FOUR councillors have been condemned after a league table of meeting attendance records was published. New figures show the majority of members of Burnley Council have turned out for 80 per cent of meetings or more. But four councillors
WORK is now underway on the £10m Rossendale health hub. Health chiefs visited the site in Bacup road for the official green light for the project, which is due for completion in Spring next year. The old Tomlinson’s footwear factory
CROWDS of up to 70 youths are causing terror on the streets of a town centre, it has been claimed. Incidents of abuse, anti-social behaviour, vandalism and even muggings have been reported to police in Oswaldtwistle by concerned residents. Local councillor
THE expansion of a country hotel looks set to be approved, despite numerous objections from the parish council. Bosses at the Higher Trapp Hotel, Simonstone, want to knock down the existing service buildings and build a two-storey extension
REGENERATION bosses are celebrating after work got under way on the long-awaited conversion of two rows of derelict houses. Following months of consultations, contractors have now started to transform the two rows of terraced properties, in Every Street
A BUST of an historic art collector will this week return to Burnley after it was saved from the clutches of American academics. The statue of 18th century connoisseur Charles Townley looked destined for the US last year after a bid by Yale
A SINGLE mum was taken to court over her son’s truanting from school. Blackburn magistrates heard Marcus Lodge, 16, had missed 40 per cent of lessons at Darwen Vale High School despite his mum Ingrid’s best efforts. “She gets him up at 7am, his
Rawtenstall Library's Chatter Books next meeting is on Thursday 12th March between 3.30 and 4.30pm. The theme will be SPIES. Take along any books you have read about spies and mysteries. Contact 01706 227911
A STRING of complaints from residents about cold callers working in the county has prompted a warning from council bosses. Worries have been raised about the unfair trading practices and high prices charged by a number of firms. County Councillor Marcus
BLACKBURN council bosses said they were determined to fight two retail developments that could “ruin” the town centre. The town hall is gearing up for a fresh fight against a planning application by Manchester-based Peel Holdings to increase the range
A ‘WANTED’ man has been arrested after a tip-off following an appeal in the Lancashire Telegraph, police said. Former Blackburn resident Nicky Prescott was wanted on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and failing to appear in court
A LEISURE boss has been accused of bringing “shame and embarrassment” on Rossendale Council. Calls were made at a meeting of the authority for Coun Jason Gledhill, portfolio holder for leisure, to resign immediately after a private email was leaked in
Would it not be more simple to come out of the EU? It is costing us millions for the ‘privilege’ of being in it and all this rumpus about EU representatives ‘conning’ us out of all that money for expenses. The final straw was seeing the headlines about
ONE month ago I was admitted to Ward 10 at Burnley General Hospital for a knee replacement. I would sincerely thank staff for the superb treatment that I received. Nothing was too much trouble and if I was in a position to reward these people I would
I AM intrigued and shocked by Burnley Council leader Gordon Birtwistle’s comments regarding the ‘jobs crisis’ (LT, Feb 24). He seeks straight away to blame someone else – central government. Then he is quoted in the Lancashire Telegraph saying ‘….there
TWO adventurous rally enthusiasts are appealling for help in finding a garage or workshop space to house their VW Scirrocco. It recently completed a rally and raised £487 for Pendleside Hospice. Warren Blackston, from Burnley, and Greg Speak, of
RESIDENTS in a Pendle street are gearing up for battle with developers proposing to build eight homes on a green where children play. Last summer angry householders protested when Housing Pendle announced that it had plans to build eight two-bedroom
THE attack by the UK Independence Party on Liberal Democrats for fighting to stop part-time firefighters falling foul of the European Union’s directive limiting working hours is misdirected and illogical. Their argument is that if we were not in the
I AM pleased that P Ashton is proud of his town and country (LT Feb 20). I am sorry I don’t have his enthusiasm any more. I can remember back in the late thirties when pride and respect was popular, not like today. Britain had an empire where the sun
A COUNCIL leader has blasted “outrageous” job cuts after 26 teaching positions were axed across Burnley and Pendle. County Hall says it needs to shed 14 teachers at Hameldon Community College, in Byron Street, Burnley, six at Blessed Trinity RC College
Too many people are overlooking the potential of their own county when they set out for a walk. This is the claim of co-founders of www.lancashirewalks.com John Griffiths (57) and Bob Clare (58) whose website describes over 50 walks in Lancashire’
Huncoat Community Forum were not put off by the volume of litter they found along the Huncoat Greenway last month, and they were back again to finish the job. This was the second litter pick done as part of the nationwide Big Tidy Up, which is a national
SHOPPERS are being warned about a recent spate of purse thefts in Darwen town centre. Officers said more funding had been secured to purchase purse alarms, and vulnerable people who would benefit from one are being identified. Posters
COUNCIL bosses are still waiting for more than £1.4million that has been pledged from developers for community improvements. Rossendale Council has secured a total of £2.1million in pledges for schemes such as play areas, road improvements and landscaping
It’s Red Nose Day shortly; the biennial bash for baked bean bathers and other assorted jolly japers. I’m actually rather hoping that I’ll have an ingrowing toenail to deal with as, frankly, torture by telethon is more an experience to endure than enjoy
Despite the recession, the corporate market in East Lancashire is still active. Deals are still being done, and funds are still available, if you know where to look! Banks are certainly more cautious of the businesses they are supporting with funding
Tony, our accountant hero, had done what was asked of him. He had a list of potential target businesses that Eric Pemember might conceivably want to buy. He had the last set of statutory accounts filed at Companies House for each of them, and the
The success of a good company often rests on its ability to survive in the bad times as well as the good, and one business that is prepared for the recession more than most is CW Advertising. Clive Wood, managing dircetor of the Altham-based agency believes
UNION chiefs are set to back a new bill aimed at getting workers a fairer deal when it comes to redundancy pay. Chorley’s Labour MP, Lindsay Hoyle, will put forward his Statutory Redundancy (Amendment) Bill later this month in a bid to help workers denied
TWO men have been arrested today following a street fight which left a 21-year-old in hospital with a fractured skull. The man was found lying in the street in Whalley following a brawl at the junction of King Street and Princess Street shortly
FOR the past 139 years beer has been brewed from a small two-storey building in Moorhouse Street on the edge of Burnley, but all is about to change. The next 18 months will see the old brewery go the way of many of the surrounding streets when it is
CHORLEY lighting design firm Lumenata is celebrating a 30 per cent growth in business. The Withnell-based company has seen business grow by nearly a third in the last quarter as it continues to win contracts to design and supply bespoke lighting for
FARMERS are being offered business support and advice through the Northwest Livestock Programme. Aimed at livestock farmers across Lancashire and the north west, the livestock programme includes a range of activities around the themes of farm competitiveness
ULF Davidsson, general manager of Akzo Nobel, has officially opened the firm’s new research and design centre in Lower Phillips Road, Whitebirk, Blackburn. The Industrial Finishes site, which has seven employees, now shares premises with Akzo Nobel
AN environmental charity has secured a £10,000 grant to allow it to continue for the next six months after funding dried up. Bosses at the Prosepects Foundation, which runs green projects across Hyndburn, has received a grant from Hyndburn Council.
A POPULAR East Lancashire beauty spot will be an animal-free zone for the next month in a bid to tackle persistent dog fouling. United Utilities has issued the temporary ban after months of dog fouling at Clowbridge Reservoir on the Burnley
CONCERNS have been raised over the brightness of the construction lights at the site of a new “super school”. Brierfield and Reedley ward Coun Pauline McCormick said the lights at the new Marsden Heights Community College site were very bright and intrusive
TWO East Lancashire businessmen have teamed up more than two decades after they first worked together at a top local hotel. Stephen Grantham and Richard Mellor plan to cross market their respective companies – both closely linked to the hospitality industry
A CLITHEROE company has committed to training its staff at a time when many firms are tempted to cut costs because of the recession. James Alpe Ltd is putting more than half its workforce through a computer training course with the help of a Ribble Valley
BURNLEY will be backed by an army of more than 5,000 when they enter the Emirates Stadium on Sunday for their FA Cup fifth round tie with Arsenal. All tickets for the game have been sold with big queues forming outside Turf Moor on Saturday as eager
BUS services are a vital part of everyday life especially for the elderly and young. An increasing number of families are also turning to public transport, not just because it is a more environmentally friendly means of transport but because in recession-hit
SAM Allardyce insists breaking his Rovers away-day duck could prove crucial in securing their Premier League status. The Rovers boss described yesterday’s 2-1 triumph at the KC Stadium as “massive” after seeing his side win away from home for
AS the Pub Landlord called time on his sold-out show, the audience virtually rose as one to salute him. To say Al Murray made a good impression would be an understatement. Behind the opinionated, almost boorish character there lies the
THE credit crunch is optional, according to one leading businessman. Abbey Telecom’s Tony Raynor, a former president of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, believes that employers in East Lancashire have the power to beat the recession. And he claims
DEVELOPERS are seeking permission to build five ‘affordable’ houses in a Pendle village for the third time in six months. Briery Homes applied to construct the two-storey dwellings in Old Lane, Earby, in October last year and then January this
AN off-duty bouncer who attacked a man he believed had sexually assaulted his girlfriend has walked free from court. Adam Machaj had punched Adam Smith behind a wall in Burnley after the alleged nightclub assault. He then kicked him, leaving him with
SIGHTINGS of a black Vauxhall could hold the key to finding the killer of a student whose body was dumped at reservoir car park. The body of 22-year-old Bolton student Umair Waseem was found at Anglezarke reservoir, near Chorley, on Monday
AN EAST Lancashire office celebrated everything silver in a bid to encourage residents to help elderly people. As part of Silver Star Day, staff from the Age Concern office, in Keirby Walk, Burnley, invited local residents to a special open
VITAL restoration work is under way at a Pendle bridge. Workmen are carrying out the modifications at Carr Road bridge, which goes over the Leeds Liverpool canal, in Nelson. The large structure is currently covered in scaffolding with poles also
POLICE launched a crackdown on night-time crime and anti-social behaviour in an operation over the weekend. Special Constables targeted the Bank Top area of Blackburn in a high-profile scheme designed to halt crime and vandalism from youngsters
THE LANDLORD of a village pub has said he was “exceedingly disappointed” after he was ordered to remove his smoking shelter. Warren Shawcross took control of the Four Alls Inn, in Higham Road, Higham, with Joanne Matheson, in February last
STAFF have won a £47,000 grant to develop a “masterplan” for a new £1million wildlife reserve in Accrington. The project to extend Peel Park around The Coppice, between Plantation Road and Burnley Road, aims to create a huge 88-hectare nature
WAKE up it’s spring! I love early spring evenings when I watch the first bats flitting in and out of the trees at dusk. The bats have to hibernate because all they feed upon are flies and small moths. They store fat for the winter and once this has
BLACKBURN ROVERS goalkeeper Paul Robinson is expected to be fit for Wednesday’s visit of Everton despite yesterday’s injury. The former England number one, who was ill before the game, was replaced by Jason Brown at half time after suffering
Andrew Bell wrote to complain about traffic using the road in Witton Park. I applaud Andrew on bringing this scurrilous practice to the reader’s attention. I would also like to add to that complaint by saying how awful it is to see the children playing
IS what was a regular service by the council now a thing of the past? With complaints from motorists of bad road surfaces which are dangerous to cyclists, the current practice of the council not carrying out its responsibility, accidents and damage will
YOU have probably had numerous comments about the new NHS facility in Blackburn. But as someone who no longer lives in the town and had to use the new facilities, I am impressed with the way people are accepting the shambolic system used for car parking
I recognise that traders in Blackburn with Darwen are having a difficult time as a result of the current economic climate and the council is doing what it can to support them. We also need residents and visitors to get behind our town and support our
LEE Sculpher has quit as joint-manager of UniBond League First Division North outfit Clitheroe after just over a month in the job. Sculpher made his decision after Saturday’s 4-2 win over Ossett Albion at Shawbridge but bows out wishing his old club
Star of the Dutch Dancing on Ice and former British Figure Skating Champion, Blackburn's Dannielle Guppy gives her view on the latest Dancing on Ice series. Week Eight and its props week! Opening the show was Torvill and Dean with all the skating
BURNLEY boss Owen Coyle has revealed that he is set to have talks about a contract extension at Turf Moor. Coyle was linked with Bolton Wanderers last week but his old club vehemently denied the reports and have since given Gary Megson a new
OWEN Coyle has urged Burnley to bounce back from Saturday’s home loss to Sheffield Wednesday – just as they did after losing to the same opposition on the opening day of the season. Coyle pulled no punches in his assessment of the weekend 4
I THOUGHT I could do it. I even mentioned to my dad how I was thinking of living without a car. He immediately poured scorn on the idea. "You use it every day – it would make life very difficult if you didn’t have one." Yet I thought the opposite.
HEALTH bosses have announced a new location has been found for a controversial drugs and alcohol rehabilitation centre - but are remaining tightlipped about its exact whereabouts. NHS East Lancashire revealed the location for the new centre
FAST bowler Shane Harwood will not be returning to Lancashire League outfit Ramsbottom following yet another u-turn. The Australian agreed to return to Acre Bottom after acting as a successful sub-pro last season. But that deal seemed dead when he signed
Nelson had to settle for a point from their game with lowly St Helens Town after an extraordinary refereeing decision cost them a winning goal at Victoria Park. The sides were locked together at 1-1 with Nelson on top when Chris Clarkson’s
IT was difficult to tell which team was top of the Vodkat Premier League and which team was bottom as Colne travlled to the leaders. Colne made an impressive start when Mark Threlfall played in Stevie Hall, whose shot beat the Newcastle keeper but rebounded
Ramsbottom United put up a brave display against second placed AFC Fylde as they came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw. After a tight first-half, Mick Horsfall gave Fylde the lead mid-way through the second period. But Ramsbottom refused to lie down
Padiham were a long way from their best at Norton on Saturday in the Vodkat First Division and had to play second fiddle to a lively Stffordshire side in the first half. The Storks went behind to a Michael Machin goal on 34 minutes as they struggled
Two Dennis Hill penalties earned Darwen a creditable 2-2 draw in their Vodkat First Division game at Leek CSOB. Three of the game’s four goals came from the penalty spot - and all the strikes arrived in the first-half of the clash in Staffordshire.
CLITHEROE ended a run of three straight UniBond League Division One North defeats as they crushed Ossett Albion at Shawbridge. The Blues took the lead through Andy Smith on 32 minutes but Duncan Bray levelled for Albion just before the break. But two
BURGLARIES have been cut by more than half during the past five years in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, new police figures have shown. During 2008, just over 1,100 burglaries were reported in the Pennine policing division, which covers all
AN “INSPIRATIONAL” toddler who bravely fought serious illness throughout his short life has died at home three months after major heart surgery. In November, three year-old Luca Frost underwent a 13-hour operation to replace valves and repair
BACUP Borough missed goal-den chances in both halves as they drew 0-0 with Winsford United at the Barton Stadium. The visitors had the majority of the possession - but turning that poss-ession into goals was difficult as Rhodri Giggs saw an early effort
DARWEN Civic Society’s annual photographic competition comes of age this summer when their 21st exhibition is staged at the library. I’ll be entering two or three pictures as usual but I’ve probably got more chance of winning the Lottery than getting
Chorley got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over relegation-threatened Warrington Town. The Magpies came from behind to dominate the match to such an extent that keeper Peter Collinge was rarely tested. In a bright Chorley start, Roger
Rossendale United ended their losing streak thanks to an impressive 3-2 win at Garforth Town as they fought back from handing the Yorkshiremen a two-goal start to win the match in stoppage time.. Rossendale went a goal down when Garforth centre forward
A HAULAGE and construction firm has been left counting the cost after a second major theft in the space of a month. In the latest incident a waste haulage wagon worth £80,000 was taken from Monks Contractors Ltd, in Smithy Lane, Mellor Brook. After
DISAPPOINTED John Coleman refused to blame referee James Linington for Accrington Stanley’s latest defeat as they went down 3-1 at Aldershot. Linington disallowed a Kieran Charnock goal when the game was locked at 0-0 but Coleman insisted that
A JUBILANT Stephen Warnock has warned his Blackburn Rovers team-mates ‘this is just the start’ after inspiring a timely end to their five-month away day misery. Restored to central midfield, Warnock scored and created Keith Andrews’ second
BURNLEY are facing a defensive headache ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup glamour tie at Arsenal after Rhys Williams and Michael Duff were both ruled out of the game. The duo will be available for tomorrow night’s league trip to Blackpool but Duff will
OFFICERS hunting armed robbers who targeted an East Lancashire bank are urging people in the area to think back to any suspicious activity in the area. Detective Inspector Steve Dowson said that the raid at HSBC in High Street, Rishton, was pre-planned
A DRASTIC shake-up of Blackburn and Darwen’s bus network has been branded an “absolute shambles”. A bus driver said services descended into “chaos” a week after the most wide-reaching changes to routes in recent years. Bus stops are
A CASH row has erupted over an ‘unpaid bill for fly-posting’ between Burnley’s ruling Liberal Democrats and the British National Party. Council leader Coun Gordon Birtwistle, at a full council meeting, blasted the BNP for a series of stickers
MORTEN Gamst Pedersen can hardly be described as one of football’s hard men, so when even Blackburn Rovers’ Norwegian winger is receiving his marching orders it becomes clear that the rules need to change. Pedersen has never come across
ROSSENDALE AREA COUNCIL TAX RISES 2009. Council Tax 2009. The Rossendale Borough Council Tax is to increase by 2.9% when Lancashire County Council,the Lancashire Police/Fire Authority are added the increase is just over 3% for residents
