A SUSPECTED drink-driver who failed to provide a breath test was said to have refused twice but claimed to be sick, Burnley magistrates heard. The court was told how father of two Christopher Bridge, 22, was then supposed to appear in court - but didn't
MORE THAN 1,000 drawings were submitted for a children's art competition where entrants were asked to show what their borough meant to them. School children from across Blackburn with Darwen took part in the Big Draw' competition and were allowed to
Five people said to have been involved in a lunchtime disturbance at Habergham High School in Burnley have appeared before magistrates. Asif Javed, 43, of Colne Road, Arfan Zafar, 18, of Athol Atreet South, and three Burnley 17-year-olds are all charged
AN "outstanding" commendation from Ofsted was applauded at the Alder Grange Community and Technology College presentation evening. The Rawtenstall school was given the top accolade last month, when its practices were described as among "the best examples
AN historic Grade II building in Rossendale is to be converted into luxury apartments after the plans were given the green light by councillors. The Hurstwood Group has been given the go-ahead to transform Holly Mount House, which overlooks Rawtenstall
AT just 24, Pendle's newest Methodist minister is one of the youngest in the country. Gareth Higgs, who wears a hoodie and said he is "addicted" to computer football games, said he was hoping his youthful outlook will help him bring the community together
THOUSANDS of people braved the cold weather to kick start Burnley's Christmas celebrations. About 3,000 packed the area near the bandstand in St James' Street last night for the switching on of the town's lights. Young and old gathered well before the
MORE than 50 employees at a Burnley government office could be forced to travel 80 miles to get to work and back as part of cost-cutting plans. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced staff working at the town's Inland Revenue centre,
FORMER pupils at an East Lancashire school took a trip down memory lane when it celebrated its 100th birthday. West Street Primary School, Colne, welcomed more than 100 former pupils for a special reunion. One guest, Margaret Nuttall, made the journey
CLITHEROE manager Chris Stammers insists he is not feeling the pressure despite the Blues' winless streak in the league. Although their cup form has been brilliant so far, Stammers' side has gone 10 games without a victory in the Unibond First Division
A DOMESTIC violence expert has hit out at magistrates who failed to jail a repeat "wife beater" or order him to attend a course to change his attitude. Derek Theodore attacked mother-of-two Nicola Grant days after she had undergone stomach surgery.
A HEADTEACHER believes Blackburn with Darwen is leading the way when it comes to social inclusion. Speaking at the annual presentation evening at St Bede's RC High School and Specialist Sports College, Blackburn, John Challoner said: "Blackburn with
STUDENTS at Our Lady and St John Catholic Arts College, Blackburn have been praised for "staying the course." They received the pat on the back at the North Road school's annual Year 11 presentation evening. Headteacher Colette Gillen was speaking on
WORK to regenerate a run-down Blackburn area with Manchester's famous Curry Mile as its inspiration will get under way in the New Year. About £1.3million will be spent revamping streets around Victoria Street which runs into Whalley Range. Council
THE landlord of a Blackburn pub named and shamed in a police operation to catch alcohol being sold to youngsters has spoken out to defend his business. The Grove, Church Street, which is open on Friday and Saturdays, was named alongside four off-licences
FUNNYMAN Ricky Tomlinson wowed hundreds of revellers as TV's Jim Royle switched on Blackburn's festive lights. The Liverpool comedian and actor warned parents to "cover your kids' ears" before performing his new festive song "Christmas My Arse". And
DARWEN go to Ashton Athletic looking to end their mini slump. Mullen said: "Every team has a dip and this is our time. "We've lost our last two games so we need to get back to winning ways." Richard Fogarty is unavailable while Neil Almond is
PADIHAM are looking to complete the double over Bootle when they visit the Arbories tomorrow. The Storks played high flying Bootle on the opening day of the season and came away with a 1-0 win. Padiham will be without Anthony McClusky while Paul
ACCRINGTON STANLEY manager John Coleman is hoping the comforts of home will get his side back to winning ways against Hartlepool tomorrow. Coleman's side are without a league win since the middle of October, a 2-0 victory at Torquay, and have lost
STEVE Cotterill admits there is a worry that John McGreal's knee injury could flare up again this season. Burnley's veteran centre-half has been sidelined for a month after tweaking his medial ligament in the goalless draw with Southend on October 17
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw met Kashmiri minister Rukhsar Ahmed in a short meeting at the Town Hall. Mr Ahmed thanked the British Government for all their support in the earthquake disaster in October 2005. Efforts included the Blackburn-based Pakistan
AN 87-year-old man died at home after feeling unwell for days. Harry Davies, of Langford Street, Baxenden, collapsed feeling short of breath at about 6.30am on Monday, an inquest opening was told. His wife Nora phoned for an ambulance but he was pronounced
A MAN launched into racist abuse in a taxi office after being told he would have to wait for a cab. Francis Peter Hargreaves, 50, was abusive to the owner and kicked and banged the door and walls after being told he would have to wait, Burnley Magistrates
ROSSENDALE Council plans to improve its services by improving workers' skills. The Workforce Development Plan has been unveiled, detailing how the council plans to develop its 280 employees over the next few years to improve frontline services.
MEMBERS of Rossendale Council are set to impose regular criminal records bureau (CRB) checks on themselves. The council's cabinet has rubber-stamped an earlier decision that councillors should be CRB checked on a voluntary basis. CRB checks highlight
A ROSSENDALE bus service has been named one of the most accessible in the country at a national awards ceremony. The CountyRider was runner-up at the 2006 UK Bus Awards at the Hilton Hotel in London. The entry was a joint submission by Lancashire County
A HISTORIC trophy competed for by thousands of amateur footballers has been given a new home. And to celebrate, the Captain Grey Amateur Football League Shield being housed in Towneley Hall, Burnley, a reunion is being held tonight to reminisce about
A FORMER mayoress of Darwen celebrated her 99th birthday with a cake and quiz. Glady Briggs, of Ratcliffe Street, marked reaching the milestone with friends at Derwent Hall. Mrs Briggs, who was mayoress of Darwen in 1955 when the Queen visited the town
A TEENAGER who wrecked a beer pump at Burnley Football Club in a fit of temper escaped a banning order. Burnley Magistrates heard how although Daniel Thomas Riding, 18, had no previous con-victions, the court had to consider a mimimum three-year order
THE girls triumphed at the climax of a talent show before the festive lights switch on. Amy O'Toole and Miranda Myles won the adults' and children's categories respectively for The Mall Stars contest, organised by shopping centre bosses. Eleven-year-old
CAMPAIGNERS fighting proposals for a wind farm on the moors at Todmorden have welcomed news that the plans have stalled - because of a local flying club. Coronation Power wants to put five 125-metre tall turbines at Flower Scarr Road to generate electricity
HASLINGDEN captain Stuart Catterall has admitted it was a shock to lose wicketkeeper John Simpson. The England under-19 gloveman has made the switch to the Liverpool Competition side Ormskirk next season in a bid to further his career. But Catterall
HORSE riders in Burnley are being urged to join a campaign to save the county's bridleways from disappearing. Experienced equestrian Cosima Towneley, of Cliviger, is leading the fight to increase countryside access for horse riders and cyclists, who
ROSSENDALE United are out for revenge tomorrow when Brigg Town visit Dark Lane. Town stole the points when the two sides met earlier this month and Stags manager Derek Egan is looking to even the score. He said: "They beat us but we played them off
STEVE Cotterill has hailed the contribution of Clarets ton-up man Frank Sinclair. Veteran defender Sinclair will celebrate his 100th Burnley appearance if he gets the nod for tomorrow's Championship clash at West Bromwich Albion. The all-action 34-year-old
FORMER Year 11 pupils returned to Hollins Technology College, Accrington, to collect their GCSE certificates as part of the annual Key Stage 4 prizegiving ceremony. Awards and trophies were distributed to those who showed outstanding achievement in individual
A BAE Systems apprentice engineer inspired pupils at the annual prize giving for Darwen Vale which has recently become a specialist engineering college. Rachael Hoyle was guest speaker on the night after presenting prizes to the current the year eight
STUDENTS at Darwen Moorland High school represent what is good about the town it serves - its headteacher believes. Speaking at the school's presentation evening at Darwen Theatre, head Chris Morris told the pupils: "Moorland students typically represent
AN ANNUAL campaign to brighten up Christmas for the underprivileged in East Lancashire has been launched. Blackburn Partnership is looking for new toys, tinned and non-perishable foods, selection boxes and other gifts to give to the poor and elderly.
A HIGH-flying sales manager bit two people in late night Blackburn town centre assaults. Darren Smith initially attacked one man, believing his girlfriend was going to be subjected to violence, a court heard. It was also told that he carried out the
A CHURCH has teamed up with a pair of globe-trotting nuns to launch a new charity that will help send aid to the people of Cambodia. St Alban's Roman Catholic Church, Blackburn, hopes to be able to provide funding for a community project in the country's
CASES of gonorrhea and chlamydia have massively increased in East Lancashire, new figures show. And of all women seen for the gonorrhea, 42 per cent were under 20. In East Lancashire the number of cases of gonorrhea, which causes pain when passing water
COUNCIL bosses insist that Darwen Music Live will go ahead next year, despite one of the key organisers pulling out. Darwen Music Projects (DMP) formed in 2000 to organise the town's first music festival which went on to become Darwen Live, held over
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Aaron Mokoena reckons Mark Hughes has all the right credentials to become one of the game's top managers. Hughes has worked a minor miracle during his two years in charge at Ewood, successfully transforming Rovers from relegation
NELSON, fresh from a superb 1-0 win over Leigh RMI in the Lancashire Cup, face a trip to bottom side Stone. And manager Graham Howarth says this is the kind of game his side needs to win. He said: "With the position we're in, we have to beat the
RAMSBOTTOM boss Lee Sculpher has called for better finishing as his side host lowly Abbey Hey. The Rams missed a host of chances last weekend as they crashed out of the League Challenge Cup to Padiham. He said: "We hope that last Saturday was one
BEST-selling Blackburn author Josephine Cox has come to the rescue of a charity stall which stopped displaying her books due to a spate of thefts. The novelist, whose fictional tales are often based on her Blackburn upbringing and have sold 15 million
Bacup boss Brent Peters says he will have to do a headcount as his side prepare to host Maine Road tomorrow. His players are suffering the after effects of the torrential rain and wind that blighted their League Challange Cup tie against St Helens.
A CONTROVERSIAL study which claims "date rape" drug incidents are not as widespread as first thought was carried out on Lancashire victims, it has emerged. Operation Matise was launched two years ago to look into claims that rapists and sex attackers
TAXI drivers are threatening to stop working at night after a driver had a gun held to his head by two hooded raiders. The warning from the Blackburn with Darwen Private Hire Association came as the driver who looked down the barrel of the gun told of
COLNE will be hoping for another FA Vase adventure when they travel to Billingham Sythonia in the second round. The Holt House club reached the semi finals three seasons ago while Colne Dynamoes won the competition back in 1988. Manager Nigel Coates
Accrington Stanley striker David Brown has joined Nationwide Conference side Burton Albion on a month's loan. Reds boss John Coleman said: "David hasn't played a lot of football this season so this will give him an opportunity to get some games under
FORMER Blackburn favourite Tim Sherwood has backed Rovers to turn around their season - starting against Tottenham Hotspur, another of his old clubs, this weekend. Rovers have dropped into the Premiership's bottom six after four defeats on the spin,
GREGGS shops across Lancashire ditched their uniforms for fancy dress to raise money for Children in Need. This week staff have been dressing up and selling Pudsey bear biscuits to support today's Children in Need fundraiser. And about 10p from every
IF you thought glamorous clubbing only took place in big cities, foreign countries and celebrity-ridden mansions then think again - East Lancashire is playing host to one of the North West's most extravagant New Year's Eve parties around. Following
Lock up your rodents - Freddie Starr is coming to Colne on November 17. He spoke Beatles, Big Brother and cold beans with one of Britain's best-loved comics THE audience at Colne Muni isn't going to know what's hit it when Freddie Starr takes to the
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy who died after he was found hanged at a Rossendale children's home has been named. Sean William Ashworth was pronounced dead by paramedics at the Lancashire County Council-run Crestmoor Resource and Reception Centre, Unity Way, off
