A FRAUDSTER who used more than 100 different fake identities to steal almost £1million has been jailed for six years. Daniel Lawrence, 28, even took driving tests under his aliases to give them more credibility. Police said Lawrence, who had changed
Blackburn Rovers Reserves beat Manchester United 1-0 at Christie Park tonight thanks to a penalty from Jamie Clarke. Rovers keeper Gunnar Nielsen saved a second-half spotkick from Sam Hewson as Glyn Hodges' side won their first game of the season.
A THIEF who stole from his neighbours while pointing their house was given a community order. Burnley Crown Court heard how David Anderton, 34, had been a man of good character until February but had "thrown away" his job and good character because of
A 24-YEAR-OLD man shouted racist abuse from the back of an ambulance which had been called to help him. But Blackburn magistrates heard his comments were directed at a taxi driver who had already left after allegedly driving over Daniel Norman's foot
THE construction of two new super schools is to be delayed by a year - and council bosses are blaming campaigners for opposing the schemes. The delay for Unity College and Marsden Heights is also likely to cost Lancashire County Council hundreds of thousands
A MOTORIST was arrested on suspicion of drink and dangerous driving over a crash which killed a 35-year-old woman, police have revealed. Melanie Simone Lee, 35, of Melton Road, Manchester, died after she lost control at junction nine of the M61 near
A MAN caught stripping lead and tiles from the roof of a Ribchester restaurant was offered a caution on condition that he paid for the damage. Blackburn magistrates heard that Neil Cowburn had failed to pay because he lost his job and found himself in
NEW research from Alliance and Leicester Commercial Bank reveals that Blackburn's small businesses are missing out on over £3million each year by not shopping around for the best business current account. Research produced by the bank, reveals that apathy
BURNLEY manager Steve Cotterill has revealed how Clarke Carlisle played just over 24 hours after being involved in a car accident. The central defender's vehicle was written off following a collision, believed to be outside East Lancashire, on his way
The Colne & District Committee of Pendle Borough Council refused a Planning Application for a Wind Turbine from a family on their land outside the village of Trawden against the democratic will of the Parish Council and against professional advice of
PENDLE schools and colleges could win hundreds of pounds of equipment in an art competition to help launch a new business centre. Pendle Council has asked students to design artwork by October 19 in a competition to mark the opening of Number One Market
YOUNGSTERS at St Leonard's Primary School in Padiham are celebrating the completion of a new garden. West Street Residents' Association created the garden on neglected land next to the school after getting a grant rom the Crest Fund through Padiham Life
PADIHAM-based Fraser Eagle provided coaches for VIPs and celebrities when the world's most famous cruise liner, the QE2, sailed into Liverpool as part of its 40th anniversary voyage. Fraser Eagle provided 32 coaches for the event to transport the ship's
FIREFIGHTERS want a police escort before they will go into the Daneshouse area of Burnley. Their move came after crews came under attack from a gang of up to 50 yobs for a second time in three nights. On Friday and Sunday, firefighters were attacked
BURNLEY'S Adnan Ahmed has been called up to play for Pakistan. The 23-year-old midfielder, who made the move from Huddersfield to Tranmere Rovers in the summer, is in the squad for the double header against Iraq, in Lahore on October 22 and in Syria
MAN mountain Mark Felix has gone from strength to strength in a bid to become the mightiest man on earth. Last year the 41-year-old from Hermitage Street, Rishton, came fourth in the final of the World's Strongest Man competition. But he was so determined
COUNCIL chiefs want to know how to improve their service to citizens. Blackburn with Darwen Council will be asking visitors to the borough's town halls to suggest ways it can be more helpful to its citizens. The best idea will win a £50 Marks and Spencer
Rishton United under 12's maintained their 100% start to the season with a resounding 6-1 away win over Huncoat United. At times Rishton played some very attractive football. Goal scorers were Kegan Dobson 3, Daniel Quinn,Declan Bryom and Robyn
Rishton United U9s had to battle hard for a 3 - 2 win over Church. George Taylor opened the scoring, Church levelled and then Harry Wissett made it 2 - 1. After Church again drew level Bradley Newell clinched the points.
Borrowdale United under 14 won 8-1 against locals Brierfield Celtic. The home side's goalscorers were Anthony Bradley with 4 and 1 each from Josh Holmes, Jack Nuttal, Dion Clegg. Their Man of the Match was Callum Brown.
Borrowdale United under 15 lost 8-1 when they took on Akzo Nobel Green. Rob Ingham scored the home side's only goal. Michael Martin was Borrowdale's Man of the Match.
A MAN is being hunted by police after a woman was indecently assaulted in Blackburn town centre. The incident happened in the early hours of the morning on Sunday when the 20-year-old woman was on her way home from a night out in Preston. After separating
DRIVERS are ignoring the rules and turning Nelson's pedestrianised centre into "Brands Hatch", a former Mayor of Pendle has said. Coun George Adam said he was to call on Pendle Council's Nelson Committee members to ensure the zone is properly controlled
THOUSANDS of pounds have helped to make Darwen a better place, thanks to 25 years of fund-raising Christmas cards. And this year, Darwen Civic Society is publishing cards featuring the town's library with the aim of raising hundreds of pounds more.
Here's your chance to win tickets for Rovers v Larissa, UEFA Cup First Round Return Leg. Rovers are urging their fans to be the twelfth man and to help cheer them on to a famous victory against Greek opponents Larissa. The game at Ewood Park is
A house raider has been spared jail while a teenage witness who should have given evidence against a co-accused was also hauled before court. David Watson, 34, had removed radiators from a house in Accrington and was caught out after local inquiries,
A STREET drug dealer caught out in an undercover police operation has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. Taxi worker Qasim Akbar, 29, supplied 10.44 grammes of heroin totalling 10.44 grammes and 4.79 grammes of crack cocaine to officers posing as
Here's your chance to win a pair of tickets to see Rovers V Birmingham City. Don't miss out on the action at Ewood Park on Sunday, October 7, kick off 3pm. Rovers have had their best start to a season for a decade and will be looking for another
After sell out tours of Australia, the US, and the Far East, the country's favourite priest, Ardal O'Hanlon returns to the UK and to his first-love - stand-up comedy. He took time out to speak to us. What inspired you to go into comedy and then acting
THOUSANDS of shop-owners have been warned that they could be fined up to £2,500 if they are caught selling tobacco to anyone under 18. And trading standards officers are set to mount sting operations to try and catch those breaking the law in the coming
PLANS for a holiday village in Nelson have been submitted to the borough council. A proposal for 25 chalets at the former Catlow Quarries, Southfield Lane, has been sent to Pendle Council by applicants Smartlawn Ltd. The plans, a smaller version of
A DOMESTIC violence victim waited until the middle of the night when her partner had gone to sleep before fleeing to a women's refuge, a court heard. Father-of-three Mohammed Shoaib Chishti, 39, had spat at his wife, attacked and humiliated her and
PATIENTS could be denied access to vital clinics - as hospital chiefs battle to meet tough new waiting list targets. Hospital leaders have been told that they must meet 18-week GP referral-to-treatment goals by the end of next year. But the sheer volume
FEARS have been raised for the future of vital bus services. Hundreds of people have signed a petition against cuts to a service connecting a "remote" community with Blackburn town centre, and campaigners fear more could follow. Residents of the Warrenside
East Lancashire actor Paul Simpson fell into acting as a child but now could not be more passionate about his career. He spoke to us about the importance of remaining loyal to his Lancashire roots, juggling family and work and his secret dream to be
A garage for vintage cars and bikes is to be made more secure after problems with intruders. Vandals are said to be making life tough for classic motoring enthusiasts who store their vehicles at Nancy Street Yard, off Sudell Street, according to the
FURIOUS John Coleman has launched a stinging attack on Bury manager Chris Casper and his players following the Shakers' controversial late winner at Gigg Lane. Coleman remonstrated with Casper at the final whistle after Bury failed to kick the ball out
SOUTH of the French city of Pau in the foothills of the Pyrenees close to the Spanish border is the one of the first Appellation Controlees or classified wine regions called Jurancon. Although it has a long history the area and its Manseng grapes are
OFF-ROAD motorcyclists who ride their bikes illegally will have them seized and crushed, police have warned. Ramsbottom police said they have seen a sharp increase in the number off-road bikes being ridden illegally and had destroyed five motorcycles
MOST people have tasted German white wine but relatively few outside German-speaking Europe know much about reds, made with their own Dornfelder grape. That may be about to change. This is a blend of 25 per cent Pinot Noir and 75 per cent Dornfelder
A DAD-TO-BE who went from law abiding to committing a catalogue of offences over three months has kept his freedom. Steven Niven, 20, had "gone off the rails" after the collapse of his support network from his family and long-term partner and also was
FIREFIGHTERS had to smash through a wall to free a worker trapped in a lift at a supermarket. They spent an hour freeing the man from a lift at Asda Rawtenstall in St Mary's Way just after midnight. Firefighters knocked through brickwork to free the
A £4.5million "state of the art" bus station could be sited next to a town's revamped railway station as part of a new travel interchange. Lancashire County Council wants to construct a new bus station in Accrington and planners have now suggested linking
A 36-year-old man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with affray following an incident in the living quarters at the Fox and Grapes, Preston New Road. Carl Richard Duckworth is alleged to have hacked his way through an internal door using
PLANS for 65 homes in one of the most deprived areas of Burnley have been submitted to the council as part of the Elevate regeneration programme. Developers Keepmoat Ltd, the council's lead developer for Elevate, want to put the houses on land off
NOBODY likes to see an injustice. It wasn't fair that the Clarets came out of this game with just a point. It wasn't fair that all of Robbie Blake's quality mustered just a single goal. And it certainly wasn't fair that we were all subjected to Chico
A COUNTY councillor has hit out at police chiefs for failing to address safety concerns on a rural road. Ribble Valley county councillor Chris Holtom has become frustrated over the lack of action regarding a possible reduction in the speed limit in Mellor
PRESTON North End manager Paul Simpson believes his side are turning the corner after claiming a 0-0 draw against unbeaten Bristol City in their Championship clash at Deepdale. Preston created a host of chances but ended up being happy with a point as
BURY'S goal hero Andy Mangan insisted there was nothing personal in his ecstatic goal celebrations after he netted against his former club. And the 21-year-old Scouser, who moved from Stanley to the Shakers in the summer, was sure his friends at the
DAVID Bentley has managed to achieve the seemingly impossible by surpassing Robbie Savage as the man most football fans love to hate. Vilified for daring to withdraw from England's squad for the European Under 21 Championships earlier in the summer,
A BURNLEY police volunteer who helps fight wildlife crime has won a national award. Peter Grice won a Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Certificate of Merit to reflect his commitment and enthusiasm to the cause. Peter, 63, from Burnley, was awarded
POLICE and councillors have hailed the impact of a youth shelter in Rossendale after juvenile anti-social behaviour in the area fell. Officers say a review of the Staghills youth shelter, off Staghills Road, Rawtenstall a year after it opened shows it
A BLACKBURN print firm boss is due to be sentenced today following a major fraud and money laundering investigation. Daniel Lawrence, 28, of Merchants Landing, Blackburn, will appear before Judge Andrew Gilbart QC. He has already admitted a number of
FORMER Queen's Lancashire Regiment commanding officer Colonel Jorge Mendonca has launched a blistering attack on the Government, accusing ministers of "hanging him out to dry". Col Mendonca spoke out after a controversial court martial which saw him
DRIVERS in Lancashire are being warned that their satellite navigation systems could cause serious accidents. Motorists who rely on their sat-navs risk getting stuck down unsuitable roads, making dangerous manoeuvres, and even being involved in accidents
X-FACTOR contestant Chico enjoyed banter with Burnley fans as he appeared at Turf Moor. Chico, who failed to win the TV talent show in 2005, performed before the match against Crystal Palace, as well as at half time. When Chico shouted his catchphrase
EDUCATION bosses today moved to reassure parents that help was at hand for youngsters who get caught in the evil web of drug-taking. The move came after three pupils were taken to hospital suffering from the effects of cannabis after a teenage boy took
A DARK cloud has been cast over the farming industry this year - bird flu, flooding, foot and mouth and now bluetongue, it's been tough to say the least for farmers and animals alike. But if there is one thing it highlights, it's the need for all of
MY family visited Blackburn recently to attend our granddaughter's wedding and visit relatives. On September 12 my sister and I took a stroll round Corporation Park, admiring the grand new gates and walking as far as the lake. I decided to have a quick
IF ever a statue should be erected for Blackburn it most certainly should be for Barbara Castle. My mum and I used to listen to her speeches and I will never forget them. Tommy Ball, Josephine Cox, Kathleen Ferrier are all famous Blackburn people. But
MY friends in the Labour group will probably not believe me, but I have nothing against Barbara Castle. I do feel however, that to have one of the town's few dual carriageways named after her should be enough. If we must have more statues then, in an
SO Councillor Colin Rigby says he has more important things to consider than finding a place for a statue for the MP of over 34 years, who when in Government introduced the breath test, seat belts in cars and the 70 mph speed limit on motorways which
DAVID Bentley proved once again at the weekend he's a cut above the rest after inspiring Blackburn Rovers to a well deserved victory at the Stadium of Light. The England midfielder scored for the second time in four days as Rovers beat Roy Keane's men
Thousands of council staff in Lancashire are to vote on strike action that would hit local services in the run-up to Christmas. Unison, the public services union, is to ballot its members in October to ask whether they support industrial action.
It's like waiting for a bomb to go off.The mood swings, the lack of communication, the antagonism. Does it happen overnight, or creep in over a period of years? Is it possible that it won't happen at all? I wasn't worried before. But I am now. Exactly
CLARETS boss Steve Cotterill hailed Robbie Blake as majestic' after the hitman almost inspired Burnley to a win over Crystal Palace. Blake inspired an 13th minute equaliser for Michael Duff after the home side had gone behind to Mark Hudson's opener.
DARWEN got the upper hand towards the end of this defence-dominated match, but fell to a late goal against high flying Ashton Athletic. On 10 minutes, Gallanders produced a great turn near the by-line to outfox two Darwen defenders, but Neil Almond managed
Despite a good positive start from the visitors it soon all went downhill at the Riverside in this local derby, but the Rams can thank their visitors for gifting them the opportunity to score as neither side looked like they had a goal in them. Ramsbottom's
PADIHAM were out-gunned from the start against in-form Newmills. Trailing to a second minute goal by Carlos Meakin, Padiham had a chance to level on 10 minutes when Damien Morrison broke free, but shot wide when one on one with Barry George. Newmills
A desperate last 20 minutes cost Nelson victory, and almost a point, against Maine Road at Victoria Park. The home side had taken the lead minutes into the second half when a corner from Martin Payne was floated to the far post, and defender Chris Keating
After losing both centre backs during a fiercely contested game, Colne were happy to settle for a share of the spoils against high flying Runcorn. The first half saw Colne mainly on the defensive in a period puncuated by numerous free kicks, but they
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes insists he has not had a fall-out with Benni McCarthy - even though the striker was left out of the squad that won at Sunderland on Saturday. McCarthy was ordered to stay behind and work on his fitness at Brockhall over the
TWO puppies are looking for a new home after being dumped in a street. The two tan-coloured dogs were found in the Woodnook area of Accrington by Hyndburn dog warden Steve Wood. Residents had reported the puppies foraging in rubbish for several days
Young Icelandic indie-punks who are funnier and more energetic than any of their contemporaries. The First Crusade makes Jakobinarina sound like they just discovered rock and roll for the first time as they started playing. And they've discovered
UNTIL mewithoutYou, innovation and Christian Rock didn't seem to be compatible. This Pennsylvanian five-piece are explicitly Christian - notice the capitalisation of "You" in the band name - and are also unequivocally brilliant. Essentially a post-rock
SIX wives and various addictions haven't stopped Mr Earle from becoming the conscience of America. His new album recorded in New York sees him return to his best as the voice growls and the sentiments are heartfelt. The latest Mrs E, country star
A CAMPAIGN group is warning that the rural bus will become an 'endangered species' unless action is taken by councils and central government. The Campaign for Better Transport has published a report and case studies on rural buses which it says shows
HEALTH campaigners in East Lancashire have welcomed the fact that cigarettes and tobacco can no longer be bought by under 18s. From today it is illegal for retailers to sell either cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco or cigarette papers to younger teenagers
