MINK farms face closure in East Lancashire due to a Government ban on fur farming. Agriculture minister Elliot Morley said farms will be closed as soon as practicable but measures will be phased in to avoid leaving farmers with costly mink stocks. Farms
AN eight-year-old boy has been shot twice by teenagers with an airgun as he climbed a tree in Roe Lee Park, Blackburn. Del Rowe was shot in the head and again in the back as he tried to get down from the tree. His mother, Kelly Rowe, of Brownhill Drive
PEOPLE are being allowed to take a through-the-keyhole look at buildings which normally charge for entry or are closed to the public. The Heritage Open Days, on September 12 and 13, are organised by the Civic Trust, are aimed at letting members of the
SONG and dance girl Rachel Yates is hoping audiences will be hollering for more when the smash hit musical Oliver opens at Manchester's Opera House next month. The 11-year-old from Rawtenstall is one of just 12 youngsters chosen out of 2,000 who auditioned
Focus on Bristol Rovers BRISTOL Rovers sail into Turf Moor tomorrow on a voyage of discovery. The Pirates are likely to hand debuts to five new signings and, with a couple arriving in the last week or so, they have not had much chance to bed in. "Burnley
A COUPLE whose family have clocked up 101 years of service to the NHS share their golden wedding anniversary with the organisation's 50th birthday. Frank and Edith Gorton will toast the two major milestones during celebrations at the County Hotel, Blackburn
Focus on PSV Eindhoven RUSSIAN defender Yuri Nikiforov, one of the men who helped break Blackburn Rovers hearts in the Champions' League, returns to Ewood tonight as part of a new-look PSV Eindhoven side. And two Brazilians will be on view as Rovers round
A PAEDOPHILE with more than 40 convictions spanning 30 years was today starting a nine-year jail sentence for indecently assaulting two young girls. William Rodgers, 46, was caught by police after DNA samples revealed he had attacked a five-year-old girl
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH Blackburn Lions Gala, Witton Country Park, Preston Old Road. Silva Stages car rally, organised by Clitheroe and District Motor Club, Gisburn Forest, near Slaidburn, from 10am. Coffee Morning, Clitheroe United Reformed Church Hall,
THE latest move by Blackburn with Darwen Council on the A-boards saga is an announcement that traders will only be taken to court as a last resort. Do we detect something of a back-down here? It has to be remembered that the council was quick to prosecute
A PAEDOPHILE who was yesterday jailed for nine years had the most appalling record. For 30 years William Rodgers, a 46-year-old father of two from Chorley, preyed on innocent children, and when he was convicted of indecently assaulting two five-year-old
GARY Yates is hoping life will start at 30 for him. The spinner, regarded as purely a one-day specialist at Old Trafford, produced a great all-round display to bring Championship rivals Gloucestershire to their knees at Old Trafford. And then Yates insisted
IT was not so long ago, when Councillor Andy Kay was Blackburn Council's housing chairman, that this newspaper continually carried headlines about Blackburn's 20,000 unfit houses. Now that he is regeneration chairman and these houses are no longer mentioned
GREAT Harwood are searching for the missing ingredient as the Ribblesdale League championship race starts to hot up - consistency. The Cliffe Park outfit go into tomorrow's game at fourth from bottom Whalley knowing they cannot afford anymore slip ups
INSPECTOR Bob Eastwood said (LET, August 3) that the police were investigating several airgun attacks on pedestrians in the last month. But he doesn't believe more legislation is needed as the criminal use of firearms is covered by other laws. In the
I WRITE in answer to an article about Roman Road estate, Blackburn, in the Daily Express on July 21 which was linked to the Government's Social Exclusion policy work, of which work like that carried out by the Youth Works project could form a part. I
STAFF nurse Pamela Parry juggled her career and being a mother-of-four to study part-time for her degree. And after just three years of one-day tuition at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston she has a 2:1 BSc in nursing studies. Pamela, of
A SPECIAL needs centre is appealing for people with building skills to help spruce the place up. Lords House Farm, Wilpshire Road, Rishton, is seeking volunteers to improve facilities for disabled children. Youth and community groups are also being asked
MORE than a year on from signing for the club, Tony Parks is set to make his League debut for Burnley tomorrow after Stan Ternent drew a blank in his search for a new goalkeeper. Ternent was keen to sign a second senior keeper to challenge Parks for the
BARCLAYS Bank, headed by Burnley's Martin Taylor, reported a slight rise in profits but warned of future difficulties in the British economy. Chief executive Mr Taylor said favourable UK economic conditions over the last few years had now entered "a more
MOTOR spares distributor Partco has snubbed a merger approach from close rival Finelist. Last month Finelist made a proposal to Partco, which operates outlets in Colne and Blackburn, in an effort to open up merger talks between the two companies, though
TWO youths who attacked a dog owner at a takeaway are awaiting sentence and are expected to be sent to prison. John Earnshaw, 17, of Langholme Street, Nelson, was convicted of unlawful wounding by a Burnley Crown Court jury after a three-day trial. He
THE widow of a murdered clergyman who was supported by an East Lancashire congregation has visited her husband's convicted killers - and gave one of them a forgiving kiss on the cheek. Only two of the three convicted killers were willing to meet Jo Pollard
A POTENTIAL £50,000-a-year Turf Moor policing problem has still to be settled, despite a special meeting of Lancashire Police Authority. Burnley FC has disputed plans to charge the club for officers held in reserve outside the ground in case of trouble
A PAEDOPHILE with more than 40 convictions spanning 30 years was today starting a nine-year jail sentence for indecently assaulting two young girls. William Rodgers, 46, was caught by police after DNA samples revealed he had attacked a five-year-old girl
AN inquest is due to be held more than 21 months after the death of a baby in hospital. Charlie Louise Taylor was only 13 hours old when she died on January 19 last year in Burnley General Hospital. A major inquiry was launched by police and hospital
A SHOPS and business complex on the edge of Colne has been put on hold to allow opponents to have their say on the plans. Councillors deferred a decision on Pendle businessman Graham White's scheme to build the retail and office complex off Vivary Way
PENDLE'S prettiest gardens said it with flowers as judges went to see how well they grew in the borough's council estates. Gorgeous gardens on the North Valley estate, Colne, Hodge House, Nelson, and the various estates in Earby were rewarded by the judging
A YOUNG man who sexually assaulted a little girl has escaped jail. The mother of Gary Kimm's six-year-old victim was led from Burnley Crown Court, shouting "What should I tell my daughter?" after the defendant was given two years probation. Judge Raymond
QUIZ show fanatic Antony Hawkins will have his finest half-hour tomorrow, when he appears on BBC quiz show Blankety Blank. And if the 27-year-old systems administrator from Blackburn looks slightly familiar, it may be that you have seen him on your screen
Burnley v Bristol Rovers - Pete Oliver's big match preview TOMORROW represents a fresh start at Turf Moor and there will be no-one more anxious to get off on the right foot than left-winger Paul Smith. Last season was a virtual write-off for the 22-year-old
THE father of a 26-year-old woman who helps organise notorious party nights which include live sex shows today said: "I'm very proud of her." Self-employed heating engineer Peter Hindle spoke from the family home in Withnell Fold, near Blackburn, in support
MORE than a year on from signing for the club, Tony Parks is set to make his League debut for the Clarets tomorrow after Stan Ternent drew a blank in his search for a new goalkeeper. Ternent was keen to sign a second senior keeper to challenge Parks for
Pre-season friendly: Blackburn Rovers v PSV Eindhoven - Peter White's big match preview KEVIN Gallacher and Damien Duff make a welcome return to Blackburn Rovers' squad for tonight's final pre-season friendly against PSV Eindhoven at Ewood Park. And Rovers
PLANS to build an extension to Ribblesdale High School, in Clitheroe, have been welcomed by Ribble Valley Council. Lancashire County Council will take the final decision on whether the project goes ahead, but borough council planners have recommended
FRENCH visitors will help celebrate Whalley Community Twinning Association's tenth anniversary this weekend. About 80 people from Vihiers will arrive today to stay with host families and will watch clog dancers and folk singers at a social evening at
THE DUCHESS of York was admitted to hospital to have her baby. Buckingham Palace said the 28-year-old princess was driven to the Portland Hospital, London, by the Duke. The Royal couple went into the hospital through a back entrance. The Queen, who was
AN action plan to clean up the trouble-torn and crime-plagued area dubbed Blackburn's Bronx was unveiled. A blueprint aimed at tackling crime, drugs, racism, unemployment, poor housing and poverty in Bank Top was launched after an all-day seminar in the
I USED to be a pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, and have now just completed my primary Post-Graduate Certificate of Education year at Durham University. In September, I am going to Uganda for a year with a Christian organisation called
RAMSBOTTOM and Rawtenstall may have only six wins between in the Lancashire League this season but their showdown at Acre Bottom tomorrow still promises to be one of the most entertaining games of the day. That's largely down to the contest between professionals
I MUST be going through a bad patch as I actually find myself agreeing with Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans' protest over the EU directive banning under-16s from being milk delivery boys (LET, July 29). Surely, these regulations were brought in to protect
PROCTOR'S former iron foundry, Sandygate Square and the fire-gutted Clock Tower Mill will be at the top of the list of priorities for agents appointed to develop and manage projects in Burnley's town centre action plan. The areas are seen as significant
A POTENTIAL £50,000-a-year Turf Moor policing problem has still to be settled, despite a special meeting of Lancashire Police Authority. Burnley FC has disputed plans to charge the club for officers held in reserve outside the ground in case of trouble
CLARETS' fans causing off-field obstruction face red card treatment and could be charged by the club. Action aimed at ironing out parking problems on the Burnley FC's own parks has resulted in all spaces being marked and re-numbered - leaving users with
A PLAN to build 39 homes on a hillside site above Brierfield has been turned down by councillors against advice from a senior planning officer. Developer Morris Homes already has planning permission to build 26 homes on land off Hillsborough Avenue. But
KEVIN Gallacher and Damien Duff make a welcome return to Blackburn Rovers' squad for tonight's final pre-season friendly against PSV Eindhoven at Ewood. And Rovers boss Roy Hodgson welcomed them back earlier than expected after summer surgery. Both will
AN exhibition by well-known Oswaldtwistle artist Tom Sisson will be on show at Haslingden library from September 1. Ex-van driver Tom, of Milton Street, has organised many exhibitions for other artists at the library. In addition he has had his own black
A FOUNDER member of a Rishton residents' association has criticised the group's secretary for quitting after just three months. Conservative councillor Russ Davies attacked Vince Wright's decision to resign and criticised remarks he has made. Mr Wright
TWO spooky tales from East Lancashire will feature on television this weekend. The stories of Lucette, said to haunt the Dunkenhalgh Hotel at Clayton-le-Moors, and Lizzie Dean, spirit-in-residence at the Sun Inn, Chipping, will be told on the Channel
HYNDBURN councillors have thrown out a plan to sell off the borough's 3,900 council houses. Members voted unanimously to retain ownership of the properties at a crunch meeting last night. Labour and Tory councillors united to reject the sale of housing
SOME pork-uliar expatriates from Down Under are roaming the fields of the Ribble Valley. In years to come this rare species of pig might even take the place of your cat or dog. Don't snort at the idea - these mild-mannered vegetarians make perfect pets
Drive & Stroll, with Ron Freethy LOOKING at modern day maps, especially those of Lancashire where the Industrial Revolution changed the face of the landscape, can be very misleading. What are now mere villages were once the focal point of life for
CAKE maker Inter Link Foods has unveiled how much a slice of the company will cost. The firm, which employs 100 at its Crossfield Street bakery in Blackburn, will place its shares at 110p, valuing the company at £5.15 million. Dealings in the shares is
FIREFIGHTERS used a triple extension ladder and a rope to rescue a 12-year-old girl stuck to her waist in a muddy pond. Jennifer Swift, from Darwen, had gone into the water off Whitehall Road in the town to get a stick but sank to her waist in thick mud
A MAN who was introduced to drugs by his mother appeared in court for drugs offences. Preston Crown Court heard that Mark Robinson's mother had died from the use of drugs and Judge Herbert Andrew QC warned him he was being given a last chance. He told
