HUNDREDS of letters claiming a group ply young girls with drugs before taking them to hotels for sex have been delivered in a sinister smear campaign. Detectives investigating letters sent to homes in Blackburn have branded them ‘wholly irresponsible
PAUL Ince insists his sole focus is on ‘managing Blackburn Rovers’ as he chooses to ignore all speculation linking him to Newcastle United. Reports in the North East have made the Rovers boss a strong contender to succeed Kevin Keegan at St
A NIGHTMARE neighbour in Nelson - who played dance music through the night - has been left with a £1,200 legal bill. People living in Clover Hill Road were kept awake until all hours by the antics of Karl Campy, who would also shout and swear in the
HUNDREDS of residents, shopkeepers and customers have joined forces to outline their opposition to plans for a bus lane between Accrington, Blackburn and Darwen. Some 700 people concerned about parking changes in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, signed a petition
AN East Lancashire boy can be seen in the latest Hovis advert which launches on our screens today. At 122 seconds, a second for every year the Hovis brand has existed, it is one of the longest adverts ever shown. The advert charts 12 decades of British
A MAN was left with a head wound after apparently being attacked with a broom handle by a group of youths, police said. The 46-year-old was briefly hospitalised with a two inch ‘laceration’ following the late-night incident at the junction of Brush Street
GOVERNMENT bosses have blamed red tape after admitting hundreds of Lancashire driving instructors may not have received criminal record clearance. The Lancashire Telegraph revealed on Wednesday that the Driving Standards Agency was currently
A SUPERMARKET store could be set for a major expansion after its owners snapped up a derelict building that once housed a rival retailer. Supermarket chain Booth’s have bought the former home of Kwik Save which stood next door to one of its flagship
A NURSE caught stealing blood pressure drugs from a hospital has avoided being struck off from the profession. Linda Loughlin, 52, had accepted her fitness to practice was impaired at a Nursing and Midwifery Council disciplinary hearing. But the
WORK on a £175,000 new play-ground in Bold Venture Park, Darwen, has been delayed – because bosses have discovered they can buy more for the same price. The Friends of Bold Venture Park were told the work on the project was to start on September 1 and
Address: Burnley Road, Altham. Phone number: 01282 774444 Lancashire Telegraph review by Jemma Humphreys from September 12, 2008. Make sure you pay attention at the Walton Arms if you want to avoid my game of musical chairs. When
WITH a name like Lucien Laviscount, it is inevitable that fame will come knocking on your door. And for this 16-year-old Will Smith wannabe there is simply no alternative to a life of film premieres, photoshoots and red carpets. And his dreams of
AFTER almost 500 appearances and a clean sweep of the domestic trophies in an Arsenal career spanning 13 years, who could blame Nigel Winterburn for giving Ewood Park a wide berth tomorrow. While his beloved Gunners and new employers go head-to-head
A MAN was left needing 12 stitches to a head wound after being attacked with an iron bar Blackburn town centre this morning. The 20-year-old was in Higher Audley, Blackburn in the early hours when he was approached by three men as he neared the junction
THOSE watching their weight have traditionally had to avoid Indian takeaways, which are all too often packed full of fats. But not anymore. Ibrahim Ali, chef and director of Usha Indian restaurant, Burnley, created this healthy curry specially for the
Spear of Destiny are coming to Darwen as part of the band’s Singles Tour. We spoke to frontman Kirk Brandon. KIRK Brandon can’t explain it, but he’s developed a growing affinity with Darwen. As part of Dead Men Walking he’s played a number of sell-out
BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle will continue to run the rule over young trialist Theo Fairweather-Johnson. The 19-year-old winger, who has been training with the Clarets youth team this week, scored twice in the 4-1 win over Rochdale Reserves on Wednesday
Charlie Landsborough came to singing relatively late in his career and has built up a devoted fan base. Before he comes to Blackburn he spoke to us. TALKING to Charlie Landsborough, it’s easy to understand why he’s won himself so many fans. The genial
LANCASHIRE lLibraries are holding a battle of the bands with the winning act getting the chance to use a top recording studio. Unsigned bands from around the county are urged to send their demo CDs, Myspace links and mp3s to their local library for inclusion
POLICE have revealed that tests had found nine out of 11 off- licences in Accrington are refusing to sell alcohol to youngsters. Accrington police revealed the figures after targeting premises with a 14-year-old undercover volunteer.
ONLY three crimes were reported in Worsthorne over the last four weeks – theft from the Spar Shop, theft from Worsthorne Skip Yard, and an egg thrown at a taxi in Brownside Road. Coun Heys reported he had been contacted by a resident in Pike Hill who
NOTTS County claimed their first away win of last season at Accrington in Ian McParland’s third game in charge of the club. The Magpies boss now hopes his side can claim their first win of the season in League Two at the Fraser Eagle Stadium on Saturday
BURNLEY Council has confirmed it is responsible for the memorial garden in the village, but has no money to replace the coping stones which were stolen. However, it will raise no objection to the parish council bearing the cost. Mr Eccles, from
WORSTHORNE Arts and Crafts Fair had another successful year. The kitchen was very busy and made a grand total of £2,073.
A DRUNKEN teenage girl who was “kicking off” in the accident and emergency unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital was offered a lift home by police. Blackburn magistrates heard the offer enabled the officers to get Carina Francis Smith outside without
A TOWN councillor has branded a balloon festival a ‘waste of money’ saying it should have been cancelled because of poor weather. Barnoldswick town councillor Harry Purcell has hit out after the Festival of Flight, which took place in Victory Park over
WADE Elliott hopes “small steps” against Crystal Palace and Plymouth will lead to a giant leap forward as Burnley begin a run of six games in less than three weeks at Nottingham Forest tomorrow. The winger has revealed how the squad went back to basics
LANCASHIRE holidaymakers are among the tens of thousands of customers hit by the collapse of the UK’s third largest tour operator. XL Leisure Group went into administration early today having failed to secure a rescue package amid deep financial difficulties
OWEN Coyle is aiming to showcase a new striker at the City Ground, while keeping an old one quiet. The Burnley boss is expected to hand Steven Thompson his debut at Nottingham Forest tomorrow, after the Scottish front man completed a free transfer
A DRUG addict who terrorised a pharmacist in a bid to get a heroin-substitute is behind bars facing a possible jail term. Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard how Dean Coulson, 21, who had drunk five litres of cider, demanded the methadone and
AN interactive road sign to slow drivers down through Blacksnape has been installed after a lengthy campaign. The sign, which informs drivers when they are breaking the speed limit, is near the Red Lion pub in Blacksnape Road. The sign
COLNE hit the FA Cup trail again tomorrow with manager Nigel Coates insisting his team is in a ‘no-lose’ situation. The Reds will be underdogs for their first qualifying round tie at UniBond League Division One South side Sheffield and have already eased
A PROLIFIC and well-known criminal has admitted he has a drugs problem – and his solicitor told a court he needed help. Burnley magistrates heard how Norman "Knuckles" Jones went on ‘trolley dashes’" amounting to almost £500 at branches of Asda while
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman hopes his side can ease their early season blues with a morale-boosting home victory over Notts County tomorrow. With an ever-growing casualty list, lengthened by a groin injury to Leam Richardson, and three away
A 38-year-old chef was found hanging at his Church home just minutes after giving his wife a kiss, an inquest heard. The hearing was told that Alexander Byard and his wife Michelle had been to view a house in Oswaldtwistle earlier that evening. Michelle
BOSSES at a health trust have defended their security record after claims mental health patients were escaping. A BBC investigation claimed more than 100 patients across the country escaped in 2007, although it has since been revealed 22 of these were
NEWLY-crowned Senior League champions Great Harwood end their campaign as they make a trip to the out-going holders Blackburn Northern tomorrow. Harwood ended their 1`08-year wait to lift the coveted trophy as last weekend’s double-header was washed
ROSSENDALE United manager Derek Egan insists the FA Cup cash incentives are crucial for the Stags as they travel to face Woodley Sports in the first qualifying round. United saw off Oldham Town after a replay in the previous round and, after an encouraging
POLICE are stepping up patrols after a spate of car vandalism in Accrington. Sergeant Simon Holderness at Accrington Police Station said ‘suspicious characters’ would be searched for concealed tools commonly used for damaging vehicles. The rear windscreens
OF all the stories to emerge out of the tragedy that was 9/11 when the Twin Towers in New York were destroyed by terrorist attack, none is stranger than that featured on Channel Four last night. The 9/11 Faker was an extraordinary investigation into
DARWEN will hope to end a disappointing campaign by their standards with a win tomorrow. Andrew Cook’s side travel to face bottom side Fleetwood knowing that a win could boost them up a couple of places in the league. But Chorley could have a direct
CLITHEROE boss Neil Reynolds plans to add a new signing to his in-form squad ahead of tommorow’s FA Cup clash with Leek Town at Shawbridge. Reynolds was hoping to complete a deal for the left-sided player, who has been with a Conference North club, last
BACUP Borough boss Brent Peters believes his team should already be mixing it with the likes of Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and Bury in the FA Cup. “I think even in the early rounds everyone, apart from the top clubs, should be on an equal footing,”
THE official opening of the Bristol Temple Quay bridge, made by m-tec of Darwen, part of the WEC group, has been postponed until October 3. The bridge, built of eight sections of stainless steel, weighing 75 tons and measuring 60 metres, is the centre
POLICE found a 45-year-old man sitting on a wall in Blackburn’s Corporation Park eating a packet of crisps and sniffing butane gas. And Romesh Hira’s unusual picnic earned him four months in prison after magistrates heard he was banned under the terms
Blackburn Hawks start the new ice hockey season this weekend with a double header of games against the Kingston Jets and Newcastle Vipers. The Hawks, who are competing in the English National Ice Hockey League (North Division One), face the Kingston
CHORLEY boss Tony Hesketh has called for a “real reaction” from his goal-shy side, admitting their slow start to the UniBond Division One North season can not continue. After getting thumped 5-0 by Trafford in midweek, Hesketh admits confidence is in
MACCLESFIELD Town midfielder Nick Blackman has emerged as another triallist on Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince’s radar. Former Manchester United youngster Blackman was given his Macclesfield debut by Ince back in 2007. And the Rovers boss has been
RAMSBOTTOM United boss Andy Feeley has revealed that highly-rated goalkeeper Andy Robertson is staying put at the Riverside – after changing his mind over a move to New Mills. Robertson was all set to switch to United’s Vodkat Premier Division rivals
A BUILDING trade giant has launched a winding-up move against a Burnley property developer. Halstead Street-based Stannard Homes faces a compulsory winding-up petition, issued on behalf of Wolseley UK Ltd, which has been lodged at Birmingham
A PLASTICS firm which employs 45 people in Burnley has gone into administration, an insolvency firm has revealed. Manchester-based MCR has been appointed adminstrators for Apax Plastic Moulders, based on the Rossendale Road Industrial Estate, which
I AM organising a reunion dinner for law graduates from the University of Central Lancashire (former Preston then Lancashire Polytechnic). The dinner will be held on Saturday, November 1. Details can be obtained from the university. Email jahindmoor
A SCHOOLBOY was given a final warning by police after he carried out an unprovoked attack on a cinemagoer. The 15-year-old pupil from Clitheroe Grammar punched the 14-year-old boy in the face outside Blackburn's Vue cinema on Saturday afternoon
AS a regular user of the leisure facilities in Blackburn with Darwen, I was delighted when the council announced their plans to introduce, on a rolling programme, free leisure for all. Unfortunately I fall into the age category that will be last to
THE hair, the simian swagger, the cocksure attitude and even his first name. Oh, and he’s from Manchester too. Yes, there’s something very familiar about Liam Fray, frontman with The Courteeners. Ever since the band made waves during the 2006 In The
SO our financial chief, Mr Darling, has finally admitted that the UK economy is in dire straits. It’s also looking like we now face the “mother of all recessions” with people’s utility bills going through the roof together with the taxes we pay. The
As he prepares to celebrate 50 years in rock and roll with a major tour calling at Blackpool and Manchester, Joe Brown tells us that making music has lost none of its allure. YOU would think that after a lifetime in music performing alongside some
AS AN ex-employee of a Water Authority, with more than 20 years service, I support and applaud Hyndburn Council’s stance against fluoridation of our public water. Several years ago I made my concerns known over the possible amendments of the Water Act
BILLY Ocean — the biggest black recording star Britain has ever produced — is eating a margherita pizza when he comes to the phone. “I like to keep things simple, just cheese and tomato,” he says in his thick Caribbean/London drawl, explaining his choice
We spoke to comic Rhod Gilbert — dubbed “the Welsh misery” — ahead of a 65-date UK tour, calling at Colne, Manchester and Salford. Despite being nicknamed “the Welsh misery,” Rhod Gilbert is actually a pretty jovial kind of chap. His latest project
AN “inspirational” teen who left school with poor exam results has been named a charity youth ambassador. Phil Thexton has been chosen by the Prince’s Trust to help launch a new initiative to tackle negative images of young people. The Young Ambassadors
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Paul Ince has confirmed Robbie Fowler has signed a three-month contract. The former Liverpool striker goes straight into the squad to face Arsenal at Ewood Park tomorrow. Ince said: “I am pleased he has signed
LANCASHIRE'S Muslims are 12 days into the month of Ramadhan. This means thousands of people in the county are fasting between the hours of sunrise and sunset, which is about 16 hours a day. We spoke to busy professionals to see how they
WILY winger Wade Elliott has backed Burnley to end their early season goal drought. After registering 14 different scorers in pre-season, the Clarets haven’t found the net in the Championship since the opening day, when Martin Paterson’s single
ACCRINGTON Stanley defender Leam Richardson is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines after picking up a groin injury. It comes as another blow to boss John Coleman, who already has a number of key players on the injury list. He said: “Leam’s a good
This is not one of those inspirational columns about how someone who is average can become a little less average. This is simply about pointing out that one should not always follow the advice they are given. I say this because I remember the time when
FORMER Barcelona defender Philippe Christanval has been handed a three-day trial at Ewood Park – as Rovers remain active in their hunt for new recruits. Christanval, 30, was due in Lancashire yesterday having been released from Fulham in the
KEITH Andrews believes his dream Rovers move could revive his boyhood Republic of Ireland hopes – but knows there is a huge task ahead of him at Ewood Park first. The former MK Dons midfielder has been forced to wait to start making an impression
IT’S an understatement to say motorists and traffic wardens are not natural allies. And because no one likes getting a ticket it is unlikely drivers will ever see eye to eye with the men and women whose job is to enforce parking regulations. Although
A PAINTING by a Blackburn man is on its way to the Palais de Tokyo, a modern art gallery in Paris, to be part of an exhibition about the impact of industrialisation on culture. The Forge, by James Sharples, was completed in 1847 by the self-taught artist
A CAMPAIGN to educate Darwen children about the dangers of open water is being stepped up. Darwen’s neighbourhood policing team has joined forces with Lancashire Fire and Rescue, United Utilities and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for the third
PAMPERED pooches and mucky mutts are the target of a new grooming service after a company launched its very own dog wash. To improve canine cleanliness, James Alpe Ltd, in Clitheroe, has installed the area’s first dedicated dog washing machine at its
A MASSIVE increase in emergency admissions is pushing East Lancashire hospitals to the limit. Around 1,600 extra patients a month are turning up at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals. Health chiefs said they did not know the cause for
A MAN is in a critical condition after being stabbed in Accrington. The 19-year-old was found in Empress Street with a stab wound to his chest at around 12.25am this morning. He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital but has since been
Running time: 111 mins. Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Danny McBride, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, Amber Heard, Evan Goldberg. Director: David Gordon Green. SCREENWRITING duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s follow-up to Superbad is another celebration
Running time: 91 mins. Starring: Kelly Reilly, Michael Fassbender, Jack O’Connell, James Burrows, Jumayn Hunter, Finn Atkins, Thomas Gill, Thomas Turgoose. Director: James Watkins. Steve (Fassbender) and his girlfriend Jenny (Reilly) head for a romantic
Running time: 94 mins. Starring: Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, Amber Beattie, Jack Scanlon, Rupert Friend, David Heyman, Richard Johnson, Sheila Hancock. Director: Mark Herman. BASED on the best-selling novel by John Boyne, The Boy
TWO separate knife attacks have left a teenager critically ill and a 25-year-old man with two seven-inch slash marks across his back. The 19-year-old teen was discovered lying in Empress Street, Accrington with stab wounds to his chest, in
A £25,000 reward is being offered to catch a suspected armed robber who carried out a violent raid on a Darwen bank. And police last night took the appeal to the BBC’s Crimewatch television show. The picture of suspect Lee Tansey, 30
A SUPERMARKET worker who attacked a parking attendant because he was having “a bad day” ended up in court — and lost his job. Burnley Magistrates heard how Alan David Lee, 41, abused Anthony Link, chased him around a car park, punched him twice
