A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. 'Greetings from Guatemala' at North Blackburn and District Probus Club, Lammack Methodist Church, Blackburn, 10am. East Lancs Federation Townswomens Guild meeting at
A BLACKBURN nursery is celebrating after receiving a prestigious national award recognising high quality child care. Oscar Bears, on Pleasington Street, was awarded the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Quality Counts kite mark, an award aiming
A YOUNG swan proved he was no ugly duckling when he was reunited with its family after his dramatic rescue from a canal gate. Tchaikovsky the Swan was released back on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Bolton Road, Blackburn. and elegantly swanned off
STUDENTS were caught red handed after helping to solve their very own robbery. St Thomas's School in Blackburn staged a crime scene with the help of the science department of the University of Central Lancashire. The forensic event, run by the East Lancashire
MANCHESTER Dogs' Home is looking for a loving home for one of its long-stay dogs, Dave. Dave was admitted to the Home on the 5th December 2002 after being picked up in the Coppice area and taken to Oldham Police Station.. Dave is a tan and white, medium
SO Blackburn with Darwen Council and the Forestry Commission have been awarded £74,000 to clean up Sunnyhurst Woods in Darwen (LET, January 10). I find this absolutely disgraceful. That kind of money would be better spent in providing accommodation for
REGARDING the congestion on the A666 at Bolton Road, Ewood, Blackburn (LET, January 4) and the search for a cure -- there isn't one. I lived and grew up on Bolton Road and the build-up of traffic never reached the proportions that it has of late. The
HELP the Aged was saddened to read reports concerning the two recent incidents by bogus callers in the Blackburn area. Unfortunately, many of our older population feel such an incident is inevitable and this is unacceptable. Help the Aged currently provides
A 22-YEAR-OLD man died and three others were injured following a collision between a mini-bus and a car in Astley, near Leigh. The front seat passenger suffered serious head and chest injuries and died in the intensive care unit at Salford's Hope Hospital
A MURDER inquiry was launched today after a man was stabbed to death in a Blackburn street. The man, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary around midnight last night, but later died. Residents living near Infirmary Street
DRIVERS were today urged to get on the buses and make a Preston park-and-ride scheme work. A month after the £4.7million Walton-le-Dale scheme opened only a fraction of the 800 car parking spaces are being used each day. And angry residents living near
STAFF at Burnley Borough Council were rewarded for their long service with a special certificate for the landmark. Joyce Parry, from information services, Steve Richards, park ranger and Stanley Earnshaw, of housing needs and strategy have all completed
YVONNE Ridley, the journalist who was imprisoned by the Taliban, will speak at a Burnley Stop the War Coalition public meeting. The meeting, "Don't Attack Iraq", will be held at the Keirby Hotel on February 5 at 7.30pm. She will be joined on the platform
POLICE today issued a stern warning to youths who stoned a busy train and said: "Someone will be seriously injured or killed." The Arriva TransPennine service to Leeds was pulling out of Burnley's Manchester Road Station about 6.15pm on Saturday when
Bury 0 Boston United 0: IF ever Bury needed a reason why an immediate return to Division Two was a necessity, then this was it. In their first visit to Gigg Lane, the Pilgrims proved they have not strayed far from their non-league roots by restricting
MOVES to improve the collection of fines and other financial penalties imposed in court have been welcomed by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice. He said: "Too many people get fined, shrug their shoulders and don't pay. It's a scandal." Lancashire Magistrates'
VULNERABLE residents in the Bradley and Whitefield wards of Nelson will benefit from home improvements after £133,000 of funding was allocated by Pendle Partnership. The partnership has agreed to fund housing improvements through a HomeCare and Repair
AN 18-year-old woman walking along Tatton Street, Colne, at 4.15am yesterday, was approached close to the street's junction with Burnley Road and punched in the back of head by a man. She hit her head on the pavement and fell unconscious, waking a short
FREE information on a range of issues will be available at the New Road Community Centre in Earby during the Pendle District Citizens' Advice Bureau's information sessions. An outreach worker will spend time in the centre once a fortnight to give advice
THE mum of a young woman found dead in a Colne hotel today paid tribute to the daughter she called "my best friend." Carol Gallagher spoke as she prepared to bury daughter Abigail, 24, who was discovered in a room at the Hendly Hotel, Queen Street, last
COUNCILLORS have given the thumbs up to the borough's new wheelie bins after putting them through their paces. Members and council staff are among a group of 40 people testing the new bins, which are set to be introduced in Hyndburn's four most deprived
ACCRINGTON could be reborn as a tourist hotspot to rival Blackpool and some of the region's most famous attractions thanks to major investment in the town centre. Mike Huntly, town centre manger, said the redeveloped market would be unveiled later this
A LONELY ex-ambulance driver who molested a little girl and downloaded child porn from the Internet has escaped jail. David Graham, 35, told police he was affectionate, the victim had reminded him of his daughter, but denied any indecency. Burnley Crown
A TEENAGE rape victim today spoke of her ordeal as police vowed to continue the hunt for her attacker a year on from the crime. The 19-year-old said she had still not come to terms with what had happened to her, but revealed how she had found the strength
BURY-based Pennine Telecom has bucked the trend in a volatile sector and turned in another year of increased profits. Pennine and its sister company Interquartz (UK) had a combined turnover of £9 million and expects to generate a profit of more than £500,000
A 34-YEAR-OLD man was fighting for his life today after being stabbed in an incident in Clitheroe, at 2.25am today. The man, who was found in a flat and was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with stab wounds. He was today in the high dependency unit
RIBBLE Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans has challenged Labour colleagues in Lancashire to vote with their conscience and in line with their constituents views during a House of Commons debate on herbal remedies and food supplements. Mr Evans says that Lindsay
LOST WAGES: Security guard George Glover was attacked, gagged and bound and £800 in wages stolen from him while he was on duty at the Stubbins firm of Scapa Porrit Ltd. Mr Glover was found three hours later by another employee of the firm. The money was
1773: Captain Cook's Resolution became the first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle. 1827: The Duke of Wellington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British Army. 1912: English explorer Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole. Norwegian, Roald
THE key stats and moments from the game against Crystal Palace. BURNLEY: BERESFORD Rewarded his manager's decision to recall him with a string of top class saves before the harsh penalty beat him...8 WEST Had a tough time against Julian Gray early on
COMMUNITY Support Officers, a new weapon in fighting crime and disorder, will hit the streets of Bury. The first intake of 32 police community support officers (CSOs) have now completed their training and are due to start work in the county on Monday
Thursday, January 23: Annual dinner at Smithills Coaching House. Tickets from Paul Tarry (01204 884080). BURY HF: Saturday walk (6 to 8 miles): Meet 1pm at Tenters Street car park or 1.30pm at Holcombe Brook. Sunday walk: Meet on Bank Street at 10am for
ARRANGEMENTS were made for six tandem pairs for the ride to Uppermill which lies on the route of the River Tame and close to the Pennine Chain to the east of Oldham. The intentions of two pairs were thwarted and only four pairs came together for the ride
LAST Sunday's run was well attended and started with the group heading towards Ainsworth village. They proceeded through Harwood and Eagley before passing both Bolton and Delph sailing clubs, before reaching the highest point of the day as we went over
CLARETS keeper Marlon Beresford branded the penalty award against him at Crystal Palace a "disgrace" that cost Burnley two valuable points in their push for the play-offs. Beresford, fit for a recall in place of Nik Michopoulos, was adjudged to have tripped
A MAN is to be sentenced at Crown Court for offences of indecency against a 15-year-old girl. Barry Wild, aged 36, of Knowles Street, Radcliffe, admitted two offences of indecently assaulting the girl in Rochdale last November. The bench at Rochdale decided
NO, I haven't got mirrored wardrobe doors. Nor do I have a paved patio with built-in barbecue or a conservatory. However, I do have fitted carpets and a bathroom suite which, I hate to admit, is not white. All the above are now seen as naff by style gurus
THE Sudellside and St James' Neighbourhood Watch scheme is to provide CCTV cameras to combat crime in the area. The residents' group has been awarded £500 from Bootstrap Enterprises to fund the new project. Chairman Sue Freear said: "It's something we've
A 74-YEAR-OLD American man whose father built Darwen Tower today spoke of his joy at the news the landmark had scooped a top national award. The 105-year-old tower, was one of only three to be awarded a prestigious Green Apple Award this month, beating
THE environment and sustainable development will be the focus of attention at a council event in May. Bury Metro, which covers the Ramsbottom area of Rossendale, holds an Environment Week across the borough between May 18 and 25. It will end with the
COUNCIL house tenants living in Ramsbottom are to be given the opportunity to have their say at a meeting tonight, on what kind of future they want to see for their homes. Throughout 2002, a series of consultation events have taken place about the levels
WORK was due to start on a partnership project today which aims to bring a modern, multi-purpose primary healthcare facility to Bacup. The Primary and Community Care Centre is being led by a partnership between Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care
THE anti-smoking message was brought to shoppers in Blackburn town centre by health promotion workers. Staff from the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley smoking cessation group QUEST had an information stand in the shopping centre full of tips on how
A MURDER inquiry was launched today after a man was stabbed to death in a Blackburn street. The man, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary around midnight last night, but later died. Residents living near Infirmary Street
A FATHER at the centre of a river death mystery was on his way to visit the grave of his 11-day-old son. Anthony Holt, 37, a dad-of-seven, of Silverdale Close, Blackburn was found in the River Darwen at Hoghton Bottoms. His Ford Mondeo was also discovered
COUNTY bosses are planning to add £70 to the average council tax bill from April -- despite making nearly £20million of cuts to budgets. The rise, estimated now to be a 9.16 per cent increase on the current portion of council tax taken by the county council
THE wife of a BNP councillor who promoted family values today revealed he had left her for another woman and said: "He has conned the voters." Gwen Evans said she discovered text messages to far right Blackburn councillor Robin Evans from 21-year-old
MICHAEL Jennings cruised to his 19th win as a professional when he stopped Leroy Williamson at Preston Guild Hall on Saturday night. The Chorley boxer made Williamson dizzy after four rounds of taking punches, resulting in the Birmingham fighter's corner
NELSON rescued a point with a goal seven minutes into injury time against Leek CSOB in NWCL Division Two at Harrison Park. It was a goal which left the home club officials fuming over the time added on by the referee, but Leek's time-wasting once they
GREAT Harwood crashed to a disappointing NWCL Division Two defeat at the hands of near neighbours Darwen. "Collectively we were a disgrace," said boss John Hughes. "There was no talking, no shape and we lacked the steel you need to compete in a local
THERE was a one minute's silence before the start of the game as a mark of respect for Curzon centre half Chris Ringland, tragically killed in the Turkish air crash earlier this month. The home started this NWCL Division One game with all guns blazing
PADIHAM had only derby day blues to show for their NWCL Division Two clash against Bacup Borough at the Arbories on Saturday with the Storks never able to recover from conceding two goals in a minute just before the half time interval. It had been a relatively
IPSWICH extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches with two-goal super-sub Darren Bent condemning patched-up Preston to a fifth consecutive defeat in Division One. Town's steady march up the table continues to gather momentum, but the scoreline
St Mary Magdalen's CE Primary School, Accrington (Headteacher Justine Chadwick). SCHOOL MOTTO: Our school is vibrant and alive with our 200 pupils and some days up to 50 adults in school. The teachers, teaching assistants, positive lunchtime staff, computer
HUNDREDS of teaching assistants across East Lancashire could be left holding the chalk in swollen classes under new Government proposals, the NUT has claimed. And members of the Blackburn with Darwen branch are planning to protest against the measures
A MAN who assaulted a security officer while trying to make a getaway from the warehouse where he had stolen £600 worth of mobile phones has been sent to a young offenders' institution for four months.. Andrew Cyril Peter Chadfield, aged 18, of High Bank
ATHERTON Town continued their improvement in the Manchester League with a 3-1 home win over basement side East Manchester, Danny Christie blasting home a hat-trick for Town. Leigh Athletic stay fifth following a 2-2 draw at Elton Vale, Neil Sumner and
The acquisition of Martyn Lancaster from Chester City always looked a sound investment for Leigh RMI, but it took victory at Burton Albion to find out just how good he'll be. Lancaster's solid and dependable contribution to Leigh's third away win of the
THE anguish and grief felt by the family and friends of someone who has committed suicide must be horrendous in the extreme -- above all, for the parents of a young victim. But how dreadfully that heartbreak must be compounded when those suffering it
TWO sister cats are looking for a quiet life in a new home. The black and white animals, named Tiggy and Sheba, now five years old, have not been separated since kittens. So Animal Kingdom Rescue is aiming to re-home them together, where they can enjoy
TWO sister cats are looking for a quiet life in a new home. The black and white animals, named Tiggy and Sheba, now five years old, have not been separated since kittens. So Animal Kingdom Rescue is aiming to re-home them together, where they can enjoy
MANCHESTER Dogs' Home is looking for a loving home for one of its long-stay dogs, Chloe, Dog. No. 800. Chloe was admitted to the Home on the 14th October 2002 after being picked up by the local Dog Warden. She was found wandering in the Oldham Area. Chloe
IT would seem there is no end to Blackburn with Darwen Council's arrogant attitude towards the wishes of Darwen people. Over the last few weeks I have not read one letter in support of the proposed new health centre site, which is to be on the sports
BARNEY has spent a long time at Manchester Dogs' Home so it is time he found a place of his own, can you help? Barney was admitted to the Home on the 15th October 2002 after being picked up by the local Dog Warden. He was found wandering in the Oldham
DESPITE the fact that Iraq is fully co-operating with the UN Inspectorate in their search for weapons of mass destruction and is offering even more concessions to the US than the UN have demanded, it appears that the Americans have made up their minds
A TEENAGE rape victim today spoke of her ordeal as police vowed to continue the hunt for her attacker a year on from the crime. The 19-year-old said she had still not come to terms with what had happened to her, but revealed how she had found the strength
BATTLING Bob is living proof that cats have nine lives. And now he is hoping to scoop a top bravery award to officially recognise the fact. Bob is one of six cats to be shortlisted from more than 200 across the country in the Ultimate Survivor category
Burton 0 RMI 1: MARK Patterson's new look side broke Leigh's string of six consecutive league defeats with a much-need victory. New boy centre-half Martyn Lancaster, signed only a couple of days earlier from Chester City, made a superb debut as RMI kept
ROVERS have called off the chase for Celta Vigo defender Juan Fran. Souness said: "You can say that is now dead in the water." The search will go on for a new leftback before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. Cardiff remain favourites
ANDY TODD will keep his place for Wednesday's crunch tie against Manchester United despite his red card at the weekend. Rovers manager Graeme Souness today confirmed he will stand by his central defender for the Worthington Cup semi-final clash at Ewood
A LOOK at the key moments from the game against Birmingham City. ROVERS: FRIEDEL: Made two outstanding saves to deny Dugarry and Kirovski to underline just why he deserves his latest award...7 NEILL: Involved in a great personal duel with fellow Aussie
GRAEME Souness often likes to spend his Saturday nights tucked up at home with an expensive bottle of red wine. But it's a fair bet the Rovers boss didn't crack open anything from the Bordeaux region this weekend after some 'skull-Dugarry' from a certain
COUNTY bosses are planning to add £70 to the average council tax bill from April -- despite making nearly £20million of cuts to budgets. The rise, estimated now to be a 9.16 per cent increase on the current portion of council tax taken by the county council
TICKETS are on sale for St Joseph's Players' Christmas panto, Cinderella, running at St Joseph's Hall in Chapel Street, Leigh, from January 21-25. Priced £5 adults and £3.50 concessions, tickets are available from Boardmans Outfitters in Bradshawgate,
VOLUNTEERS joined a litter pick as part of a clean-up of a Burnley grotspot. The event was organised by police and community support officers to tidy up Gannow and to educate everyone and give children a sense of respect for where they live. Litter problems
BURNLEY'S DIY school has been given the seal of approval by officers from the local education authority. Inspectors from the LEA at Lancashire County Council confirmed the school in the Valley Street Community Centre, Burnley, had passed the test. They
COUNTY bosses are planning to add £70 to the average council tax bill from April -- despite making nearly £20million of cuts to budgets. The rise, estimated now to be a 9.16 per cent increase on the current portion of council tax taken by the county council
REPRESENTATIVES from public services including the police, the Armed Forces and Lancashire Fire and Rescue attended a careers recruitment day at Jobcentre Plus, Nelson. It was also supported by staff at the Colne Jobcentre Plus, Lancashire Probation Service
CLOG dancers were rewarded for putting heart and "sole" into keeping a Lancashire tradition alive. The best youngsters from the Ossie Cloggers were presented with trophies and shields in the group's dance competition.
SWIMMING youngsters helped boost a charity campaign by £500 as part of the charity's Great British Swim appeal. Nearly 30 pupils from Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, swam a total of 28km in their school for the National Asthma Campaign.
A SOLDIER who had a pickaxe lodged in his skull after an alleged attack has opened his eyes and begun speaking to his family. Lance Corporal Konrad Bisping, 26, from Clitheroe, was injured during manoeuvres with the 1st Battalion of the Queens Lancs Regiment
FRENCH loan star Drissa Diallo enjoyed another impressive display in the heart of the Burnley defence at Crystal Palace on Saturday, boosting his chance of securing a longer term deal. Stan Ternent opted to bring back the 30-year-old former Mechelen player
CLARETS keeper Marlon Beresford branded the penalty award against him at Crystal Palace a "disgrace" that cost Burnley two valuable points in their push for the play-offs. Beresford, fit for a recall in place of Nik Michopoulos, was adjudged to have tripped
IT IS always tempting not to tinker with a winning side, especially one that has won 4-0, but Clarets boss Stan Ternent was rewarded by two impressive displays at either end of the pitch. A back injury to Glen Little denied Ternent the opportunity to
The B section enjoyed a flatish ride out to Southport with the highest point on the route out being Parbold Hill which is only about 300 feet above sea level. It does though give a splendid panoramic view of the Lancashire plain. With the miles slipping
ANDY TODD will keep his place for Wednesday's crunch tie against Manchester United despite his red card at the weekend. Rovers manager Graeme Souness today confirmed he will stand by his central defender for the Worthington Cup semi-final clash at Ewood
ACTS for the Mayor's Command Performance at the Darwen Library Theatre on February 1 have been confirmed. Darwen's very Gone Beggin' Irish-style band will be start the show at 7.30pm, followed by Jane Ashton as Elvis. JF Kaye will present a lively Swing
INTERNATIONAL BMX legends are due to wow the crowds at Darwen's only skate park tomorrow. Mick Leddar's vision for the Rhythm Skate Park was realised when the £45,000 project got off the ground in October 2001 and was named as one of the top 10 skate
A DEPRESSED man who took an overdose and torched his flat was found slumped in the kitchen by firefighters. Burnley Crown Court heard David Hughes, 32, had reached rock bottom after a serious assault made worse events which happened to him as a child.
STALLHOLDERS in a 'forgotten' section of Darwen market today revealed they could be faced with closure if trade doesn't pick up. Many stalls in the market annexe are unoccupied because the owners could not afford to keep up with the rent. Stallholders
A TOP chef will provide the 'starter' for a series of themed dinners at Accrington and Rossendale College's Globe Centre. Colin West, executive chef at the highly regarded Westin Turnberry, will design a themed menu using fresh ingredients from Ayrshire
A TEACHER, dismissed from a Rossendale high school after a investigation into sex offences, is back in the classroom. Colin Povey, 41, a languages teacher at Haslingden High School, was suspended after his arrest as part of a police investigation in August
A MAN got behind the wheel of a stolen car and made off with £75-worth of confectionery from a local supermarket. Anthony Marshall, 21, of Ashworth Street, Bacup, was ordered to carry out 200 hours' community service, disqualified from driving for two
FORMER professional footballer Joe Carroll has travelled all the way back from Australia to Bury to improve his prospects as a soccer coach. Radcliffe-born Joey played for Oldham Athletic, Halifax Town, Sacramento in America, Barrow, Morecambe and clubs
PEOPLE in Blackburn are being urged to come up with ideas for work that can be carried out by a team of volunteers. A 15-strong team is ready to take on a challenge set by anyone in the community. The Prince's Trust project, run in conjunction with the
A DISTRICT judge told a Blackburn man who produced a knife and threatened a police officer with it that his power of six months imprisonment was "woefully inadequate". And committing Mark Anthony Leggatt in custody for sentence at Preston Crown Court,
A MURDER inquiry was launched today after a man was stabbed to death in a Blackburn street. The man, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary around midnight last night, but later died. Residents living near Infirmary Street
TWO drug pushers who took part in "low level street dealing" have both started jail sentences. Shahid Farid, 25, was jailed for three and a half years while co-defendant, waiter Zamal Ali, 19, was sent to prison for a year. The duo, who are both from
A COUPLE whose son threw himself from a multi-storey car park are using their grief to give hope to other people bereaved by suicide. Myron and Mary Kuczer, of Elim Place, Mill Hill, have set up East Lancashire's first suicide support group in memory
A NEW club for wheelchair-bound youngsters has been launched in Radcliffe. The first meeting of the Wheelies Sports and Social Club proved a huge success. Youngsters aged four to 16 enjoyed indoor athletics and table-top games, as well as the opportunity
ACCRINGTON Stanley proved that seven days in football can be a long time. A week ago their push for the UniBond Premier Division title, and a place in the Nationwide Conference, looked to be coming off the rails. Soft goals and red cards led to the Reds
THE referee may have produced one of the worst displays ever seen at Dark Lane but despite his efforts both sides produced an entertaining game that the visitors just about deserved to win. The visitors were sharper and quicker to the second ball but
STRIKER Gary Jackson and keeper Kris Richens were the heroes as Clitheroe eased into the last 16 of the Carlsberg FA Vase with a 1-0 victory against Ryman League Division Two side Ware. It wasn't an easy victory for Lee Sculpher's men against a young
AFTER a three week winter break due to weather conditions Colne continued where they left off with a 3-1 NWCL Division Two home win over Ashton. The Reds welcomed back club captain Sam Hayes after suspension, James Webster and leading goalscorer George
LEIGH Education Action Zone is investing in a new and revolutionary technique for the teaching of mathematics. Students in the Zone's three high schools -- Bedford, Westleigh and Kingshill -- will reap the rewards of the innovative MathsAlive programme
A BOBBY on the beat, a teacher or a nurse are some of the favourite choices for children's careers ''when they grow up'. And research has confirmed that youngsters increasingly want a career helping others in the future. According to a study carried out
Leigh Centurions 22 Oldham 14: LEIGH'S new coaching assistant, John Pendlebury, looked on as the Centurions kicked off the new season with a satisfactory victory over Oldham in the group section of the Arriva Trains National Cup. Pendlebury sat alongside
LEIGH RMI's latest recruit Chris Dawson is set to become an international superstar - for the tiny island nation of Seychelles. The former Bolton Wanderers youth trainee had been playing in the Malaysian League for Kuala Lumpur before he was given the
