MOST people who meet the Queen get a brief handshake - but two East Lancashire women were treated to a five-minute audience. Community worker Shahida Hanif and midwife Pam Inniss chatted to Her Majesty at a Buckingham Palace reception held to honour
A BLIND 88-year-old woman has spoken of her relief after a burglar who raided her home was caught and put behind bars within days. Colin Halstead, 22, of Lion Street, Church, admitted a charge of burglary on his first appearance for the offence at Hyndburn
Burnley great Billy Hamilton believes it is unfair to judge Kyle Lafferty on how many goals he scores while he learns his trade. Striker Lafferty's reputation as one of the hottest young prospects outside of the Premiership has gathered momentum over
ACCRINGTON Cricket Club president Peter Barratt says he's delighted to have been the man that brought Shane Warne to the Lancashire League. In his role as chairman in 1991, Mr Barratt signed the Victorian leg-spinner, who is expected to announce his
Accrington Road Runners have held their Annual Presentation Evening at the Cellar in Padiham. Stephen Ball and Sarah Ridehalgh are the Road Race Champions having accumulated the most points in a nominated series of events throughout the year. Husband
GARY Roberts will seal a permanent move to Ipswich Town in the January transfer window, believed to be worth in the region of £200,000. Reports from Suffolk suggest a deal has been struck that will see Roberts remain at Portman Road, where he has been
ROSSENDALE MP Janet Anderson has demanded answers over fears that health bosses lack commitment to rebuilding the Valley's hospital. Mrs Anderson, in a stern letter to the East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, said the borough council and the East Lancashire
A CONMAN ordered to hand over almost £20,000 made from crime within six months has been given an extension - because it's Christmas. Neil Demaline, 38, who lived in Sefton Street, Brierfield, was given until December 22 to pay up the cash or face 11
AN INTERNATIONAL rock band dedicated a gig to a teenager who lost his battle with cancer just weeks after his family perished in a house fire. American band Trivium said they were humbled to know that one of 17-year-old Adam Riaz's dying wishes was to
THE main sports hall and swimming pool at St Peter's Leisure Centre in Burnley are to reopen ahead of schedule. Last month, Burnley Council was left red-faced when the facilities had to be closed less than a year after the £150million Church Street centre
TWO amateur poets are raising money for a childrens hospice with a festive "greatest hits" of their work. Anne Wareing and Kath Eccleston, who worked together at Maureen Cookson ladies fashion shop, George Street, Whalley, for more than 20 years, have
A PENSIONER has led a boycott of this year's Christmas stamps as nativity scenes have been replaced by non-religious symbols. James Marsden, a retired private landlord, from Higher Croft, Blackburn, refused to buy the festive edition stamps as they have
THE headteacher of one of Pendle's new super-schools is quitting after just four months. Geoff Walker said while he would be sad to leave Pendle Vale College, his new post was too good an opportunity to turn down. And the leader of Pendle Council said
POLICE riding high-powered off-road bikes are to crack down on the new wave of illegal riders who get mini-motos for Christmas. And officers have warned parents not to buy the controversial machines as presents - because they could get seized and crushed
RED Rose Cross Country League chairman Steve Duxbury was one of three local athletes to complete the double of winning their class in the final league fixture, and also winning the series outright. Rossendale Harrier Steve was the top over 50 veteran
NELSON driver Jonny Lang is keeping his options open as he attempts to conquer Europe next season. After hugely impressive performances on home soil, and narrowly missing out on the British GT Championship, the 26-year-old has the chance to sign for
Accrington Stanley are desperately trying to extend the loan spell of Cardiff City defender Joe Jacobson. The 20-year-old Welshman has made four appearances for the Reds and scored in last weekend's draw at Macclesfield. Assistant manager Jimmy
Ukraine defender Andriy Nesmachniy will spend the next few days training with Blackburn Rovers and if he makes a suitable impression then he could also come on board in January. "He's here for a couple of days but the word trial' is the wrong term
BLACKBURN ROVERS boss Mark Hughes last night admitted he would love to see David Dunn back in a Rovers shirt - but he could face competition for his signature. Dunn is desperate to return to Rovers when the transfer window opens in 12 days time, and
THE sacrifices made by Lancashire's textile workers to support the abolition of slavery will be remembered in a travelling exhibition. The anti-slavery exhibition will be on show at Rawtenstall Library from January 9 to 15 and then, until January 23
A DARWEN-born entertainer has come home for Christmas for the first time in 20 years to star in a festive pantomime. And Andy Eastwood said he felt proud that the land opposite his former home had remained untouched by developers. Andy, formerly of
A RANGER has been appointed to patrol a park at night in a bid to stop perverted sexual antics. The move was made after the car park at the entrance to Wycoller Park, near Colne, became a favourite spot for so-called doggers' - couples and single people
A LANCASHIRE education pack highlighting the issue of child exploitation is being offered to the authorities in Oldham after an alleged child sex ring was uncovered. Thirty men have been arrested after teenage girls, some as young as 12 were found to
A JUDGE was wrong not to allow the family of a teenager who died of a drug overdose to launch a civil case against police and their local council, the High Court in London has ruled. Melissa Strickson, 13, died in October 2001 after running away from
BLACKBURN did its bit to ensure the Christmas period began with a flurry of light and sound. Around 2,000 gathered around the grounds of the cathedral as £7,000 worth of spectacular fireworks lit up the sky. Then the cathedral was full for the annual
CLUBBERS leaving a late night venue in Blackburn are being provided with guardian angels to ensure they get home safely. A taxi marshalling system, run by Highfield Taxis, has been set up outside Heaven and Hell nightclub, Lord Square, in order to regulate
POLICE are warning motorists, especially Vauxhall car owners, to be vigilant following a spate of thefts. Between 5.30am and 10.30am on Monday, two Vauxhall vehicles were stolen and one broken into in an area of Darwen. Two men wearing tracksuits and
A HEADTEACHER has saluted his pupils for "doing yourselves proud" after revealing they produced the best results in the school's history. Delighted David Whyte was speaking as St Wilfrid's CE High School and Technology College, Blackburn, hosted its
EAST Lancashire opera singer Sean Ruane is to bring a bit of cheer to England's woeful Ashes campaign. For tenor Sean has been selected to sing England's adopted anthem Jerusalem as well as the national anthem before the start of play for the fifth Test
BUSINESS owners have been warned to be on their guard after a second high-value theft in as many weeks. On Sunday December 10 thieves took parts and tools worth £28,000 from rally firm Auto Tech on Barnoldswick's Crow Nest Industrial Estate. And now
A motorist escaped uninjured when his car crashed into a hedge on the A6068 Barrowford Road. The crash happened at 7.55am today on a stretch of the Padiham by-pass. A Vauxhall Corsa travelling towards Padiham left the road crashing into a hedge.
A DRUNKEN yob who kicked a defenceless teen-ager unconscious in an unprovoked town-centre attack has been jailed for 15 months. Burnley Crown Court heard how Jamie Brown, 22, of Adamson Street, Burnley, knocked his victim to the ground and then kicked
Your guide to the pantos taking place in Blackburn, Burnley, Colne and Darwen. Aladdin Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn Until Sunday, December 31. Call 01254 680137. Cinderella Colne Muni Friday, January 5 to Sunday, January 21. Starring
OFFENDERS given community service punishments are getting their hands dirty in a bid to make a park safer for visitors. Overgrown bushes and shrubbery surrounding an avenue of lime trees in Mercer Park, Clayton-le-Moors, are being removed to allow more
POLICE have renewed an appeal for information after the theft of a charity collection box from a recruitment agency reception desk. The Cancer Research UK collection box from Temploy, Railway Road, Darwen, was stolen on December 5. Manager Beverly Lynn
THE Windsor Suite at Blackburn's King George's Hall became a room with a brew as The Lancashire Telegraph hosted its annual tea dance. Over 170 people poured into the venue as our yearly pre-Christmas showpiece again caught the imagination. The
A DERELICT house was set on fire in a suspected arson attack. Firefighters were called to Gray Street, Burnley, at 1.35am on Wednesday. They said they were alerted to the blaze after smoke seeped into a neighbouring house and set off a smoke alarm.
MORE than 20 labour-ing jobs are to be made redundant by Blackbu-rn with Darwen Council. Staff in the building services section of the Environment Department were issued with redund-ancy notices this week. Council bosses said they hoped some of the
An inquest has been opened into the death of Andrew Jackson Warner, of Nelson Street, Accrington. He received fatal injuries when he was hit by a train half a mile from Church and Oswaldtwistle station on December 16. Born in London, the 41-year-old
Am I alone in thinking that the polite, five-letter word beginning with "S" is going out of use? The one that so quickly diffuses so many situations and treats its recipients with respect? The "S" word - SORRY. During what for me were the dreary
A BURNLEY felt factory was evacuated after fire broke out. About 20 firefighters from Burnley, Nelson and Colne were called to G Radcliffe and Sons, Shackleton Street, at 9.35am yesterday. Sixteen workers were evacuated while firefighters tackled the
I AM replying to a letter sent in by Mr J Hogan, a former fire officer, and was so incensed by his comments I felt I had to reply to some of the points he made. He firstly advocates that Lancashire's Chief Fire Officer knows his area best and that all
I THINK I have seen it all now. One day this week I received a seasonal greetings card from the Labour Party. Later in the day I ordered a takeaway curry which arrived with a Merry Christmas card. Is someone missing the point here? LAURA RANDELLI,
I'M confused, I've just received a card from my local councillors offering me seasonal greetings. Now don't get me wrong, it's a lovely thought to say hi to everyone in winter but I would have thought spring would be a more appropriate season in which
AS a Christian I fully endorse the comments of the Bishop of Burnley concerning the lack of Christmas cards carrying the Christmas message in them. It is like they want us to forget why there is such a thing as Christmas. For many years now, although
SO now it is the turn of the poor wee robin to be whacked. What is the Church coming to? Trust it to pick on something small, innocent and defenceless. I have a message for Messrs Goddard, Gillett, Reade and the Archbishop of York. Your day is over.
PENDLE Council is considering taking fire bosses to court over their decision to axe one of Barnoldswick's retained crews. Following the decision by Lancashire Combined Fire Authority to strip one of the two crews in the town, the council's executive
A forklift truck and a tipper valued at £32,000 were stolen from a building yard after thieves rammed through metal gates. The equipment was taken from Connolly's Demolition, Coach Road, Accrington. The thieves first smashed through the business' metal
RUSH-HOUR traffic came to a standstill after a man was knocked down outside Darwen Cemetery. Part of the A666 Bolton Road was shut after the accident at 7.30am yesterday. Peter Dawson, 50, of Borough Road, Darwen, a worker at the cemetery, was taken
BRITISH Airways' decision to cancel all domestics flights out of Heathrow due to fog should only have a "minimal" effect on East Lancashire passengers, according to airport chiefs. Thick fog has seen the airline cancel all short haul flights to and
MUSIC fans can have a very merry local Christmas this year when half a dozen of the region's hottest new bands get together for a night of jamming rock and King George's Hall, Blackburn, on December 22. The Local Bands Christmas Party will feature
Blessed Trinity RC College celebrated a year of success at its presentation evening. The prize night held this week recognised the work of youngsters from St Theodore's RC High School, now merged with the college. Guests were welcomed by head boy
TWO East Lancashire teenagers featuring on the front cover of the novel Burnley Boys have been reunited following an appeal in the Lancashire Telegraph. Richard Garth-Jones and Andy Wych were photographed in the summer of 1976, aged 13 and wearing Burnley
Burnley fans will be able to get their shirts, books and other memorabilia signed ahead of Christmas this week. Clarets skipper Wayne Thomas and defensive duo John McGreal and Jon Harley will all be at the Clarets Superstore this afternoon from 1pm
AND so, last night, we bade a sad farewell to the unlikely pairing of Oz and James. BBC2's Big Wine Adventure has been one of those series which has polarised opinion. I know some people who refused to watch it after the first episode, claiming that
TRIBUTES have been paid to a cheerful landlady who served up pints with a smile for almost two decades in a busy Accrington pub. Catherine Eubank, former landlady of the Nag's Head, died on Saturday after battling Alzheimer's disease for several years
A TAXI firm which left a blind pensioner stranded in the rain when it refused to carry her guide dog has been stripped of its licence. However, Four Star Taxis, Lonsdale Street, Nelson, will still be able to operate for at least another three weeks while
AN increasing number of policemen have been spotted on the streets of Accrington in the run up to Christmas - but the officers are revellers in fancy dress rather than members of the law. Sales figures from partywear manufacturer Smiffy's show that men
