LATEST UPDATE: Eight men not guilty of Blackburn murder attempt A DRUG dealer plotted a murder from his prison cell to get revenge on a man who refused to take the blame for heroin offences, a court was told. Shots were fired at a dark grey
A FRAIL pensioner has been left to walk half-a-mile along an uneven, winding lane to put out her bins after being told binmen couldn't collect it. Ribble Valley's council leader and MP have now pledged to find a solution for June Kay, of Rod Hill, Bolton-by-Bowland
The town's Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society will present Pack of Lies,' Hugh Whitemore's play of intrigue and deceit, MI5, spies and treachery at the Hippodrome Theatre, Halifax Road from Wednesday, June 18 until Saturday, June 21 at 7.30pm. Telephone
At their latest social event Rishton and Great Harwood Soroptimists enjoyed An Evening with Spellbound'. Gordon and Anne of Spellbound Productions live in Bolton by Bowland and have been film making for over thirty years. Their first film was a local
ACCESSIBILITY to players is the main reason why Burnley have opted to link up with a United Soccer Leagues side, and not one of the big hitters in the top American division, Major League Soccer. "All the players in the MLS are owned co-operatively, so
BURNLEY'S bid to forge links in America is one of the final pieces in the jigsaw of the club's strategic youth plan, according to operational director Brendan Flood. The Clarets bid to establish a younger, more vibrant squad, has already begun in earnest
At their latest social event Rishton and Great Harwood Soroptimists enjoyed An Evening with Spellbound'. Gordon and Anne of Spellbound Productions live in Bolton by Bowland and have been film making for over thirty years. Their first film was a local
MASKED robbers wielding machetes and a crowbar smashed into a Darwen bank and forced terrified staff to hand over cash. Witnesses described how two men wearing balaclavas threw an iron grid through the glass frontage of Lloyds TSB in Duckworth Street
Rossendale Lions Club Knit 'n' Natter Group meets at Haslingden Library every Thursday, 1 - 4pm. Admission is £1, including refreshments
AN ARTIST whose paintings are seen by millions of soap fans on Coronation Street has seen demand for his work take off. Local painter Brian Bibby, 55, of Cemetery Road, Darwen, was speaking at a one-off showcase at Darwen Vale High School, Blackburn
A missing pensioner suffering from dementia has been found. Valerie O'Flynn, 65, was discovered by her family this afternoon in the Bank Top area of Blackburn. The find was made by pure chance by relatives who joined in the police search. Valerie,
RAIL bosses have said they may not be able to bankroll Burnley's direct link to Manchester. The news comes after the Government told Network Rail to slash its next five-year budget by £3billion. It means schemes that are not already approved by
DETECTIVES have issued a plea for help after a man suffered serious injuries in a pub toilet attack in Burnley. Police say a 48-year-old man suffered a fractured rib, cuts to the top of his forehead and an eye injury after the attack at The Oxford pub
A MAN who kept his cannabis hidden in a shoe box at a friend's house did the "honourable thing" after police executed a drugs search warrant at her home. Blackburn magistrates heard that Christopher Poynton went to the police station and admitted the
LABOUR and Liberal Democrat leaders clashed as the new budget for Nelson was decided. Following the elections last month, the Liberal Democrats are in the minority on the Nelson committee, despite ruling Pendle Council overall. As a result, the Labour
A JUDGE has spoken out about the need to tackle knife crime after man was jailed for two years for stabbing someone in the stomach. James McGrady, 24, of Ivinson Road, Darwen, was sent to prison on the day Prime Minister Gordon Brown met legal chiefs
A BUSINESSMAN is setting out to transform a street full of takeaways into a "premier" shopping venue for Blackburn. Mark Smith is looking to buy stores on Darwen Street and is refusing to rent them out to fast food takeaway outlets, claiming there
RESIDENTS are being asked for their views on the provision of services in rural Pendle. Pendle Council wants people to send in their views to finalise a council report looking at the provision of services in rural areas. The survey also looked at the
A NEW restaurant and bar serving international cuisine will open in Darwen later this year. But the owners are keen to quash rumours of lapdancing at the venue. Francis Robinson and a business partner bought Bayley's Cafe Bar, in Belgrave Road, last
The district's Writers' Circle meets at the Primet Community Centre, Primet Hill on the first Friday of the month. The next session is on June 6 from 7pm-9pm.For more details call 01282-693179 or e-mail ionadceol@aol.com.
ST Mark's Church are visiting the shrine at Ladewell near Fulwood on Saturday June 7. If you have not visited the church before it is well worth a visit to this historic place of interest.On Sunday June 15 they are having a Father's Day potato pie lunch
A HOMELESS drug addict who conned pensioners is facing the prospect of a custodial sentence. Frank Clark, 31, from the Colne area, admitted fraud on January 24 and six theft charges and one fraud allegation against a second victim, when he appeared
A 53-year-old Darwen woman fled in the middle of the night with her 11-year-old grandson after being assaulted by her partner. Blackburn magistrates heard that the woman went to a neighbour's to call the police after being slapped by Joseph Mullen because
Over-50s tai chi classes take place on Fridays from 12.30pm to 1.30pm in Central United Reformed Church, Duckworth Street.
AT this week's council meeting, Mr and Mrs D Clark of Grove Lane expressed concerns over the proposed erection of eight three-storey dwellings and public open spaces in close proximity to their home of 26 years. Councillors are to visit the site and
AT a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Ceremony in St James' Palace, London, Elizabeth Duckworth was presented to Prince Philip. The Duke chatted to her about the expedition to climb Mount Elbrus in Russia. Elizabeth is involved with St. Margaret's Brownies
PUPILS at Padiham Green Primary School have been celebrating after completing Level one of the computer driving licence course. The children aged between four and five had to complete a number of tasks using the web-based package Expresso.
Author Meg Rosoff is visiting the town's library on Wednesday June 11 between 5pm and 6.30pm. The event is free but tickets are needed. Call Jane Wood on 01254 306915.
A COUNTY councillor has handed a petition to highways bosses from residents in the village. They say Lindsay Park is being used as a shortcut by commuters and want a 20mph speed limit introduced. The 150-signature petition was given to County Coun Steve
IT is ladies night at the Red House hotel, Rosegrove Lane, tomorrow. There will be a male stripper, a raffle, buffet. Come along and enjoy yourself. Tickets only £3 each.
Summer Holiday Activities for children at Sparkle Dance Studio - Haslingden Dance classes open all through the Summer Holidays, Street Dance, Hip Hop, Disco dancing and more! Call now to book on 01706 225004
EMPLOYERS from across East Lancashire could be gunning for glory at a special Army fundraiser next month. As part of the North West Employers Invitation Range Day, companies are invited to attend a special training camp in Altcar, Merseyside, on July
A COUPLE who assaulted a man in a Rawtenstall pub were spared jail, but a judge warned she was watching them. Burnley Crown Court heard how alcoholic mother of two Julie Hunt, 36, had got involved in a scuffle and her partner Anthony Hutchinson, 39,
The Griffin Inn on Hud Rake has started a pub quiz night every Thursday at 9pm. There are cash prizes and a chance to win £250 in Play Your Cards Right,
Book character Maisy Mouse will be making a guest appearance at Haslingden Library on Tuesday 10th June between 1.30 and 2.30pm. Children can have their photograph taken with Maisy and there is a chance to win a Maisy Mouse book.
A BRIERFIELD motorist who used his mother's blue badge to avoid parking charges in Manchester city centre has been left with a £1,500 legal bill. VW Golf driver Vaquas Ahmed, 31, was caught out by enforcement officers twice leaving his vehicle in a disabled
Nippon Dai Martial Arts Academy, Blakewater Business Park Garden Street, Blackburn, will be running classes in fitness, martial arts, kickboxing and self defence on Monday June 9, Tuesday June 10, Wednesday June 11 and Friday June 13 between 7pm and 9pm
AN East Lancashire firm's deadly weapon against hospital superbugs is being tested at health trusts across the UK. Viroklenz Direct's Sanitair system, which filters infection-causing bacteria from the air, is already in use at a number of private hospitals
STORE wars in the centre of Colne look set to be resolved at a town hall meeting tonight. Tesco and Sainsbury's have submitted plans to Pendle Council for supermarkets on land between Norfolk Street, Windy Bank and Market Street. Planning officers have
RESIDENTS are up in arms that they are now living in a "lost village" after signs for a neighbouring town were put up in their community. Many People in Belthorn say the village - surrounded by ancient fields and farmsteads - is slowly losing its identity
VOLUNTEERS are urgently wanted to help at Age Concern. The local charity is in need of help at its charity shop in Market Street, Darwen, to process, sort and steam donations. Volunteers play a crucial role in picking out saleable goods and making them
COTTON weaving and spinning was Burnley's staple industry for almost 200 years. Without cotton Burnley, as we know it, may never have existed, but in its heyday it became the weaving capital of the world. Now Burnley author Jack Nadin explores the history
A BURNLEY florist is hoping that business will blossom after launching her new website. Nicola Slater, from Dixon Street, Barrowford, has worked in her Daisy Chain shop for 18 months but thought it was time to take the business online. The 20-year-old
LANCASHIRE Police Authority wants to recruit three independent members to scrutinise the force's work. Authority Chair Coun Malcolm Doherty, said: "We are here to oversee the delivery of policing on behalf of local people, and our independent members
TEXTILE workers turned decorators when they heard a local charity needed sprucing up. The machinists from Herbert Parkinson, in Monton Road, Darwen, spent two days giving the base of Youth Works in Ash Grove the Changing Rooms treatment. It is the latest
STAFF at a new East Lancashire nursery have been celebrating after receiving a glowing first report from Ofsted. Riverside Nursery, Branch Road, Lower Darwen, which has only been open since October last year, was praised by the inspectors for implementing
IN the summer of '65 East Lancashire was awaiting the arrival of the latest technology - colour television. Technically, Mullard, in Simonstone, was ready to start production, but until broadcasting began, there was nothing for the new TVs to pick up
FOR 20 years, or more, the pipes and drums were a familiar sound and sight in Blackburn, thanks to Glenside Pipe Band. The bandsmen and dancers appeared regularly at carnivals, field days, and Remembrance Day parades, in their colourful Royal Stuart
EAST Lancashire Hospitals Trust is well and truly under the spotlight at the moment. The trust has been scrutinised ever since the decision was taken to close Burnley General Hospital's accident and emergency department, with blue light cases being dealt
THIS year's two-night Race for Life has been hailed as the best ever. In total about 3,000 women raised money for Cancer Research UK by joining in the 10th annual event at Witton Park, Blackburn. Organisers are hoping participants, from throughout the
RED-faced council bosses admitted a "mix-up" after falsely declaring a popular soap star would be attending an East Lancashire festival. Blackburn with Darwen Council displayed information on its website, stating that Malcolm Hebden, who plays busybody
A BUDDING Blackburn model is aiming to catwalk it into the big time in the final of a regional heat of the Miss England contest. Chantelle Louise Kenyon, 22, of Lilac Road, Little Harwood, has been selected as one of 23 finalists in the Miss Trafford
EIGHT men accused of plotting to kill a teenager in an alleyway shooting have pleaded not guilty. The men appeared before Preston Crown Court yester-day charged with conspiracy to murder following the incident off Accrington Road, Blackburn last year
A FORMER servicemen's club in Rawtenstall has been given the green light to become a new restaurant. Permission to convert the Bury Road venue was granted at Rossendale Council's development control meeting on Monday. Speaking in favour of the development
FREE weekly health walks are taking place in and around Great Harwood. Organisers of the Stepping Out Walking Project meet walkers every Friday at 10.30am outside Mercer Hall. Co-ordinator Fran Riley said: "We walk at a moderate pace on footpaths, muddy
The Salterforth fun day will take place on the playing fields in Salterforth on Sunday June 15 from noon. Contact 01282 813114 for more information on the "60s Rhythm and Blues" themed event which includes plenty of 60s rhythm and blues music.
A MAN who set himself on fire while destroying confidential letters has issued a warning to others about the dangers of naked flames. Grave digger Peter Dawson, 51, said he felt "lucky to be alive" after his tracksuit trousers caught fire while he was
A 999 operator has been hailed as a hero after helping to save the life of a woman trapped in a fierce house fire. Victoria Shufflebottom, 27, who grew up in Burnley, gave Angela Aguirreburuaide, 32, vital advice on how to stay alive as flames ripped
FOUR masked men wielding bats and golf clubs smashed up a car parked at Tesco Express, Casterton Avenue, Burnley. After smashing all the windows and lights, they headed towards Briercliffe Road where they were seen getting into a waiting vehicle. The
THE Mall shopping centre, in Blackburn, recycled more than 248tonnes of retailer waste last year - its highest level ever. The company said the amount was 43per cent of all waste, and it hopes to increase that to 50per cent by the end of this year.
A DRUG dealer who was jailed for almost six years has been ordered to pay back more than £2,000 which he made from his criminal activities. Lukman Bapu, 26, of Carr Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to 13 offences of supplying drugs when he appeared
A MOTHER who suffered head injuries when her taxi was struck by a missile in broad daylight has spoken of her terrifying ordeal. Gail Henderson, 45, of Infirmary Road, Blackburn, was a passenger in the mini-cab, travelling along Hereford Road around
TAX office workers in Burnley are being kept "in the dark" after a decision over their jobs was delayed, a union leader has said. Around 70 employees based at Towneley House, Kingsway, have been told their jobs are at risk while HM Revenues and Customs
A MAN who once worked as an asbestos sprayer told his family that the insulation material never killed anybody, an inquest was told But the hearing heard that Gordon Bartley died, aged 83, of an asbestos-related disease. And coroner Michael Singleton
THE partner of a police officer who tried to stop a man attacking his girl-friend outside a super-market was assaulted for her trouble, a court was told. Terrified Kelly Lettherd was verbally abused and set upon by Michael Ellison, 22, after she challenged
A LORRY driver has admitted his involvement in a massive money laundering operation after previously claiming the cash came from gambling and other legitimate sources. Three-times married Andrew Akeroyd changed his plea to guilty after being cross
BLACKBURN Rovers chief John Williams insists the club will not rule anything out as they begin the search for Mark Hughes' successor. Williams has refused to set any definite deadlines as he starts the process of identifying the best man to take Rovers
THE LT reports that "people who create excessive noise are warned that they could face a £5,000 fine" (May 19). Apparently Blackburn with Darwen environmental health officers dealt with an "average" of 900 complaints last year. Out of these just 24 noise
AT last! The comment column on pub closures in the LT (May 27) actually dealt with something of importance to the masses. Remember the smug PC brigade who championed the smoking ban and cooed about the joys of drinking and going home with clothes free
WHATEVER is the world coming to? The Government is thinking of paying bad parents of yobbo kids who are roaming our towns and cities with lawlessness behaviour. They are thinking of paying bad parents, if these parents make sure their children attend
New Manchester City manager Mark Hughes insists there was never any chance he would take over at Chelsea. The former Wales coach was confirmed as the new City boss yesterday, after speculation that the London club could be ready to step in and hijack
BLACKBURN Rovers fans want Alan Shearer to be their next manager. In a special poll conducted on the Lancashire Telegraph website, Shearer was the fans' overwhelming favourite to succeed Mark Hughes in the Ewood Park hot-seat. The former Rovers striker
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will have a £65 million transfer chest after taking over at Eastlands. He will be unveiled to the media today after agreeing a three-year deal. The Lancashire Telegraph can reveal that Hughes met City representatives
Brendan Flood insists he would love to see Kyle Lafferty firing on all cylinders for Burnley next season, despite the Northern Ireland international stating he wants to quit Turf Moor. The 20-year-old was recently quoted in a Belfast newspaper slamming
THIRTY-five years ago, but it still feels like yesterday, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was in a case at the Old Bailey. There was another bomb warning. The prisoners were sent down to their cells, the rest of us turned out of the building
DARWEN MP Janet Anderson has come out in support of police calls for an alcohol ban throughout Darwen town centre and other problem areas. Inspector Andrea Bradley wants the existing ban introduced in 2005, covering Darwen bus station, Shorey Bank and
SOLDIERS returning from Iraq have been praised for their bravery by the chair of Lancashire County Council. Members of The Duke of Lancaster's Battle Group, who recently returned from their six-month war-ravaged country, visited County Hall as guests
