PLANS are being drawn up for a new football stadium to replace Colne FC's Holt House ground. The stadium is expected to be built on open land between the current ground and nearby Nelson and Colne Rugby Club. It would be used to host football, rugby
A SEX beast twice raped a teenager after she had been put to bed at a party when she felt ill. Sheraz Bhatti's 17-year-old victim, who was a virgin, was on medication and her drink may have been laced, Burnley Crown Court heard. She was virtually insensible
A FACTORY worker drove his car into a packed crowd outside a house party killing 16-year-old Burnley girl Jane Young, a murder trial in New Zealand has been told. Ex-boxer Lipine Sila, 22, is accused of ploughing into Jane, and another 16-year-old, Hannah
AN investigation is underway after 14 cars were allegedly either broken into or damaged in one Pendle neighbourhood within the space of 48 hours. Police received reports of around 12 vehicles being targeted in the Leeds Road area of Nelson on Friday
CELEBRITY Burnley fan Alastair Campbell will be starting off a bikeathon in the town to raise money for charity. For the fifth year in a row, a group of Burnley FC supporters are undertaking a mammoth bike ride to celebrate the final home game of the
A HAPLESS teenager asked two police officers if they could get him a taxi home - then pulled a bag of cocaine out of his pocket. Realising his mistake, say police, the teenager fled the scene and jumped into the nearby Leeds and Liverpool canal. But
A RETIRED property developer has told how a friend's dog saved his life after he fell down a ravine and was left stranded on Pendle Hill. Bernard Penine, 60, lay trapped at the bottom of a steep gulley for over eight hours after he slipped and fell
A ROMAN Catholic college that admits pupils from all over the world has announced major changes to the way it is governed. Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green, near Clitheroe, is planning to establish a self-governing charity to own and manage the future
THE MANAGER of a Blackburn shisha cafe has been accused of flouting new anti-smoking laws for a second time. Muhammed Jaber pleaded not guilty to failing to stop people smoking in the Sahara Cafe on Darwen Street on October 26 and obstructing an enforcement
Try your hand at glass painting at Rossendale Museum, Haslingden Road. Sunday, 27th April, 1.30-3.30pm. Suitable for adults and beginners. Booking essential at £3.50 per head including materials. Contact 01706 260785
A DAD who armed himself with knives and upset passers-by after going to confront his former partner is awaiting sentence. Burnley magistrates heard how Terence Patrick Brown, 33, had turned up at a house in Nelson at 4pm, threatened to put the windows
A 15-year-old Burnley girl who flouted a community order given to her by a judge got a last chance to comply. Burnley Crown Court heard how the teenager did not attend appointments, did not get out of bed when an alcohol adviser attended her home and
A 64-year-old man was seen on CCTV lying on the floor blocking the entrance to Alma Street car park at 4.50 pm. Blackburn magistrates heard that when police went to investigate they found Kenneth Joseph Redfern in a drunken state and he was abusive to
A BLACKBURN school is to be demolished and rebuilt as part of a £7million revamp. St Stephen's CE Junior School, on St. Stephen's Avenue, will be knocked down and a new school built on the site. The new, bigger school will cater for children from St
THE LONG forgotten grave of Blackburn Rovers' founder John Lewis has been restored to its former glory. After launching a search for his decendants, the club have completely renovated his grave and pledged to maintain it. John Lewis, a coachbuilder
LANCASHIRE police have had a record intake of women recruits - with 50 per cent of new starters being female. It means the force is the first in the country to have an annual intake where both genders are represented equally. Out of the 182 new recruits
Burnley's Player of the Year Awards are on the horizon and you can play your part by sending in your nominations for the 'Player of the Year'. A shorlist has been drawn up and the five contenders for the award are: Wade Elliott, Chris McCann, Graham
PUPILS are interviewing prospective new teachers in a bid to give youngsters a voice at their school. A panel of youngsters from Blakewater College's school council are allowed to fire questions at potential new staff as part of the recruitment process
A taxi driver drove off without paying after filling up with diesel at a Blackburn petrol station. Blackburn magistrates heard that Ibrahim Kara had been offered a caution by police on condition he paid £61.17 owed to the filling station but didn't
A TEENAGER was left unconscious after a vicious attack on him and his two friends. Ryan Callaghan and Tom Walker, both 16, and a 16-year-old friend were set upon by a group of up to 10 youths outside the New Moon Chinese takeaway, Chapel Street, Mill
RESIDENTS are being warned not to fall for a lottery scam which appears to be backed by Lancashire police. Letters have been sent out to random members of the public stating that they have won a £70,000 lottery prize. The letter, from a company called
A HIGH school is inviting former pupils and teachers to help celebrate its 50th anniversary. Park High School, Colne, will open on Saturday, April 26, for former pupils and teachers to meet and exchange stories as part of their anniversary celebrations
This Saturday, Oswaldtwistle Library is garing up to receive high numbers of new library joiners as part of the National Year of Reading's ground-breaking new national initiative - 'Join a Library Day'. Join a Libray Day launches a diverse ongoing
A MOTHER whose son died in a road accident 17 years ago is appealing for help in finding his military medal before she leaves Darwen. David Shorrock was 15 when he was killed riding pillion on a motorbike in July 1991. As a member of an Army Cadets
A NEW service website for births, marriages and deaths has been launched by Lancashire County Council. The council's Registration Service has updated part of its website to provide information on how to register a birth or death, and make arrangements
A FAMILY of seven is taking legal action against a tour operator after their dream trip turned in to a 'holiday from hell'. Rosemarie Latham, 36, from Accrington, booked the all-inclusive family holiday to the Hotel Club Atlantico, Guardalavaca, Cuba
A RAWTENSTALL boutique has taken the first step in urging the town to become plastic bag-free - and raising money for charity in the process. Sunday Best in Bank Street, has created an eco-bag' which can be re-used over and over again to protect the
MORE than 100 jobs could be created at a Blackburn company over the next four years, according to the man behind its success. Precision Polymer Engineering Ltd (PPE), Greenbank Road, is about to embark on an expansion of its factory floor space which
A COMPANY that specialises in selling glitter to schools is looking at a bright future after new owners took charge. A management buyout at Ronald Britton Ltd, Springfield House, Lower Eccleshill Road, Darwen, from its parent company, Wolstenholme International
THE housing market is experiencing its slowest rate of growth for more than a decade and concerns over the economy have led the former Iron Chancellor Gordon Brown to state that it's his number one priority. We look at the property market in East Lancashire
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an attempted robbery on a schoolgirl. The 15-year-old was on her way to school in Orkney Close, Blackburn, at 9am when she was approached by three youths. One grabbed her by the arm of her jacket, and another
A 23-year-old man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with conspiracy to murder after being extradited from Ireland. Craig Monaghan, of no fixed address, was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court, where he will be dealt with along with
The main focus of this week has been learning how to handle and fire an SA 80 assault rifle. Firstly we were taught the correct drills for handling the weapon as well as how to strip it down for cleaning and then put it back together. It was difficult
HASLINGDEN-based Interfloor has bought Stikatak Ltd, a supplier of flooring accessories to the UK retail, contract and DIY segments. Interfloor chairman Phil Reeder said: "In the last three years we have invested significantly to improve our business
COLNE Library wants volunteers to help shape and promote the service in the community. A group comprising 10 to 12 people would help form an associated friends group providing a forum for social and cultural activities. Anyone interested should attend
AN EAST Lancashire engineering firm has cemented its position by snapping up a bundle of intellectual property rights, designs and drawings. Wheelbase Engineering, off Lower Eccleshill Road, Darwen, has consolidated one of its own niche business areas
A BLACKBURN entrepreneur has brought his 3D animation company to life with the help of a £4,000 grant. John Bell's company Hyperion FX has been funded through Business Investment Deals (BID), a No Limits project that supports start up companies. BID
AN Accrington-based home and giftware specialist has undergone a £2.3million management buyout. The deal has been led by Straits' existing managing director Marvin Lomax and finance director Paul Aspin and sees the duo acquire controlling stakes in the
A COMMUNICATIONS company has taken advantage of a £5million award windfall to continue its expansion. Daisy Communications Ltd, Lindred Road Business Park, Nelson, has used the cash from its Bank of Scotland Entrepreneur Challenge victory last December
BOSSES at an engineering company hope that a £1.2million takeover of a rival firm will allow them to build on their success. Merc Engineering, the Barrowford-based precision engineering company, has acquired Bright Spark Precision Engineering, Nelson
DEFENDER Steven Caldwell had the best of both worlds at Southampton on Saturday. The Clarets captain's primary target is always a clean sheet. But he has also been determined to add more goals to his game this season. The 27-year-old was naturally
A VILLAGE community centre could be handed over to residents under a Pendle Council plan. Trawden Forest Parish Council is to set up a steering group to discuss the benefits of taking over control of the centre from the borough council. It would mean
A NEW village youth club has opened thanks to community grants. More than £4,000 has been donated for Foulridge Youth Club, by organisations including village firm Westons EU Ltd, Foulridge Parish Council and Lancashire Police, and more is expected from
TESCO has cut 40 jobs from its Nelson store, just weeks after opening. Tesco Metro opened in February in the former Kwik Save building, off Broadway, with around 120 staff. A spokesman for the supermarket giant said all those who had been axed were
The latest round of Community Network Grants is now open for bidding. If you work for a voluntary, community or faith group and would like to receive up to £5,000 to fund a project, Community Network Grants will be right up your street. For further
From May until July, Barnoldswick Library is hosting quite an unusual exhibition. 'History of Medical Matters in Barnoldswick'will include information on the provision of medical care for local people before the advent of the health service, epidemics
The latest round of Community Network Grants is now open for bidding. If you work for a voluntary, community or faith group and would like to receive up to £5,000 to fund a project, Community Network Grants will be right up your street. For further
One in three workers feel demotivated and many plan to quit their job in the next year, according to a report out today. A survey of almost 3,000 adults showed the main reasons for wanting to move were unreasonable work-load, feeling underpaid and
ST Andrew's CE Primary School, Rawtenstall, is likely to be affected by strike action on Thursday, April 24. The day of action has been called for by the National Union of Teachers as part of a national dispute over pay. Three or four classes at
THE family of a father who was found hanging next to his daughter's grave are flying to Jersey for the funeral. Andrew Deegan, 29, was found hanging next to the grave of his daughter at the Belle Vue Cemetery in Jersey. Family members are hoping to
LOWER Darwen residents may get the chance to vote on plans for a Darwen Town Council. A referendum is set to be held in September on whether to set up a separate council for the town. A report presented to councillors said people living in Earcroft,
The Sir Charles Napier is hosting Blackburn's biggest ever battle of the bands with the chance to win a radio quality recording from reload studio, £250 and a full days recording from substance studio this is a competition well any band entering
CUP holders East Lancs beat league champions Rishton to win the traditional Lancashire League curtain-raiser, the Ron Singleton Colne Trophy. Captain Mark Bolton was the hero, taking five for 12.
A SERIOUSLY ill former psychiatric nurse "exploded" and attacked his elderly parents in a row over his Post Office book, a court was told. Stuart McCullock, 47, pushed his 79-year-old mother Margaret and 81-year-old father James, who he now lives with
OWEN Coyle hailed a solid defensive performance after Burnley achieved their best points total in six years with a win at relegation-threatened Southampton. The Clarets boss, who has earned 40 of the 61 points to date since taking charge in mid-November
CABINET Minister Jack Straw has admitted that the row over the abolition of the 10p tax band has given the government a problem'. But he has dismissed reports that he could take over from a beleagured Gordon Brown as 'idle speculation.' Reports say
AS THE spring migration gets into full swing, there are few more interesting places to visit than Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust near Southport. The reserve is well signed from the M6 and the A59. There is a shop, a cafe plus plenty of comfortable
EVERY so-called "serious" birdwatcher has a favourite bird. Mine has long been the Eider and I have studied it for more than 40 years. We all know of an Eiderdown, but we have now discarded these in favour of our duvet. We need not worry however, because
The Hibernian Tranquiliser. Is this a drink? No. Is it an Irish boxer? No. Actually it is a humorous name for the blackthorn of sloe tree. Why this name? The wood of this shrub is black especially when seen in contrast to the white blossom seen to perfection
A new volunteering project for people in Blackburn with Darwen aged 16 to 25 has been launched. Blackburn with Darwen V Project takes the place of the former Millennium Volunteers initiative. The project operates out of Blackburn with Darwen Volunteer
AN improving Clitheroe side twice came from behind to earn a point against title challengers Curzon. After early pressure, Curzon took a 17th minute lead when Chris Worsley's shot struck the underside of the bar before bouncing down over the line and
MARIO Daniel was on target for Rossendale as they earned a point at Giant Axe. The home side broke the deadlock on 70 minutes through striker Jimmy Love. But Daniel levelled for the Stags just two minutes later.
A 75th minute goal from Andy Sensale rescued a point for Ramsbottom after Louis Scott had earlier netted a penalty for lowly Abbey Hey.
Darwen had to field a much depleted side against champions-elect New Mills. The game started badly for the Salmoners, with Carlos Meakin sliding the ball past Calum Heneghan in goal after three minutes. Meakin tapped in a second, after earlier hitting
Colne manager Nigel Coates is delighted at his side's incredible finish to the season which has seen the Reds record just one defeat in their last 14 games and that was to the Vodkat Division One champions-elect Trafford. This victory against Winsford
A new volunteering project for people in Blackburn with Darwen aged 16 to 25 has been launched. Blackburn with Darwen V Project takes the place of the former Millennium Volunteers initiative. The project operates out of Blackburn with Darwen Volunteer
For the second succesive season, Bacup Borough have prolonged the promotion celebrations for Salford City - and helped their own relegation worries in the meantime. Bacup enjoyed the best of the play early on and, on the half-hour mark, they netted
VOLUNTEER awards honouring people who make a difference to others lives will take place in May. More than 30 individuals and groups will be recognised for their contribution to the community at the he first Pendle Community Volunteer Awards. The awards
Frail batting saw Chorley slump to defeat by 45 runs against Leyland at Fox Lane in their opening Northern League fixture. A fine all-round performance from Andrew Makinson set up Leyland's 15-points victory. Makinson top-scored with 33 in the home
Blackburn Rovers skipper Ryan Nelsen admitted Manchester United's last-gasp equaliser on Saturday had a gut-wrenching' effect on the dressing room. For 67 minutes, Rovers led 1-0, thanks to Roque Santa Cruz's 20th goal of the season, but Carlos Tevez
Lancashire and Derbyshire were forced to watch the rain fall at Old Trafford yesterday as their opening Friends Provident Trophy North Division game was washed out without a ball bowled. Both sides are hoping to better their 2007 performance when neither
Darwen failed to gain a single point from their opening game in the Northern League, losing by eight wickets at St Annes. Darwen batted first and progressed confidently to 60 before professional Atif Ashraf became the first of Twist's five victims,
A sex offender who failed to comply with the terms of a court order has been given a chance. Aaron Porter was on a community order for abducting a girl in Accrington and having indecent images of a child. He then left his accommodation when the nature
SCOUTS and Guides in Blackburn took part in their annual St George's parade yesterday. The youngsters marched from Corporation Park to the town centre, and held a service in the King George's Hall. Scouts and Guides throughout the UK traditionally
As International TV Turnoff Week kicks off, I'm coming out in a cold sweat. After various run-ins with the children about telly-related stuff, I decided that special switch-off week presented the perfect opportunity to do just that. I thought it might
MANY of our town centres seem to have become a magnet for teenagers who tend to congregate in the street to chat because there is nowhere else for them to hang out without spending money. Some people, especially the elderly, can find these groups intimidating
IT'S more than six months since I had a dig at Darwen FC's chairman Ted Ward and his big plans for the future of the club. Heard it all before. For close on 50 years. Yawn. I finished off my column last October with the line: "Fans like me have wrestled
A MANCHESTER man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery at a Blackburn jewellers. Jeffery Groom, 29, of Blackley was arrested after police executed two warrants in the Blackley and Middleton areas of Manchester. Groom was subsequently
Under 7's. Padiham Saints 2 Rishton 0. Goalscorer And Man Of the Match Ben Smith. A good all round team performance. Under 10 Rooks. Rooks 3 Colne 0. Goalscorers Callum Sudders 2, Curtis Sykes 1. Man of the Match Suddz. A comprehensive win for
JASON Roberts said he has rarely felt more deflated than he did on Saturday evening following Carlos Tevez's last-gasp equaliser. Roberts and his Blackburn team-mates were two minutes away from recording a famous victory over Manchester United at a packed
RE the story about giving out toast (LT, April 12). I thought it was a joke. All I have to say is they need punishing, not blackmailing, because that's what it is, blackmail. Whatever next? MRS GLADYS ROBINSON, Hawthorn Cottage, Edge End, Great Harwood
IN respect of the debate regarding free bus travel, I was a little perplexed to read that the previous borough-wide scheme was free at all times "across the county". I don't know where County Councillor Tomlinson got his information from, but someone
THE Singing, Ringing Tree. Does anyone know where it is? We arrived in Burnley to see this structure and we asked about 10 local people, none of whom had heard of it. We saw up in the hills what could possibly be this structure, followed our instincts
WHAT a disgusting mess the chip pan was in, shown in your chip pan amnesty' picture (LT, April 14), displayed by Wayne Smith. Perhaps the filthiest chip pan available was displayed as a "shock" deterrent? The chip pan in the picture is a prime example
THE family of a 51-year-old murder victim have spoken of their shock at losing a kind' and 'loving' man. Joseph Conroy was found with serious head injuries at his flat in Redearth Road, Darwen, on Friday afternoon. Police said the keen fisherman
NICK Dougherty's withdrawal from the Verizon Heritage tournament at Hilton Head came after his mother Ennis suffered a heart attack. The 25-year-old Shaw Hill professional, who was leading until running up a quadruple-bogey eight late in his second round
PUNCHY and brief, Tessellate shows that Tokyo Police Club can move onto songs that aren't about robot overlords, without losing their vigour. The Canadian quartet's progression towards their debut album has been achingly slow, but on the evidence of
THE Shortwave Set are reputed to be renowned producer Danger Mouse's favourite band - and not just because they're fantastic. After all, Danger Mouse (of Gnarls Barkley fame) did produce their latest album, Replica Sun Machine, from which this single
THIEVES stole money and jewellery from Burnley players' wallets and bags during Saturday's victory over Southampton. Police were called to the St Mary's stadium, Southampton, minutes after the final whistle, when players from both sides returned to the
BLACKBURN Rovers appear to be in the dark in regard to reports of a possible takeover led by sportswear supremo Chris Ronnie. One of the Sunday tabloids yesterday carried a story in which it was claimed Ronnie is heading a consortium that plans to make
Seventeen-year-old Nasreen Sheikh enjoyed getting close to the chocolate fountain on her aunt's stall when Blackburn Market staged a speciality food and handmade crafts event on Saturday. In the first of five speciality markets this year, 10 extra
