COUNCILLORS In Rossendale last night gave the go-ahead for a controversial sculpture on the hills above Haslingden. And in doing so they dared to tread where their Hyndburn counterparts wouldn't. The UFO-style sculpture is the latest piece of public art
SOON councillors will decide whether 16 flats can be built on the former bowling green of the Liberal Club in the Hollins Grove area of Darwen. Local residents strongly disapprove of this plan which clearly puts profit before people. The building design
RECENTLY there has been a lot of criticism about Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn. During that time I was a patient on Ward C4 for four weeks. I was frightened and worried about going into hospital because of painful memories from last year when my mum
HURRAH for Sylvia Hardy, the recently jailed pensioner, for acting against something I have been complaining about for years. Council tax defies logic and is totally unfair. It was hastily formulated to replace so-called poll tax, which was conceptually
I DON'T mind saying it, but I am worried. Worried that an old man can be manhandled and held under the Terrorism Act for using the word 'nonsense.' An unpleasant reminder, I thought, of the real nature of New Labour, which does exactly what it wants.
FORMER Stockport manager Andy Kilner has lifted the lid on the amazing dare-devil antics of Blackburn Rovers' new hero Shefki Kuqi. Mark Hughes' flying Finn left Rovers fans opened mouthed when he performed his 'swallow dive' goal celebration during the
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder David Thompson has thanked top German doctor Hans Muller-Wolfhart for helping to put his career back on track. Thompson played his first competitive game in five months when he made a successful comeback in the reserves earlier
A POLICEMAN had to be cut free from a patrol car after a road smash in Nelson. The marked 4x4 vehicle was on its way to another accident when it collided with a Vauxhall Astra at a roundabout in Netherfield Road, at the junction of Railway Road. A police
PLANS to rejuvenate a deprived area of Nelson are getting bogged down in bureaucracy, civic leaders have claimed. Members of Pendle Council's housing market renewal committee said they were increasingly frustrated that two years after 160 houses in Whitefield
BELGIUM'S most exciting exports return with a reinterpretation of their third studio album, Any Minute Now. Better known in recent years as floor-filling supremos 2manydjs, Soulwax's Dewaele brothers have used their prodigious remixing talents to create
A UFO-style sculpture which was kicked out of Accrington has finally been allowed to land in Haslingden. Rossendale Council last night approved an 18-metre disc for the Top O'th Slate hill as the latest part of the panopticons project. But opponents labelled
Waiting for Parminder was like waiting for the 07.30 Blackburn to Manchester Victoria on a cold January morning. She promised me so much but she seemed forever distant. Our Exclusive interview with Parminder Nagra. Her people said we would meet at the
WINGER Wade Elliott believes the Bournemouth connection can have a huge impact on Burnley's season. Elliott, one of a trio of players who signed from the south coast club this summer, has targeted a return to the first team squad for the Roses clash with
BURNLEY goalkeeper Brian Jensen has vowed to keep healing the wounds inflicted by Danny Coyne's injury setback. Jensen, nicknamed 'The Beast', has registered back-to-back shut-outs since starting in place of Welsh number one Coyne, whose season was ended
OVER a third of Championship clubs carry controversial matchday surcharges similar to Burnley. In addition to the Clarets, Derby County, Reading and Watford all charge supporters £3 more for matchday admission at the turnstiles. Cardiff City, Ipswich
NEW YORK'S Thomas Truax is a troubadour - but not like any you've ever seen before. Truax (pronounced troo-aks) is the inventor of strange self-made instruments. See him and them in Lancaster on October 14. As well as his now legendary Hornicator - a
BEST known for the theme music to Mafia series The Sopranos, Alabama 3 are one of Britain's best kept secrets. Catch them in Preston on October 15. One of the oddest yet most original bands to come out of London in recent years, their distinctive mix
BROADWAY and West End star Lena Martell started singing at the age of 11 with her brother Allan's band and has since recorded over 30 albums. See her in concert at the Platform in Morecambe on October 28. Tragically, Allan was killed in a road accident
A consumer watchdog is warning businesses to be on their guard against possible scams that some disreputable energy brokers are using. The warning comes after energywatch has received "hundreds" of complaints and calls from firms wanting help and advice
ONE of Blackburn's most famous brand names has been sold to a foreign company, ending a 53-year association with the town. The Netlon brand was invented by the late Dr Brian Mercer -- a close friend of surrealist artist Salvador Dali -- and became synonymous
New drivers are being reminded that if they receive six penalty points they will lose their licence. This is compared to the 12 points limit for other drivers. The new campaign aims to improve safety on the roads after recent figures showed 20 per cent
Kamran Ashraf continues to defy the odds after winning yet another tournament. This time the 13-year-old beat all-comers in the Unison Snooker League Championship. In the final he defeated 16-year-old Chris Blackwell in a nail-biting game held at Padiham
A report calling for far- reaching action from the football authorities to address the exclusion of Asians in the game was launched at Highbury. The report, entitled 'Asians Can Play Football: A Wasted Decade', argues that young Asians are being 'discriminated
It is wrong for there to be so much confusion among within Hajj Tour industry. With so many people going on the Hajj why are there no more strict guidelines for pilgrims. Other less developed countries are so better at organisng these things than we are
I refer to the article by Sarvat J Khan in last month's Asian Image entitled 'When one just isnt enough.' It painted a very bleak picture of marriages and I think the reasons for this was not explained fully. I got married some years ago to please my
It is true that certain areas of cities are becoming no-go areas. But this happens all over the world. There are many Asian areas in many cities but to call them ghettos like the Commission of Racial Equality (CRE) chairman has said is wrong. That word
The new proposed cemetery in Langho is a super idea. I can think of no better way of celebrating the continuity of creation than becoming part of a tree in a piece of countryside destined to become woodland, full of wild flowers, wildlife and birdsong
I think we cannot live as a segregated community in some cities. Some of our children go to a school that is mainly Asian and I wish that wasn't the case. Not because I have anything against my own community but I feel by the time they are adults they
Young Muslims came together to air their feelings and to discuss attitudes post 7 July bombings in London. Young people met with civic leaders to consider the impact 7/7 was having on young Muslims living in Pendle. In line with the Governments agenda
A city council has pledged to stamp out forced marriages by taking a zero-tolerance approach. Manchester City Council is launching a new set of guidelines issued to all agencies in the city who work with young people who may be forced into marriage. The
The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Sharon Davies, has announced the setting up of a disaster Relief Fund to assist victims of the earthquake. She said: "My heartfelt sympathy goes out to those who have been bereaved and injured by the tragedy. "I am conscious
Macmillan Cancer Relief and local Southall shops will unite for Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October to raise awareness of breast cancer within the Asian community. During October up to 18 shops and beauty parlours located on the famous Southall
The Hindu Forum of Britain has urged all Hindus to donate to the relief effort. Jo Thanki, a Vice President of the Hindu Forum of Britain and Chair of the Hindu Council of Birmingham said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this horrible
A student who survived seven days of hurricane hell in New Orleans has vowed never to go back. Krishna Jadav, 21, had been in New Orleans for just 24 hours when Hurricane Katrina ripped into her hotel, sparking a week-long ordeal. She said: "I thought
So the month of fasting is upon us again. Those who are watching their weight are convinced that they will shed lots of pounds since they are fasting all day. During suhoor (sehri) some people have their usual breakfast, others have eggs, parathas, puris
A woman killed by her husband in Pakistan was described as a wonderful 'mum, sister and friend'. The family of Shagufta Iqbal spoke after her 'evil' killer was sentenced to 25 years in prison in Pakistan for poisoning her to death. Shagufta's family however
WHILST standing in a queue and rapidly losing the will to live at the GPO in Blackburn, I eventually, after an interminably long wait, ended up at the counter. I had gone there to renew my vehicle tax for my car and while the staff member was seeing to
A 'DANGEROUS' sex offender has gone on the run after fleeing from his Blackburn home, police said today. A massive search has been launched across Lancashire for Michael Andrew Wilson, 44, who has a history of sex offences against boys. Police said Wilson
It's called the inside out - but do people know what it really is? It wasn't until the late eighties that I realised what the inside out entailed. All those years ago it was a very dangerous thing to do because there were so many more pitfalls. Some people
STEVEN Reid is ready to fire the Republic of Ireland to the World Cup finals as he prepares for tonight's make-or-break qualifier with Switzerland in Dublin. Despite a stuttering qualifying campaign, it's still possible for the Republic to finish top
AN inappropriately titled second outing for the Surrey rock-metal trio - there's plenty of moderate toe-tapping, but nothing to demand your presence in the mosh-pit. Only the manic riffage on Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em satisfies in the uptempo department
Indian crime thrillers have got more and more adventurous of late. Ever since Kaante everyone is trying their hand at keeping the audience at the edge of their seats. Whilst most fizzle out after the first hour or so in Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena they finally
Striking a balance between society and culture isn't easy. Five young Asians told us how they are adopting the tradition of arranged marriages to suit their modern needs. By Angela Singh. When a new Asian character appears on your favourite soap or film
RICHARD Chaplow was made England captain on his return to Turf Moor and described his big day as "just like old times" The former Burnley midfielder joined fellow ex-Claret Gary Cahill as the nation's young guns drew 2-2 with Holland in an international
BURNLEY goalkeeper Brian Jensen has vowed to keep healing the wounds inflicted by Danny Coyne's injury setback. Jensen, nicknamed 'The Beast', has registered back-to-back shut-outs since starting in place of Welsh number one Coyne, whose season was ended
STEVEN Reid is ready to fire the Republic of Ireland to the World Cup finals as he prepares for tonight's make-or-break qualifier with Switzerland in Dublin. Despite a stuttering qualifying campaign, it's still possible for the Republic to finish top
TUCKED away in their marital home in Portland, Oregon, husband and wife duo Anita Robertson and Kevin Robinson make dreamy, psychedelic pop using anything and everything they find. Catch Viva Voce in Preston on October 13. Our intrepid noiseniks employ
MANCHESTER-BASED melodic indie rockers Haven are to play in Blackpool for the very first time as part of a short, three-date tour. They'll be at the Beat Club on October 20. Haven have released two albums so far - the debut Between The Senses hit the
LAST time Manchester's Akoustik Anarkhy club night visited Preston, they brought along grunge heavyweights Nine Black Alps to play a secret gig. See what happens when the night returns on October 28. Since its humble beginnings in the front room of a
RESIDENTS on the site earmarked for Darwen Academy say they feel abandoned and are living in fear of crime. Demolition has started on the first few houses in the Redearth Triangle but those still in their homes do not feel safe, particularly at night.
A UFO-style sculpture has finally been allowed to land in Haslingden - the latest part of the controversial panopticons project. Members of Rossendale Council last night gave the go- ahead for an 18m-wide disc for the Top O'th Slate hill. But opponents
One in five workers say they have made up an excuse to take a day off work and only 29 percent of managers always believe that staff who call in sick are genuinely ill, according to research by BUPA. The CBI has estimated that £1.7 billion was lost last
The Business Enterprise Xchange (BEX) returns to the Manchester International Convention Centre on November 17 and 18. This year leading keynotes speakers will include Karan Bilimoria CBE, founder and chief executive of Cobra Beer and Brian McBride, Managing
Ethnic minority businesses in England's Northwest contribute up to £2.4 million per annum in business profits to the region's economy and provide almost 103,400 jobs in the Northwest. These are the findings of a new report 'Wealth Bringers: Establishing
Not saying sorry after an accident costs UK motorists at least £28 million a year - Norwich Union's new 'Sorry! Report' reveals. Although 91% of motorists in the North West claim they want to say sorry following an accident over two in five (45%) think
A 'DANGEROUS' sex offender has gone on the run after fleeing from his Blackburn home, police said today. A massive search has been launched across Lancashire for Michael Andrew Wilson, 44, who has a history of sex offences against boys. Police said Wilson
In a month when another damning report called for urgent action about the lack of professional Asian footballers, Burnley hosted this year's one Culture tournament. The tournament is part of AsiaEurope Football International and was open to all but aimed
Bradford's Albion Sport made it a year to remember by winning the UK National Asian Football Championships held in Glasgow. After finishing runners-up in the FA Carlsberg Cup in April this time there were no mistakes. Lancashire however will have to wait
Amateur football remains plagued by racism despite progress in tackling it in the higher echelons of the game, it was claimed. Piara Powar, director of Kick It Out, the anti-racism in soccer campaign, said while abuse at top level games was now rare,
Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT) a Bolton based charity has allocated and initial £200,000 towards helping the victims of the South Asia EarthQuake. Representatives of the trust from the UK have reached the effected regions to co-ordinate relief efforts with
An appeal has gone out for witnesses following the murder of a man in Manchester. Mohammad Iqbal Shaheen was shot at the Olympic taxis office in Chorlton. Mohammed was working at Olympic Taxis, a business he co-owned, on Keppel Road at 4.40pm on Friday
Pupils gathered in prayer today at a secondary school in Britain which was due to be twinned with one in Kashmir where up to 1,000 children are thought to have died. Park View School in Alum Rock, Birmingham, was in the process of setting up internet
Paul Rowen MP has backed a Rochdale-based appeal for donations to help victims of the Asian Earthquake. Local Rochdale radio station Crescent Radio has set up a special charity - Crescent Aid - to help victims. Paul said, "This awful disaster has had
A young British man has traded in the quiet life and begun an epic horseback journey along the ancient Asian silk routes. Steve McCutcheon, from Bolton, had been teaching in a peaceful, remote village in Nepal. But the 26-year-old set out on a year-long
Taxi bosses threatened to quit the streets of Pendle after a driver claimed he was beaten up and had his cab vandalised in a racist attack. Imtiaz Hussain said he was assaulted and the front window of his car smashed after he picked up a fare outside
A GP is encouraging muslims in Oldham to look after their health during Ramadan. Dr Zuber Ahmed, chair of Oldham Primary Care Trust's Professional Executive Committee, said that muslims should take particular care during Ramadan because all healthy muslims
Shaheen Akhtar, 25, battled to fight back tears when she learned that two further members of her family had died. The young mother-of-one has lost more than 30 relatives to the earthquake and expects that number to grow. "Every phone call brings more
A driver found guilty of causing the death of three of his young passengers in an horrific smash has been warned that a prison sentence is "virtually inevitable". Amjid Rehman had been showing off to the others in the car before he lost control of his
