A VULNERABLE' disabled man has been punched in the face before being robbed for just £3.40, police said. The 33-year-old, who suffers from learning disabilities, was attacked in the toilets below Padiham Town Hall on Friday April 25. The attacker demanded
A WORLD War Two plane will traverse the skies as a village steps back in time to the 1940s in a bid to raise money for charity. The event, which will take place at the Rolls Royce plant in Barnoldswick, is the brainchild of Sally Lambert and Mary Brennan
A SEQUEL has been pencilled in for a groundbreaking movie showcase in Rossendale, which attracted rave reviews last year. Young directors will again be descending on the Valley when the 2008 Bacup Film Festival takes place on October 24 and 25. More
SIX people were arrested and seven properties were searched as part of a major inquiry into the illegal use of digital TV set-top boxes. The five men and one woman were detained in Blackburn yesterday by more than 40 officers as part of a joint investigationb
A POLICE investigation into how 27 voters were registered at the family home of a would-be MP has cleared him of any wrongdoing. Detectives in Pendle were called in following a complaint from the borough's Labour Party offices regarding the number of
Sophie Lancaster's mum Sylvia, who has launched the SOPHIE campaign to encourage a greater tolerance, said: "Justice can never be done because it will never bring her back." About 60 friends of Sophie, many dressed in goth clothes, waited in the street
A PROLIFIC criminal was caught out after taking a snap of himself with a stolen camera. Police had been searching for serial burglar Christ-opher Ormerod Sears, 44, when they tracked him down to a friend's home in Curlew Gardens, Burnley, Preston Crown
LAST ditch talks are being held in a bid to avert a Blackburn with Darwen Council workers pay strike, which is due to start next Wednesday. Around 600 workers at Blackburn with Darwen council are expected to take part in the "unlimited" walkout on May
SIX people were arrested and seven properties were searched as part of a major inquiry into the illegal use of digital TV set-top boxes. The five men and one woman were detained in Blackburn today by more than 40 officers as part of a joint investigation
REJUVENATION work on a neglected piece of land will continue, even though a developer is interested in using the site for a £22million leisure complex. Blackburn with Darwen Council says it will continue with a consultation period to find out how residents
A POSTMASTER allegedly groomed a schoolgirl for his sexual gratification and groped a pregnant customer at the premises he ran, a jury was told. "Sexual predator" Alan Holden, 60, allegedly gave the 12-year-old massages, talked to her about people walking
NELSON and Colne College's new head is hoping to strengthen links with businesses and industry when she takes up her role. Lyn Surgeon, who becomes principal of the college on June 2, is looking forward to the challenges involved in the amalgamation
A GRANDFATHER was trapped in a mechanical digger and died in a farmyard accident. Retired company director Tony Taylor, 66, was driving a Bobcat with a metal 'bucket' on the front at his home in Whalley Old Road, Rishton, when the incident happened on
TWO women were attacked in the street by teenage girls asking for a fight. One woman, in her 20s, was approached in Bolton Road, Blackburn, by a girl at around 8.15pm on Thursday. After being asked to fight she was grabbed by the hair, pulled to the
SOPHIE Lancaster's teenage murderers were branded feral thugs' by a judge as he sent them to jail for life. Brendan Harris, 15, and Ryan Herbert, 16, carried out a "hate crime against harmless people", Judge Anthony Russell QC said. He said: "At least
THREE teenagers who were involved in the attack on Sophie Lancaster's boyfriend have today been jailed and can be named for the first time after the judge lifted an order banning the press from identifying them. Brothers Joseph, 17, and Danny Hulme
A BLACKBURN Rovers star has helped keep young offenders on the straight and narrow - by getting them involved in football coaching for children. Full back Brett Emerton visited Hindley Young Offenders Institution near Wigan as part of a Prince's Trust
A PENSIONER has been convicted of sexually abusing a girl. Leonard Hoy, 68, of Albert Street, Burnley, was convicted at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court of indecent assault. His victim, who lived in the Oldham area, came forward in February 2007
A POLICE car had a brick thrown through its windscreen while parked outside a police station. The patrol vehicle, which was in Grange Street, Accrington, also had a side window broken at around 3.20am on Wednesday. The total cost of the damage was around
TWO men sparked a major terrorism alert when they had large numbers of gas canisters delivered to their illegal cannabis farm. Police pounced on the industrial estate in Birley Street, Blackburn, after a tip off in the wake of a foiled car bombing in
ACCRINGTON kept up their Lancashire League renaissance with an emphatic 34-run victory at Bacup. A full Saturday programme saw the Thorneyholme Road outfit grab another maximum 12 points. It is an unexpected excellent start to the campaign for Accy
THE funeral of an "amazing" Chorley teenager who was killed in a coach crash in Ecuador took place today. Rebecca Logie was one of five British women - four teenagers and a 26-year-old - who died as they travelled from the country's capital, Quito, to
A packed week started with the dreaded Chief Petty Officer's kit inspection. We had to lay all our kit out on our beds, cleaned and pressed to a very high standard. Unfortunately we both failed - an item of Adam's kit was missing, and Nick had not
A FIREFIGHTER is set to take 12 workmates on a Spanish holiday after scooping £100,000 in a TV challenge. Father-of-two Chris Rainford, 43, took on former England and current Yorkshire captain Darren Gough in Sunday's episode of the ITV show Beat the
A man whose girlfriend was murdered in a Lancashire park for being a goth finds the world a "terrifying place", a court has heard. Robert Maltby, 21, was beaten, kicked and stamped unconscious in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, by a gang of drunken teenagers
Darwen picked up their first points of the season on Saturday with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over a weary looking Netherfield. Darwen won the toss and put the visitors in to bat and the decision reaped early rewards as the young Bhamji put in
MOTORISTS who use their mobile phones while driving have been given a strong warning after a businessman was fined £500 for the offence. Issuing the fine, believed to be one of the highest handed out for the offence in Blackburn, to Shakeel Ahmed
ENTERPRISING pupils have produced their own anti-drugs DVD, which is to be sold to schools throughout Lancashire. The year 10 pupils from at Our Lady and St John High School, Blackburn, were inspired to make the video for their Young Enterprise project
Baber Naeem enjoyed a successful weekend with bat and ball while Barnoldswick continue to spring surprises in the Veka Ribblesdale League senior division. The Edenfield professional took a hat-trick in Saturday's three wicket win over Padiham. Twenty
ANOTHER sighting of the so-called "beast of Hoddlesden" has added to reports of a big cat roaming the area. Catherine Riley, 39, of Bolton Road, Ewood, was on her way to visit her horse at its stables at Brockenhead Farm, off Roman Road, when she saw
A 22-year-old woman decided not to make a complaint to police after a male friend assaulted her. But five days later Andrew Edward Dodds staged a repeat performance, attacking Nicole Hughes without warning. Dodds, 21, of West View, Haslingden, pleaded
First name please. Bill. Spell that please. B-i-l-l. That's Bill! I know. But you're saying Bull! Surname? Taylor. Spell that please. T-a-y-l-o-r.< That's Taylor. I know. But you're saying Tyler! So you're called Bull Tyler
Saturday was a memorable day for Alex MacDonald who came on with 11 minutes to go to make his Burnley debut. The 18-year-old second year apprentice even claimed an assist for Clarke Carlisle's goal in the 3-3 draw with Cardiff City. "Alex came
AN AWARD-WINNING restaurant in Ramsbottom is looking to add scoop another crown. Ramsons, run by owners Chris and Ros Johnson, has once again been nominated for North West Restaurant of the Year award in Which? Good Food Guide. The public are invited
TWO men were due in court today charged in connection with the theft of a £56,000 car. Imran Khan, 20, of Kensington Street, Bradford and Shaheryar Rehman, 21 of Highfield Gardens, Bradford were both arrested on Saturday morning in Bradford by West
I know this isn't specifically about Hoddlesden, but the lady who rang me up to tell me about this event said it was ok to put it on here, as it's something for the local communities. The Pickup Bank chapel is having one of it's 4-a-year services this
A CROSS-dressing man who escaped a low-security hospital has been found after a four-day search. Stephen Hibbs, 54, disappeared from accommodation at Kemple View Hospital, Langho, on Thursday evening. Police said that Mr Hibbs suffers from a personality
I know this isn't specifically about Eccleshill, but the lady who rang me up to tell me about this event said it was ok to put it on here, as it's something for the local communities. The Pickup Bank chapel is having one of it's 4-a-year services this
BANK HALL Neigh-bourhood policing team, Burnley, were splattered with paint by 10 youths - but with the officers' consent. The trip to Hapton's Millennium Paintball Centre was organised by PCSO Fletcher as a reward to the young people who took part in
The Aldephi public house, round the corner from Telegraph Towers, are raising money for the Rosemere Cancer Centre charity, by having a five-a-side footabll competition in May this year. Have some fun and raise money for a very good cause at the same
EAST Lancashire's wealthiest slipped down the rankings in the Sunday Times Rich List 2008. Dropping 11 places from last year at number 44, was Rossendale-born John Whittaker who has an estimated fortune of £1.5billion. Now living on the Isle of Man,
Scotland made a disastrous start to their Friends Provident Trophy campaign in Edinburgh as Lancashire earned clinical revenge for last season's shock at Old Trafford. The Scots had no answer to the pace and power of the Lightning attack, which did
OXJAM organiser Gemma Taylor put on a gig at the Cornerhouse Pub in Colne yesterday for charity. The former music promoter used her contacts in the music industry to organise an impressive line-up, which included Mitzy & Mabel, PaperWives, Sam Hird
FORMER Labour supremo and avid Burnley FC fan Alastair Campbell led a lap of honour ahead of an epic charity bike ride on Saturday. The former Downing Street press secretary rode with the Burnley Bike Riders before the club's final home game of the season
I WAS amazed at Councillor Salim Mulla (LT, April 9). He said forget America and back France. When we had our backs to the wall after Dunkirk, who stood by us - America. Europe was burning and supplies of food, oil and raw materials came on convoys
WHITLEY Local History Group would like to contact relatives of Sapper William Gibson, Royal Engineers, who died in a bomb explosion on Whitley Common, on the outskirts of Coventry on October 18, 1940. During the Blitz on Coventry in the Second World
I WISH to express my astonishment at the following facts: Blackburn with Darwen is going to tear up contracts of employment belonging to my relative along with many of his colleagues. It wants him to sign a new contract with a reduced salary, rendering
AFTER reading the article regarding breastfeeding, in (LT, April 21), I agree that mothers should be fully supported with breastfeeding in public and that there are benefits for the baby health-wise. However, I disagree that promotion of powdered milk
CLARETS striker Andrew Cole has branded Cardiff defender Darren Purse a "muppet" after a horror tackle left him needing 10 stitches. Cole was left with a gaping wound in his right leg after Purse caught him with a high lunge in the closing minutes of
THERE is no doubt that late April through May to early June is one of the most exciting times in the year. Bird migration is in full swing with many birds moving north to breed. This includes many wildfowl including one of my favourite species - the
THE trouble is with watching nature at this time of year is that you don't know where to look. Keeping the eyes on the ground will reveal many wonderful plants including the butterbur which thrives alongside our rivers and canals. This fascinating plant
I HAVE often wondered how birds keep warm, why they have such attractive shapes and colours and why they fly so easily and with such grace. The answer is all in the feathers. There are three basic types of feathers called down, contour and flight feathers
MARK Hughes believes his Blackburn players can take the race for Europe to the final day after yesterday's narrow 1-0 victory at Portsmouth provided fresh hope. Roque Santa Cruz's second-half winner at Fratton Park ensured Rovers closed the gap to four
Lancashire's overseas batsman Brad Hodge will miss the next five weeks of the domestic season to play for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. He said said: "Twenty20 is a format that I really enjoy and have a good record in, and to be
YOUNGSTERS from across the north of England descended on Darwen Library Theatre for a weekend celebration of song and dance. The annual Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music and Dance attracted dancers from as far as the North East and Yorkshire to perform
THE difficult fixtures did not let up for Darwen and they had it all to do again as Oldham took the lead on 20 minutes. The ball was lost in midfield and picked up by Elstrom Die who slotted home, and the same player put them 2-0 less than 10 minutes
PADIHAM went ahead on 15 mintues when Paul Barrett volleyed in from a long goal-kick, but then everything went wrong for the Storks in the five minutes before half-time. First, Stone drew level on 41 minutes when the flight of a free-kick was mid-judged
COLNE produced an excellent performance to stretch their unbeaten run to nine games and record their best-ever league position since their inception in 1996. As the game went on, Nigel Coates' side began to dominate the midfield areas, with Stevie Hall
RAMSBOTTOM ended the 2007-08 with a whimper rather than a bang as they fell to a debatable second-half goal at the Riverside. Whilst the visitors may have been the better side throughout the 90 minutes, the Rams will feel slightly aggrieved by the goal
BACUP Borough boss Brent Peters read the riot act to his side after a disappointing loss at Silsden. Borough's Division One safety was already assured prior to the game. But it was far too easy for Silsden, with Graham Holmes and Lee Reilly both on
NELSON grabbed a lifeline for survival in Vodkat League Division One with a hard fought win against Formby at Victoria Park. And now Nick Jackson-Cooney's side, bottom of the Vodkat Division One table, may escape the drop with another victory at Flixton
A LARGE contingent of Bradford Park Avenue fans travelled from West Yorkshire to Dark Lane to celebrate their club's UniBond Division One (North) title. But Rossendale United spoiled the party somewhat with striker Phil Eastwood smashing a hat-trick.
CLITHEROE twice took the lead, opening the score on four minutes through a deflected Adam Tong goal. Alex Porter hit back for Brig but Jonathan Smith netted from close range to send the Blues in front again. But Martin Crowder levelled for the visitors
STANLEY boss John Coleman was a happy man after seeing his side burst through the elusive 50-point barrier on Saturday. The Reds eased to a 3-1 win, thanks to a Shaun Pejic own goal and strikes from Peter Cavanagh and Shaun Whalley. The result saw Stanley's
OWEN Coyle has spoken of his desire to turn Turf Moor into a fortress next season. The Burnley manager was frustrated that costly mistakes returned to haunt his side as they let a 2-0 lead against Cardiff City slip courtesy of a soft penalty and defensive
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes believes Johann Vogel is starting to show the kind of form that will see him become a key figure in the team next season. The Swiss international midfielder, who signed for Rovers on a free transfer recently after his contract
DARWEN town centre is even more depressing now than it was early in the new year, the last time I'd taken a careful look around and counted the empty shops and offices and the empty market stalls. "Don't tell everyone how bad it really is," traders who've
I almost decided to stay at home today and call in sick. I'd spent half the night fretting and wondering how my family would cope without me, should I perish on my way to or from the office. It was my own fault - I should have known better than to carry
IT'S time to throw away those old winter clothes and treat yourself to a whole new you in time for spring. The Mall Blackburn has shipped in fitness and beauty experts as part of a week long fashion event to ensure shoppers are in tip top shape for this
Chorley all-rounder Tom Smith claimed the man of the match award for Lancashire in their comprehensive victory over Scotland in the Friends Provident Trophy on Sunday finishing with bowling figures of 3-14 from his seven overs, as the hosts were bundled
A MAN who helped instil the winning mentality in to England's Rugby World Cup heroes is coming to East Lancashire next month. Israeli-based Yehuda Shinar is a motivational coach who has links with top banks and has even held sessions with staff at Blackburn
HOMELESSNESS should have been consigned to the past. No one should be without a roof over their head these days in what is one of the world's richest countries. But it is a sad fact that some people are still homeless. The problem in Blackburn and
Cast members of a play that deals with apartheid in South Africa met up with Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy at Brockhall. The visit was organised by Blackburn Cathedral staff behind the play Cry the Beloved Country, which was performed at
STAFF from St Luke and St Phillip's Primary School, Hancock Street, Blackburn, took part in a 12-mile charity walk in memory of former pupil David Ashton, who died last month. The brave seven-year-old finally lost his battle with cancer and staff are
ONE of the most eagerly awaited electronic releases of the last two years finally arrives - have Crystal Castles lived up to their immense hype? Crystal Castles have in turn been praised for their originality and condemned as derivative, but the truth
A SMOKER had a "lucky escape" after setting fire to bedding when he fell asleep while smoking. Fire crews in Blackburn were called to the home in New Wellington Street, Mill Hill, at 2.30am, following reports of a blaze. A spokesman for the station
A TAXI driver has been questioned by police after a man was fatally injured when he was run over in a Blackburn street. An investigation has been launched after Peter Stappard was discovered in Canterbury Street in the early hours of Saturday morning
A BOY will need facial surgery after being savaged by the family pet, police said. Connor Mark Smith, 13, was attacked by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in his house in Montgomery Grove on Saturday at 7.50pm. The Hameldon Community College student was
