Archive

  • Let's face it, women are the dominant sex

    'THEY are selling fillets for 99p at McDonald's!' As soon as I heard the news I hurried down to the nearest one, only to find that they had changed the offer. It was a big disappointment. At least that Maya woman from Coronation Street got what she deserved

  • EVENTS in East Lancashire on Saturday, December 4

    BURNLEY Christmas Soul Night Special, Circulation, Burnley, 7.30pm. Lempen Puppets present "Rainbow Forest, Mechanics, Manchester Road, Burnley, 11am. Music for Christmas, St Anne's Church, Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, 7.30pm. Christmas Market, Nazareth

  • Patients shouldn't have to suffer

    ON the day that the NHS chief executive talks of tumbling waiting lists and increased patient choice, we hear a different message in East Lancashire. While the government is claiming big improvements across the country, the chief executive of East Lancashire

  • Gresko out for season

    BLACKBURN Rovers defender Vratislav Gresko has been ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage. The 27-year-old was injured while playing for Slovakia in the goalless draw with Slovenia two weeks ago. Rovers' club doctor Phil Batty

  • Ryan's winner

    ROVERS slumped to their second defeat of the season at the hands of Sunderland at Christie Park. Glyn Hodges' young side struggled to create chances against strong opposition. Keeper David Yelldell, was in good form but on 14 minutes the American stopper

  • The joy of being known as Silly Billy

    Hundreds of families across East Lancashire will enjoy an evening of fun at a local pantomime this Christmas without realising the hours of rehearsals and hard work that has gone in to each performance. CAROLINE INNES spoke to actor turned pantomime producer

  • Would Christians be treated same?

    REGARDING your article on the refusal of Ribble Valley councillors to approve the application of local Muslims to build a mosque. I have the question to them, would they have made the same decision if the application had emanated from the Christian community

  • Discipline set us up for real life

    RE the fall in discipline at school today. When I was at school (about the time the wheel was invented) children on the whole were afraid of things like the dark, their father, the headmaster and the local 'bobby'. The latter would more than likely give

  • We should grasp opportunity to lead EU

    I FEEL that I must write in to reply to some of the comments made by Mr Cannon (LET, November 29). Firstly, as a member of the UK Independence Party, I am sure that none of the irony will be lost on him when one looks at the fact that, despite being so

  • Blake must stay at Turf Moor - at least for now

    The Andy Lochhead column SELLING off the family silver has been the story of the week, on the pitch and ... er, including the pitch! Dealing with player matters first, Wigan's bids for Robbie Blake are worrying. Clearly the £600,000 offered is nowhere

  • Teenage driver killed in car crash

    A TEENAGER has died after a head-on car crash in Kelbrook last night. The 18-year-old, whose name has not been released, was driving a Fiat along Colne Road from Foulridge when he was in collision with a Vauxhall Omega travelling in the opposite direction

  • Ferguson hails striker Dickov

    BARRY Ferguson has praised the role Paul Dickov has played in Blackburn Rovers' recent revival - even though he has pinched the job of taking penalties off him. When Ferguson first signed for Rovers at the beginning of last season, he arrived at Ewood

  • Spurs boss sticks with rotation

    MARTIN Jol is expected to change his forward line yet again when his Tottenham side visit Ewood Park. Jol has three strikers - Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Fredi Kanoute - battling it out for two places in the starting line-up. Since taking over from

  • Dwight expresses his disappointment

    FORMER Blackburn Rovers striker Dwight Yorke has broken his silence over the racial abuse he suffered at Ewood Park nine days ago. Yorke was subjected to monkey taunts by Rovers supporter Jason Perryman during the 3-3 draw between Blackburn and Birmingham

  • Our best performance yet - Ferguson

    BLACKBURN skipper Barry Ferguson today hailed Saturday's 2-0 victory at Fulham as Rovers' best performance of the season so far. Ferguson and his Blackburn team-mates were simply outstanding at Craven Cottage as Rovers won an away game for the first time

  • Hughes is seeking an Ewood spark

    MARK Hughes today urged his Blackburn players to transform Ewood into a fortress as he seeks to make the home improvements necessary to fire Rovers up the Premier League table. After Rovers won their first away game in seven months at Fulham last week

  • Hughes is on a global mission

    BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes is scouring the globe in a bid to shore up his leaky defence during the transfer window. Hughes has brought in two international defenders for trials this week with a view to making a signing in January. South African

  • Don't buy horses on impulse

    THE Horses and Ponies Protection Association is warning people not to buy horses on impulse. The advice follows the charity, which is based at Shores Hey Farm, Briercliffe, having to rescue a mare which was dumped in a field after she was bought. The

  • Pupils learn about sport and citizenship

    PUPILS from two Burnley schools teamed up for a sports and anti-racism day at Turf Moor. St Peter's CE Primary School and Worsthorne Primary School took part in the Schools, Citizenship, Anti Racism and Football (SCARF) project. The culmination of the

  • Accent on making pals at new drop-in community centre

    A NEW community drop-in centre for residents of Burnley Wood has officially opened. The centre, in Branch Road, is a joint venture between Accent North West Ltd and Burnley Wood Community Action Group. Organisers said it was proving to be a popular and

  • Burglar 'not bothered' about going to prison

    A HOUSE-breaker who started his criminal career at the age of 15 is back in prison, but says it does not bother him. Burnley Crown Court heard former heroin addict Stephen Gorton, 20, took a scooter from a living room and then crashed into a police car

  • Race-fight teenagers convicted

    BURNLEY police's Hate Crime Unit has vowed to continue the clampdown on racially-motivated attacks after nine teenagers were convicted for their part in a brawl. The Burnley youngsters, who are all under 18 and cannot be named for legal reasons, had become

  • Kidnap trial jury hears tapes

    A SERIES of phone calls made to the partner of a businessman after his alleged kidnap have been played to a jury. They heard recordings of calls received by Shirley Murtagh after she realised Alec Cunningham was missing. Ms Murtagh has been giving evidence

  • New alert on drink trouble

    BURNLEY bouncers will be asked to wear fluorescent jackets to provide a high-visibility presence on the doors of the town's pubs and clubs. The pilot project aims to make it easier for revellers and CCTV cameras to pick out the rigorously-trained supervisors

  • Farmland homes scheme grows

    PLANS for 11 houses on farmland in Brierfield could be given the go-ahead on December 7. NEL Construction has applied for four blocks of two and three-bedroom houses on Waterside Farm, Montford Road. Planning permission for eight houses on the site has

  • Knife attack in street

    A 22-year-old who knifed a man in a Brierfield street and left him heavily bleeding and needing stitches is awaiting sentence. Wesley Hall admitted unlawful wounding part way through a trial at Burnley Crown Court. The defendant, of Milton Street, Brierfield

  • Biker fights for life after smash

    A MOTORCYCLIST is fighting for his life after a crash with a car. Peter Buckley, of Moorland Drive, Brierfield, was in a critical but stable condition after coming off his bike on the A59, in East Marton, near Skipton. He was airlifted to Airedale General

  • Reviews of the latest sounds

    SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER: Best Of (Warners) THEY may not have been able to spell, but I have to confess a sneaking liking for Shakespear's Sister. The combination of ex-'Nana Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit produced some classic singles in the early Nineties

  • MP welcomes drop in child accidents

    PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has welcomed new figures that the number of accidents on farms involving children are falling, but stressed extra vigilance is needed to maintain the trend. The Labour backbencher said: "The number of reported injuries to children

  • Howl of protest at puppies plan

    CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for a puppy farm in Trawden look set to win their battle. Residents of Hollin Hall were furious when they heard in October that the owner of Slack Booth Farm wanted to use her land to breed greyhounds. They feared the noise

  • Death after fall

    A 70-YEAR-old retired builder who was well known in the pubs and clubs of Accrington was found dead at his home with a head wound, an inquest heard. But despite hearing that Brian Dewhurst's wallet had never been found the coroner found that the most

  • Police dog Sam wins the chase

    A POLICE chase ended with a four-legged "officer" making the arrest, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard Gary Moss drove off at high speed when a police dog van indicated for him to stop in Oswaldtwistle. The chase that followed went along Haslingden

  • Blaze rips through nightclub

    A NIGHTCLUB was severely damaged in a suspicious blaze which closed off part of Accrington town centre. A cloud of smoke swept over the area last night as 50 firefighters tackled the fire at the Opium nightclub, Willow Street. Fire crews were called at

  • Cash for better bus links in county

    MORE than £1.25million is to be pumped into improving bus links to rural areas of Lancashire. The cash was announced as part of the Government's annual transport allocations for unitary and county councils in charge of improving the use of public transport

  • Anger as council fells the 'elephant tree'

    NATURE lovers in Clitheroe have slammed a council decision to chop down a popular tree known as "the elephant tree." The 30ft high weeping beech on the grounds of Clitheroe Castle was removed this week by Ribble Valley Council after concerns it was leaning

  • Second month for Cahill

    ASTON Villa have given young defender Gary Cahill permission to spend another month on loan at Burnley. Clarets boss Steve Cotterill contacted Villa counterpart David O'Leary earlier this week to try to land the highly-rated defender on a season-long

  • Clarets reject second bid

    Burnley have this morning rejected a second bid from Wigan Athletic for star striker Robbie Blake. The Championship high fliers had a £500,000 bid turned down earlier in the week but they returned, offering an extra £100,000 which has subsequently been

  • Young Cahill still has a lot to learn

    GARY Cahill still has huge hurdles to overcome if he is to become a Premiership star of the future. That's the verdict of Burnley boss Steve Cotterill, who admits the 18-year-old rookie has played a major role during his one-month loan spell from Aston

  • Clarets reject Blake bid

    BURNLEY today rejected Wigan's £500,000 bid for captain and leading goalscorer Robbie Blake. The promotion-chasing Latics contacted Turf Moor chiefs yesterday with their official offer. But Wigan, bankrolled by multi-millionaire businessman Dave Whelan

  • Clarets throw out new Blake bid

    BURNLEY today rejected a new £600,000 bid by Wigan to prise Robbie Blake away from Turf Moor. The Latics contacted Clarets chiefs with the slightly improved offer this morning after seeing their initial £500,000 bid laughed off earlier in the week. And

  • Hall pleased with side's character

    "IT'S a big game on Saturday, which quite simply we have to win and one which I expect us to win." That's fighting talk from Nelson boss Dave Hall, whose side face Flixton tomorrow in need of three points. The visitors are four points clear of the Blues

  • Wilkes imposes banning order

    PADIHAM manager Steve Wilkes is to impose a ban on any of his players participating in Sunday League football. The Division Two leaders have suffered two casualties in the space of a month, with goalkeeper Rob Batty set to undergo knee surgery today,

  • Clarets throw out new Blake bid

    BURNLEY today rejected a new £600,000 bid by Wigan to prise Robbie Blake away from Turf Moor. The Latics contacted Clarets chiefs with the slightly improved offer this morning after seeing their initial £500,000 bid laughed off earlier in the week. And

  • Towering success

    BLACKBURN Rovers' stadium manager John Newsham has been summoned to the Tower of London. He has completed the prestigious British Safety Council diploma in environmental management. John was among 14 environmental professionals to receive the award at

  • Cooking up a treat for customers

    AN East Lancashire company which is the UK's largest manufacturer of baking equipment has become the first in Lancashire to sign up to a £5million training scheme. George Wilkinson Ltd, of Burnley, has pledged its support to the Employer Training Pilot

  • Truancy 'needs to be tackled'

    SCHOOL truancy rates have been put to the top of an action list by Darwen's prospective parliamentary Conservative candidate, Nigel Adams. During the last few months Mr Adams has met the headteachers of both of Darwen's secondary schools to find out how

  • An angel to remember them

    DARWEN people who have lost a loved one this year will get an opportunity to have their own little angel to watch over them. Relatives who arranged funerals through Darwen Funeral Service, in Blackburn Road, during 2004 have each been sent a small gold

  • Thug jailed for drunken punch-up

    A DRINKER who "smacked" and injured a man during a fight at a Rawtenstall pub has been jailed for nine months. Burnley Crown Court heard Andrew John Andrew, 23, lost his temper, smashed a pool cue and chased victim Simon Anderton out of the Sun Inn. Andrew

  • Public get a say in decision-making

    LIBRARY opening hours, traffic-calming measures, a waste transfer station and a possible mini-roundabout for Waterfoot will be discussed in public at Monday night's Lancashire Local - Rossendale. The meeting, which unites Lancashire County Council and

  • Tears for car crash friends

    A COMMUNITY was today coming to terms with a horrific car crash that killed three young Blackburn men and left a fourth fighting for his life. Tearful friends and family of driver Shakil Mohammed Ahmed, 27, have been gathering at his family home in Tenby

  • Cash crisis forces hospital beds cuts

    UP to 130 beds are set to be cut in a bid to balance the books at East Lancashire's cash-strapped hospitals. Health bosses today admitted that waiting lists could grow as a result of the move, initially for four months, but pledged that patient care would

  • Trust cash crisis

    THE health body in charge of our hospitals was set up on a promise of financial stability and better services. Less than two years on it has mounting debt problems despite swingeing cuts and fears over the level of patient care. Chief reporter DAVID HIGGERSON

  • We've come a long way in the last twelve months

    The Paul Mullin column WELL, I said I was due a goal. It was a relief to score on Saturday but, as I've said before, the most vital thing was getting three points because that's what we've got to aim for from every home game. The first half was a bit

  • Brannan and Butler have a race against time

    ACCRINGTON Stanley may be forced into defensive changes if Chris Butler doesn't win his fitness battle. The young full back sustained a knock to his calf against Canvey Island last weekend, which threatens to rule him out of tomorrow's trip to struggling

  • Coleman reveals his play-off dream

    ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has set his side a mission to cement a play-off place in the New Year. The Reds chief was encouraged by the way the team bounced back from their 3-0 defeat at Barnet by claiming three points at home to Canvey Island

  • Gresko out for season

    BLACKBURN Rovers defender Vratislav Gresko has been ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage. The 27-year-old was injured while playing for Slovakia in the goalless draw with Slovenia two weeks ago. Rovers' club doctor Phil Batty

  • Jansen in for surgery

    BLACKBURN Rovers striker Matt Jansen has undergone surgery to correct a cartilage problem. The 27-year-old went under the knife yesterday and the club expect him to be missing for at least two to three weeks. "Matt has had a small operation to trim knee

  • Rovers boss tells Pedersen to toughen up

    BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen has been told to toughen up if he wants a regular starting place under Mark Hughes. The Norwegian international has struggled to break into the Rovers first team since Hughes took over from Graeme Souness

  • I hope lout is targeted too

    WHEN the lout who kicked my neighbour's car panels in gets a car of his own I sincerely hope some yob kicks his car panels in. If that happens I wonder if he will remember. Name and Accrington address supplied.

  • Lights switch-on was wonderful

    THANK you for your article telling us of the Darwen Lights switch on Saturday afternoon. What a superb family afternoon it was with brass bands, choirs and children's entertainment. All the market was trimmed up Santa's grotto, with a wonderful winter

  • Cash crisis forces hospital beds cuts

    UP to 130 beds are set to be cut in a bid to balance the books at East Lancashire's cash-strapped hospitals. Health bosses today admitted that waiting lists could grow as a result of the move, initially for four months, but pledged that patient care would

  • Manager praises re-born striker

    BULLISH Blackburn boss Mark Hughes today hailed the role Paul Gallagher has played in Rovers' recent revival. Gallagher has scored in each of his last two appearances to help stretch Rovers' impressive unbeaten run to five matches in the Premiership.

  • Ferguson: I'm going nowhere

    BLACKBURN Rovers skipper Barry Ferguson has insisted he's going nowhere. Ferguson's future at Blackburn has been the subject of intense speculation for some time, with Newcastle United and his old club Rangers reported to be lining up moves for the Scotland

  • Aussie ace is bubbling

    REVITALISED midfielder Brett Emerton today said he feels like a different player under new boss Mark Hughes. There were times last season when Blackburn Rovers' Australian winger looked bereft of confidence as he struggled to adapt to the rigours of the

  • Survival of the fittest

    MARK Hughes has a simple take on the battle to stay in the Premier League - it's all about survival of the fittest. And judging by the way Hughes' players are responding to their manager's new methods, there's growing evidence to suggest that Blackburn

  • Sandwich shop staff on benefit charges

    A SANDWICH shop and cafe boss has appeared in court along with four of his staff on charges of benefit fraud. Barrie Jackson, of Bank House Cottage, Higham, is being prosecuted by the Department for Work and Pensions for allegedly colluding with staff

  • Teenage driver killed in car crash

    A TEENAGER has died after a head-on car crash in Kelbrook last night. The 18-year-old, whose name has not been released, was driving a Fiat along Colne Road from Foulridge when he was in collision with a Vauxhall Omega travelling in the opposite direction

  • Superfan Steve ends travel job

    AN Accrington Stanley fan who boosted crowd numbers at away games by putting on coaches for supporters is retiring from the role he created himself. But lifelong Steve Lowe is handing over the responsibility for away travel to three fans who recently

  • Accused sobs as he tells of cutting body

    A MAN accused of murdering his mother-in-law sobbed as he told a court how he cut up her body with tools from his Accrington takeaway. Muhammed Arshad, 37, claimed that Zainad Begum, 56, hit her head and died when he pushed her away after she made sexual

  • Street's alight for Christmas

    FATHER Christmas will have no excuse for missing one cul-de-sac in Rishton this year after residents lit up their street with a sea of twinkling lights. Residents in Bridge Street have become well-known locally for their flamboyant approach to the festive

  • Safety drive by pupils

    PUPILS at a Hyndburn high school are learning to become town planners to try to make Lancashire's roads safer. With the help of Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group, year seven and eight children from Rhyddings High School, in Oswaldtwistle,

  • Workers call off one-day strike

    A ONE-day strike over pay and conditions at a Clitheroe engineering factory has been called off after managers made an improved offer. Workers at Johnson Matthey Catalysts, on the Pimlico Road Industrial Estate, had voted overwhelmingly to walk out today

  • Cancer woman refused to take food or drink

    A 90-YEAR-OLD woman suffering from a number of ailments eventually refused further treatment or to take food or drink. An inquest heard that Martha Atterbury took her defiant stand when doctors wanted to carry out further intervention surgery. But four

  • Tippers spark asbestos fear

    FLY-TIPPERS caused a major health hazard after dumping two tonnes of asbestos in a remote country lay-by. Council workers in protective boilersuits and masks were called to remove around 50 corrugated sheets left by the road on Black Moss Lane, which

  • O'Connor signs up for two more months

    BURNLEY today secured the services of James O'Connor for a further two months. The West Bromwich Albion midfielder played the final game of his initial one-month loan in Saturday's hard-fought 1-0 win over Millwall. But boss Steve Cotterill, who hailed

  • Cotterill in double boost bid

    BURNLEY are looking to bolster their squad by extending Gary Cahill's loan spell from Aston Villa. And in a surprise move, former Clarets striker Andy Cooke has been handed a chance of a Turf Moor return four years after his departure. Boss Steve Cotterill

  • Cooke makes a Korea move

    AFTER whipping up a storm and surviving a typhoon in Korea, Andy Cooke will be hoping for a wind of change on his return to England. The former Burnley striker is back in training with his old club as he looks to gain a foothold back in this country following

  • New team could make festive fortune

    The Simon Garner column IF Mark Hughes and his coaching staff move quickly, then they could clean up this Christmas. Right now, the shops are full of dodgy fitness videos by D-list celebrities claiming they can help transform your life. But Hughes could

  • Hughes looks to make major changes

    JOHN Hughes is going back to the drawing board, with as many as four new faces set to join his struggling Chorley outfit. "We need a change and a new lease of life," said Hughes, whose said are second from bottom in UniBond Division One and tomorrow will

  • 'If he hit someone, I'd kick him out!'

    FURIOUS Rossendale United manager Mark Molyneaux has vowed to contest Dean Cooper's derby dismissal last Saturday. The midfielder was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident with Clitheroe's Jason Jones. However, player-manager Molyneaux

  • Kevin states case for Clitheroe job

    KEVIN Langley is in contention to become Clitheroe's new manger. The former North West Counties title-winning manager has applied for the vacant position at Shawbridge less than two weeks after resigning as manager of Congleton Town. Langley, 40, quit

  • Thornley set for Bacup debut

    FORMER Manchester United duo David May and Ben Thornley will be settling for Trafford rather than Old Trafford tomorrow. Thornley is set for his home debut, while May will play at West View for the first time in the North West Counties Division One clash

  • Hughes is seeking an Ewood spark

    MARK Hughes today urged his Blackburn players to transform Ewood into a fortress as he seeks to make the home improvements necessary to fire Rovers up the Premier League table. After Rovers won their first away game in seven months at Fulham last week

  • Armed robbery at restaurant

    TWO armed raiders escaped with hundreds of pounds after threatening restaurant staff with a gun. The men burst into the Little Chef at Rising Bridge roundabout and demanded the contents of the safe in front of four customers. The robbery took place at

  • Going for a song

    A CHOIR leader today spoke of her delight that an historical chapel would be once again echoing to the sound of Christmas carols this year. Jean Seymour, leader of the Larks of Dean Quire, said choir members were looking forward to performing at the tiny

  • Statue was sold to second-hand shop

    A FAMILY returned from holiday to find a number of ornaments, including a £2,500 bronze statue of a girl, had been stolen from their garden. And Blackburn magistrates heard the statue and other items were sold to a Darwen second-hand shop for £80. The

  • Antique invoice shows the cost of schooling

    A RARE invoice from Blackburn Grammar School dating back to 1840 will go under the hammer next week at a specialist sale of historical documents. The invoice, issued by headmaster Dr T Atkinson, was for two quarters of education for a Master Thomas Parker

  • Fan who taunted Yorke faces sack

    THE Blackburn Rovers fan who racially abused former Ewood player Dwight Yorke could face the sack. Tesco has confirmed that warehouse worker Jason Perryman, 22, of Lawson Street, Chorley, was suspended pending an investigation as soon as bosses discovered

  • Council tax balancing acts from grants cash

    LOCAL authorities, including police and fire services, in Lancashire were today warned they faced having their council tax demands capped after their annual Government grants were announced. Local Government minister Nick Raynsford said he expected the

  • Rory wants to get back to his best

    RORY Prendergast has already made his New Year's resolution. The Accrington Stanley winger is desperate to rediscover the sparkling form he showed last season after recovering from a double hernia operation. The injury had blighted Prendergast's start