A LOCAL star has been confirmed as a guest for this Saturday's Darwen Dr Who Day. Anna Hope, from Edgworth, played the cat nun Novice pHame in Doctor Who episodes New Earth' and last year's Gridlock' story, both with David Tennant. She will be taking
A GROUP will hand out red roses to Lancashire ladies in a bid to promote St George's Day. Members of the East Lancashire branch of the Royal Society of St George will give out roses in Darwen on Saturday, April 19 and in Blackburn and Clitheroe on the
A HABITUAL shoplifter was jailed for 28 days by magistrates who said they wanted to be sure he was out of prison in time to be sentenced by a crown court judge. Blackburn magistrates heard that Richard Martin's offending was prompted by a heroin habit
A GRADE two listed building has been restored to its former glory after a five-year renovation project. The Canalside Community Association moved into the historic building in Lindsay Street, Burnley, in 2003. And cash from Burnley Council, the Heritage
PHASE one of Burnley FC's £30m re-vamp has been given the go-ahead. The club are one step closer to the re-development of Turf Moor and the surrounding area, after plans for a three-storey leisure and office development were approved unanimously by Burnley
RAIDERS armed with iron bars launched two car-jackings bids on pensioners in the space of 20 minutes. And police have appealed to Pendle's underworld to help them solve the 'obnoxious' crimes. On both occasions the pensioners refused to hand over their
A VICAR who was sacked after being caught downloading child porn was investigated for inappropriate behaviour with teenagers six years earlier, it has been revealed. Police, council workers and the Church of England carried out an investigation
A MAN was taken to hospital with two broken legs after a head-on collision on the A59 at Clitheroe. Police said that a Land Rover Discovery collided with a Ford Transit van at 7pm today. The accident happened on the west-bound side of the dual carriageway
ARMED police were called out after reports of a gunman threatening a youth in Blackburn. People in Whalley Old Road, Little Harwood, said up to four vans filled with officers turned up at around 7.10pm today. Police said that they were told that a 14
A MAN has been summonsed to court to face a charge of indecent assault relating to an attack on a piece of wasteland 16 years ago. The move came after officers from Greater Manchester Police's cold case review team re-examined evidence taken from the
A programme of free guided walks starts this weekend as part of The Valley of Stone' project. The first of 24 guided walks will be held on Sunday, April 6 and will be three miles long. The walk is to Moss and Landgate quarries, meeting at 1.30pm outside
CHIEF executive Jo Cubbon has been at the centre of a storm of protests during the three years that she has been trying to solve the financial crisis which enveloped East Lancashire's hospitals. Now, as she leaves her role almost three years to the
FRESH plans have been unveiled for the regeneration of Burnley's historic Weavers' Triangle - including waterfront apartments. Accrington-based Valegate Ltd is behind the ambitious bid to regenerate the former George Street Mill, on the banks of the
A LAWYER from Nelson is hoping to make it a three-way fight for Gordon Prentice's Pendle constituency at the next General Election. Father-of-five Afzal Anwar has staved off competition from Craven councillor Paul English and Cumbrian politician Neil
TALENTED young boxer Ibrahim Shah capped off a memorable few months by meeting the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen. The 12-year-old Audley Amateur Boxing Club member was invited to the Mayor's Parlour to meet Cllr Maureen McGarvey in recognition of his
AS a precursor to Art Around Downham, which is taking place in May, a children's art workshop is being held next week. With the aid of Bizi Lizi, of CBeebies fame, the workshops will be held at the village hall, Downham, from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday
BURNLEY'S muddy marvels have secured a place in the end-of-season promotion play-offs despite losing to Heaton Moor. Defeat handed Heaton Moor the North Lancs One title to Heaton Moor while Burnley's runners-up place in now guaranteed. They will now
A LANDOWNER faces legal action after "hundreds" of trees were chopped down without permission during a renovation project. Last month councillors voted to approve plans for four luxury houses and a swimming pool at Richardson House in Blackburn, which
THE head of Burnley Schools' Sixth Form said the future is bright under Building Schools for the Future (BSF) after a glowing report from Ofsted. Government inspectors have rated the Heald Road school good with outstanding features. The report is the
BRIAN Roche may have fought for British and Commonwealth titles but hosting his first ever boxing show ranks alongside those heady achievements. The Bacup-born boxer, whose 22-fight professional career spanned six years, holds his inaugural show at the
A DISQUALIFIED driver was warned that he faces a custodial sentence after being spotted driving off a pub car park. Blackburn magistrates heard that Frederick Fell had numerous convictions for driving while disqualified and in September was jailed for
AMONG the palms and golden beaches of The Gambia there's an increasingly common sight greeting tourists - Blackburn Rovers shirts! The famous blue and white halves are becoming the unofficial uniform of beach sellers, thanks to Ian Wiggins, who got fed
BLACKBURN were made to work hard for victory against a determined Hutton side in this friendly game. The game was played in a downpour and blustery wind which made any flowing rugby virtually impossible. Burn gave débuts for scrum half Gareth Bullen
JAK Cornthwaite has secured his place among the sailing elite after a top 20 finish in the World Laser Radial Youth Championships. It was a fantastic achievement for the 16-year-old from Baxenden who only took up sailing four years ago. The talented
THERE could be more than 4,000 holes in Blackburn, Lancashire, according to a new report. But council bosses say the claim is potty. The famous line from The Beatles hit A Day in the Life' made the town famous for its potholes in 1967. Now a report
ACCRINGTON Stanley chairman Eric Whalley has revealed that a £1.5m takeover bid for the club has been rejected. Former Blackburn-based businessman John Batchelor, who recently had a bid turned down to buy League Two rivals Mansfield Town and re-brand
MORE than a dozen motorists have had their cars seized after a three-day operation by police and road traffic agencies across Pendle. Roads police teamed up with the Department for Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Students raised £1,400 by holding an auction night at Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho. The event was organised and hosted by the Clitheroe Students Charity Committee - Emma Coffey, Lisa Emerson, Amy Killen, Luke Montague, Kim Pearce, Eleanor Ross and Tomas
A RESIDENTS' meeting, this time, last Friday, in the Longshaw Community Centre in the south west of Blackburn. At the end, a gentleman approached me, carrying an envelope. Many people do, and almost always the envelopes contain details of problems too
LOOKING sweet and angelic in this photograph are four dozen Blackburn youngsters outside church. Can we assume it is the day of their first Holy Communion at St Peter's? We don't know the date of this picture, however, or have any clue to the names
THE now-lost community of Greenbank, Blackburn, has been featured in Looking Back a number of times this year. Today, we go back to the area, which stood in the shadow of India Mill, to bring you two tales dating back to the early fifties. Both revolve
THE threat of terrorism is one of the biggest issues facing our communities. But for it to be tackled successfully it has to be brought out into the open and faced head on. That is why Lancashire police's new counter terrorism exercise, All Communities
AN artist has started work on a dolphin mural which is designed to stop gangs of yobs gathering in a subway. Bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council believe art accompanied by classical music will prove a success. Constant graffiti in the subway under
A CENTURY-old pub has finally called closing time after it was bought by a council for "regeneration work". Blackburn with Darwen council bosses would not reveal more about their plans for the Printers Arms, Accrington Road, Blackburn. But it is thought
The Mothers' Union are hosting the Diocesan Quiet Day on the 9th April led by Christine Mullineaux who is the Faith and Policy Co-ordinator. The day starts at 10am and finishes at 3pm. Please remember to take a packed lunch, drinks will be provided
THOUSANDS of people in East Lancashire who suffer from a common sleep disorder could be helped by a "spectacular" treatment. It is estimated that around 5,000 people in this area alone suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). Sufferers are unable
Another disaster was witnessed on this week's Apprentice. The girls who did so well last week imploded while the boys managed to put last week's differences aside to crack on with the task. At first glance it seemed that Jennifer Celerier was not managing
TWO motorists were seriously injured after their vehicles collided head-on in Slaidburn. A Mazda MX5 driven by a 39-year-old Clitheroe woman was travelling up the Fell Road, towards Slaidburn, when it collided with a white Fiat van. The van was being
AN EAST Lancashire legend who helped bring the good times to local cricket has died. And the son of Keith Barker has paid tribute to "a loving father who was always there for us" as well as being one of the greatest players in local league history.
A TEENAGER involved in an early hours melee outside a Burnley nightclub was given a 12-month conditional discharge. The town's magistrates had been told how apprentice joiner Michael Feeney, 18, had interfered as police were dealing with another man
TWO motorists were seriously injured after two cars collided head-on in Slaidburn. A Mazda MX5 driven by a woman was travelling up the Fell Road towards Slaidburn when it collided with a White Fiat van driven by a man, who had just overtaken what
Pendle Athletic Club signalled the start of the summer season with the first Track and Field Meeting in East Lancashire on Sunday. Local athletes turned out in numbers to hone their skills for the serious challenges ahead when the league season gets
BILLINGTON bike racer Phil Blackmore had a weekend to remember after scoring four top ten finishes at the opening round of the Derby Phoenix Championship. Blackmore, who rides a Suzuki GSXR 1000, is contesting both the Allcomers and the 750cc-1000cc
A RAWTENSTALL business-man has helped raise a grand amount for a cancer charity which touched his heart. Managing director Tony Garner of Viva PR, Bank Street, made £1,600 for The Genesis Appeal by embarking on a 15 mile charity hike. Viva had been
Eccleshill Parish Council Dates for the 2008 Parish Council Meetings Hoddlesden Community Centre 7.30pm ------------------------------------------------- February 4th March 3rd Annual General Meeting April 7th Annual Parish Meeting
YOUNG carers will turn film-makers in a £20,000 scheme to create a DVD about their lives. Members of Blackburn with Darwen Young Carers, part of charity Child Action North West, will talk about their experiences on camera, as well as documenting the
Ben Lindsay is one of 10 of the country's best young middle distance prospects who are set to become the first men to join the On Camp with Kelly' programme. The scheme, headed by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and which supports our
Lancashire soldiers' hopes of returning home early from war-torn Iraq have been dashed following an escalation in violence. The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment flew out to Basra in November for a six month peace-keeping tour. A month earlier, Prime Minister
I am a volunteer on the Hoddlesden Millennium Green Trust. Each summer we organise a successful Grand Summer Picnic' on the Hoddlesden Millennium Green, which usually attracts around 120 local people majority of which are families. Last year we
Stonehill Garden Centre Sunnybower, who are supporting "Rishton in Bloom", have kindly donated 1400 sunflower seeds. Every primary school child in Rishton was given two sunflower seeds during the first week in April - THIS IS NOT AN APRIL FOOL !!!
JONATHAN Walker scored a creditable third place at Sunday's British Open Championship at the Three Sisters circuit, near Wigan, and declared: "This is just the start." The OO Plate', as the event is known after the number plate bearing an OO' is awarded
THE makers of a new Blackburn-based feature film are making a last-minute call for extras. The producers of Bar Stewards are filming the final scenes at Liquid and Envy nightclub in St Peter Street tomorrow. The film is being shot on a minimal budget
A MAN has been jailed for three years for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. Colin Andrew Sagar, 39, of Booth Street, Accrington, was jailed at Preston Crown Court today after being found guilty of inciting the girl to have sex. He is expected to
DEDICATED donors from East Lancashire have urged others to help save lives by giving blood. They were speaking after those who have made reached the milestone of donating more than 75 times were honoured. Retired police officer Ian Beetham, from Blackburn
THE opening round of the Triumph Triple Challenge was just that for bike racer Maria Costello. The female TT lap record holder endured a tough debut weekend at Donington Park riding her Philip Youles-backed machine. Maria, who lives in Leyland, suffered
Clayton-le-Moors Harriers have won a team bronze medal at the British Masters Cross Country Championships at Banbury. Masters is the modern term for veterans, and the Clayton club was competing in the Men's Age 40-49 class. England Veteran International
Actor Roger Lloyd Pack is perhaps best known for playing the nice-but-dim Trigger in classic British comedy Only Fools And Horses. But in his latest role - the harrowing The Living and The Dead - he plays someone on the brink of insanity. This disturbing
THIEVES are targeting gardens with flag stones and ornaments. Police are calling on residents in the Whitehall area of Darwen to stay vigilant as more than £500 worth of coping stones and a stone trough have been stolen from gardens since Friday. Two
If club bike racing is your sport, then Oulton Park is the place to be this Saturday when Thundersports GB host round two of their championship. On the bill are races for Aprilia 125 Superteens, Thundersport 600, Street Fighter, Powerbikes, GP2, GP3
Walking around Blackburn Town Centre over the last few weeks, I've started to notice a worrying trend - lack of people around. I realise its holiday time, and people take days out and about but please spare a thought for us in Blackburn. During all this
OWEN Coyle insists there is no urgency for Besart Berisha to make his Clarets comeback before the end of the season. The Albanian winger has yet to make his Burnley debut after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury while on international duty back
RYAN Nelsen fears football is in danger of becoming a non-contact sport if referees continue to act as passion killers. Blackburn Rovers' New Zealand international was one of EIGHT players who entered referee Mark Clattenburg's notebook during the goalless
A ten-year-old actress has made her first on-screen appearance in a UK action movie featuring a host of famous names. Lois Clossick from Billington made her film debut alongside the likes of Joey Ansah from The Bourne Ultimatum and Danny John-Jules,
A HELPLINE has been set up for people entitled to free bus travel. Since Tuesday, people over the age of 60 are allowed free local bus travel anywhere in England between 9.30am and 11pm. Lancashire County Council is administering the scheme locally
THE absolutely disgusting photo of a hunter about to cruelly club a Harp seal pup should have occupied the full front page of the newspaper. I shall never buy anything from Canada again. NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
JUST what did the BBC Panorama programme (March 28) tell us about the depths to which our society has sunk in 2008? Gangs in the UK (including Blackburn) are grooming, or perhaps it's more appropriate to say pimping' white girls, as young as 12 and 13
A PATCH of fast-spreading and illegal weed is to be hacked down after becoming a haunt for gangs of underage drinkers. Hyndburn Council is spending £55,000 on clearing the Japanese knotweed from land next to Spring Hill Care Home, Fairfield Street, Accrington
WELL done Transdev Lancashire United buses for investing £720,000 on the single decker buses 18, 19 22 routes (Mill Hill) (LT, March 26). David Wilson, commercial development boss, says the low height flat floor and well placed stanchions make it easy
I HAVE followed the sad and chilling attacks on Sophie and Robert since the news first broke. No words can bring Sophie back and her parents, relatives and friends will hopefully find some strength from the lovely messages people send to them from all
AS A member of the first Parent Patrol in Blackburn, having seen and heard a great deal of negative comments about the idea, I would like to say that following the dreadful murder of Sophie Lancaster from Bacup, perhaps more patrols are needed. This
Karl Billington has played a full part in a dominant display from the English Schools' Team at the SIAB Schools' Cross Country International in Perth, Scotland. Making his international debut in the U17 age group, the 15-year-old Blackburn Harrier finished
Novice driver Matt Griffin made it onto the podium of the North Humberside Stages - with some help from the spectators. Matt, 17, who was competing on only his second event, spun into a ditch on the very last test. Luckily for Matt and co-driver
MICHAEL Duff may soon be back in the first team frame, after emerging from his sixth consecutive reserve game unscathed. The central defender, who feared his season had been completely written off by the multiple knee ligament damage he suffered in September
Accrington Motorsport Club are holding an introduction night at Accrington Cricket Club, Thorneyholme Road, on Friday April 11. Starting at 8pm, competitors and organisers from all branches of the sport will be on hand to answer questions and give
THE longest-running and most prestigious time trial organised by any of our East Lancashire-based clubs is Sunday's Circuit of the Dales, promoted by the Nelson Wheelers Cycling Club. Event secretary Steve Wilkinson, of Barrowford, has received almost
Rishton rallyman Steve Entwistle is seeded at car 32 for Sunday's Ilkley Jubilee Classic, the second round of the HRCR Clubmans Championship. The event starts at Craven Cattle Market, Skipton at 8.45am with 60 cars and crews tackling a series of special
ASWAD Thomas could have played his last game for Accrington Stanley as he serves a three-match ban. The 18-year-old defender - on-loan from Championship outfit Charlton - has returned to the Addicks while he sits out his ban, which he picked up following
