TOWN centre traders have given their backing to proposals to ensure shoppers are encouraged to spend longer hunting for bargains in Burnley. Council bosses are proposing to continue a price freeze on car parking charges for two-three hour and three-hour
ELEVEN murders and 38 serious sexual assaults are being looked at by Lancashire police’s cold case team. Advances in DNA technology have enabled the eight-strong team to revisit serious crimes and have led to some recent success, including the arrest
A PLEA has been made to conservation chiefs not to oppose the demolition of around 50 homes as part of plans for a new community school. More than 400 people in the Whitefield area of Nelson have signed a petition imploring English Heritage to look
A HOSPICE was targeted by criminals as patients slept in their beds. Thieves stripped lead from the roof of the East Lancs Hospice in the early hours of Saturday morning to sell on as scrap metal. Staff at the Park Lee Road building
Some of us will take to the streets this Christmas in a bid to save four million from torture, persecution and death. The four million live in jeopardy for quietly thanking God for the very first Christmas, not to mention his Son’s salvation
Running time: 108 mins. Starring: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Bruce McGill, Leslie Bibb, Viola Davis, Regina Hall, Emerald-Angel Young, Brooke Mills, Ksenia Hulayev. Director: F. Gary Gray. Justice is blind — and by the end of F Gary Gray’s
PEOPLE in Rawtenstall are in favour of building a new bus station on land currently occupied by the Heritage Arcade. A survey was carried out to gauge public reaction to plans to create the much-needed new station in the town. In total 93 percent of
Running time:105 mins. Starring: Martin Freeman, Marc Wootton, Ashley Jensen, Jason Watkins, Pam Ferris, Alan Carr, Ricky Tomlinson. Director: Debbie Isitt. CHRISTMAS comes early courtesy of British director Debbie Isitt (Nasty Neighbours,
Perhaps the most celebrated of all Christmas stories, A Christmas Carol has been reworked for the big screen this winter, with Jim Carrey taking on the role of Scrooge to great effect. Here, the festive fun has come to the dual screen as you embark
FIFTEENTH-century Italy, the heart of the Renaissance, was home to Leonardo da Vinci, Machiavelli and the mighty House of Medici, patrons to Michelangelo and Botticelli. It was also home to a young assassin named Ezio, whose arsenal includes a hidden
Running time: 85 mins. Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs. Director: Oren Peli. HOW do you turn 15,000 dollars into 100 million dollars? If you’re enterprising Israeli-born film-maker Oren Peli, you write and direct a
BURNLEY indie rockers Pretend Girlfriend are calling it a day after 10 years — and they’re planning on going out with a bang. The band, will play the Attic, Accrington, on Saturday, December 5, and are inviting all of their fans from over the years to
HYNDBURN’S pavements are in such a bad condition that they are an ‘accident waiting to happen’, according to a campaigning councillor. Coun Dave Parkins said he was constantly being stopped by residents who wanted to report the poor state of the borough
WHETHER you know her as a former pop star, an ice skating queen, or a bra model for Asda, it’s likely you’ll remember Bury-born Suzanne Shaw as an upbeat, chatty kind of character. But on the day I called for our interview she is suffering from a bad
A ROSSENDALE councillor has resigned from the standards board with a parting shot at the committee. Coun Jim Pilling, of Whitewell ward, has described the group as ‘not fit for purpose’. The Liberal Democrat councillor has questioned the workings
HOPES are high that East Lancashire’s new super council can really kick start major regeneration. All the area’s council leaders and chief executives have come together to form the group, which met for the first time yesterday. They believe their collective
IN December, the United Nations will meet in Copenhagen for crucial climate change talks. They must agree to a fair, ambitious and binding deal to limit global warming to below 2°C. We have all seen the effects of the recent flooding in Cumbria, Flooding
The Lancashire Telegraph reported that more than 4,000 TVs have been thrown away because of the enforced digital switch-over. What it didn’t mention was the increase in the number of TVs donated to charity shops or just given away. Mr N Momoniat is
TWO barmen charged with the unlawful killing of a Nelson man who died from acute alcohol intoxication on the night of his birthday will have their case heard next year. Bar manager Gary Wright, 32, and barman Aidan Dalton, 27, who are both employed at
RAIL campaigners have urged county council bosses to safeguard an old line for the future in Pendle – and lobby for improvements to the East Lancashire line. County council transport boss Coun Keith Young has been handed a secret report outlining the
A MAN was savagely beaten by a gang in what is being described as a vicious and motiveless attack. Three men approached the victim, who was in his parked car at a garage complex off Sow Clough Road, in Stacksteads. It was there that they subjected him
Chorley boss Steve Waywell said he was really sorry to let midfielder Adam Kozlowski go. “His ability and commitment were never in question but he clearly has a problem keeping fit,” Waywell said. “Fitness is paramount at this level and people
RURAL areas of the North West are deprived of fast broadband speeds, according to communications firm Outsourcery. And the London-based provider of IT solutions to small and medium businesses said the firms it works with are worst affected. The
A TEAM of enterprising students at Burnley College Sixth Form centre have created a business to raise awareness of recycling. The 11 A Level students started the firm, called Envirofunk, as part of Lancaster University’s volunteering unit’s voltage project
POLICE are asking for the public’s help to identify the owners of this picture of a couple in 1950s dress. The snap was found by Ribble Valley police investigating a string of burglaries. Now, they want to reunite the old-fashioned photograph with its
A TEENAGE classical musician has been offered places at two of the most prestigious colleges in the country. Elizabeth Ann Robinson, 17, currently studying at St Mary's College in Blackburn, has the choice of The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester
WHISPERING Bob as he’s known to millions turned on the charm in Darwen. The man who has hosted The Old Grey Whistle Test and numerous radio shows simply sat on stage and chatted to an audience who just lapped up his reminiscences. Hearing THAT voice
A COUNCIL fears it could face legal action because of its refusal to allow a new type of taxi on the streets. There was a furious row when plans to grant licences to the Peugeot E7, as well as traditional Hackney Carriages, were debated at Blackburn
A PADIHAM video company has produced a new showreel featuring Christine and Neil Hamilton. VideoTile produce videos featuring a range of celebrities which are then produced for business websites. Their latest video features the Hamiltons arguing
A GROUP of young entrepreneurs who designed and made protective socks for mobile phones have come out on top of a Dragons’ Den-style competition. The students of St Wilfrid’s Sixth Form College caught the eye of the judging panel with their business
ACCRINGTON’S new market hall will be the first town centre in Lancashire to house special facilities for profoundly disabled people. Hyndburn Borough Council’s champion for the disabled, Coun Malcolm Pritchard said if the new, £25,000 toilet and changing
A PRIZE-winning singer from Darwen has died aged 96. Gertrude Kay, of Hindle Court, died on Wednesday at the Royal Blackburn Hospital. She sang with Darwen Girls’ Temperance Choir, Belgrave Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and competed individually
AFTER a wait of nearly three years, a new playground will finally be built in Whitehall Park. Funding of £71,000 has been secured from the National Lottery fund and the Gover-nment’s Play Pathfinder scheme by the Pioneers of Play group and The Friends
CAR parking charges are to be waived at council car parks in the Ribble Valley on Saturdays throughout December in a bid to boost business. Free parking will be on offer at council car parks throughout the borough on Saturday, December 5, 12, 19 and
LOWERHOUSE Primary School pupils will be taking home details about the school’s Christmas appeal for shoebox presents as part of Operation Christmas Child.
ROSEGROVE resident Glenis Stott, of Rosegrove Lane, has won a prestigious award to celebrate new writers. She scooped £400, as well as a contract for her book “Brother Lijah Built The Ark” after winning the Cinnamon Press Novel Award. As part of
THEY say time flies when you’re having fun. But what about when you’re just doing normal things like your ironing or cooking spaghetti bolognese? Because lately I’ve realised that time has started to fly for me at those times too. When you’re a kid
I Have had two letters from readers in recent weeks asking me to suggest strolls which are either suitable for the disabled or those who can only use public transport. This walk is ideal for both these requirements, but public transport needs
RESIDENTS in Lancashire will be able to decide on how child criminals are punished through community service schemes. People can suggest punishments for young offenders aged 10 to 17 through an initiative being trialled in the north west.
A PUB landlady was knocked unconscious in a ‘grave attack’ by her partner. Deborah Nichol needed surgery to insert a metal plate into a fractured cheekbone and also apparently sustained three broken teeth. Her then boyfriend, Terence
TWO cars overturned and ended up in a field after a four-car smash on a busy road at rush hour. The accident, thought to be caused by ice, is the third crash in Belmont Road, on the outskirts of Abbey Village, in as many weeks. A man and a woman
Can residents be aware that a company is putting a card through people’s doors suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that people need to contact them on a premium rate telephone number. Please do not ring that telephone number as
MOST people’s knowledge of their family tree goes about as far back as the names of their parents’ mother and father. And East Lancashire publican Jonathan Myerscough was no different. But a letter received out of the blue was to change Jonathan
PLASTIC glasses are to be given to Ribble Valley pubs in a bid to reduce accidents and injuries caused by glass attacks. More than 3,000 polycarbonate glasses, which are designed to look and feel like normal glasses, will be given to pubs and clubs in
THE regeneration of Burnley Wood has received a significant boost after the first major development in the area was granted planning permission. Councillors approved the scheme to build 121 houses around Branch Road, Oxford Road and Clarence Street,
A NEW youth club has been set up in Hoddlesden after a year of campaigning. Hoddlesden Youth Group, which will be based at the Carus Centre, is aimed at stopping anti-social behaviour in the village by youngsters aged 11 to 17. While
RESIDENTS have been backed in their fight to reinstate grit bins to their streets in Rossendale by MP Janet Anderson. Residents in Whitewell Bottom were left stunned last week after being told they were no longer allowed any grit this winter. Unadopted
Blackburn Sea Cadets wish to thank all those kind people who contributed in any way to enable us to make a substantial amount of money during our week in the Blackburn Charity Shop on Penny Street. Donations of goods from the general public, friends
TWO men who have been played squash twice a week for more then 35 years have been rewarded for their loyalty with free sessions. Brian Higgin, of Padiham, and Mick Foster from Burnley, started playing at the Thompson Centre Burnley when it first opened
SO Mr Brown has apologised to children sent to Australia over 40 years ago. Why? What part did he or his administration play in this dreadful business? None. This is an attempt by Mr Brown to earn some goodwill with the electorate. Sorry, Mr Brown,
MILLIONS of pounds’ worth of public projects are to be scrapped by County Hall leaders in a cost-saving move. Lancashire County Council has announced it plans to wipe more than £10million from its capital programme, including improvements to
ANGRY residents will continue to fight plans to transform Brierfield Mills into a Muslim school for girls despite major changes to the proposals. It was announced earlier this week that Islamic Help, a national charity, had scrapped plans to convert
TWO firms are being prosecuted over the death of a joiner in a fall more than three years ago. Peter Walton, 55, died in June 2006, after scaffolding collapsed at an East Lancashire building site. He suffered severe head injuries in the incident at
A SPECIAL ‘Greet the Locals’ night at the Rising Sun, Gisburn Road, Blacko, has been hailed a success by organisers. Former East Lancs Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) chairman, John Ingham, took over the Moorhouse’s pub earlier this year after retiring
A BACUP man who lost his wife to cancer five years ago, will be taking part in a Rossendale Hospice tradition. Raymond Dunkley will be one of many people attending this year’s Light up a Life Christmas service as the people of Rossendale commemorate
A RESCUE team forced to share ‘bedraggled’ equipment due to a lack of funding is to be given more than £20,000. The Lancashire Telegraph is to donate the much-needed cash to Pendle and Rossendale Mountain Rescue team through its parent company's Gannett
A TEENAGER who borrowed his stepfather’s car to go for some cigarettes in the early hours ended up smashing straight into a garage shop. Burnley magistrates heard how David Jon Beauchamp, 19, who cannot drive properly, has never had a lesson and was
PLANS for a protest march against the persecution of Christians in Pakistan have generated mixed responses from religious leaders in East Lancashire. The march on December 19, led by the British Pakistani Christian Association, is being supported by
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice is to meet ambulance bosses to discuss the impact since the A&E changes. He will meet Darren Hurrell, chief executive, and Mary Whyham, chair, of the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, at their base near Preston on Friday
TWO MEN are being hunted by police after a fight outside a popular nightclub. Detectives have released CCTV images of the men they want to speak to in connection with the assault. It happened outside the lower entrance of Lava and Ignite, in Hammerton
DARWEN Brass has scored another first at a prestigious competition. Playing ‘Music for a Festival’, by Philip Sparke, they scored 189 points out of 200, earning a first prize at the Wilkinson’s Northern Open at St Helens. Musical director Steve
PENDLE Council wants teenagers to put themselves forward for an international youth seminar in Israel. Two, aged 16 and 17, will be selected to represent the borough’s twinning association in Herzliya next October. Organisers are looking
A MAN behind plans to convert a hotel into a home for people with mental health issues said he is “flabbergasted” at not being invited to a meeting about the plans. Bill Pearse is one of the owners of the Bear Hotel, Bolton Road, Blackburn and wants
INSPECTIONS of police custody suites have raised questions about the choice and availability of food given to detainees. A report from the Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) was considered by Lancashire Police Authority’s Professional Standards and
FUNDRAISERS are vowing to carry on after hundreds of pounds in charity donations was taken in a £10,000 raid on a social club. The cash stolen from Rishton Conservative Club included hundreds raised for Help for Heroes, Christies Cancer Charity and
A HAUL of 20,000 ‘herbal ecstasy’ pills seized from a house in Darwen have been destroyed. Forensic police tested the tablets found in a terrace house in Higher Church Street on October 7, and found they all contained the chemicals Benzylpiperazine
CCTV cameras have now been installed in areas of Huncoat in a bid to reduce juvenille nuisance in the early evenings. Funding for the CCTV cameras, in the Within Grove and Bolton Avenue areas, has been provided by Hyndburn Homes. Several
OSWALDTWISTLE Civic Theatre is hoping to launch a loyalty scheme as part of the building’s regeneration. Under the plans, regular visitors will be able to take advantage of a loyalty card scheme and add their name to the theatre’s database of customers
The Clarets' scheduled Barclays Premier Reserve League North fixture against Everton at Accrington Stanley tonight has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. The Crown Ground failed a lunch-time pitch inspection following persistent heavy rain
James Anderson’s maiden five-wicket haul put England on course for an easy victory over South Africa at St George’s – yet he admits it is far from the best he has bowled for his country. Burnley-born Anderson’s 5-23 helped to hustle the hosts
BLACKBURN Rovers boss Sam Allardyce returned home from hospital on Saturday, after Friday’s angioplasty, and is expected to return to work in the near future. Wednesday’s Carling Cup quarter final against Chelsea could come just too soon.
A FRENCH teacher may have survived a horror crash on a danger road because she was driving a left-hand drive car. But Nadine Merciere, aged 31, who lives in Blackburn, was left with serious injuries in the accident on a notorious stretch near Abbey Village
I love my bird walking in East Lancashire and all through the winter I visit as many of our reservoirs as I can and for more than 30 years I have counted the number of each species. Two of the most common of our diving ducks are the pochard and tufted
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola was happy to finally enjoy that winning feeling again after watching his relegation-battlers move clear of the bottom three as Burnley were beaten 5-3 at Upton Park. The Hammers were 5-0 up before a late Burnley fightback
THE angry young man of the Jam may have moved into middle age but the drive and determination to do his own thing remain undiminished. The devotees turned up in their droves with their Steve Marriott haircuts and Fred Perrys to worship at the
A CHILDREN’s centre will finally get a home of its own after plans were unveiled to convert a former museum into a youth HQ. Ramsbottom’s Children Centre has been a floating service since its inception last summer. Co-ordinator Paula Cockcroft has been
ROADWORKS have been erected in Ramsbottom to allow for repairs to a flood-hit section of highway. Part of the retaining wall and embankment along the B6214 road to Helmshore has collapsed due to the recent heavy rains. A Bury council spokesman said:
‘A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.’ The significance of this line from the well-known song is lost on today’s youngsters. They are not like the children of my generation, who used to do anything to avoid taking medicine. Nowadays they love
THE former Alliance Pharmacy, Accrington Road, Blackburn, has reopened as a Boots Pharmacy after the two firms’ UK merger. Bosses from Alliance Boots say the renovated store will have a wider array of products, including a Boots-branded health and beauty
As things hot up this week for our contestants both on and off the dance floor and we head towards the quarter finals, I find myself asking: ‘What is to become of Ricky Whittle’ and the incident that occurred this week? How would our celebrities
Export companies have until December 4 to enter the International Trade Club Awards. Now in their 15th year, the awards are run by Chamber of Commerce East Lancashire’s International Trade Club, the oldest export club in the UK. For more information
A TEENAGE web designer is still working for his company – despite living 1,500 miles away from its East Lancashire base. Lee Wallis, who works for EBusiness UK, moved out to Bodrum, Turkey, with his best friend to fulfil a lifelong ambition. But the
HAVING recently received a gift, the debut album from the soldiers entitled ‘Coming Home’, I was utterly amazed at the quality of this CD. From the sound recording to the lovely quality of the three soldiers’ voices, I was in total awe. It is with this
Great, isn’t it, a new bus service, low-floor easy access, and a bus every 10 mins for Whalley Range. It’s a shame that when the guy in the wheelchair gets to Blackburn, he won’t be able to get on the double decker bus to get to Blackburn Hospital.
Looks like our super bus company have played a blinder again. They have now introduced a new service from Whalley Range to Blackburn (within spitting distance) with modern low-floor easy-access buses every 10 minutes. Meanwhile, other far-reaching areas
I read with interest the story about the new bus service around the Whalley Range area. While I welcome all additions to public transport, especially to areas that have no service, I know, unfortunately, this will be of little comfort to all those people
A CLARETS fan is facing jail and a football banning order after punching a female steward in the face at Turf Moor. Craig Anthony Kershaw, 32, attacked Sharon Hartley after she asked him to leave the ground because she thought he had got in
LOCALLY-sourced produce is fashionable at present. All manner of farm shops, restaurants and cafes have sprung up, charging higher prices for such delights as ‘hand reared Bowland beef’. But these are seen as treats. For day-to-day living, the majority
James Anderson’s maiden five-wicket haul put England on course for an easy victory over South Africa at St George’s – yet he admits it is far from the best he has bowled for his country. Burnley-born Anderson’s 5-23 helped to hustle the hosts out for
FAST FOOD giants KFC and McDonald’s are to go head to head in a Burnley street. Plans to build a KFC drive-through yards from McDonald’s in Trafalgar Street have been approved. The development went through despite concerns from residents about increased
A DEDICATED student has been hailed as a role model to his peers after being crowned ju-jitsu world champion. Nelson and Colne College A-Level student Tommy Allen, who chops and changes between his studies and strict training schedule, beat competitors
A HEART specialist from Burnley has been advising MPs on the best ways to treat serious cardiac problems. Dr Ravi Singh, a consulant cardiologist for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, was invited to Westminster to address a cross-party group of politicians
A LATE Carl Lomax penalty completed a fine comeback for Ramsbottom at Alsager Town. The Rams slipped behind to a 13th minute goal which was cancelled out by Lee Connell. And with just four minutes remaining, Lomax converted from the spot to seal all
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman hit out at the match officials and Barnet striker Jake Hyde after two controversial incidents denied his team victory in the FA Cup second round on Saturday. Stanley will travel to Underhill for a replay
NEIL McDonald has stressed Blackburn Rovers have earned the majority of their points this season playing just one up front after Saturday’s Ewood Park bore draw. Rovers’ assistant boss, in charge in the continued absence of Sam Allardyce, was
BRETT EMERTON has roared ‘let’s be positive’ as he bids to lift a frustrated Ewood Park by preserving Rovers’ Wembley dreams on Wednesday night. Blackburn Rovers’ Australian, one of the few ‘sparks’ in Saturday’s drab 0-0 draw with Stoke City
Barnoldswick Town reached the third round of the Vodkat League First Division Trophy after coming from behind to beat Eccleshall. Bill Williams’ first goal for the club and a late winner Adam Hayton maintained Barlick’s hopes of league and cup glory.
Forget Monsters Inc and The Incredibles, there’s a new animation set to take cinemas by storm this Christmas: Planet 51 is the latest film from the writer of Shrek. The inhabitants of Planet 51 live in peace but their tranquil world is thrown
Nelson were given six of the best by top of the table Newcastle Town who maintained their 100 per cent record in the Vodkat Premier Division this season. The Blues went behind on 36 minutes when Chris Boast headed home and the hosts doubled their lead
PADIHAM’S away win at third-placed Congleton will be remembered not only for Robbie Smith’s stunning goal from inside his own half but an outstanding goalkeeping display from Sean Davis. The Storks keeper single-handidly kept the Congleton strikeforce
CLITHEROE kept up their play-off hopes with an accomplished victory over promo-tion rivals Bamber Bridge. Peter Smith’s side made it five wins out of six and did so with 10 men after Liam McManus was red-card midway through the second half.
ROBBIE Blake is convinved Burnley’s attacking style WILL bring them results on the road this season. But he stressed the need to cut out the errors which were brutally punished in Saturday's 5-3 defeat to West Ham. The Clarets produced
Leaders Curzon Ashton proved too sharp and slippery for the Magpies who were outpaced and frankly outclassed, the final score hardly reflecting the visitors’ superiority. The Chorley defence, again lacking recognised full-backs, was too easily opened
GRITTY Rossendale can count themselves unlucky after coming away from high-flying Skelmersdale without at least a point. The UniBond Division One North strugglers produced a performance full of grit and determ-ination. As expected, the home side started
OWEN Coyle has vowed to address the errors which led to Burnley shipping five goals for the second away game this season, but the Clarets boss felt the result flattered West Ham. Burnley threatened a recovery through Steven Fletcher, who scored
Christmas can be a magical time - the trouble is, it’s often not much of a holiday for you. In fact, it’s three times the mess, with your carpet being splashed with sticky drinks, chocolaty fingerprints appearing on every surface and a kitchen
Irishman Roy Keane believes his Ipswich Town side’s shock Championship win at Cardiff on Sunday was down to gaining inspiration from the team watching Australia beating Wales in the rugby union Autumn international 24 hours earlier. Keane took his side
A MAN was found dead in a Blackburn side street six-and-a-half hours after collapsing from hypothermia. Kevin Hawkins, 49, went out for the night wearing just a T-shirt and jeans, despite temperatures coming close to freezing, according to
A FAMILY accused of making neighbours’ lives a misery could be removed from their home under new anti-social behaviour laws. On Saturday police issued an interim closure notice on four adults and two children living at a home in Leamington
A NEW patient league table shows East Lancashire’s hospitals are in the bottom third — but NHS bosses say steps have already been taken to remedy the problem. In research just published by independent health monitor Dr Foster, East Lancashire Hospitals
