FOOTBALL stars are coming out in force this Friday to support Burnley and Pendle's potential stars of the future. Former Liverpool player Alan Kennedy and Burnley favourite Paul Weller are two of the names attending a sportsman's dinner to raise money
A WOMAN celebrating Christmas with work colleagues at a Darwen hotel was head-butted on the nose by a drunken man she had never seen before. Blackburn magistrates heard that witnesses to the unprovoked attack heard a cracking noise as building worker
TEENAGER Chris McCann scored a late winner to snatch all three points at Turf Moor. The Irish youngster got on the end of Michael Duff's centre three minutes from time to complete a remarkable comeback. Steve Cotterill's men had been 2-0 down after
THE St Peter's Centre in Burnley is holding an open day for parents and carers of special needs children. The open day, on Saturday, will give parents and carers help and information about the full range of services available to them from statutory agencies
BUSINESSES across Blackburn with Darwen are being urged to prepare for the smoking ban which comes into force later this year. New legislation starting on July 1 means smoking will not be allowed in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces
Landlords who have rented properties in Pendle can get free advice at an event organised by Pendle Council. The Pendle Landlords Forum is being held at Brierfield Community Centre, Colne Road, on Wednesday from 6pm until 8.30pm. The meeting will give
A 26-year-old Whalley man stopped as he drove home at 4.15 am was nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit. Blackburn magistrates heard that Mark Johnstone had been to Manchester the previous day, when Blackburn Rovers played Chelsea in the FA
BURNLEY found themselves behind but with a man advantage after an action-packed first half at Turf Moor. The Baggies took the lead in the sixth minute after Jason Koumas left two players in his wake before lashing a shot from 25 yards past Brian Jensen
A headteacher, sacked after a convicted paedophile worked on her school's website, has appealed against her dismissal. Kathleen Tyson was dismissed for gross misconduct by the governing body at Holy Trinity Primary School, Darwen, following a disciplinary
A FLOORING company has begun taking on new staff after securing a multi-million pound deal. Premier Commercial Flooring Solutions, signed the contract with LG Floors to supply its products across the UK and Ireland. The company, based in Preston Old
A FATHER-of-five has been jailed for three years for a New Year's Day attack which left the victim needing surgery to relieve swelling on the brain. John Boslem, 40, was punched by Jeff Bonnie causing him to fall backwards and strike his head sharply
A NEW health centre is set to be built in Todmorden - without accident and emergency facilities which town councillors wanted. Three emergency wards, at Burnley, Halifax and Rochdale, are to be closed in the coming months. Instead, the NHS is providing
ORGANISERS of an annual charity fun run have spoken of their disappointment after just 50 runners turned up to take part. It was hoped more runners than ever would turn up after the competitive element was reintroduced for the Witton Park race in 2006
CANNABIS worth hundreds of pounds was seized at an address in Blackburn. Police discovered around 20 of the plants when they raided an address in Rockcliffe Street on Fridayafternoon. Insp Claire Holbrook, of Blackburn Police, said: "This operation
TWO people were rescued by firefighters and taken to hospital after breathing in smoke when a radio caught fire early on Sunday morning. Three fire crews and police officers attended the blaze that took hold at a ground floor flat in Carlinghurst Road
CRISIS talks between council bosses and taxi drivers in Rossendale look to have averted further strike action. Last week striking cabbies brought traffic to a halt, but now Rossendale Taxi Driver's Association have agreed a timetable of action with the
A FATHER and daughter who have not seen each other since she was a few months old have been reunited thanks to an appeal in The Lancashire Telegraph. Legal secretary Donna Simpson, 28, from Barnstaple in Devon appeared in The Lancashire Telegraph on
A LANCASHIRE regiment soldier has died in Iraq. The soldier from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died today in the Al Ashar district of central Basra in Iraq. He was providing top cover protection for a Warrior armoured vehicle on
A DRUNKEN, banned driver three times over the limit was told by a magistrate that he wished he could have put him behind bars for longer. Mark Wardle, 33, had had "a skinful," the night before he was caught out at 10.30am, Burnley Magistrates heard.
THE 115th Lancashire League campaign got up and running yesterday - and, inevitably, it rained! Over at Dill Hall Lane, as Enfield edged past last year's runners-up Bacup in a thrilling last-ball victory, the weather played its part. Thankfully, following
DESCENDANTS of an Australian soldier who died in Darwen shortly after the First World War are being sought by the Royal British Legion. The Darwen branch of the legion have long been intrigued by the story of Ernest Ward and after getting new information
NOBODY could argue against Cristiano Ronaldo picking up both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Years awards. And few could argue against most of the big names in the PFA Team of the Year. Only three non-Manchester United players were in the star-studded
FIRE crews tackled a suspected arson attack on a disused furniture company building. More than 30 firefighters were involved in dealing with the blaze at its height at the former premises of office furniture company Evertaut in Anyon Street, Darwen.
AN East Lancashire policeman is swapping his role in the armed response unit to join the neighbourhood policing team in the Bank Hall area of Burnley. The addition of beat manager PC Dave Pascoe and a police and community support officer will boost the
CAN anyone relax at an auction? That some people go for pleasure, I find hard to fathom. The simple fact that you are there to bid your hard-earned cash against someone else's is stressful in itself. The last time I went to an auction, I couldn't afford
THE "Halo", the latest of East Lancashire's Panopticons, is almost finished on hills above Haslingden. The controversial sculpture on Duckworth Clough, Top O' Slate, Haslingden, is one of six designed to celebrate the region. Preparation work began
A FIRM is offering free workshops to help relieve stress and depression. And Burnley-born TV scriptwriter Paul Abbott, who admits to having problems with depression, has backed the move. The reading and writing workshops are planned by Burnley-based
A PUBLIC inquiry has been ordered into the fairness of the land-swap deal between Burnley and Lancashire County councils for the planned Unity College in Towneley Park. It follows the govern-ment's decision to have a public inquiry into the siting of
A CAREER' raider got dropped off in Haslingden especially to invade a pub, because he was too well-known to target anywhere in his home town, a court heard. Leslie Rawstron, 34, was such a well-known criminal in Blackburn he was said to have got a taxi
NORTHERN Burgundy's classic French white made from Chardonnay grapes often disappoints at this sort of price with weak, characterless efforts. This award-winning example will however please those who like their Chablis to have a mineral edge and identifiable
THE MCM stands for the three grapes, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which make up this lovely luscious blackberry and blackcurrant-flavoured red which packs a 14% punch. As you might guess from the inclusion of Malbec the wine comes from Argentina
By Sheila Brennan. A bluebell wood in springtime, Is like a glorious azure sea, Their dainty graceful blossoms, Nod round each greenwood tree. The tinkling sound of water, Flowing from a tiny stream, Enhances what we see And completes the dream
RESIDENTS have demanded that a council finish a cycle path before a child is injured on it. Ron Crossman, 76, of Lower Wilworth, Pleckgate, Blackburn, said that because there were no bollards at the ends of a new cycleway across the playfield, off Pleckgate
A woman accused of twice breaching an anti-social behaviour order has asked a court for another chance. Rachel Linford's barrister told Preston crown court "She has really reached the last chance saloon ." Linford, 20, of Hodder Grove, Clitheroe, had
The Rams produced a fantastic defensive performance to earn a valuable point against newly promoted Nantwich Town at the Riverside. While chances were at a premium, both sides went about their tasks well and it made for an entertaining game of football
BOTH teams finished with 10 men and had to settle for a share of the spoils in this match. Bacup started the brighter and took the lead after 20 minutes following a move involving Martin Peters, Lee Oldham and Danny Hartley, with Brian Herbert adding
NELSON were denied a deserved win by a late equaliser after more than matching one of the highly rated sides in the league. It was Trafford who took the lead through Glyn Barker after 20 minutes. But Nelson came back strongly and drew level on 37 minutes
DARWEN'S last home match of the season resulted in their fourth win running at the Anchor ground, and maintained their seventh spot in the North West Counties League Division Two. It was against the run of play that the first goal arrived. The ball
DALE took their winning streak to three games with a hard working performance against struggling Warrington Town. On a pitch which was appalling at best, no football as such could be played with Dale having to drop their usual passing style and adopt
COLNE almost had a dream start when, straight from the kick-off, Steve Cunningham and Anthony Murt combined to play in Liam Garbutt, but having beaten the keeper, his lob bounced off the top of the crossbar. Murt suffered a similar misfortune a little
PADIHAM scored one of the quickest goals in their history against Cheadle Town after just 21 seconds thanks to a neat finish from Vinnie Braine. Paul Fildes added a second after eight minutes and he made it 3-0 from the spot on the hour mark after
MISSING several key players, the Blues paid the price for some poor defensive decisions, to gift Stocksbridge the win. Clitheroe were two down inside 15 minutes when Copnell pounced twice on long balls that weren't dealt with properly. Chris Ward netted
THE 115th Lancashire League campaign got up and running yesterday - and, inevitably, it rained! Over at Dill Hall Lane, as Enfield edged past last year's runners-up Bacup in a thrilling last-ball victory, the weather played its part. Thankfully, following
A 21 year old Darwen man talked his way into trouble after being stopped by police responding to a report of a car being driven on the moors. Blackburn magistrates heard that Francis Mark Rice was the driver of the car and instead of answering questions
L-R: Suzanne Spencer (36) from Mellor Brook; Suzanne Waring (41) from Mellor Brook; Baylie Thompson (7) from Mellor and Peter Thompson (45) from Mellor.
A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of the mother of tragic toddler Levi Bleasdale, at Burnley Crown Court. Kirsty Ryan, 23, had been due to appear for sentence after admitting theft offences. The defendant, of Wasdale Close, had been committed
The winners of the Fusions Awards were announced at a ceremony on Sunday night. Here is a rundown of all the winners. Man of the year: Sheraz Arshad and Farouk Hussain, from Clitheroe, were behind the first ever Muslim place of worship in the Ribble
FOOD lovers were tantalised with traditional and exotic food at the annual Lancashire Food Festival. The event, in its tenth year, offered people chance to sample and buy traditional Lancashire food alongside international treats in the Festival Hall
Click here for the Fusion Awards photo gallery. TWO men who successfully battled to set up a multi-faith centre were rewarded for their determination at an Asian awards ceremony. Sheraz Arshad and Farouk Hussain jointly picked up the Man of the Year
A MAN who was facing trial accused of stealing worthless mercury - and which would have cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds - has been cleared. Jasber Singh, 43, had denied theft and his trial was set to have been adjourned because of witness problems
A FIRST Responders team to react to medical emergencies could be set up for the East Rural ward. Eccleshill Parish Council are investigating the possibility of setting up a team of volunteers who will administer first aid and be able to operate a heart
A photographic competition has been organised by Rossendale Council to show the borough as a "cracking place to be". Pictures can depict activities, events and achievements and is open to all ages. The best 52, assessed by a panel of judges, will
A church has been forced to close temporarily while problems with its electricity system are investigated. It could cost St John's in Accrington more than £20,000 to make safe the 143 year-old building. Members were informed of the closure at a service
A RAMSBOTTOM dry cleaning business has been left gutted by fire. Smoke was pouring from the roof of Smart Alec's Dry Cleaning in Kenyon Street when fire crews arrived shortly after 9.30pm on Friday. The 100 metre sq ground floor unit, which is based
BLACKBURN Rovers defender Stephen Warnock insists he and his team-mates will not give up on their dream of Europe until it is mathematically impossible'. Rovers lost vital ground in the battle to claim an automatic Uefa Cup spot when they drew 1-1 with
THE Bishop of Blackburn has urged voters to reject the "poison of racial and religious hatred" in the local elections. The Rt Rev Nicholas Reade spoke out ahead of East Lancashire going to the polls on May 3. He said: "Sadly there are a small minority
A GANG of teenagers attacked a man walking home after a night out in Darwen town centre. The 25-year-old was in Redearth Road between 3am and 4am on April 14 when he was approached by a group of two girls and three boys. The boys began an unprovoked
A 36-YEAR-OLD man was attacked by a man impersonating a police officer. The victim had been walking down New Bank Road, Blackburn, in the early hours of Friday morning when he was approached by a man claiming to be a policeman. Police said the attacker
BOSSES of a homeless charity have vowed to carry on their work after an arson attack forced them to close. Staff and four teenagers at Safe Space, a homeless shelter in Carr Road, Nelson, were evacuated after a fire was started in a wheelie bin behind
Had his career taken a different turn Michael Papps might now be in the Caribbean playing for New Zealand in the World Cup. Instead, the 27-year-old from Christchurch was at Whalley Road helping Clitheroe make a winning start to the defence of their
A MAN caught in the disused Vernon Carus Mill at Hoddlesden told police he had seen lights and heard a woman screaming, and went to investigate. Blackburn magistrates heard that when police searched his car, they found a hacksaw, gloves and other tools
A DRUG addict was jailed for three-and-half years for a catalogue of crime which left a trail of victims in its wake. Burnley Crown Court heard how Christopher Follett, 30, began with a £1,600 house raid at his next door neighbour's. He also stole from
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman is bracing himself for a "nervy week" after a sixth consecutive away defeat left the Reds two points above the relegation zone. Wins for fellow strugglers Wrexham and Boston United lessened the gap as Stanley went
THE chief of a number of North West petrol stations has won a coveted national award. Blackburn and Darwen-based Zuber Issa, managing director of EuroGarages, was named winner of the Retail, Food and Franchise Excellence prize at the Lloyds TSB Northern
Four people were taken to hospital after their car crashed in Roman Road, Hoddlesden, near the Crown and Thistle Inn, around 6.30pm yesterday. The four occupants, two men and two women, all thought to be in their 20s, had got out of the vehicle by the
ANDY Gray's return to full fitness has been key to Burnley's dramatic upturn in form, according to manager Steve Cotterill. The Clarets boss believes that when his leading scorer struggled in the initial games of his comeback from a foot injury, that
FIRE raged across more than than ten square miles of Darwen moors over the weekend. Fire crews were called to a blaze which initially covered just under two miles of moorland off the A675, Belmont Road around 7.30pm on Friday. But flames soon spread
IT isn't long ago that Steve Cotterill was linked with the West Brom managerial job. In the end, Tony Mowbray was named as Bryan Robson's replacement at The Hawthorns in October last year after Nigel Pearson and Craig Shakespeare had brief spells at
I WOULD like to take this opportunity to draw attention to the fact that new Labour and Liberal Democrat-backed European rules, which effectively ban lorry drivers from taking out floats on their days off, could drastically change traditional carnival
LAST month more than 200 people gathered at Bolton's Reebok Stadium for a meeting to discuss government from the "bottom up". It was a pity that their MP, Ruth Kelly (Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) did not trouble herself to
THE letter headed "PFI: It's just legalised mugging" (LT, April 9) was an accurate analysis of the duplicity of Gordon Brown's sleight of hand with public expenditure. He deliberately gives the impression that the government is investing heavily in
MARK Hughes saluted Benni McCarthy, claiming the South African has come of age as a Premiership striker, after he netted his 21st goal of the season against Fulham on Saturday. McCarthy pounced to score for the second time in four days as Rovers came
GOALS change games. A disallowed one could ultimately shape Accrington Stanley's season. After Paul Mullin had put the Reds in front with a poacher's finish in the 10th minute, Rommy Boco was denied by the linesman's flag after his strike from just outside
Click here for our video of Michael Bisping taking on our reporter. CLITHEROE cage fighter Michael Bisping set his sights on title gold after a dominant win confirmed him as a rising star of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Bisping, 28, defeated
DEFIANT Burnley manager Steve Cotterill has urged his players not to let their season peter out. The Clarets made certain of their Championship safety mathematically almost a week ago, with a 3-0 win over Norwich City. But Cotterill insists the three
An explosion at a recreation centre has been blamed on a firework or crude homemade device. Firefighters were called to the Roman Road Recreation Centre, Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, at about 5.30pm after smoke was seen coming from the building. Watch
Hardcore art-punk that's actually fairly accessible - considering that it's also completely insane. Seattle-based The Blood Brothers deliver their bizarre lyrics with a scattergun of yelps and squawks, but perhaps by virtue of the excellent piano part
The world's pre-eminent Gibraltarian flamenco-metal band take a different direction for their latest single. Look At Me Now takes Breed 77 into the world of big-hair soft metal balladeers like Aerosmith, and in a musical world currently populated by
Oxford graduate Ben Hudson continues his posh hip hop journey by being remixed by Sway DaSafo. Apparently something of a rarity, (the song, that is, not the collaboration: Hudson has previously worked with such urban luminaries as Dizzee Rascal) the
An album from an acoustic singer-songwriter that actually helps you to unwind - rather than want to hurl your stereo out of the window. Plenty of performers of this emotional ilk are banal and unimaginative, but 22 year-old Redfern's diverse roots
Lostprophets haven't been much in the public eye since their heyday as the British face of nu-metal. From the sound of "4AM Forever" they've not made much progress since those days. This, their new single, sounds more than ever like Linkin Park
Motorists will face 10 months of traffic delays as a scheme to replace 2km of gas mains in Feniscowles gets underway today. National Grid is to replace older, metallic pipes with modern plastic ones which have a lifespan of at least 80 years. The multi-million-pound
Click here for our photo gallery of the event. THE annual Hoghton Tower motorcycle sprint took place yesterday in the grounds of the tower. The sprint, organised and run by Marshals North West on behalf of the ACU North Western Centre, saw classic
