the Wanderers chief could be ready to take a chance on the 28-year-old if, as expected, he is released
ACCRINGTON Stanley maintained their record of scoring in every game this season but only just. After having two penalty appeals turned down, they were eventually third time lucky as the referee pointed to the spot when Gary Roberts was brought down
The beginning of every new year is always a time for reflection on the previous 12 months and a hope that the coming year holds many good times. Blackburn Rovers fans over the past couple of years have looked forward with hope rather than expectation
ANYONE still doubting the quality of Blackburn Rovers should spend five minutes in the company of Harry Redknapp. The well-travelled Portsmouth boss gave Rovers' European credentials a ringing endorsement last night after he saw Mark Hughes' side secure
ALONG with piles of unwanted turkey and the New Year chimes of Big Ben, you can always tell you're in the midst of the festive season when football managers start moaning about having to put their charges through four games in eight days. Words such
TWO male streakers brought some cheeky New Year cheer to Loftus Road. But Burnley didn't see the funny side after getting caught with their pants down to throw away an early lead and with it two precious points. The Clarets looked to be cruising before
Gifton Noel-Williams faces a bizarre fitness fight ahead of Burnley's FA Cup third round tie at Derby County on Saturday. The Clarets striker missed yesterday's game after both eyes closed following knocks received during the defeat at home to Sheffield
BURNLEY teenager Chris McCann began the New Year with a dream goal at QPR - and was then given time off to celebrate Christmas! The Irish youngster, who signed his first professional contract last week, came up with a sensational strike in the 1-1 draw
THE mum of tragic Adam Rickwood the youngest person to die in custody in Britain has vowed to continue her fight for the truth about her son's death into the new year. Carol Pounder, whose 14-year-old son Adam was found hanging in Hassockfield Secure
RESIDENTS of Nelson are being encouraged to turn up and have their say on the future of a popular park in the town. The county council are set to release plans about the overhaul of Walverden Park and want people who use it to have an input. A presentation
CAMPAIGNERS out to save Burnley's jewel in the crown' are holding a public meeting on plans to build a new super-school' on Towneley Park. Lancashire County Council is hoping to site one of the new schools in the Building Schools for the Future programme
A MAN was due to appear in court today in connection with an assault which left a man fighting for his life. Jeffrey Bonney, 31, of Glebe Street, is charged with wounding with intent and was expected to appear before magistrates in Burnley this morning
An "isolated" mum who went shoplifting had no cash, Burnley magistrates heard. Renata Kohutova, 28, who had come to this country from Czech Republic in August, had spent two months ill in intensive care and was not eligible for benefits, the court was
FIRE chiefs today praised the hero neighbour who rescued a pensioner from a blaze at a blocks of flats in Burnley and said: "They saved her life." Marilyn Birkett led the 77-year-old woman, named as Lorna Smith by neighbours, to safety during the fire
THESE budding stars of the airwaves have been busy working on a play to be aired on a new community radio station. Members of the drama group at Blackburn's Roman Road Community Centre will perform on Legion Radio in the new year. Listeners will be able
STAR Wars fan Steve Hird was not content with Christmas annuals and sticker books featuring his favourite film so he spent £2,400 to become Darth Vader! Like millions of young people in 1977 who are now settling into their 30s, Steve Hird was captivated
WELL! I've made my lists and torn them up and then written a lot of new ones. Over the years I could paper a room with the resolutions I have made and which have been broken with astonishing regularity. Oh yes! Was I going to be good, was I going
REGARDING all those who help others, be it a relative, friend or neighbour, there are many dedicated individuals who have been in a caring career for years and years, their energy is outstanding! One such special lady is Dorothy McGregor, a devoted mum
ON the subject of bullying (LET, December 19), the chief medical officer for the British Heart Foundation says that bullying is responsible for thousands of heart attacks every year. Surely it is in the interests of management to take bullying seriously
REGARDING the article on Blackburn's new orbital route, the comment was made that "only the spire tower of St Peter's Church, built in 1820 remains." This spire is nothing to do with St Peter's Church, it is the spire of Chapel Street Congregational
ONCE again the media has reported a rise in high street sales and property prices in a way that may give a false impression of reality. High streets are buzzing because of Christmas and the sales and many retailers discounted prices very heavily in a
A BEREAVED woman who won a new inquest into her husband's death had her Christmas shattered after finding workmen digging up his grave. Pauline Combe said she and two of her children were horrified to find a man standing in the grave when they went
POLICE patrols were stepped up in Darwen over the Christmas period to protect people making cash deliveries in the town. In a bid to prevent thieves taking advantage of the increased amount of money changing hands, Darwen police put more high-visibility
A CHEMIST has apologised to a woman suffering from chronic lung disease after she was refused oxygen to regulate her breathing. Salim Mulla, head dispenser for Geloo Brothers Ltd pharmacies, today offered to speak personally to 49-year-old Joyce Yeoman
BUS company Blackburn Transport has recorded a loss for the third year running just weeks before a council is due to decide whether to sell it. The company, owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council, was £74,536 in the red for the year to March 2005.
EAST Lancashire folk were among the daring swimmers who plunged into icy waters for a New Year competition. Despite freezing temperatures, 23 men, nine women and seven children plunged into Lee Dam, Lambutts, Todmorden, yesterday for an annual event.
TWO men had front teeth knocked out after being set upon by a gang of teenagers who laughed as they carried out the unprovoked attack. The victims, aged 43 and 50, were walking home from Blackburn town centre along Cicely Lane when they were approached
A "CAT-crazy" student is set to make a trip of a lifetime to do a "spot check" of leopards. Helan Trisorio, 19, has had a love for all things feline ever since her grandma bought her a cuddly tiger to mark the Chinese year in which she was born. Now
A MAN who suffered serious facial injuries after confronting a gang of youths outside his home today said he could have been killed. Kevin Savage, 49, was punched in the face by a man holding a beer can late on December 30 and is still unable to open
NEW Year hangovers will have taken an extra few hours to wear off after a drowning of sorrows shared head space with all that celebrating. The Clarets had been looking to get the party started with a seventh straight home win against a sorry looking
A new year brings new expectations but bullish Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has every reason to be optimistic about his side's prospects for 2006. His resurgent Rovers march confidently into the New Year believing a charge for Europe could be on the
Burnley's teenage midfielder Chris McCann has followed in the footsteps of striker Kyle Lafferty by signing his first professional deal at Turf Moor. The 18-year-old Dubliner has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract, which runs until the summer of
CLARETS boss Steve Cotterill believes the New Year could signal a new dawn for goalscoring midfielder Garreth O'Connor. The Irish ace ended a drought stretching back to October 15 with a consolation goal in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes will send his players out with the message same again' tonight as Rovers aim to start the New Year with a bang at home to Portsmouth (kick off 7.35pm). Confidence is sky high in the Rovers camp following Saturday's magnificent
A BURNLEY doctor has been made an MBE in the New Year's Honours for his work in the community. Dr Walter Duncan Park, 68, of St Matthew Street, was one of ten people across East Lancashire to receive gongs in the honours list. But the modest doctor
A NEW TV show filmed in Haslingden starring former Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner is set to air next month. BBC Three series, Anthea Turner: The Perfect Housewife, will be on TV screens in February. It features the former Blue Peter star attempting
LONG-distance swimmer Mark Blewitt is to brave near-freezing waters in a first event of its kind in this country. The swimming champ, who travels to Rossendale every week to train with Haslingden Swimming Club, will compete in the South London Swimming
PROUD dad Neil Worswick is starting the new year on top of the world. He returned from taking part in a gruelling trek up Mount Everest to celebrate the arrival of his new baby. And what a celebration it was! For wife Lindsay gave birth on December
YOUNGSTERS in Colne will soon be able to find out more easily what activities are available for them. A directory of all free and low-cost activities is being put together by the recently-established Colne Youth Forum. Activities will include, among
SOME of football's best known names helped secure an MBE for a Pendle pensioner, it was claimed today. Syd Parkinson, 91, of Barrowford Road, Colne, was given the gong in the Queen's New Year Honours list at the weekend for his services to local football
A POPULAR Burnley Football Club cleaner whose pride and joy was polishing the trophy cabinet at Turf Moor has died aged 76. Betty Finnerty, of Brunshaw Road, worked for the club for a number of years after a stroke forced her to leave her full-time job
A GARAGE boss today offered a £1,000 reward after the worst attack on a member of his staff in his 34 year career. Ken Kay put up the money after a cashier at the Total Garage in Burnley was brutally assaulted and robbed on Friday. The woman was working
A MAN was fighting for his life today after a an alleged assault in a Burnley street. The man, 39, who has not been named, suffered head and chest injuries in the incident and underwent emergency surgery to relieve blot clots on his brain yesterday.
THREE streets are set to disappear as part of plans to create a multi-million pound OAP village in a Blackburn suburb. Blackburn with Darwen Council has given its backing to plans to remove Livesey Court, Griffin Court and Ewood Court all in the Mill
A NURSERY for children of hospital staff has been closed by cash-strapped health bosses. The facility at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, shut almost a fortnight earlier than planned, on December 20, after places were found for all children, an NHS
It was like a mirage. An invitation to a party that wasn't addressed to the children. It couldn't be true what a start to the New Year. For a moment I was elated then my world fell apart. At the bottom of the page were two little words fancy dress
AS a former conciliation officer with the Race Relations Board and a former complaints officer with the Commission for Racial Equality covering Scotland, North West and North East of England, I read with interest your front page article headed "Racist
I WROTE 18 months ago, regarding the illegal parking in Whalley Range, Blackburn. The situation has changed, it's got worse. I witnessed a man reading and another sleeping while parked on double yellow lines. Another was parked on the zig zag lines
AT the European Summit our Prime Minister agreed a deal with our European partners which will increase Britain's annual contributions to the European Union by 60 per cent. The Treasury has admitted that by 2010-11 the deal struck would cost British taxpayers
MAY I extend my grateful thanks to the lady who came to assist my daughter on Friday, December 9 when I had fallen on the car park in town. I suffered a broken wrist and facial bruising. I didn't get the lady's name, I think we were all too upset. Anyway
A MAN was fighting for his life today after a an alleged assault in a Burnley street. The man, 39, who has not been named, suffered head and chest injuries in the incident and underwent emergency surgery to relieve blot clots on his brain yesterday. He
MATT Jansen is on the verge of quitting Blackburn Rovers after growing frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities under manager Mark Hughes. The 28-year-old striker, who has started just one game this season, has told the club he wants to leave
A MAN was fighting for his life today after a an alleged assault in a Burnley street. The man, 39, who has not been named, suffered head and chest injuries in the incident and underwent emergency surgery to relieve blot clots on his brain yesterday. He
SOME of football's best known names helped secure an MBE for a Pendle pensioner, it was claimed today. Syd Parkinson, 91, of Barrowford Road, Colne, was given the gong in the Queen's New Year Honours list at the weekend for his services to local football
POLICE monitoring Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn during the New Year festivities praised the majority of revellers for their good behaviour. And they said that despite it being the first New Year's Eve after the 24-hour drinking laws came in to effect
Burnley's teenage midfielder Chris McCann has followed in the footsteps of striker Kyle Lafferty by signing his first professional deal at Turf Moor. The 18-year-old Dubliner has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract, which runs until the summer of
MATT Jansen is on the verge of quitting Blackburn Rovers after growing frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities under manager Mark Hughes. The 28-year-old striker, who has started just one game this season, has told the club he wants to leave
Bruce Springsteen fans are in for a rare treat when well known cover band Born To Run play in Burnley on February 24. The band, the only regularly gigging tribute to the Boss, will be performing many Bruce classics including Thunder Road, The River, Born
Your diary of the big gigs coming to Lancashire soon, including the likes of G4, Joss Stone, The Strokes, Australian Pink Floyd, The Magic Numbers, The Levellers and Fun Lovin' Criminals. JANUARY 5 Katzenjammer, Grand, Blackpool, £9.50 - £11.50 JANUARY
HUNDREDS of items were donated to two town charities for Christmas by staff at Blackburn with Darwen Council and Capita. The goods were delivered to people using THOMAS, those on the margins of a society and homeless charity, Nightsafe in the annual collection
A DARWEN furniture recycling centre is going from strength to strength after employing a new manager for its white goods workshop. It is hoped new manager Peter Nuttall, who will be based at the White Goods Recycling Training Workshop, in Kay Street,
STAFF at the delivery suite at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, had a busy start to 2006 with six new babies arriving before lunchtime on New Year's Day. Among the proud parents were Cora and David Jackson, of Clitheroe, who welcomed their fourth son
STAFF at the delivery suite at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, had a busy start to 2006 with six new babies arriving before lunchtime on New Year's Day. Among the proud parents were Cora and David Jackson, of Clitheroe, who welcomed their fourth son
POLICE monitoring Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn during the New Year festivities praised the majority of revellers for their good behaviour. And they said that despite it being the first New Year's Eve after the 24-hour drinking laws came in to effect
THREE streets are set to disappear as part of plans to create a multi-million pound OAP village in a Blackburn suburb. Blackburn with Darwen Council has given its backing to plans to remove Livesey Court, Griffin Court and Ewood Court -- all in the Mill
A NURSERY for children of hospital staff has been closed by cash-strapped health bosses. The facility at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, shut almost a fortnight earlier than planned, on December 20, after places were found for all children, an NHS chief
AN opener from Adam Nowland ... a penalty for Graham Alexander ... North End could have been forgiven for thinking it was a case of Groundhog Day. But it was David Nugent - and not Chris Sedgwick, as on Saturday at Deepdale - who completed the scoring
What's on in Lancashire on Tuesday, January 3. BURNLEY New Year's Eve Dinner, Disco and Dance, Sparrow Hawk Hotel, Church Street. New Year's Eve Fancy Dress School Disco, Sanctuary Rock Bar, Cow Lane. New year's Eve Party with Mike Sanches and his Band
RIGHT across East Lancashire many parents seem to have ignored the well publicised advance warnings from police not to buy their children mini motorbikes for Christmas. And as a result, the force has been inundated during the festive period with protests
AS a former conciliation officer with the Race Relations Board and a former complaints officer with the Commission for Racial Equality covering Scotland, North West and North East of England, I read with interest your front page article headed "Racist
I WROTE 18 months ago, regarding the illegal parking in Whalley Range, Blackburn. The situation has changed, it's got worse. I witnessed a man reading and another sleeping while parked on double yellow lines. Another was parked on the zig zag lines. These
AT the European Summit our Prime Minister agreed a deal with our European partners which will increase Britain's annual contributions to the European Union by 60 per cent. The Treasury has admitted that by 2010-11 the deal struck would cost British taxpayers
SOARING oil prices are threatening the future of rural bus services in Lancashire, transport bosses have admitted. Lancashire County Council has already axed or reduced subsidy to five bus routes so far this year while another five are now under review
A GIRL was seriously sexually assaulted after being pounced on in an alleyway as she returned home following New Year celebrations. The 16-year-old local victim was attacked as she walked through the Ewood area of Blackburn between 1am and 1.30am yesterday
How the Rovers players fared in the 3-0 victory at the JJB Stadium. BRAD FRIEDEL: Did all that was asked of him but he was well protected by his back four. 7 LUCAS NEILL: Another assured performance. Kept a tight rein on Lee McCulloch. 8 ZURAB KHIZANISHVILI
BLACKBURN midfielder Steven Reid has set his sights on Europe after he inspired Rovers to a magnificent 3-0 win at Wigan on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland international capped another industrious performance with a quite brilliant goal as Rovers roared
A new year brings new expectations but bullish Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has every reason to be optimistic about his side's prospects for 2006. His resurgent Rovers march confidently into the New Year believing a charge for Europe could be on the
A POPULAR Burnley Football Club cleaner whose pride and joy was polishing the trophy cabinet at Turf Moor has died aged 76. Betty Finnerty, of Brunshaw Road, worked for the club for a number of years after a stroke forced her to leave her full-time job
PENDLE councillors have tried in vain to get the area's traditional Wakes Weeks school holidays reinstated. For 150 years, school holidays in Burnley and Pendle have been different from the rest of the county to take account of the traditional local mill
PENDLE councillors have tried in vain to get the area's traditional Wakes Weeks school holidays reinstated. For 150 years, school holidays in Burnley and Pendle have been different from the rest of the county to take account of the traditional local mill
YOUNGSTERS in Colne will soon be able to find out more easily what activities are available for them. A directory of all free and low-cost activities is being put together by the recently-established Colne Youth Forum. Activities will include, among others
PENDLE councillors have tried in vain to get the area's traditional Wakes Weeks school holidays reinstated. For 150 years, school holidays in Burnley and Pendle have been different from the rest of the county to take account of the traditional local mill
ADVICE surgeries for people looking after an elderly or disabled person will be held in Hyndburn. Lancashire County Council has organised sessions in English, Urdu and Punjabi. Council officers will provide advice and support. The surgeries are being
A mum-to-be from Clitheroe aims to perform a first on the dance floor -- by having her baby in a birthing pool at the Blackburn hot spot she manages. Stacey Hans surprised bosses at Heaven and Hell with her dance floor request with boyfriend John, who
CLARETS boss Steve Cotterill believes the New Year could signal a new dawn for goalscoring midfielder Garreth O'Connor. The Irish ace ended a drought stretching back to October 15 with a consolation goal in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday
How the Clarets fared in the home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. JENSEN: Left cruelly exposed for both Wednesday goals 6 DUFF: Struggled before providing a terrific ball for the penalty 5 SINCLAIR: Shook off a shaky start to try to exert some authority
NEW Year hangovers will have taken an extra few hours to wear off after a drowning of sorrows shared head space with all that celebrating. The Clarets had been looking to get the party started with a seventh straight home win against a sorry looking Sheffield
SOME of football's best known names helped secure an MBE for a Pendle pensioner, it was claimed today. Syd Parkinson, 91, of Barrowford Road, Colne, was given the gong in the Queen's New Year Honours list at the weekend for his services to local football
CLARETS boss Steve Cotterill believes the New Year could signal a new dawn for goalscoring midfielder Garreth O'Connor. The Irish ace ended a drought stretching back to October 15 with a consolation goal in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday
It was like a mirage. An invitation to a party that wasn't addressed to the children. It couldn't be true -- what a start to the New Year. For a moment I was elated -- then my world fell apart. At the bottom of the page were two little words 'fancy dress
PEOPLE wanting to take up a new sport in 2006 can take advantage of a new diving course in Darwen. The Darwen Branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) plans to offer 12-week courses to teach the theory and practical skills involved in diving. Funding
CHRISTMAS Day was a major celebration for proud dad Neil Worswick -- after wife Lindsay gave birth to his second child to be born on December 25. The Worsthorne dad was left stunned after the festive birth and wondering what the odds would have been on
PLANS are under way to hold a festival in the name of a former Darwen community fundraiser. It is hoped the event in memory of Lillian Scott will take place at venues across the Sudell area of town next spring. But the finer details are still to be decided
POLICE monitoring Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn during the New Year festivities praised the majority of revellers for their good behaviour. And they said that despite it being the first New Year's Eve after the 24-hour drinking laws came in to effect
A DARWEN church will mark the end of an era when its minister of 12 years steps down at the end of the month. The Rev Eric Kirkman retires on January 27 from Tockholes United Reformed Church in Chapel Lane. Mr Kirkman, who will turn 65 a week before his
A NEW TV show filmed in Haslingden starring former Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner is set to air next month. BBC Three series, Anthea Turner: The Perfect Housewife, will be on TV screens in February. It features the former Blue Peter star attempting
LONG-distance swimmer Mark Blewitt is to brave near freezing waters in a first event of its kind in this country. The swimming champ, who travels to Rossendale every week to train with Haslingden Swimming Club, will compete in the South London Swimming
THREE men have been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of a Blackburn man. A 21-year-old man, who has not been named by police, was discovered with a serious stab wound in Florist Street, Shaw Heath, in Stockport, early yesterday. The man was
HUNDREDS of items were donated to two town charities for Christmas by staff at Blackburn with Darwen Council and Capita. The goods were delivered to people using THOMAS, those on the margins of a society and homeless charity, Nightsafe in the annual collection
A GIRL was seriously sexually assaulted after being pounced on in an alleyway as she returned home following New Year celebrations. The 16-year-old local victim was attacked as she walked through the Ewood area of Blackburn between 1am and 1.30am yesterday
TOP Labour councillors have threatened to quit the party if a rebel councillor is allowed back in. Ex-education boss Coun Mahfooz Hussain has applied to have his party suspension lifted, 18 months after quitting the ruling group on Blackburn with Darwen
A mum-to-be nightclub manager aims to perform a first on the dance floor -- by having her baby in a birthing pool at the Blackburn hot spot. Stacey Hans surprised bosses at Heaven and Hell with her dance floor request with boyfriend John, who also works
TOP Labour councillors have threatened to quit the party if a rebel councillor is allowed back in. Ex-education boss Coun Mahfooz Hussain has applied to have his party suspension lifted, 18 months after quitting the ruling group on Blackburn with Darwen
PEOPLE wanting to take up a new sport in 2006 can take advantage of a new diving course in Darwen. The Darwen Branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) plans to offer 12-week courses to teach the theory and practical skills involved in diving. Funding
A DARWEN furniture recycling centre is going from strength to strength after employing a new manager for its white goods workshop. It is hoped new manager Peter Nuttall, who will be based at the White Goods Recycling Training Workshop, in Kay Street,
PLANS are under way to hold a festival in the name of a former Darwen community fundraiser. It is hoped the event in memory of Lillian Scott will take place at venues across the Sudell area of town next spring. But the finer details are still to be
A DARWEN church will mark the end of an era when its minister of 12 years steps down at the end of the month. The Rev Eric Kirkman retires on January 27 from Tockholes United Reformed Church in Chapel Lane. Mr Kirkman, who will turn 65 a week before
A SPANISH lottery con which cost a Blackburn man £25,000 topped an Office of Fair Trading chart of Britain's biggest tricks. Today, trading standards bosses re-issued warnings about the El Gordo lottery con after receiving reports bogus letters were
A mum-to-be nightclub manager aims to perform a first on the dance floor by having her baby in a birthing pool at the Blackburn hot spot. Stacey Hans surprised bosses at Heaven and Hell with her dance floor request with boyfriend John, who also works
THREE men have been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of a Blackburn man. A 21-year-old man, who has not been named by police, was discovered with a serious stab wound in Florist Street, Shaw Heath, in Stockport, early yesterday. The man
A GIRL was seriously sexually assaulted after being pounced on in an alleyway as she returned home following New Year celebrations. The 16-year-old local victim was attacked as she walked through the Ewood area of Blackburn between 1am and 1.30am yesterday
