A GRIEVING husband has told of his disgust after ornaments were stolen from his wife's grave. Martin Townsend, 47, of Bute Road, Shadsworth, Blackburn, has been left devastated at the theft from Lynne's memorial at Pleasington Cemetery. Police have
JASON Banton fired Blackburn Rovers' under 18s to a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient to set up an FA Youth Cup fifth round clash at home to Manchester United. The former Arsenal striker converted from the penalty spot on 70 minutes at Ewood Park last night
A BRAIN tumour patient has been given the go-ahead to jump 10,000ft from of a plane to raise money for fellow sufferers. Carmen Rickard, 42, from Hoddlesden, has lost the sight in her right eye because of the benign tumour, and now faces losing the sight
NINE Rovers fans have been charged in connection with violence following the Blackburn and Burnley derby. It follows the charging of 19 Burnley supporters on Friday over what police describe as a ‘planned fight’ at the Station Hotel pub, Cherry
MORE than £11million has been seized from Lancashire criminals in the last three-and-a-half years, it has been revealed. But one of the county’s top prosecutors said crafty criminals were now trying to use the credit crunch as an excuse to avoid paying
A theatre academy in Crawshawbooth is inviting budding actors to audition for a live production of Oliver. The auditions are being held at Rakefoot Methodist Church on Sunday January 24th. The play will be staged in June and young actors between
Lancashire Trading Standards officers are warning people about selling off gold at give-away prices. They suggest people should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for advice and prices.
BLACKBURN Rovers have thrown their weight behind a 12-year-old girl’s campaign to raise money in memory of her dad. Caitlin Jones of Somerset Avenue, Darwen, is spearheading the Show Your Knees For Nigel day on February 12 - the second anniversary
A 43-YEAR-OLD Oswaldtwistle man sent a woman 130 text messages in a nine-hour period despite being subject to a harassment warning. Graham John Hodgson, 43, of Stanhill Road, pleaded guilty to harassing Andrea Adamson. He was remanded on bail by Hyndburn
CANNABIS plants with an estimated street value of £32,000 have been seized during a raid in Blackburn this morning. Police recovered 81 plants of varying maturity, eight ounces of dried cannabis and 20 snap bags of cannabis from a house in
Whitworth residents are being encouraged to contact the police about Visabells devices which allow householders to see who is at their front door via a camera in their doorbell. Contact the neighbourhood policing team on 01706 237367 for more
SIX chip shops in East Lancashire are in the running for the prize of best portion in the North West. The Potato Council Perfect Portion Awards are looking for more entries before the deadline next month. So far The Chippy, Accrington; Whalley
A BABY'S first birthday was celebrated with the quick-thinking health centre receptionist who saved her life. It was a milestone Liberty Adams’ family never thought she would see when she stopped breathing as they took her to an out of hours
Rossendale Players are presenting "Sweet Revenge", a thriller by Francis Durbridge starting on Saturday January 23rd, at The New Millenium Theatre, Waterfoot. Contact 01706 228720.
VOLUNTEERS from Burnley have been praised for their efforts to break the record of most trees planted in one hour. Running alongside the BBC’s Breathing Places campaign and Burnley Council staff, 789 shoots were planted at Rowley and the Delph in Underlay
The UK Doors will be appearing at the Cafe Artisan in Rawtenstall on Saturday, 23rd January and the gig is free. Contact 01706 211114
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw has called for a full investigation into the borough’s gritting strategy after saying residents 'deserved better'. He said in his 30 years as a Blackburn MP he could not recall a time when people 'have been more frustrated
ITHINK it might be time to think about getting a new picture to accompany this column. It’s about three years old now and probably teetering on the edge of false advertising. I also discovered this week that it’s not a very flattering shot. I had the
Nine out of 10 defined benefit pensions are now closed to new members as employers continue to move away from the high cost schemes, research showed. A further 18 per cent of the schemes, which include final salary pensions, have also been closed to
In 1910 a group of passionate enthusiasts had a dream to erect one of the UK’s first purpose-built cinemas in Blackburn. One hundred years later and although the cinema is long gone, dedicated local volunteers have kept the dream alive, having restored
THE people of Rossendale have been invited to zipslide 700ft for charity. The Anthony Nolan Trust, a leukaemia charity, is gearing up for a fund raising event at Ramsbottom’s Peel Tower. Holcombe Hill’s 150-year-old tower has become a regular site
A MOTHER-of-four who abandoned her children to go on a 24-hour drink and drug binge has avoided jail for the second time. Rebecca Stevenson, 23, of Blackburn, who was branded ‘Britain’s worst mum’ when she left her ‘hysterical’ children under
RED-FACED council chiefs have admitted wrongly telling farmers they were not allowed to plough snow from rural roads as they needed a qualification. People in remote areas of the Ribble Valley have relied on farmers and contractors to clear access
WITH reference to the article (LT, January 12) about Councillor Rose Connor advocating the use of Clitheroe window boxes to grow vegetables. Last June my husband and I holidayed in the Dordogne in France. We visited a town called Caliors where all
With reference to the article (LT, January 5) regarding mobile phone masts, there is an internet site which shows the location of all the masts in the UK: The site, www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk, enables anyone to type in their postcode and look at a
THE prospect of a happy New Year seems more elusive than ever for those whose lives and futures have been blighted by rising youth unemployment. Almost 62,000 18-to-24-year-olds were claiming benefits across the North West at the end of last year at
I TOTALLY agree with Tony Heyes (LT, January 8) re clearing the snow from the front of your houses. But why on earth didn’t the council clear the bus routes in Darwen? Then people could at least have walked to the ends of their roads. They gritted
IN these freezing conditions, spare a thought for our wildlife in East Lancashire. As we struggle to live our daily lives it is easy to forget how our animals are braving the elements. The Lancashire Wildlife Trust has said many animals are having to
A PENDLE record label has won a business prize following a year of success. This week saw Ghost Town Records scoop UCLan’s Northern Lights ‘Business of the Month’ of award for the second time. Founder Joanne St Clair, collected the award
REGENERATION leaders have hit back after a national study condemned East Lancashire as one of the worst areas in the country for business and jobs. The report by think-tank Centre for Cities looked at the gap between Britain’s prosperous towns
ACCRINGTON Stanley are enjoying the third highest percentage increase in attendances in League Two this season. Stanley’s gates averaged at just 1,414 last season – the lowest in the Football League since the doomed Maidstone United in the late 1980s
FOUR firms have expressed an interest in buying a 100-year-old Gisburn firm which went into voluntary liquidation in November, last year. Directors at administrators Beever and Struthers are managing the sale of agricultural and equine supplies business
Entries for a competition which rewards community business ideas must be received by January 22. Give it a Go, run by Lancashire County Council, offers £5,000 to a winner in each district. Coun Tim Ashton said: “Now is the time to act on a ‘light
FRONTLINE police officers in Lancashire will have to work for an extra month every year after a new shift rota was finalised. Chief Constable Steve Finnigan announced the changes, aimed at getting more response officers on duty when demand is highest
MOVES to provide more low, or moderate, earners with workplace pensions are being welcomed by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice. Regulations have been laid before Parliament which will give many employees a workplace pension for the very first time. Mr
BURNLEY FC have repaid more than £5million to the administrators of director Brendan Flood’s property firm, it can be revealed. Mr Flood, operations director at Turf Moor, made a £3.7million loan to the club from his Modus Ventures Limited
Despite the long range weather forecasters promising us a mild winter this one so far has been one of the worst for many years, perhaps this is the start of what may be called global cooling? I wondered how our small mammals which live in our woodlands
The National Children’s Trust has launched a coffee morning in Haslingden to offer support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. Classes are on the last Friday of every month at Haslingden Community Link and Children’s Centre from 10am to 11.30am
CLARETS fans can relive the club’s historic rise to the Premiership when a new film is showcased at Turf Moor. Burnley Film Makers have produced the new film to raise funds for Pendleside Hospice. It features all the big matches from
RESIDENTS living in an isolated cul-de-sac are feeling shortchanged after eight months of wrangling over the adoption of their road. People living in Nicola Close, Weir, paid out £800 to Lancashire County Council in spring last year so the road outside
POLICE are investigating an arson attack on a three-storey block of flats in Rossendale. Fire crews were called to the building, in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, at about 7pm on Saturday after reports of a blaze on the empty second floor. Tenants living
DISCOUNT clothes retailer Peacocks is set to move into part of the old Woolworths store in Burnley. The fashion giant is planning to open a shop later this year, with bosses at Charter Walk planning to split up the unit which currently houses a YMCA
MOT and servicing expert Mayfield Street Garage in Blackburn is the first outlet in the town to offer stainless steel exhausts. The exhausts are said to reduce emissions.
BLACKBURN firm Micro Matic has bought a new state-of-the-art printing machine which will allow it to print high-quality images on to surfaces less than 1mm thick. The company, based in Walker Road, makes draft beer equipment, including pumps
AN ENTREPRENEUR has set up his own company – from the ashes of one of East Lancashire’s most famous firms. More than 250 workers lost their jobs last month when the historic Entertainment Distribution Company (EDC) factory in Blackburn shut
During the recent adverse weather conditions, some residents of Alpine Grove/ Higher House Close, Livesey, like many others, have found it extremely unsafe to even consider using their cars or going out. At one stage, one of our grit bins was refilled
IN response to Coun A Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment at Blackburn with Darwen (LT, January 9), residents taking wheely bins or sacks on backs to collection points at specific times is quite ludicrous. Would it not be more sensible
THE actions of the team of Lancashire firefighters in Haiti are to be applauded. On Saturday, the eight-strong group helped in the rescue of a man and a woman who had both been stuck in rubble since Tuesday’s earthquake. After digging for nearly seven
A 19th century mill plagued by vandalism is set to be converted into housing six years after plans were first approved. Two past attempts to convert Lob Lane Mill, Clitheroe Road, Brierfield, into housing have fallen through since the build-ing
NEARLY 250 homes in Burnley are to undergo improvements totalling almost £2million as part of a regeneration scheme. The council’s ‘facelifting’ programme will target houses in South West Burnley, Burnley Wood and Daneshouse this year. The programme
The recent New Years Honours. I thought we did well in our area this time, and why shouldn’t we? Peter Holland, the Chief Fire and Rescue Officer got awarded with a CBE for his work to vastly improve our fire and general safety across the County and
A MAN flashed at a 16-year-old girl as she was waiting for a bus in Burnley town centre. The incident happened at the bus stop outside Cash Converters, in St James’ Street. Police said the man, thought to be in his 40s, approached his victim at
A DOG drowned in Rowley Lake, Burnley, after getting into difficulties in the freezing water. The dog and its owner were out for a walk in the park on Saturday when the pet fell into the lake at around 3pm. Dave Robinson, crew manager at Burnley
TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘pioneering’ campaigner for older people’s rights. John Davis, a director of Hyndburn Community Network, former chair of Hyndburn Over 50s Forum, and chair of You and Old United (YOU), died earlier this month at the age
The local non-league programme was hit by the weather yet again over the weekend. The UniBond League Division One North derby between Chorley and Clitheroe was called off on Friday, as was the match between Rossendale United and Harrogate Railway.
Week two and it was the turn of the boys! Opening the show, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean skated with the professional male skaters – with some great moves from Jayne throughout the routine! We had the full line-up of couples at the beginning
SIR Alex Ferguson was relieved to see his Manchester United side beat Burnley and admitted: 'We could have been embarrassed.' Ferguson said: "We had a number of opportunities to punish them in the final third but there was a bit of nervousness
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson admitted that Blackburn Rovers were worthy winners at Ewood Park yeaterday. Former Rovers manager Hodgson said: “At one point we looked good value for an equaliser but they got their second goal. "Overall I can’t begrudge
A ROSSENDALE magician is aiming for the big time after picking up tips from international star David Blaine. Up-and-coming entertainer Adam Dadswell has launched his own business just months after becoming one of the youngest magicians to be accepted
CROOKS involved in organised crime are being targeted in a massive police operation across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. During the next week officers will raid homes and workplaces of known suspects. The seven days of ‘intensive crime fighting
It may take seven hours to get to work, and it may lead to the odd broken limb, but the recent snow has a sliver lining. I don’t mean how pretty the landscape looks or the fact that it covers up litter. To my mind, the biggest advantage is that children
* Liverpool are on the verge of signing Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones on loan, with the 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago star seen as perfect cover for the injured Fernando Torres. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has though ruled out a straight
ON-LOAN Accrington Stanley defender Johnny Flynn has revealed his ambition to play for Blackburn Rovers and Northern Ireland one day – but he knows his first task is winning a place in the starting line-up at the Crown Ground. Flynn joined
SAM Allardyce admits he could sense the tension at Ewood Park, accusing media speculation of creating ‘unnecessary pressure’ on his players. A national newspaper story claimed the Rovers boss only had ‘two games to save his job’ after a nine-match
RESIDENTS in Blackburn are “absolutely fuming” about a council notice telling them to take their bins off the pavements, despite waste not being collected since before Christmas. A notice was pushed through doors on Thursday asking householders to take
STEVEN Reid insists Blackburn Rovers are fighting together to turn around their Premier League fortunes – after rubbishing rumours of unrest around Ewood Park. The Rovers midfielder played his part to help Rovers see off Fulham 2-0 at Ewood
SAM Allardyce believes Steven Reid possesses a rare Premier League quality but warns the midfielder still faces a slow journey back to full fitness. Reid made his first Premier League start since September 2008 in yesterday's crucial 2-0 win at home
A PROSTITUTE has become the first street sex worker in Blackburn to be given an Anti-Social Behaviour Order to stop her soliciting. Natasha Coker, 23, of Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn, has been banned from the Bank Top area for two years as part of
DAVID Edgar hopes his Old Trafford performance will spark a run in the side, after enduring a frustrating first six months in his Turf Moor career. The former Newcastle United defender signed a four-year deal with Burnley in July, but had to
BLACKBURN boxer Dezzi Higginson fears he could be out of action for up to nine months after suffering an ear injury during his English lightweight title defeat to Martin Gethin. Despite enjoying huge hometown support at Altrincham Leisure Centre
BRIAN Laws has vowed to strengthen during the January transfer window, despite being impressed by his new players at Old Trafford. The new Burnley boss admitted there were “more pluses than minuses” from Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester
NEW Burnley boss Brian Laws described his first game as "a fantastic experience", despite a harsh 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford. The Clarets had shut out Manchester United for over an hour, and could have taken the lead through two clear-cut chances
Having enjoyed sensational reviews, Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical continues to enjoy huge success across the country with standing ovations at every performance. With the liveliest
LANCASHIRE firefighters have saved the lives of two people trapped beneath the rubble in Haiti. A 60-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were rescued by the team on Saturday after three-and-a-half days beneath collapsed buildings in the devestated
