MORE than one in four taxis was found to be unsafe in police spot checks. Officers stopped 40 taxis in Colne over the weekend and 12 were given prohibition notices, forcing taxi owners to take them off the road. Six vehicles were withdrawn immediately
Firefighters were called to a pavilion fire at Victory Park, Barnoldswick, tonight. Police were also called to the scene, however it is believed an electrical fault sparked the blaze, causing fire and smoke damage to the disused cricket pavilion at 7.05pm
ROVERS RES 5 SUNDERLAND RES 0. STEVEN Reid began his comeback from a 14-month injury nightmare as Blackburn Rovers reserves smashed five past Sunderland's second string. The Republic of Ireland midfielder came through 55 minutes unscathed after
ROGUE tippers have 'ruined' a beauty spot loved by walkers after dumping 500 tyres over a three-mile stretch of land. Six piles of car tyres were found behind the dry stone walls lining Tockholes Road, in Roddlesworth, yesterday morning. At one site
A YOUNG footballer who lost his legs to a rare form of meningitis wants nothing more than to return to the field of play. Nine-year-old Joshua Ford and his family have faced a nightmare nine weeks after he suddenly became seriously ill with meningococcal
Channel 4 programme Location. Location, Location has produced a Top 20 of the best and worst places to live in the UK. Middlesbrough is No 1 "grot spot" but locally Blackpool (11th), Manchester (17th) and Burnley (19th) all figure in the 20 worst towns
A SCHOOLGIRL was told she and her dog would be killed by twin sisters who had been given an interim anti-social behaviour order just hours earlier, a court heard. Burnley magistrates were told drunken Katie Louise Lynch also threatened to throw herself
LEAFLETS are being distributed in the area where a group of teenagers dressed as 'goths' and 'moshers' were assaulted in a bid to catch their attackers. The attack, on three boys and a girl, all aged 15, mirrored an earlier attack on Sophie Lancaster
A FORMER mayor has spoken of how he came close to dying in a bomb blast which killed at least 130 people and wounded hundreds more. Salas Raza Kiani, 55, was part of a group accompanying former Pakistan president Benazir Bhutto, as she returned to Pakistan
A MAYOR has hit back at critics who slammed his decision to give a character reference to a drug dealer. Naeem Ashraf, Brierfield's mayor, defended his action in writing a character reference for Jhangir Akbar, 38, of Railway View, Brierfield, who admitted
MARKET stallholders in Burnley are being given a helping hand to thrive in tough trading conditions. Traders on Curzon Street market have been offered a range of discounts on rents and service charges over the next two years. On average stallholders
DEFENCE company Cobham plc has received its latest instalment of money following the sale of a branch of its business. Cobham sold its countermeasures business, Wallop Defence Systems, to Esterline Technologies Corporation, for up to £43.75million in
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has claimed that those pressing for a referendum on a new EU treaty are wrong to say it is a new constitution for the European Union. He said: "The treaty will be put before Parliament in the usual way and will be debated, line
ROVERS defender Chris Samba has signed a new five-year deal. The Congo international, who signed on at Ewood Park in the January transfer window, is now contracted to the club until 2012. Samba said: "I'm very happy to extend my time at the club and
SIR Jack Walker and Dave Whelan have been shortlisted in the search to find the North West's most inspirational business icons. The pair have been nominated alongside Everton FC chairman Bill Kenwright, a businessman and philanthropist Sir John Moores
MORE than 60 companies from across the North West took part in a business networking event. The third East Lancs Business Event was held at Ewood Park, Blackburn, to give firms the opportunity to take part in a number of seminars on topics including
POLICE are still hunting for a motorist who was hurt in a crash on the M65 near Nelson on Wednesday. The Oriental man, in his 30s, suffered a head wound in the collision when his Nissan Micra overturned close to junction 12. But, shortly after being
POLICE alerted to a drink-driver tracked the man using CCTV cameras. Blackburn magistrates heard when officers got to Paul Trickett's home at 4.43am his car engine was warm though he claimed he had been home all night. But cameras showed he had been
I visited Burnley Wood last week and received my very own guided tour by PCSO 7327 Bill Ogden. At first glance, Burnley Wood seems to be in a sort of limbo. On one hand, there are occupied homes, where it is clear the residents take care and pride
A RIDING instructor has said she needs bigger horses to cater for the increasing waistlines of people wanting to get into the saddle. Natalie Clarke, 30, was speaking as a Government think-tank revealed that excess weight was now the norm and the majority
You're never too far from the town's history, spot the mill tower in the background
DERELICT buildings across East Lancashire have become the target of an online obsession. Trespassers are breaking into the disused and sometimes unsafe structures in a new Urban Exploration (UE) craze. The bizarre act of entering and exploring abandoned
Probably one of Ossy's most famous shopping landmarks, the mills house all kinds of businesses, from sweet-makers, to clothes, and from local buthcery to local history!
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill will formally open the new, improved Clarets store at 5pm on Tuesday. The first 100 fans through the door following the official opening will each receive a £5 voucher, redeemable when purchasing anything priced £10 and
The restaurant can be found on Blackburn Road, and brings a taste of the exotic to Hyndburn. Never tried Mongolian? Now's your chance
Photo of those protesting against the closure and demolition of Foxhill Bank. Organisers of the nature reserve, recently celebrated the twentieth anniversary of saving it from destruction, in August of 2007
A 41-YEAR-OLD man who had a few drinks after playing in a golf tournament at Blackburn Golf Club was stopped as he drove home by police who had received a report of a possible drink-driver. Blackburn magistrates heard Douglas Brown was almost three times
The Heritage Centre is now housed within Ossy Mills on Moscow Mill Street, this image is of the centre's old home
Hollywood rock band Orson played a tiny secret Lancashire gig on Tuesday as part of the Sony Ericsson Up Close series. Here they reveal all about their new album Culture Vulture. How do you guys feel performing in front of such an intimate crowd?
A man has admitted killing a 47-year-old in a stabbing at a house in Darwen. Brendan Mizon, 36, of Harwood Street, Darwen pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Neil Walsh, between May 2 and 5 this year. At a Preston Crown Court hearing, the defendant's
CONVICTED killer Robert Lund is unlikely to appeal his 12-year prison sentence, according to his French lawyer. Lund could risk his 12-year sentence for the manslaughter of his wife, Evelyn, being increased to more than 20 years if he refuses to accept
An ex-boxer who attacked the mother of his children, putting the boot in after he knocked her to the floor, is behind bars for nine months. Burnley Crown Court heard how father of two David Johnson, 23, who had a previous conviction for assaulting
Police who stopped two men walking down a Darwen street at 1.15am found they were both carrying knives. Blackburn magistrates heard that Andrew Edward Dodds had a "short-handled bush dagger", an instrument which was held in such a way that the blade
PLANS to build nearly 60 homes on the site of a fire-hit former mill have been unveiled. Primrose Mill, Harrison Street, Briercliffe, has been empty since a massive fire in July 2005. Owners Sweet Dreams Ltd battled back from the setback and now operates
A GRANDMOTHER who used her love of gardening to help local children wants to help schools get their pupils healthy. Jean Lord was recognised for her outstanding contribution to child health at the national Health for Kids Awards 2007, for establishing
WHEN Ricky Hatton stepped out of the ring in his fledgling boxing career it looked for all the world that he had been beaten. It was a notorious fact that the two-time IBF and IBO light welterweight champion used to bleed on contact. Yet no matter how
AN INNOVATIVE new scheme is hoping to get young jobless people into employment through sports coaching. The Strike for Life' project, the first in East Lancashire directed at unemployed 16 to 25 year-olds, offers youngsters the chance to get qualifications
A 20-year-old man took his dad's car to run his friends for a late-night takeaway. Blackburn magistrates heard that Salman Iqbal Master attracted the attention of the police as he drove through the town centre without lights. Master, of London Walk,
IT was a bright sunny day at Glossop, but the difficult pitch conditions resulted in the game being played with the ball up in the air. Andy Howarth and Kieron Roberts worked tirelessly for Colne, with Dave Young doing most of the prompting for Glossop
FOR proud South African Benni McCarthy, weekends don't come better than this. The Bafana Bafana striker was back to his predatory best in a Rovers shirt, delivering two killer goals in Saturday's comfortable stroll over Reading. And while McCarthy would
A motorcylist who lied to police and got another man summonsed to court has kept his freedom. Burnley Crown Court heard how Wayne Bannister, 27, later told police he had panicked because he thought there might be a warrant out for his arrest. The
A woman suffered three broken ribs following a crash on the A59. The accident happened on Longsight Road near Osbaldeston Lane, Blackburn at the Bay Horse Inn around 11.50am on Saturday. Two Silver Rovers were involved in the smash. The woman, who
Former Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness has emerged as a new front-runner for the vacant manager's job at Bolton Wanderers. Souness is now considered a likely candidate to succeed Sammy Lee, if Reebok chairman Phil Gartside is unwilling to pay
A COUNCILLOR has hit out at 'falling standards' at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, blaming "penny-pinching bosses and an obsession with targets". Coun David Pearson spent a week under observation at the hospital in May after injuring his knee. He said
CONGLETON Town got off to a flier in this match and were ahead after just four minutes when Matt Haddrell headed home from just outside the six-yard box. It was just reward for the striker who was denied in the first minute by Paul Horridge in the Bacup
ECCLESHALL proved tougher opposition than their league position suggested on Saturday, holding Padiham to a 0-0 draw and very nearly taking all three points back to Staffordshire with them. Only some inspired goalkeeping by Padiham's Gavin King in the
NELSON were unlucky to lose out in this match to a second half penalty. The Blues lost Chris Ridehalgh through injury after only five minutes, but substitute Mark Banyard slotted in and worked tirelessly. The visitors looked to be on course for a point
HEALTH and crime officials from across Europe are heading to Lancashire this week to see how drugs and alcohol services tackle addiction. More than a dozen experts from Germany, Romania, Ukraine, Finland, Slovenia and Russia form part of the delegation
YOU writing that column about Darwen in the Telegraph? asked a pal of mine in the Anchor pub the other day. "Yeah. Problem?" I asked. "When are you going to slag off the traffic through t' town centre?" he asked. "Hang on. Give me time," I told him
My friend is one of the biggest bag snobs I know. We're not talking Gucci or Chanel - although she would definitely be fussy in the high-fashion department too. I am referring to carrier bags - the plastic ones we use at the checkout. Not for all the
The old police station threatened with demolition on King Street in Blackburn must be saved - but just look around you. This was a battle fought and lost in the sixties. The council is now just wandering over the battlefield, bayoneting the wounded.
I was not surprised that so much emphasis has been placed on such a small incident about actors smoking on stage (which incidentally was vital to the story) during the play Abigail's Party. After all, they are a soft target for the environmental health
Well, they can't even let the dead rest in peace any longer! Not content with having removed living communities from their perfectly habitable homes in which they had hoped to end their days (I refer of course to the Redearth residents in Darwen whose
Can someone please explain to me what is going on in Darwen. I went into Darwen after trying to negotiate my way through the maze that someone says is a better traffic system than we have ever had! What is that little traffic island thing in the middle
THE Rams got off to the worst possible start in this match and found themselves two goals down inside seven minutes. Liam McMann got things underway in the first minute and Nick Wellecombe made it 2-0 just a few minutes later. Anthony Johnson pulled
THIS is the first look at Blackburn College's proposed £13million higher education building, which will bring 500 more degree students to town. The college has unveiled the second phase of its £38million plan to become a "world-class campus". It will
DARWEN drew a league match for the first time this season against the side from Staffordshire. They gave a first start to Latvian goalkeeper Konstantins Upenieks, and full back Chris Pearson. The visitors created their first chance after eight minutes
ROQUE Santa Cruz insists he was right to pull out of his country's World Cup qualifiers - emphasised by his stunning display for Rovers in their resounding win over Reading. The 26-year-old striker withdrew from international duty a fortnight ago, missing
Enthusiasts visited the 42nd annual model railway exhibition at King George's Hall, Blackburn. It was organised by the Blackburn and East Lancashire Model Railway Society. The exhibition gave an insight into scale railways from different parts of
I WONDER how many of the millions tuned in to watch the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday night actually understood what was going on? Somehow I doubt whether a large percentage of the armchair audience could tell you at what point a maul had formed
MARK Hughes believes strike duo Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz are a partnership made in heaven. The Rovers boss was fulsome in praise for his frontmen after they both hit the scoresheet in Saturday's comprehensive 4-2 Premier League victory over
THE Lancashire Telegraph's annual wedding fair presented a whole host of treats for prospective brides and grooms. Brides-to-be hunting for their perfect dress watched as 62 dresses were modelled during the largest wedding fashion show in Lancashire.
FARMER Michael Frankland is giving up working on the land and putting his healing powers to work as a complimentary therapist. Michael, 36, followed generations of his family into farming at Gisburn and with a young family growing up his future seemed
On Saturday 17th November, we will be holding a Community Cinema Film Event - Shrek the 3rd. Tickets will be going on sale from 30th October from the school office. The event is open to any children from school and the community - so why not take advantage
The Bishop of Blackburn will celebrate Holy Communion in Mellor Parish Church on Thursday 1st November (All Saints Day) at 7.30pm. The Dean of Blackburn Cathedral will be celebrating a Requiem Mass on Friday 2nd November (All Souls Day) also at 7.30pm
BLONDE teen popettes from the States produce an album which is actually much better than you might expect. They're a sparky duo with attitude and - the album's saving grace - no little humour. Potential Break-Up Song is a minor classic of its kind
THE Loves are a fantastically retro Welsh band who have chosen a diabolical track to open their new EP. One-Two-Three sounds like T-Rex at their off-key worst and played badly. The rest of the EP is a stomp through various musical territories, from
A jerky, jangly tune from a Manchester band who have generated a tremendous buzz. It's very straightforward stuff, but the conscious avoidance of pretension is refreshing and the lyrics are great - "You're just like plasticine, moulded into a libertine
Fife folkster Kenny Anderson - King Creosote - is heading further into interchangeable singer-songwriter territory. This pleasant ditty could easily get lost in a crowd of such decent fellows. Anderson does have a faultlessly fragile falsetto, and
The Paul Weller of 2007 is very different from the 1993 vintage. Now, he's part of the music aristocracy. In the early '90s he was a slightly confused artist. That was until this album arrived, setting him on the road to where he finds himself today
CELEB-RATED musicians Dodds and John Hedley get together with a few mates to produce an album that's part North East tap room, part saloon bar jam. Vocalist Kelly Brownell adds character and a country feel while Hedley plays guitar like a dervish.
THE Depeche Mode frontman may have had his problems but there's never been any denying his talent. This second solo album sees him doing what he does best - producing powerful, dark, moody and at times disturbing electronica. Put it on, dim the
FIREFIGHTERS have warned arsonists that they are risking lives after Blackburn's crew was called out 10 times in five hours. From 6pm on Sunday, firefighters were called all over the town to put out deliberately started fires, including bonfires, rubbish
A MODEL has made the final of a catwalk competition thanks to 6,000 votes from the people of Blackburn. Donna Fielding, 19, from Livesey Branch Road, Mill Hill, got the most votes of any entrant in the national competition, and is through to the finals
ROVERS striker Roque Santa Cruz says he's flattered that his partnership with Benni McCarthy has been compared to the SAS - Shearer and Sutton. But the Paraguayan hitman, who got his sixth of the season in the 4-2 win over Reading, says the club have
BURNLEY manager Steve Cotterill has said he will not be looking to appoint a new number two, after assistant manager Dave Kevan left Turf Moor to take up a similar position at his first club, Notts County. Kevan's departure brings an end to a managerial
A GROUP of horrified teenagers were chased and attacked with sticks and bottles because of how they were dressed. The three boys and one girl, all 15, were attired in "gothic" or "mosher" style, with black clothing, jeans and jewellery, when they were
FRUSTRATED Burnley manager Steve Cotterill revealed how his side had to combat a number of complications going into Saturday's trip to Barnsley. Robbie Blake was rested after failing to shake off a hamstring problem he sustained at Cardiff City ahead
Stephen Warnock is expected to be fit for Blackburn Rovers' trip to Tottenham on Sunday. Warnock limped out of Saturday's win with an ankle injury. But manager Mark Hughes said: "He just got a bang, we don't think it is anything more than that."
CLITHEROE will have to travel to Lancaster tomorrow for a replay after a goalless draw in this FA Trophy match. Few chances were created by either side in an even first half and the second half continued in the same vein until Clitheroe were reduced
