A MAJOR overhaul of child protection laws will see casual workers and those with less frequent access to children in East Lancashire no longer required to fill in a Criminal Records Bureau form. Ministers say it will lift an atmosphere of mistrust
A NELSON business owner has gained the support of hundreds of the town’s residents as she tries to win permission to open a fish and chip restaurant in the town centre. Paula Gibson, who currently runs Nibbles sandwich bar, in Railway Road, was thwarted
A BRIDE-to-be from Blackburn is through to the last 10 in dream wedding competition. Gemma Fallon, manageress of Split ‘n’ Polish beautician’s in Cherry Tree, is in the running to marry fiance Steven Humphries, 23, on stage during a production of Mamma
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Steve Kean is looking for his side to show more ruthlessness at both ends of the pitch at home to Newcastle tomorrow. Rovers were on the end of a 4-3 defeat at Wigan last week and have conceded eight goals in their
A MAN was pushed to the ground and robbed in a violent street attack. Police said the victim, a 30-year-old man, was walking home in Victoria Street, Clayton-le-Moors. As he approached the canal bridge, he was pushed to the ground by two men.
A SCHEME designed to keep troubled teenagers off the streets of Burnley is under threat. The future of the Burnley Youth Inclusion Project (BYIP), based on Stoops Estate, is uncertain after the Youth Justice Board is set to cut funding in March. It
ONE of two armed raiders who brought terror to a village post office is facing jail. Micah Buckle, 25, admitted two charges of robbery against Gordon Worth and Margaret Wilkins, who ran Edenfield Post Office, last November 25, at Burnley Crown Court
80 mins. Tom Cavanagh, Anna Faris, TJ Miller, Andrew Daly, Nathan Corddry and the voices of Dan Aykroyd, Justin Timberlake. Director: Eric Brevig. Created by Hanna-Barbera, Yogi Bear gained a cult following in the 1960s, pursing his beloved “pic-a-nic
116 mins. Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker, Nick Swardson, Nicole Kidman, Dave Matthews, Bailee Madison, Griffin Gluck. Director: Dennis Dugan. The title of Dennis Dugan’s romantic comedy should be read as a desperate plea to audiences
Running time: 83 mins. Starring: Featuring the voices of James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Jason Statham, Maggie Smith, Ashley Jensen, Matt Lucas, Stephen Merchant. Director: Kelly Asbury. Shakespeare’s tale of star-cross’d lovers and self-sacrifice
IT is one of the most natural things in the world, but yet screams of horror can be heard in living rooms up and down the country when One Born Every Minute on Channel 4 makes its weekly appearance on TV screens. I’m not sure if it is out of fascination
103 mins. Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley, Charlotte Rampling, Sally Hawkins, Izzy Meikle-Small, Charlie Rowe, Ella Purnell. Director: Mark Romanek. Based on the Booker Prize-nominated novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, Mark Romanek
MORE than 100 retired Lancashire Police officers have been re-employed in civilian roles while still claiming a force pension. A total of 105 constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors have been re-hired in the past five years in a variety
Tickets for Lancashire’s games in this year’s FP T20 go on sale on Monday from the Old Trafford box office. The Red Rose have eight home games, including the first two under floodlights at the ground in July.
WORK is set to begin on a crime-busting lighting initiative in Burnley after the scheme beat off competition from nearly 40 rivals countywide. Ageing lamp standards in the Lyndhurst Road area have been a cause for concern among borough and county councillors
NEWCASTLE United's Ewood Park visit could prove a pivotal moment for Blackburn Rovers' season as they look to secure another top half finish. Rovers fans would be right to be happy enough with their team's current points tally and league
A RECORD 2,600 real ale lovers flocked to the 7th Pendle Beer Festival in Colne, organisers have revealed. East Lancashire CAMRA is toasting the success of the three-day event at the Muni Theatre which raised £5,500 for Pendleside Hospice. And they
A CANNABIS factory with an estimated street value of up to £17,600 has been discovered at a house in Burnley. Police uncovered 44 plants at the address in Arley Street. It came after concerns raised by members of the public to the local police.
AN AGRICULTURE leader says East Lancashire farmers fear Britain’s first ‘mega-dairy’. NFU East Lancashire secretary Andrew Rothwell said members felt ‘trepidation’ at the prospect of 3,800-cow Nocton Dairies, planned to be built in Lincolnshire
The Chuckle Brothers are back on tour with their new show Barry Potty and his Full Blood Brother Paul in The Ghostly Shadows in Preston on March 13, Carlisle on April 2, Southport on April 10 and Manchester on April 15. Barry and his brother Paul arrive
A WOMAN stood outside a pub in Accrington had her handbag snatched. The 44-year-old was in front of the Spread Eagle pub on Blackburn Road around 6.40pm when a man grabbed her handbag and ran off down a back alley towards the Margram roundabout.
SHAREHOLDERS of Holland’s Pies owner Northern Foods have been sent the takeover offer from the tycoon behind Harry Ramsden’s. Boparan Holdings, which is owned by Ranjit Boparan and runs the fish and chip shops, wants to buy Leeds-based Northern in
A PHONE mast could be built at Darwen Cricket Club’s ground, if plans are approved. The club made an application for a 15-metre-high mast in August last year but it was rejected after residents in the Birch Hall area raised fears over its height and
Lancaster-born comedian and BBC6 Music host Jon Richardson is bringing his Funny Magnet tour to his native North West with shows Whitehaven on February 11, Burnley on February 12, Chorley on March 5 and Liverpool on May 7. “I haven’t done
Britain’s rudest and crudest comedian returns to Colne on February 11. Still as popular as ever, but too rude for television, there are only two ways to see the outrageous comedian, on DVD or at a live concert. The show is packed with
COLNE Health Centre patients are reminded that they now have the option to see their GP in Sainsbury’s. People registered with Richmond Court Group Practice and Hill Top Surgery can visit a consulting room in the supermarket with extended opening
A THIEF who targeted Pendle Community Hospital was seen carrying a chisel by a passer-by who called police. Paul Bradshaw, 32, claimed he targeted the hospital as he had been banned from town centre shops. The defendant, of Barkerhouse Road, Nelson
Historical drama Agora is the next film to be shown at the Little Theatre by Chorley Empire Community Cinema. The film is a 2009 Spanish historical drama directed by Alejandro Amenábar and stars Rachel Weisz as Hypatia, a female mathematician
There’s something very Tim Burton-esque about Grimm, an intriguing new side-scrolling platform puzzler on iPhone, which puts you in control of an old-fashioned pram and the baby inside. Your goal is to tackle the twists and turns across 10 Victorian
To watch top-notch Parkour performers is an awe-inspiring experience - athletic balance and style, incredible speed, plus acrobatic capabilities most of us mere mortals can only dream about. To recreate this fluidity on a console is no small task,
It’s been a wee while coming but PlayStation 3 owners will surely be looking forward to playing the first episode of the new Back to the Future games. The title was released for the Mac and PC at the tailend of last year but seeing it come to the PlayStation
BARCLAYS has told businesses in Blackburn and Burnley that it is ready to lend. The bank said it is ‘increasing its corporate presence’ in the towns, reflecting confidence in the area. It means new specialists will be on hand for firms hoping to
BLACKBURN Rovers fans travel the least distance over the course of a season in support of their team, according to a new survey. It found that the average Rovers supporter completes 1,300 miles over the course of a 38 games season. It
Blackburn Rovers defender Grant Hanley was made to wait for his Scotland debut. He was an unused substitute during Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Northern Ireland.
Accrington Stanley have released former Blackburn Rovers left back Michael Hall, who may now join Lancaster. Hall failed to make a first-team appearance after joining the Reds.
Clitheroe make the trip to Evo-Stik leaders Chester tomorrow. The Blues are in fifth place but in striking distance of second spot. Supporters can watch the Manchester derby in the Chester bar beforehand, which opens at 12.30pm.
In the Vodkat Premier Division, third-placed Ramsbottom United host fifth-placed Congleton Town. Meanwhile bottom club Rossendale United travel to Bootle and Barnoldswick Town host St Helens. Bacup Borough entertain Flixton while Padiham are at
AFC DARWEN will be bidding to recover from a midweek defeat to Atherton Collieries when they travel to Leek CSOB tomorrow. Darwen were able to return to action at the Anchor Ground on Tuesday, incredibly playing at home for the first time since October
CHORLEY suffered a midweek loss, exiting the Evo-Stik Challenge Cup after a shoot-out at Premier Division high-fliers Colwyn Bay. The Magpies, currently third in First Division North, forced extra time when Dale Whitham scored with five minutes left
FROM Stalybridge to the Stadio Carlo Castellani – it’s already been quite a season for Jay Rodriguez. Back in August, the only thing on the 21-year-old’s mind was establishing himself in the Clarets’ first team, never mind featuring in Stuart
A RIBBLE Valley chef has been shortlisted for an award. Steven Smith, chef-patron at the Freemasons at Wiswell, has been selected for Best Newcomer in the Publican Awards. He has been chosen along with five other nominees and the winner will be
A MOTHER is supporting the launch of a pioneering cancer helpline. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s telephone helpline is the first of its kind for anyone in the country affected by cervical cancer, which kills around three women in the UK every
A 23-YEAR-OLD man 'off his head' on drink and drugs launched a vicious attack on his teenage girlfriend. Blackburn magistrates heard Wayne Sean Gilligan pinned his girlfriend on the floor and was screaming wildly as he put his face against hers
A LEADING East Lancashire Liberal Democrat has signed a letter protesting over spending cuts. David Foster, Lib Dem group leader and former deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said it had been ‘an easy decision’ to join 87 other councillors
As a week of council cuts draws to a close, let’s compare these two official statements. First, from Labour-run Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern, announcing 1,000 job losses: “We are forced to consider reducing, changing or
EDDIE Howe has told his players “It’s now or never” as they bid to overcome their toughest run of the season and climb into the play-off positions. Burnley are faced with four away games on the bounce, starting with tomorrow’s trip to fellow
YOB patrols will be hitting East Lancashire’s streets this weekend with hundreds of special officers tackling anti-social behaviour. Special constables — who are voluntary officers but with the same powers of arrest — will be patrolling anti-social
Newsquest Northwest has joined forces with British Cycling to promote their competition. Our lucky readers have the chance to win one of four pairs of tickets to the sold-out 2011 UCI Track Cycling World Cup event in Manchester for Saturday, February
WHEN bosses at a Clitheroe therapy centre took up a doorstep deal to change their telephone provider, they got a lot less than they bargained for. Wendy Loudon and Debbie Featherstone who run The Gateway Centre, have been without phone lines for almost
THE director of East Lancashire Hospitals breast screening unit has said colleagues never thought lives were being put at risk by Dr Glenn Kelly. Dr Richard Dobrashian worked with Dr Kelly at Accrington Victoria Hospital during the time that
A BURNLEY-born sculptor who has exhibited extensively across the country has donated one of her favourite pieces of work to Towneley Hall. Vivien Whitaker’s work involves using the last remaining pieces of English alabaster. She has donated her
DANNY Fox believes the best is yet to come from Burnley, and has challenged the Clarets to make a late surge into the play-off pack. Eddie Howe’s side find themselves six points adrift of sixth place in the Championship going into two key away
DAVID Dunn has called for calm ahead of Newcastle United’s crunch Ewood visit on Saturday – insisting ‘it won’t take much to get us on the up again’. The Ewood Park favourite believes Blackburn Rovers have deserved more than their zero points
SHEFKI Kuqi’s shock arrival at Newcastle United has once more seen the Toon Army become the butt of footballing jokes – a man who knows him well though insists his old Ewood Park pals will not be taking him lightly. Selling Andy Carroll
FULL time has been called on anti-social behaviour in a Rawtenstall neighbourhood as part of a pioneering sports initiative. Teachers at Newchurch Primary School and bosses at Rossendale United FC, in Dark Lane, were fed up with being targeted by vandals
He’s equally at home on the sports field, leading thousands of football or cricket fans in a rousing rendition of the national anthem as he is on stage in some of the world’s best known operas. But Sean Ruane really will be at home when he performs
WHILE I have many things to say to many people, I don’t want to share them with everyone every day. Take, for instance, this thing called ‘Twitter’. In the beginning, I really did think this was a great idea. Of course, I never took joined up to
CHORLEY’S Nick Dougherty admits pulling out of this week’s Dubai Desert Classic was a necessity to avoid further damage to his injured right hand. The 28-year-old is out of action for a minimum of three weeks after confirming he fractured a bone in
A SEX attacker jailed indefinitely after he dragged a woman under an underpass in Blackburn has won an appeal against the open-ended sentence. Ikram Ayub Surgan, 27, was given imprisonment for public protection, which is almost identical to
WHEN bosses at a Clitheroe therapy centre took up a doorstep deal to change their telephone provider, they got a lot less than they bargained for. Wendy Loudon and Debbie Featherstone who run The Gateway Centre, have been without phone lines for almost
A DRUG-ADDICT father instructed his estranged partner to drive them to the M65 so they could both die there, a court heard. Adam Hargreaves, 22, had stalked Victoria Morton, flouting court orders, violently attacking her, taking her car and insulting
Rolls-Royce has increased its sales to £11.1billion last year - but an engine blow-out on a super-jumbo cost the firm £56million. The aerospace giant, which employs 1,000 in East Lancashire, yesterday reported its full-year results, revealing
RESIDENTS living near the site of a disused mill that has been reduced to rubble for the past six years are demanding it is cleared up. The former Perseverance Mill site, in Albion Street, Padiham, is now just a mountain of bricks and dumped rubbish
A BURNLEY-born sculptor who has exhibited extensively across the country has donated one of her favourite pieces of work to Towneley Hall. Vivien Whitaker’s work involves using the last remaining pieces of English alabaster. She has donated her
David Cameron’s “Big Society” is proving to be a more elusive concept than Fermat’s Last Theorem. It is also a stroke of genius, because he will take credit for all the good work being done by volunteers out there, despite his cuts. Craig Hall
This is what I would do if I was looking for a care home for a loved one: Look at the outside and gardens. Are they well kept? Does the home smell nice and clean and is nicely decorated? Are the residents sitting around and sleeping? There
AN ACCRINGTON mum believes a care centre’s closure would force her to put her profoundly learning disabled son into full-time care. Overnight care at Hargreaves House in Oswaldtwistle is the only break some parents of disabled children have from their
Thank you to all our blood and platelet donors for making a special effort to give blood during the severe winter weather. We never take the generosity and commitment of our volunteer donors for granted and appreciate everyone who took the time and
THE behaviour of the men who drove their Land Rovers to Darwen Tower in the pitch dark was nothing short of idiotic. Their reckless actions in the early hours of yesterday led to 26 mountain rescue volunteers being called out, two helicopters and several
A HAMMER-wielding robber stole thousands of pounds in a raid on a Hyndburn shop. It is the second time in less than four weeks that the Co-op in Clayton-le-Moors has been targeted in similar circumstances. Police said a man threatened staff and demanded
A WATER company has been fined £10,000 for allowing sewage to leak into the River Ribble. United Utilities admitted letting sewage leak from one of its pumping stations into a tributary of the river near Clitheroe in April last year.
A GANG who set up fake clothing companies and hijacked the identities of legitimate firms have been sentenced for a £600,000 international VAT fraud ring. The men, including two from Blackburn, were pretending to import and export goods from
A COUNCIL did not consult volunteers before cutting funding for community centres, a watchdog has found. Blackburn with Darwen Council has been rapped by the Local Government Ombudsman for what the council leader said was a ‘miserable failure
YOUNG Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Jake Kean has described his England under 20s debut this week as the proudest moment of his career so far. Kean – no relation to Rovers boss Steve Kean – was one of three Rovers players to feature as England
A PHONE mast which residents successfully petitioned to block has been built regardless – thanks to bungling council officers. People living in the Parklands Way and Alpine Grove area of Meadowhead, Blackburn, were told in April 2010 they had
ROQUE Santa Cruz is back in contention for Newcastle United's visit to Ewood Park tomorrow. The Paraguayan international has been out since injuring his groin in the FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa but is now fit again. Gael Givet and Phil
AN eyesore store in south-west Burnley is set to be given a new lease of life by a frozen food giant, providing a key jobs boost. Vandals and arsonists have plagued the former Kwik Save, in Accrington Road, since it closed around four years ago.
CHILDREN will get hurt on a ‘mountain of vodka bottles’ because of lazy residents, a Darwen councillor claims. Marsh House representative Simon Huggill says he cleared 30 glass spirit bottles from the council-owned Rosehill nature area off Sough Road
A VIOLENT criminal who repeatedly knifed his girlfriend after telling her he loved her is behind bars. Burnley Crown Court heard how John O’Brien, 37, left the mother-of-two bleeding and with multiple wounds. The defendant had a long record going back
A 37-YEAR-OLD woman has been sexually assaulted in a Burnley alleyway. She was pulled into a ginnel and pinned to the ground while the attack took place between Ada Street and Murray Street. The victim was walking along Waterbarn Street when the incident
JOHN Coleman has insisted that Accrington Stanley must shake off an unwanted record of having drawn the most games in all four divisions if they are to make the play-offs. Stanley have slipped two places to 17th in League Two over the past
AFTER making only his fourth start in two years last weekend, Leam Richardson was never likely to complain about the daunting fixture schedule that gets underway tomorrow – and he believes Accrington Stanley now have the squad to cope with the
DETECTIVES smashed a suspected heroin-dealing ring in Burnley and seized a 600,000-volt stun gun. Heroin with a street value of £32,000 and a black Cobra stun gun were seized in a series of co-ordinated raids involving 25 officers yesterday
EIGHT men who sparked a major rescue operation after trying to drive up to Darwen Tower at midnight have been branded ‘idiots’. Two helicopters, 26 mountain rescue volunteers and two police patrols had to be deployed after they got lost and
Derby County want to re-sign Blackburn Rovers and England U21 goalkeeper Frank Fielding on loan. He impressed at Pride Park earlier this season.
NEWCASTLE United boss Alan Pardew believes Shefki Kuqi will provide a much-needed option up front after joining the Magpies until the end of the season. The former Blackburn Rovers striker was snapped up yesterday as Newcastle attempt to cope
