A GROUP which aimed to bring East Lancashire communities together is disbanding. Launched in the wake of the Burnley riots in 2003 with initial Home Office backing, East Lancs Together also brought together people from different backgrounds in Burnley
A JCB mini-digger and other equipment totalling £10,000 was stolen from a property in West Bradford. The theft happened in Grindleton Lane and police believe it could be linked to a series of vehicle robberies over the last month. Along with the digger
RESIDENTS are being encouraged to take part in an experimental system of recycling food waste. The scheme to place food waste in a special container has been introduced for a trial 40-week period in Todmorden. A letter to residents from Calderdale waste
A HOUSE clearer and part-time television extra is quids in after finding a bit more than loose change down the back of a settee. Peter Grimbley, 47, had pulled the sofa from a house clearance in Greater Manchester and intended to sell it at one of Clitheroe
A MAN has denied knowing about a stash of weapons -including a sawn-off shotgun and a pistol -uncovered by police at his home. Police found the weapons, along with a double-barrelled shotgun and ammunition, in snooker cue cases underneath stairs at the
A PLUMBER took money off a customer to buy materials but never carried out the work. Blackburn magistrates heard that David Clark McDowell had behaved in a similar way in the past but a prosecution had been stopped because he paid back the money. McDowell
YOBS trashed a charity's lock-up and caravan and urinated on toys meant for needy children. Darwen Lions Club members said they were disgusted after the lock up and caravan, used for storage in Hannah Street, were targeted twice this week. The first
A MOTHER-of-three has been hit with a restraining order after she launched a harassment campaign against a neighbour and her family, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Heather Tierney, 34, whose partner had just been sent to prison, targeted
A VAN driver claimed he was not aware of a collision with a parked car which resulted in that vehicle being written off. Blackburn magistrates heard James Arthur Wignall drove off but was followed by the car driver and when police arrived refused to
BURNLEY'S millionaire director Brendan Flood has vowed to back manager Steve Cotterill in the transfer market this summer. In his first extensive interview, the Manchester-based businessman and life-long Burnley fan exclusively revealed to the Lancashire
A MAN who had taken heroin for a number of years died from a drugs overdose, an inquest was told. Stuart Trainer, 34, of Ingham Street, Padiham, died on June 7 last year, after collapsing at the home he shared with his mother, June Kenyon. A post mortem
A 20-YEAR-OLD singer is fighting cancer. Anthony Worsick, from Clayton-le-Moors, has undergone an intensive course of chemotherapy to treat testicular and lung cancer. He also had three-quarters of a lung removed. And his twin brother Stephen has vowed
I DON'T like talking about money - but money talks in modern football. And the time is now right to make some real money available to Steve Cotterill so he can bring in four or five new faces so we can mount a real challenge for the Premiership next
FUNDRAISERS got a wiggle on for charity - with an evening of belly dancing! Sisters Greera Norse, 35, of Hoddlesden, and Roshni Clarke, 33, of Ewood, Blackburn, set up their own dance group two years ago. They became hooked on the Arabic style of dancing
PLANS to redevelop a car sales room into apartm-ents and shops have been re-submitted after compl-aints from residents. The proposal aims to turn Westwood Garage, Harwood Road, Rishton, into five flats, office space and two ground floor shops. The
A POSTMAN was sacked after mimicking the accent of Asian colleagues, a tribunal heard. But Christopher Eccles, who worked in Blackburn, thought he was "having a laugh" and could not believe that the incidents had caused offence and gone so far, the hearing
THE mother of a teenager who disappeared who three-and-a-half years ago has told a murder trial jury of the last time she saw her daughter. Karen Ann Marie Downes said Charlene, who a former Blackburn man is accused of murdering, gave her a kiss and
A FIRM which made £55,000 worth of energy savings by offering staff bacon butties for their ideas has been recognised for its environmental work. Fort Vale Engineering, Brunswick Street, Nelson, was the runner-up in the Red Rose business environmental
A WOMAN who has an intolerance to gluten has urged East Lancashire restaurants to do more to help people with the disease. Eileen Marsden, 57, has coeliacs disease, an auto-immune condition triggered by eating the protein, which is found in wheat, rye
THE effects of a car crash can be dramatic and life-changing. Last year 22 people aged between 17 and 25 died on Lancashire's roads. A further 254 survived, but were left seriously injured. The Lancashire Telegraph's Wasted Lives campaign is trying to
Seven people have been sentenced at Preston Crown Court in connection with a major people trafficking operation in Lancashire. Ten men and three women from the Czech Republic and Bangladesh were arrested after the woman from the Czech Republic told Lancashire
A DRUNKEN father of three threatened his terrified partner with an axe and a hammer and pointed a knife at her, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how "unpredictable" Alan Victor Hymas had shouted abuse at Diane Morton, thrown cans of lager
A WOMAN who smuggled Class A drugs in her underwear during a prison visit was caught after giving her jailed boyfriend a hug. Tara Apostoloff-Boyarin, of Lytton Street, Padiham, had hidden heroin and cocaine in her bra and placed a red balloon filled
A MAN hit a police car with his shopping bags as it was being driven along a Blackburn town centre street in the afternoon. Blackburn magistrates heard the attacker was gritting his teeth and frothing at the mouth during the frenzied attack. The lone
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw has urged council bosses to listen to campaigners fighting to keep a special school open. Staff, parents and pupils at Crosshill Special School in Blackburn launched a campaign to save the school several weeks ago. Blackburn
A GROUP has been condemned after it took on a high-risk paedophile as a steward at a family event it organised. Burnley magistrates heard how Frank McCrossan Crampsey, 50, helped look after children at the egg hunt organised by Earby Develop-ment Group
A COUNCIL leader has offered his help to prevent Accrington Cricket Club going out of business. The historic club is in serious financial trouble and could go into liquidation by the end of June. Bosses at the club, which is languishing at the foot
ON APRIL 26, 1947, Burnley made a little piece of football history as they took part in the first, live televised FA Cup final. Cliff Britton's side took on Charlton Athletic in front of 98,215 fans at the old Wembley Stadium and, unfortunately for the
THE grandmother of a toddler killed by his childminder is to climb to Peru's lost city in his memory. Cathy Massey, of Riverlea Gardens, Clitheroe, said her motivation came from the only three words her grandson, Joshua Massey-Hodgkinson, learned to
GOALS win games and I reckon a goalscorer should be at the very top of Mark Hughes' shopping list this summer. Someone needs to take the burden off Benni McCarthy's shoulders - but I don't think Craig Bellamy is the answer. I don't think the fiery Welshman
MORE than 4,600 people have quit smoking in East Lancashire over the last 12 months, according to the latest figures. In the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale areas, 1,905 smokers gave up the habit during the 12 month period to the end of March. Meanwhile
Neil Holt, of Blackburn, sent in this picture taken at the Dinckley Suspension Bridge across the River Ribble near to Ribchester. He said: "I think this shot manages to capture the symmetry of the bridge against the deep blue sky that greeted Lancashire
Pam McFayden of Nelson took this stunning shot, showing Pendle Hill from the perspective of Downham
MORE than £200,000 is set to be spent to turn the site of a former sports centre into a car park. Burnley Council has revealed that £207,736 is being earmarked to provide parking at the site of the recently demolished Thompson Centre. It emerged earlier
SOCCER legends and celebrities are set to battle it out with Bacup Borough's championship side to raise money for a player put out of work through injury. Although in the past they have been bitter rivals, former players of Manchester United, Manchester
AN outline planning application has been submitted for a proposed erection of four three-bedroom town houses and six two-bedroom apartments at the Duncan Street garage site. The application includes details of layout and means of access (all other
NEW life is set to be breathed into an historic public park when its centerpiece rises from the ashes later this year. This summer will see the arrival of a new octagonal ornamental bandstand for Queen's Park in Burnley to replace the original feature
LADIES are launching a campaign to ensure that their loos are up to scratch. Colne Market Hall's conveniences for females have not been refurbished since it was built more than 30 years ago, and councillors Dorothy Lord and Ann Kerrigan have promised
Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy has been called up to the South Africa squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad. McCarthy, who is currently in his homeland, has yet to respond to the call-up and manager Carlos Alberto Parreira
Police are hunting a man who indecently exposed himself to a schoolgirl in a Burnley park. The girl was walking along the river at Thompson Park, Ormerod Road, on Monday when she saw the man, who flashed at her. He is described as white, fat, in
IT'S enough to put you off your tea - the sight of Jennie Bond flirting alamingly with the chefs on Great British Menu. It must have been all that time spent in the jungle that changed the Beeb's former royal correspondent into such an outrageous tease
AN MP fears his constituency will be badly hit in the latest round of rural post office closures. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans and a county councillor have spoken out against the plans after Trade Secretary Alistair Darling announced 2,500 post offices
MIDWIFE who drove "round the corner" after consoling a friend failed a breathalyser. Blackburn magistrates heard that Brenda Heather Dowle thought she had only drunk two glasses of wine but accepted that a reading more than double the legal limit suggested
Find out when your favourite band will be playing at the Darwen Live festival over Bank Holiday weekend. SUNDAY, May 27 Main Stage 1pm - 2pm The Managers Big Band 2pm - 3pm India Mill 3pm - 4pm Avalon Way 4pm - 5pm Superfly 5pm - 6pm Cherrybomb
DARWEN Live will mark the start of a hectic two-year touring schedule for Dave Finnegan's Commitments - and they're itching to get going. "It's great to start out with a festival," said Dave in his trademark Dublin tones. "I have a buzz about it. When
FOR Pete Barton, the bassist of The Animals and Friends, this year's Darwen Live on May 28 should be one of the most relaxing gigs of the year. For Pete lives in Clitheroe so the band's headlining appearance at the free festival on Bank Holiday Monday
A PERFORMER dubbed "the Liberace of flower arrangers" is coming to Blackburn on May 30. Andrew Grisewood - a maestro of floral art - will fill the stage with flower arrangements that promise to bedazzle and surprise. And singer Steve Andrews will
ONE of the area's longest established metal bands will be playing at the home of heavy rock in Blackburn for the first time in 15 years on June 2. Nightmare Visions will be unveiling their new line up at the Sir Charles Napier when they will be supported
YOUNG performers aged from 10 to 18 will be heading back to the golden age of rock and roll for a musical extravaganza at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on June 15 and 16. Back to the Fifties will feature performers many of whom have never appeared on
THIS weekend promises to be one to remember at the Attic in Accrington with two major music nights separated by an evening of comedy. And as if that wasn't enough, the venue will also play host to a major new TV documentary series next month. Tonight
FOLLOW the clouds of hairspray to the Corrupted event at The Sir Charles Napier pub in Blackburn tonight, where you will see three of the best Rock 'n' Roll bands the North West has to offer. Headlining the event are Blackburn glam, punk and garage rock
A FORMER mayor of Blackburn with Darwen and former headmaster has died aged 92. The funeral of Jack Tarbuck, who represented the Livesey ward for more than 20 years, will be held at St Luke's Church, Bank Top at 10am today. Mr Tarbuck, a former magistrate
A MAN found slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle had a baseball bat with nails in it also in the car, a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard how Adrian Limb, 27, was taken to Burnley police station,where it was discovered he had a closed
A GROUP of women walked through the night in aid of a friend who is battling breast cancer. Anne Holt, 33, from Blackburn, Patricia Turner, 63, from Blackburn, Marion Eastwood, 63, from Accrington and Frances Healleff, 44, from Clayton-le-Moors took
JOHN Connelly is rightly revered as one of Burnley's all-time favourites. He is one of 25 names incorporated into the club's Wall of Legends, situated outside the Jimmy McIlroy Stand at Turf Moor. But the dazzling right winger is also fondly remembered
DAVID Bentley never doubted he had the ability to play for England but even the outspoken midfielder admits he was lost for words when the call he had been waiting most of his life for finally came earlier this month. After a brilliant season for Blackburn
A SHOP assistant raised in Darwen has won a beauty award. Andrew Pilkington, 22, entered the Mr Liverpool event in the hope of making the Mr England and even Mr World competitions. The keen footballer did failed to make the final from the 14 male entrants
THE Cathedral in Blackburn is being forced to display no smoking signs in a move branded "lunacy". From July 1 the grade II listed building, parts of which date back to the 19th century will have to put up A5 sized signs as public buildings go smoke
Todmorden Town Council has appointed Coun David O'Neill, the chairman of the General Purposes Committee, to serve on the Yorkshire Local Councils Association. And he, along with Coun Joe Rez, chairman of the Amenities Committee, and Julie Stansfield,
I think there are many things we take for granted in this part of the world. Earlier this week I was invited to the cathedral for a meeting, or should I say 'debate' (because that is what we all must do these days), about why white folk and Asian folk
A FATHER of two attacked his ex-partner because he thought she had taken cash out of his bank account, Burnley Magistrates heard. Sean Wilkinson, 20, assaulted her again in a temper, shutting a taxi door on her leading to her suffering a trapped nerve
A NEW £1.3 million sports facility for Pendle is one step closer. Pendle Forest Sports Club, Cuckstool Lane, Fence, submitted plans for a building six pitches, a pavilion and a store for groundkeeping equipment. Pendle Council's planning officers recommended
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council's new ruling coalition has backed controversial plans for a £34million academy. The coalition made up of Tories, Liberal Democrats, and the For Darwen party said they would forge ahead with plans to put it in Redearth Road
More than 300 pairs of Kickers footwear, worth thousands of pounds, were stolen in a raid on a wagon at Walker Park, Guide. Police said the tarpaulin was ripped before the back doors of the wagon were forced open. The theft happened between 11pm on
DAVID Bentley has called on Burnley fans to put local rivalry to one side for 90 minutes tonight and unite behind the England cause. The Blackburn Rovers midfielder has been told he will start this evening's England B international friendly with Albania
ENGLAND manager Steve McClaren reckons David Bentley has the potential to become the new' David Beckham. The Blackburn midfielder will cap an excellent season when he makes his debut for England's B team in tonight's friendly with Albania at Turf Moor
MILLIONS of older people in the poorest countries in the world have no regular income or pension. For them, later life can bring persistent poverty, isolation and limited access to social services. Help the Aged, the charity supporting the lives of
COMMONSENSE wins. No need for Prince Harry to put his men or protection team at risk. Prince Harry would do to remember Mrs Indirha Ghandi was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguard. Nobody knows how many sleepers' there are in the Iraqi army and security
CARERS from across the country will be getting a well-deserved break in June thanks to the Norwich Union Breaks for Carers. For many it will be the first time in years they have had a break. For people like me, who spend most of our lives in the company
THE holding back of Prince Harry from the firing line will not have gone down well with many of the general public, especially relatives of serving forces, who risk their lives every day. Servicemen must serve in whatever field they are sent. The reason
AN ALBANIAN international footballer has been cautioned after admitting grabbing the bottom of a housekeeper at a top East Lancashire hotel. Defender Andi Lila, 21, was released in the early hours of Thursday after admitting indecently assaulting an
A SHOP assistant who was given a verbal dressing down by his manager returned to the store that night and stole cash. Waheed Ur Hassan Ashgar told Blackburn magistrates that the manager had called him "useless and incompetent." And he said that when
