A NEW police chief has taken over the divisional commander role for the east of the county and has promised to target issues that affect communities. Chief Supt Andy Rhodes has returned from a secondment to the Home Office to take up command of Eastern
AN urgent appeal for help has been made after it was announced that a well-used community centre is to be sold. The church hall at Huncoat Methodist Church in Marshall Avenue will close shortly because of a lack of volunteers and the poor repair of the
A SOLDIER is gearing up to represent Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics. Jonathan Morris, 22, who is originally from Padiham, is the current British Army judo champion. Now he has been granted time off from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment to
A NEW skyscraper' could soon dominate Burnley's rooftops as part of plans to revive the fortunes of a prominent town centre hotel. An eleven-storey apartment complex bid has been drawn up by RMA Developments for the site, in Keirby Walk, Burnley town
A COMMUNITY in Burnley has come under siege from drinkers - despite being part of an alcohol-free zone. Wide parts of Trinity ward, including Coal Clough Lane, are subject to on-street drinking restrictions - with potential penalties of £500 for people
A CANNABIS factory has been found in the heart of an exclusive Ribble Valley village, police say. The discovery was made after police targeted a detached property just off Branch Road - an area of Mellor Brook where homes are valued at up to £750,000
A PLUMBER who threatened to set fire to bailiffs when they turned up at his home has avoided jail. Stephen Goodwin, 40, had armed himself with a can of petrol and a blow torch and was alleged to have repeatedly lit the torch in front of police as every
CCTV will not be used to tackle anti-social behaviour in a Pendle street despite residents demanding urgent action over increased vandalism. Housing Pendle, responsible for the properties in High Street, Colne, said the astronomical' cost of installing
TWO motorists were seriously injured when their vehicles collided head-on in Slaidburn. A Mazda MX5 driven by a 39-year-old Clitheroe woman was travelling up the Fell Road, towards Slaidburn, when it collided with a white Fiat van. The van was being
PHIL Edwards was the unlikely hero as 10-man Accrington Stanley beat Dagenham 1-0 at the Fraser Eagle Stadium to all but secure their Football League status. The Reds defender scored the only goal of a highly-charged encounter on 47 minutes, heading
TWO brothers went on a spree stealing lead from kitchen roofs on Larch Street in Nelson, Burnley magistrates heard. Michael Dwyer was leaping from property to property, throwing the lead off and Paul Dwyer was on the ground helping him. Michael Dwyer
A MAN has appeared before Black-burn magistrates charged with sexual offences against another boy at a Longridge child-ren's home more than 20 years ago. Paul Derek Phoenix, 37, of Queens Drive East, Ramsey, Isle of Man, is charged with one offence of
HOSPITAL critics have been told to "put up or shut up " over their catalogue of alleged failings. Liberal Democrat councillors in Burnley and Pendle launched the It's Our NHS website in January, using it to build a dossier of complaints to back their
NELSON manager Nick Jackson-Cooney insists his players are itching to get last month's 10-1 thrashing from Newcastle Town out of their system as the two sides meet again tomorrow at Victoria Park. The Blues were hammered by the Staffordshire outfit on
DARWEN people are urged to attend police and community together (PACT) meetings to have their say about any problems. The next meeting for residents in Avondale, Hollins and Sunnyhurst will be at the Alexandra Hotel, Hindle Street, on April 21 from 6.30pm
TWO young East Lancashire chefs have reached the final of a prestigious competition which could see them win the ultimate catering scholarship. Tom Parker and Michael Eminson, who work at Northcote Manor in Langho, will travel to Belfast next week for
ROSSENDALE Council's Local Land Charges Department has satisfied 92 per cent of its customers, according to a survey. The Department provides local authority searches for people buying or selling property in Rossendale. From a group of surveyed customers
THE granddaughter of Tommy Ball has spoken of her regret that they were not able to resolve the dispute which split their family. Jane Alderson said she tried to track down her grandad just weeks before he died, hoping to "let bygones be bygones." And
Close family and friends of teenager Alex Wignall, who lost her fight against synovial sarcoma in December, will be going on a sponsored walk from Longridge to Ribchester on Sunday, May 25. In tribute to Alex, the Alex Charity Fund was set up to raise
CHORLEY manager Tony Hesketh insists his Magpies side should be proud of their run to the Lancashire FA Trophy final - despite getting beat 4-1 by Southport on the night. The Magpies were underdogs for Wednesday's final at Lancashire FA's Leyland headquarters
A BURGLAR who threa-tened his victim when she was confronted in her home has been jailed for four years. The frightened woman managed to grab hold of Mark McGranaghan's woolly hat dur-ing a struggle at her house and it helped police obtain his DNA.
THE last residents on the new Darwen Academy site have accepted offers on their homes and moved out - to avoid the threat of bailiffs. The 10 remaining householders in the Redearth Triangle have now left their homes after warnings from Blackburn with
POLICE went to the house next door when a company was raided through the loft but the occupant denied he did it, a court heard. Burnley magistrates were told how Eric Kelly, 30, had computer equipment taken in the break-in but told officers he had bought
DETERMINED manager Owen Coyle has urged for five-star performances in all of Burnley's remaining five Championship games. The Clarets sit three points adrift of sixth place going into tomorrow's clash with relegation-threatened Norwich City at Carrow
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to recruit more magistrates in East Lancashire. The Advisory Committee, the body which recruits magistrates, wants to challenge the idea that only people from certain backgrounds can take on the role. It has highlighted
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has called for the introduction of European referees into the Barclays Premier League to reduce the current torrent of yellow cards being shown. Hughes is frustrated many mis-timed tackles in English domestic football result
A man who reacted to anti social behaviour by youths by swinging out with a hammer has been jailed for a year. John Ainsworth, 29, of Baker Street, Blackburn, fractured a teenager's skull by striking him with the weapon. Preston Crown Court heard
THREE quick-thinking nurses helped save the life of a 16-year-old boy who was hit by the train they were travelling in. The women, who were travelling on the Manch-ester to Clitheroe service, helped keep the boy alive until paramedics with a stretcher
If you think Heathrow's bad try Islamabad To many people the fiasco at Heathrow's Terminal 5 was something of a shock. But to some of us who have had to endure months and years of airport trips, the events were nothing new. This week I was back at
THE decision not to allow soldiers to return early from fighting in Iraq will be a bitter blow to many East Lancashire families. There had been high hopes that the members of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, currently on a peace-keeping tour of the
A LAY pastor at Rawtenstall Unitarian Church has been formally welcomed on to the roll of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. Myrna Michellof Bacup, has joined the select group of only six other lay pastors in the denomination
County Cllr. Steve Large has £1,250 to spend and the 1st Cliviger Beavers, among others, have applied for £340 for paper, glue, soil, pots, various beaver badges, bean bags, etc. No group from Worsthorne has yet applied for funding. The County Council
BRAVE firefighters have relived how they saved the lives of five people trapped in an unsafe bed and breakfast. The crew members spoke as they were honoured for their part in tackling the blaze which ripped through Jay's Bed and Breakfast, Bolton Road
A MAN who stole his girlfriend's housing benefit cheque begged her not to tell the police. Blackburn magistrates heard that Liam O'Reilly stole the cheque and cashed it as an "act of revenge" because he thought the relationship was over and suspected
TWO men from the same family charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles have been bailed. Patrick Maughan, 45, and Martin Maughan, 23, were arrested on Tuesday after a series of early morning raids. The raids were part of a major operation by Lancashire
RESIDENTS of Redvers Road, Darwen, teamed up with local school pupils, community groups, Police and Council officers to give their neighbourhood an early spring clean during the half-term break. Around 45 people took part in the clean-up to clear litter
A MAN has exposed himself to two elderly women who were out walking their dogs, police have said Police believe the incidents are linked and are hunting a man thought to be in his late teens. A 60-year-old woman was out walking her dog in Hoddlesden
AN MP who was branded a Labour rebel for a protest against the government's tax policy has insisted he was not pressurised into backing down. Hyndburn MP Greg Pope tabled an early-day motion calling on chancellor Alistair Darling to restore the 10 per
BURNLEY striker Ade Akinbiyi has backed Kyle Lafferty to have a bright future. Akinbiyi was sacrificed in the starting eleven to face Barnsley last weekend after Lafferty returned to Turf Moor on the back of scoring twice for Northern Ireland. Manager
Andrew Flintoff is expected to be back to full throttle in time for Lancashire's opening County Championship matches. Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson was pleased Flintoff's all-round performances in the the county's pre-season tournament in Dubai and
RAMSBOTTOM'S have-a-go chefs are required to take part in a Master Chef competition to raise the profile of healthy living in the area. Recipes will be original and use locally available and sourced produce, with entrants being short-listed on individuality
A TOWN in Pendle is being asked to go to the polls today - but voters will not be electing a new politician to fight their corner. People in Barnoldswick will be asked whether they agree with the principle of a new supermarket, at The Butts, put forward
CHILDREN are to benefit from an end to the "no ball games culture" on recreation grounds after being given millions of pounds to develop play areas. A flagship adventure playground will be built in Witton Park, Blackburn, with almost 30 smaller facilities
A COUPLE who gave up their jobs and house to cycle around the Himalayas have set up a tour company to let others share the experience. Ian and Jean Teunion, 47, from Colne, left Britain in May 2006 to travel around India on a bike. They wanted to explore
A DRUNKEN man who attacked his mother twice over Easter has been given 12 hours at an attendance centre. Burnley magistrates heard how Anthony Craig Halstead, 24, who was subject to a community order at the time, hit the victim with a can of beer and
CAPTAIN courageous Peter Cavanagh admits he will put his body on the line to save Accrington Stanley from relegation. Stanley's lionheart defender has not kicked a ball in anger for the first-team for four-and-a-half months. But after finally working
A taste of Europe returned to Burnley as French, Italian and German produce lined up with traditional Lancashire grub. The three-day continental market returned yesterday and will be selling foreign goods on St James Street, near the bandstand, until
Another disaster was witnessed on this week's Apprentice. The girls, who did so well last week, imploded. Meanwhile the boys managed to put last week's differences aside to crack on with the task. At first glance it seemed that Jennifer Celerier
QUIZ fans can pit their wits against a team of celebrities at a charity fundraiser in Todmorden tonight. Soapstars Jack Marsden (Heartbeat's Joe Dixon), Scott Wright (Corrie's Sam Kingston) and actress Alice Barry (Lillian Taylor from Shameless) will
A LIVE music lover has set up a Facebook protest against the alcohol ban at Darwen Music Festival this year. Michael Maud, 26, from Blackburn, said the decision by the council to stop people taking alcohol, glass bottles and containers to fenced-off
ADE Akinbiyi has described playing alongside Andrew Cole as a "massive privilege". The Burnley striker, who returns to the club where he began his career when the Clarets take on Norwich tomorrow, has been one of several experienced tutors Kyle Lafferty
AN outdoor ski centre, a skate park or a children's play area are some of the ideas being put forward to regenerate the former gas works site on Robin Bank Road. Sudellside Community Association wants Blackburn with Darwen Council to consider creating
ROSSENDALE manager Derek Egan is hoping for better weather as the Stags entertain Lancashire rivals Bamber Bridge at Dark Lane tomorrow. Egan was astounded that last week's home game against Bridlington Town was given the go-ahead by the officials, despite
CLITHEROE boss Neil Reynolds is hoping his side can throw a spanner in the works of title-chasing Skelmersdale tomorrow. The Blues recorded a well deserved draw against Skem earlier this year and Reynolds was calling for more of the same as they travel
ALCOHOL abuse will be targeted by a hard-hitting campaign across East Lancashire. Posters showing the dark side of drink, alongside common alcohol-related expressions, will be placed all over Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley
I AM writing in response to Mr Brian Gordon's comments (LT, March 19) about pensioners. I find it hard to believe he would make such comments. Does he think he is the only one who lived in a terrace house with no hot water and outside toilet? Most of
IN reply to Mr J D Mortimer (LT, March 26) asking what twisted logic drives our MPs. Well, in my opinion most of them ride with the hounds and run with the hare. They answer a question with question and skirt around the truth. Also, when playing to
COMING soon to your locality - Post Office closures, that's if yours hasn't closed already. When the Government gave the go-ahead for major surgery on our Post Offices the "honourable members" must have all taken the Hypocritic' oath. Now that the cuts
FORMER Burnley defender Stephen Foster has been ruled out of Barnsley's FA Cup semi-final clash with Cardiff. The defender has been fundamental in the Tykes road to Wembley, scoring the equaliser in the 2-1 fifth-round victory at Liverpool, but has suffered
I REALLY agree with the correspondent regarding parking on pavements. Over the last year this seems to be on the increase. In fact, I have seen mothers with toddlers having to walk on the road and elderly people and mothers with prams also having to
JACK Straw is repealing ancient laws. Good, now he can turn his efforts to improving the safety of law-abiding citizens by ensuring modern laws are fully enforced. He can perhaps redress the situation whereby it appears the criminal has all the rights
RE: The letter from Mr Holden (LT, March 28) entitled Wake up to Benefit Fraudsters'. Supposedly ill pensioners who have never worked fraudulently claim disability allowance, yet they are cutting our genuine breadline pensioners' gardens for money, lavishing
MARK Hughes has stressed that the decision on whether David Bentley leaves Blackburn Rovers will only be made by himself and chairman John Williams. And he has re-iterated the club's stance that they have no intention whatsoever of cashing in on the
2008 is a National Year of Reading and Blackburn with Darwen libraries are celebrating reading in all its forms during the course of the year The theme for April is 'Read all about it!'which encourages people to read anything and everything, anywhere
Is there life after death? Can there ever be a scientifically satisfactory explanation as to what may happen to human consciousness at the point of death? Anthony Peake believes there is. Using the latest evidence from the fields of quantum physics
A WOMAN was rescued by firefighters from a burning flat in Blackburn. The woman was carried unconscious out of the ground floor flat in East Park Road shortly after 7.30am today. Crews from Blackburn arrived to find the flat, one of eight in a converted
MARK Hughes has admitted that discussions over a new deal for veteran midfielder Tugay are likely to wait until the summer. The former Turkey international will be 38 in August but could still have a role to play with Blackburn, where he has made over
Drinkers were forced out of the Last Orders pub, Darwen Street, Blackburn, when the pub filled with smoke at 6pm yesterday. A fire in the rear of the building is thoughtto have been caused by an electrical fault and the pub stayed closed for the rest
