Archive

  • Lewis, 15, pursues comedy dream

    SCHOOLBOY comic Lewis Costello is pursuing his dream of becoming the next Peter Kay with a gig at Burnley Mechanics. The 15-year-old wannabe comedian performed a five-minute set at Blackburn’s sell-out Frog and Bucket Comedy Club show earlier this month

  • Burnley juror posted trial details on Facebook

    A female juror was dismissed from a trial in Burnley after posting details of the case on Facebook and asking friends if they thought the defendants were guilty. The woman went against strict rules forbidding jurors from discussing cases with

  • Making a PACT

    DOZENS of shoppers at a Burnley supermarket met police officers during a special surgery. Customers at Asda raised concerns during the ‘PACT’ meeting, with police saying they got lots of information out of the session. PCSO Graham Lloyd said: “The surgery

  • Full-time: Barnsley 3 Burnley 2

    BURNLEY slipped to defeat despite a fantastic Martin Paterson-inspired fightback. Trailing to Jon Macken's first half strike, the Clarets fell further behind in controversial fashion when Jamal Campbell-Ryce's shot hit the offside Simon Whaley

  • The Aussies just can't accept defeat

    AUSTRALIANS, I just don't get them. On Saturday, the Kanagaroos lost the Rugby League World Cup final against New Zealand. It was a major shock as it was the Aussies' first loss in 33 years. The game wasn't without incident and

  • Half-time: Barnsley 1 Burnley 0

    A JON Macken goal separates the sides at half-time at Oakwell despite Burnley's dominance. The Clarets had all the early possession with Robbie Blake and Chris Eagles forcing good saves out of Barnsley keeper Heinz Muller. But it was

  • Woman died after brain surgery

    A RETIRED canteen assistant who underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumour never regained consciousness. An inquest heard the operation had gone well until the final stages when the brain suddenly began to swell. Consultant neuro-surgeon Mr Gareth

  • Rawtenstall postcard prompts anger among councillors

    BUSINESS leaders have sent a postcard featuring a dilapidated Rossendale landmark to all the borough’s councillors to prompt them into action over the site. Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce’s postcard, which comes ahead of Rossendale’s annual

  • Burnley pharmacist is just ‘bananas’

    A trainee pharmacist dressed up as a giant banana to give the Burnley public food for thought regarding healthy living. Awais Afzal, who works at Boots in Accrington, and eight colleagues, promoted healthier living and better lifestyles outside the branch

  • Teams: Barnsley v Burnley

    STRIKER Ade Akinbiyi gets his first start for the Clarets since the final game of last season at Barnsley tonight. He replaces the suspended Steven Thompson while Wade Elliott is also out through injury, so Owen Coyle will revert to a 4-1-3-2 formation

  • Hyndburn residents are best recyclers in the UK

    HYNDBURN residents have been named best recyclers in the UK for the second year running. Hyndburn Borough Council has sent the least amount of waste to landfill compared with all other UK councils. It sent only 293.30 kg per person,

  • Strictly Come Dancing blog: Week ten

    DANCE teacher Graham Vernon, from Samlesbury, gives his verdict on the tenth episode on Strictly Come Dancing. What a week for John and Kristina - and what a beautiful emotional ending to a very stormy journey. John can hold his head

  • Bacup and Whitworth libraries set for refurbishment

    TWO Rossendale libraries are in line to benefit from a major refurbishment project. Bacup and Whitworth Libraries, which are both in need of investment, will receive a share of £1.5million as part of the plans. The money would be spent on making the

  • Brierfield kiddies' mosaic brightens street

    CHILDREN from a Pendle school have joined forces with residents to leave their mark on a back street and enhance community cohesion. The students from Brierfield’s Alternative School, in Colne Road, teamed up with local people to produce a

  • Langho lollipop man is best in North West

    Langho lollipop man Derek Ashburner, 72, has been recognised as the best in the North West in the Kwik Fit Insurance Lollipop Person of the Year award. Derek won £500 in travel vouchers and has patrolled outside St Leonard’s Church of England Primary

  • Pendle bus stop improvements shelved

    PLANS to improve roadside bus stops between Colne and West Craven have been put on the back burner due to funding problems. Under the Colne Quality Bus Route initiative, Lancashire County Council transport chiefs had pledged to upgrade key

  • Hammer terror at Accrington off-licence

    DETECTIVES are appealing for information after a robbery at an off-licence in Accrington. At approximately 9.40pm on Thursday a man entered Booze Busters, Union Road, Accrington, and threatened the shop assistant, a 44-year-old woman, with a hammer.

  • Police sound Ribble Valley burglar alert

    Police are warning villagers in Wiswell and Pendleton to be vigilant after a spate of burglaries in recent weeks. Homes, sheds and garages have been targeted and police believe a team of raiders is targeting the properties because of their proximity

  • Action urged over vandalised Burnley pub

    CARE home bosses have been urged to redevelop a dilapidated former pub. The boarded-up former Coaching House, in Glen View Road, Burnley, has become a magnet for vandals since it closed last year. Earlier this month, councillors rejected an application

  • East Lancashire beauty therapist turns on the style

    BEAUTY therapist Becki Chanter has been nominated Apprentice of the Year at Nelson and Colne College. Becki, 19, from Clitheroe, works as a trainee at Simply the Best beauty salon in Whalley and was nominated for her ‘hard work and enthusiasm’. She

  • We believe one day there will be a reckoning before the King

    We columnists are oddities. The condition isn’t bad enough to get us put away, but we are required to have a certain ‘something’ that separates us from the norm, and especially from every other column in the paper. Now, for me, being odd is, well, odd

  • Life ban for Burnley fan who ran on pitch

    A CLARETS fan who ran on to the pitch during the recent home match against Preston North End will be banned for life from Turf Moor. Jack Robinson, 23, escaped a police banning order when he appeared before Burnley magistrates on Wednesday but now the

  • Seams like Rossendale worker is textile hero

    A “HIDDEN hero” of industry in Rossendale has received a top Government-backed award. Brian Lees, 51, a felt specialist at the Rossendale’s manufacturing company Andrew Webron Ltd, received the gong this week as one of the fashion and textile sector

  • Rossendale pupils penny pinching but generous

    SCHOOLS across Rossendale have been ’penny pinching’ for a local charity. This year’s six-week fundraising push has now come to an end smashing the amount raised in 2008. Sam Morris, Rossendale Hospice fundraising manager, said: “We are delighted that

  • Credit crunch hits East Lancashire regeneration

    THE regeneration of East Lancashire is being hit by the credit crunch, a new report has warned. Bosses have admitted some projects are being hit by the building slump and have warned vulnerable people will be affected by any holdups.

  • Prospective Pendle MP slams NHS bosses pay hike

    AFZAL Anwar, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Pendle, has slammed NHS bosses for getting pay hikes while frontline staff take cuts. Mr Anwar said: “As a result of tight fiscal control, nurses were given just 1.9 per cent – below

  • Nelson waste station plan slammed

    PLANS to develop a waste station in the heart of a residential area have been described as ‘pathetic’ and ‘illogical’ by residents. Members of the Bradley community, in Nelson, fear the planned expansion of the waste transfer station, in Fleet Street

  • Pendle MP to debate educational maintenance allowance fiasco

    MP Gordon Prentice has secured a House of Commons debate on the educational maintenance allowance system – which resulted in a major jobs fiasco in Nelson. Thousands of students nationwide have been left without the £30 weekly payments after delays in

  • News from St James

    St James' Church Christmas Fair is on Saturday 29th November from 11am. Tombola, Home Made, Books, Bric-a-Brac, Toys, Jewellery, Raffle, Father Christmas Grotto. Cafe 10.30am - 1.30pm

  • A Winter Warmer

    In aid of Rossendale Hospice with Traditional Irish Music, readings and humour. You will also get a roll and soup. Sunday, 30th November at 3pm, Rawtenstall Unitarian Church, Bank St. Tickets £3 or £4 on the door. Contact 01706 228183 or 873141

  • Early doors for Nelson nightclub

    A NELSON nightclub will have to close two hours earlier at weekends after restrictions on its licence were upheld. Following a significant number of crime reports in relation to the Good Night Club during the past two years, a district judge said restrictions

  • Burnley fans can’t get enough of Gunners cup tie

    Clarets fans queued up in their hundreds in miserable weather yesterday as Carling Cup tickets against Premier League giants Arsenal went on general sale at Turf Moor. Tickets are still remaining for the quarter-final clash on December 2.

  • Rosegrove butcher celebrates sausage win

    ROSEGROVE butcher Stephen Berkins is celebrating after his pork, leek and black pudding sausage secured a regional prize. He was crowned North West Champion at the event in Manchester. Entrants had to use a traditional landmark local ingredient

  • I'm A Celebrity Day 10: Nicola refuses to feed full group

    Nicola McLean refused to try for all 12 stars in her Bushtucker Trial because she didn't want to feed David Van Day and Timmy Mallett. The glamour model won just three meals when she faced the Cavern of Calamity, in which she had to climb into

  • Luther Greenwood festival line-up announced

    TALENTED young people will be in the spotlight at the annual Colne Luther Greenwood Festival. Singers, dancers, instrumentalists and actors will appear in an evening concert on Saturday at The Muni to crown a day of competition for trophies and medals

  • I'm A Celebrity Day 9: Martina's 'broken heart'

    Martina Navratilova is nursing a broken heart, according to a national newspaper. The former tennis champion reportedly made the decision to take part in I'm A Celebrity... because of her loneliness after splitting with her lover of seven years, Toni

  • I'm A Celebrity Day 9: Tempers flare between Dani and David

    Dani Behr has offended David Van Day - by saying the group should use his stomach to gauge their weight loss. The former 'Word' presenter said they should study the singer in a bid to keep an eye on the pounds they lose while in the I'm A Celebrity

  • I'm A Celebrity Day 9: Winner Timmy is itsy bitsy annoying

    Timmy Mallett successfully brought home all 12 stars - but still irritated his camp mates. The presenter refused to tell his fellow celebrities how he had fared in the Critter Chaos challenge until he had explained his ordeal - which saw him showered

  • Clitheroe vandalism crackdown after racist graffiti

    POLICE officers will patrol a town centre over Christmas to crackdown on vandals who spray painted fascist symbols on a house. A house in the Woone Lane area of Clitheroe was daubed with Nazi swastikas in a mindless act of vandalism. Sgt Rob Evans of

  • Longridge footballer breaks world record

    A SOCCER-skills star from Longridge has broken a world record for his “around the world” trick. John Farnworth, 22, broke his own record of 83 repetitions of the move in one minute, managing 85 on the Sky One Guinness World Records Smashed

  • Nelsen: Rovers deserved more from Spurs clash

    RYAN Nelsen has described Rovers’ Premier League plummet as “excruciatingly frustrating”, insisting performances have warranted more reward. The Blackburn skipper was insistent his side deserved something from yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at White

  • No buyers for Blackburn with Darwen care homes

    THE credit crunch has been blamed for the failure to find buyers for a £3.6million sell off of council care homes. Opposition councillors said the lack of interest could stop residents and the council getting a good deal. As part of

  • Body of man, 42, found at Burnley house

    BURNLEY police are investigating the sudden death of a 42-year-old man whose body was found at a house in Windsor Street around midday yesterday. There were no suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

  • Homes plan for Burnley mill site

    AN eyesore mill in Burnley could make way for 117 new homes and an ecology park if developers can convince councillors about a canalside regeneration scheme. Blueprints for the demolition of the former Burco Dean premises, at Waterside Mill in Rosegrove

  • How the West was lost for our children

    My husband has just subjected the children to what they described as "a boring afternoon." Not that they were sitting around twiddling their thumbs, racking their brains for something to do – they were sitting in front of the TV, watching the Magnificent

  • A laugh’s just what we need

    THE organisers of the ‘You Must be Joking’ comedy festival should be praised for their efforts. During the 17-day festival they have managed to attract a number of top names to perform in Blackburn. The comedians who have performed included

  • 999 call after tot locked in car in Oswaldtwistle

    Fire crews were called to Oswaldtwistle Mills when a toddler became trapped in a car. The two-year-old’s mother panicked when a gust of wind shut the door of her car outside the shopping complex, locking the youngster inside at noon on Friday

  • Councillor is reyt Darren lad

    PAUL BROWNE was born in the “Irish Channel”. And that makes him a reyt Darren lad. Not some Johnny-come-lately who’s only been here for 30 years or so. That’s what everyone called Exchange Street back in the 40s. Paul was born

  • Accrington girl, 9, safe after 'missing' scare

    A MISSING child was found - just seconds after a police helicopter was launched to look for her. The nine-year-old, who had tried to walk from Accrington to a relative’s in Oswaldtwistle, was lost for two hours. Police drafted in 25 officers to

  • Nelson revamp talks promise action

    A BRIGHT future is being predicted for a run-down area of Nelson. Whitefield Regeneration Partnership said new life would be breathed into area in the coming year. The partnership has approved architects Maccreanor Lavington and John

  • Darwen match postponed

    DARWEN’s fixture against Wigan Robin Park at the Anchor Ground was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

  • AFC Liverpool 0 Padiham 3

    AFC Liverpool might be the high-profile club in this season’s Vodkat League – but Padiham are fast becoming one of the toughest sides to beat in the league, highlighted by their stunning victory on Merseyside. Every department of the Padiham side contributed

  • Council rejects Great Harwood housing scheme

    PLANS to build 49 homes on the former site of a football ground and nightclub have been refused. Proposals to develop Wood Street in Great Harwood were thrown out by Hyndburn Borough Council’s planning committee because too many planning policies would

  • Ramsbottom United 0 Ashton Athletic 1

    RAMSBOTTOM United crashed to their fifth defeat in six league and cup outings after slumping at home to Ashton Athletic. Andy Feeley’s men were undone with 15 minutes to go, with Ashton teenager David Sherlock grabbing the only goal of ther

  • Salford City 1 Clitheroe 1

    A NEW-LOOK Clitheroe ended their six-match losing streak with a decent performance at Salford. In an attempt to get the Blues out of their rut, manager Neil Reynolds handed out debuts to new signings Jonathan Forbes, Conor Kavanagh and striker Andrew

  • Nelson 1 Abbey Hey 4

    NELSON were taken to the cleaners as Abbey Hey went on a three-goal spree in the second-half of this Premier Division game at Victoria Park. The Blues always looked vulnerable to the slick passing of the visitors’ attack, but were given a golden chance

  • Winsford United 1 Colne 1

    This was certainly a game of two halves. In the first-half Colne had enough chances to win three games, but at the interval all they had to show was a solitary goal. Jamie Longley and Liam Garbutt were both superbly denied by Winsford goalkeeper Jamie

  • Atherton LR 1 Bacup Borough 1

    BACUP Borough came back from behind to grab a share of the spoils at Atherton LR. Paul Crompton gave the hosts the lead just before the half-hour with a well-taken free-kick. On 60 minutes, Bacup were level thanks to top striker Tommy Turner. Rhodri

  • Chorley 2 Ossett Albion 4

    Chorley tossed away a two-goal lead through poor defensive organisation to plunge deeper into trouble third from bottom in the UniBond First Division (North). It looked like a potential cakewalk for the Magpies in the opening half-hour, as enterprising

  • Rossendale United 1 AFC Halifax Town 0

    On a bitterly cold afternoon, Rossendale produced a battling performance at Dark Lane to upset high-flying league leaders AFC Halifax Town, who were on a run of seven consecutive victories. The first-half was, in the main, a midfield battle

  • Coleman hails Accrington Stanley show

    JOHN Coleman hailed his side for a “magnificent” second-half display that saw Accrington Stanley snatch a well-deserved League Two point at Chesterfield. The Reds trailed at half-time due to Jack Lester’s strike. But the introduction of John Miles at

  • Colne postbox damaged in an explosion

    A postbox in Colne was damaged in an explosion on Saturday afternoon. Residents heard two loud explosions before discovering the front of the postbox in Colne Lane had been blown off.

  • Rare bat makes return to East Lancashire after 110 years

    A RARE breed of bat which has not been seen in East Lancashire for over 100 years has made an unlikely return, conservationists claim. East Lancashire Bat Group members made the discovery of a Lesser Horseshoe bat earlier this autumn and said they were

  • Santa lights up Barnoldswick

    SANTA Claus did the honours for Barnoldswick’s Christmas light spectacular – and brought the Arctic weather with him! Hundreds braved sub-zero temperatures to see Father Christmas round off a day-long programme in the town square on Saturday

  • Burnley boss unhappy with TV schedule

    OWEN Coyle is unhappy that television commitments mean Burnley must return to action at Barnsley tonight – just two days after having to play for an hour with 10 men. The Clarets could only draw 0-0 at home to Championship strugglers Doncaster

  • Burnley boss hits out over refereeing decisions

    OWEN Coyle has bemoaned refereeing inconsistencies after Steven Thompson became the fifth Burnley player to be sent off this season. Three of those red cards have come in the last four games, with Steven Caldwell receiving his marching orders

  • Jimmy White to visit snooker club which aims to ‘pot’ jobs

    YOUNGSTERS can join a pioneering snooker club in Accrington which aims to help those without a job get into employment. Y-NOT, Hyndburn Borough’s Young Persons Neighbourhood Operational Team, has secured more than £60,000 to open a snooker club. It

  • Review: Jimmy Carr @ King George's Hall, Blackburn

    JIMMY Carr says he is often asked by fans who his favourite comedian of all time is, and his answer is always the same – himself. And it’s fair to say a packed-out King George’s Hall completely agreed. Jimmy is not like your average comedian who tells

  • Review: X Factor, ITV1

    AND so our girl marches on — good on you Diana, someone’s got to be the X Factor winner so why shouldn’t it be you? But what really got me going this week were all the unnecessary pantomime theatrics on Saturday night. If it wasn’t the dismal choreography

  • Success is sign of times for School of Sign Language

    A COMPANY is looking to use its success at the Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards as a platform for future growth. School of Sign Language, which provides courses in British Sign Language, has gone from strength to strength since its formation in 2006

  • Blackburn Rovers boss backs red-card Swede

    PAUL Ince has backed a devastated Martin Olsson to bounce back “bigger and stronger” from his Spurs nightmare after his Rovers side stayed in the Premier League relegation zone. The young Swede gifted the hosts their winning goal, scored by

  • Whitworth chicken farm opens

    A NEW egg production plant, containing more than 6,000 chickens, is set to open its doors in Rossendale. Planning agents for the venture, at Pisgah Farm, in Ivy Bank, Whitworth, say the operation is halfway between a free-range and battery

  • Volunteers' trip was not a 'jolly'

    As one of the 80 voluntary workers who attended the event at the Imperial Hotel, Blackburn just two weeks ago, I must respond to the grossly unfair, inaccurate and ill informed article concerning this event (LT November 15). Firstly I strongly object

  • Simple solution to bridge problem

    AFTER reading the front page article ‘Orbital Disaster’ with regards the possible scrapping of the plan to build the Freckleton Street link road in Blackburn, I might have come up with a solution. Let’s build a second bridge over the graveyard and the

  • PC brigade must face the facts

    I HAVEN’T a clue what J B Higham is banging on about in his rambling letter (LT November 20). My point was simply that we were at war with the Germans in the Second World War, not the Nazi Party. My criticism was directed at newspapers and the wider

  • Burnley councillors call for answers over £6.5m jobless cash

    A ROW has erupted after councillors claimed £6.5million of unemployment cash was not being spent transparently. Burnley Council members have complained over how a Government cash pot handed to the authority was doled out behind closed doors. The Lancashire

  • Lights go on in Darwen to celebrate Christmas

    DARWEN town centre’s Christmas celebrations got under way on Saturday with Paralympics silver medallist Felicity Coulthard switching on the lights. Visitors also got the chance to enjoy a fireworks display and donkey procession. There was a Christmas

  • Man 'serious' after M6 crash

    A 26-year-old man from Fulwood is seriously ill in hospital after he crashed into a lamppost on the slip road of the M6 at junction 31 close to the Tickled Trout hotel. Police say a red Peugeot 205 skidded and smashed into the lamppost at around

  • Arson probe into Burnley mill destroyed by fire

    INVESTIGATORS were today probing the cause of one of Burnley’s largest ever fires. Firefighters said that they were looking at whether the blaze which destroyed Woodfield Mill, on Trafalgar Street, was arson or as a result of an accident.

  • Darwen mill completely destroyed in inferno

    INVESTIGATIONS are underway today to find out the cause of a huge fire which completely destroyed a former mill. A blackened shell is all that remains of the three storey Vernon-Carus Mill, Johnston New Road, Hoddleston, which has lain derelict

  • Ex-Burnley keeper's gift caps the lot

    A CLARETS legend has let his heart rule his head and donated an England cap to the place which houses his fondest memories. Goalkeeper Colin McDonald, 78, decided to donate the cap he won for his international debut against the USSR in 1958 at the

  • Taxi driver killed in crash on Edenfield bypass

    A TAXI driver died when his cab hit a kerb and rolled down an embankment on the Edenfield bypass early yesterday. The 49-year-old cabbie, who has not been named but was from the Manchester area, crashed over a roadside barrier before his vehicle careered

  • Burnley man jailed for 'terrorising' traffic warden

    A MAN who terrorised a traffic warden in a hate campaign after being given a parking ticket has been jailed for a total of 46 weeks. Glen Chadwick, 50, had threatened to break Mark Shearman's legs, to kill him and told him he knew where he

  • Knifeman 'followed girl through Blackburn park'

    A TEENAGE girl was tailed by a knifeman while walking through a park in the afternoon. The 16-year-old, who was mugged for her £220 mobile phone, was said to have been horrified when she realised a mugger had followed her through Queen’s Park onto Queen

  • Knifeman chased victim in Blackburn town centre

    A KNIFE victim who had been slashed across the neck shouted for help as he was chased through heavy traffic by his attacker. A number of people in Blackburn saw what was happening as Anthony Bell pursued the man and there was blood all over