HARD on the heels of a strikingly successful crackdown on car crime, police in East Lancashire today launched a massive drive against persistent burglars, warning them that they will go to jail. Again, just as auto-crime is a bane whose levels call for
BURY are set to continue their Quid A Kid scheme for the remainder of the season after it has proved a roaring success. An average of 750 children have been taking advantage of the scheme as the Gigg Lane outfit attempt to encourage the next generation
AN experienced actor is sought for a small scale touring company based in Lancaster. Fresh Ground Theatre is looking for an actor to play the part of Julian in its forthcoming production Diving In. Funded by the North West Arts Board, with support from
TODMORDEN is at the cutting edge of musical drama from tonight with an atmospheric production of Sweeney Todd. The town's amateur dramatic and operatic society is staging its version of the macabre tragi-comedy based on the legend of a 19th century London
IF laughter is your medicine, a prescription for Moliere's classic play The Hypochondriac is sure to set you on the road to recovery. Burnley Youth Theatre's latest production is being staged at the Quarry Theatre, Queens Park Road, Burnley, from tomorrow
n DUE to parents' requests a matinee performance of The Ideal Gnome Expedition will be staged at Darwen Library Theatre on Sunday, April 29 at 2pm. Darwen Library Players had planned evening performances of the musical play by David Woods on Friday and
A POST mortem examination on a man who collapsed at the wheel of his car at the weekend has confirmed he died from a heart attack. Mr Roy Whitehead, 59, of Mather Avenue, Whitefield, suffered a cardiac arrest seconds before his Ford Escort car ploughed
ANIMALS at a Tottington rescue shelter will be the stars of the show tomorrow night on BBC1 at 7.30pm. Dorothy Maden, who runs the Pets In Need charity from her Turton Road farm, will appear on Animal Hospital together with her amazing collection of rescued
LEIGH RMI boss Steve Waywell has no major injury worries ahead of tonight's re-arranged Nationwide Conference home clash with struggling Kettering Town. In good heart after their impressive draw with leaders Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday, RMI will
Atherton Colls face a major test tonight with title chasers and FA Vase semi finalists Clitheroe the visitors to Alder House. Saturday's fixture at Prescot Cables was another game to fall foul of the weather but that could have been good news for management
MIDFIELD ace Alan Mahon today reiterated his desire to make his move to Ewood permanent. The Republic of Ireland star is currently on loan from Sporting Lisbon until the end of the season. But he wants to become a Rover on a permanent basis and would
THERE are two times in the football season when supporters become preoccupied with little pieces of paper. Those pieces of paper are otherwise known as the fixture list and, while these days they get horribly amended with Sunday switches and lunchtime
TRAFFIC police in the Pennine Division are out on the streets putting across the motor cycle safety message. The campaign, aimed at reducing the number of accidents involving young scooter riders or the so-called 'born again' bikers took on added urgency
BURNLEY MP Peter Pike will soon be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his active involvement in elected political life. He was first elected to Burnley Council in the Coal Clough ward in 1976 with councillors Bert Carroll and Peter Swainston. He said
A SKIP hire boss saved tipping fees to the tune of almost a quarter of a million pounds, by dumping waste illegally on his farmland, a court heard. Burnley Crown Court was told how cattle farmer Wayne Bolland, 30, did not have a waste management licence
ECO friendly MP Gordon Prentice has announced his vision for a more energy efficient East Lancashire -- windmills on every new house. The Pendle MP, a keen campaigner on green issues, said he would like to see the government change its planning regulations
STAFF at Ribblesdale Pool, Clitheroe, saved the life of a woman who passed out while swimming. Attendants dragged 20-year-old Bernadette Eccles from the water after she was spotted face down.
A MYSTERY fire which turned the night sky red gutted a two-story Ace Group factory in Earby town centre. Flames burst through the roof of Pennine House, which was used for the manufacture of sheet metal boxes.
CONSERVATION volunteers are being offered the chance to work for other organisations during the foot and mouth crisis. Wildlife reserves have closed and rural projects put on hold since the outbreak of the disease, leaving many volunteers redundant. The
A WOMAN had to be cut out of her car today after it was crushed underneath a wagon at an accident blackspot. The woman, who has not been named, was driving her Rover Metro along Whalley New Road in Langho when the wagon, travelling in the opposite direction
CLARETS winger Glen Little insists Burnley can bounce back from their mauling at Blackburn to record their first derby win of the season against Preston on Friday night. Burnley were blown away at Ewood Park but Little is confident there will be no lasting
CLUB stewards Derek and Margaret Fielding have called last orders after 25 years behind the bar. The couple waved goodbye to regulars at Stanhill Working Men's Club, in Oswaldtwistle, on Friday, before celebrating their retirement at a leaving do at the
CLARETS winger Glen Little insists Burnley can bounce back from their mauling at Blackburn to record their first derby win of the season against Preston on Friday night. Burnley were blown away at Ewood Park but Little is confident there will be no lasting
MANAGERS from throughout East Lancashire have 'graduated' from a business performance training programme. A total of 84 who completed their level 4 and 5 National Vocational Qualifications in management were presented with their certificates by Professor
BUDDING entrepreneurs can discuss their business ideas with experts at Opportunity 2001, the two-day event at Blackburn's Ewood Park organised by the East Lancashire Business Link. Thousand of visitors are expected at the event on April 8 and 9 when they
A FIVE-YEAR blueprint has been drawn up to help companies in East Lancashire to boost their export sales. A key part of the plan is to encourage small businesses to look at international trade opportunities through the new Business Link network and the
PUPILS are being put to the test after staff launched a new initiative to teach them about the big wide world. The St James Primary School pupils have been challenged to make up their own product companies in time for a special market day on Friday. As
THE relatives of two men who had memorial benches placed in a cemetery today hit out at thieves who dug them out of concrete and stole them. The two benches -- which cost £500 each and were paid for by friends and family of their loved ones -- were stolen
POLICE are asking for help from the public to trace a thief who stole a purse belonging to a partially sighted 84-year-old. The woman was at home in Broadway, Helmshore, at 2.10pm on Friday when the crook called to say he had come about loose slates.
FORMER physiotherapist Winifred Norman, known as Peggy, celebrated her 100th birthday going out for lunch with her nephew and then having a party at the Danesmoor private rest home for the elderly in Helmshore Road, Haslingden. Miss Norman worked at Rossendale
STACKSTEADS based photographer Les Meehan has had his first book published and it is soon to be launched in America. Les, 45, a professional photographer for 20 years has written: Creative Exposure Control, a practical guide to perfect exposures. Les
A RAMSBOTTOM woman has been appointed High Sheriff for Lancashire and will be sworn in to the ancient office in a special County Hall ceremony. Mrs Gloria Oates of Edenwood Lane, said it was a great honour to have been chosen by the Queen to be High Sheriff
A SCHOOL bursar has retired after 25 years. Chartered accountant Tim Marshall was responsible for budgeting for Westholme School's growth and oversaw many projects including the new Westholme Theatre in Blackburn. Principal Lillian Croston said: "Over
POLICE today appealed for help in catching two of East Lancashire's most wanted burglary suspects as part of an operation to clampdown on house-breakers. And a local MP today praised the scheme for getting tough on the small number of criminals who are
ACCRINGTON Stanley go on the hunt for some silverware tonight when they travel to Blyth Spartans in the semi-final of the President's Cup. Stanley crashed out of the competition at the semi-final stage last season on penalties and boss John Coleman doesn't
A SENIOR teacher from Prestwich has been charged with raping and indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a school trip to the Isle of Wight. Lee Savage, of Roseland Drive, Prestwich, appeared at Isle of Wight Magistrates Court yesterday charged
MORE than the humdrum vandalism of which East Lancashire has too much already, the attacks by hooligans on two of Rossendale's most prominent churches are crimes against both their congregations and the community. For the destruction of 12 stained glass
FORMER servicemen traumatised by their peacekeeping duties may receive help from the Government following proposals by a local MP. Ruth Kelly has called for an investigation into the funding of treatment for ex-servicemen suffering from post-traumatic
A JUDGE jailed a man for six months after he was involved in a 85 mph police chase through the streets of Astley and Tyldesley. The high-speed chase only ended when drink-driver Paul Philip Mulcahy crashed into a brick pillar, a court heard. Even then
A COUNCILLOR will not be facing criminal proceedings after a police probe cleared him, it was revealed today. But prominent Burnley councillor Mozaquir Ali may still face internal disciplinary proceedings from town hall bosses over claims he failed to
POLICE today appealed for help in catching two of East Lancashire's most wanted burglary suspects as part of an operation to clampdown on house-breakers. And a local MP today praised the scheme for getting tough on the small number of criminals who are
A MAN accused of making threats to kill his former wife has appeared before magistrates in Bury. Christopher Carter, aged 36, from Bell Lane, Bury, has pleaded not guilty to the charge involving Elizabeth Burgess. The threat was said to have been made
DISQUALIFIED driver Gary Brookfield claimed he only got back behind the wheel because he was worried about losing his job. The 19-year-old told Bury magistrates that when his lift did not turn up as arranged he decided to jump in his own car and get himself
REPUBLIC of Ireland keeper Alan Kelly is planning to give Rovers' promotion chances a massive boost tonight by stopping Bolton firmly in their tracks. The 32-year-old stopper signed for Stockport last night in a one week loan deal as emergency cover for
ROVERS' Academy kids are set for the biggest night of their lives tonight when they run out under the 'This is Anfield' sign. The Ewood Park Under 18 side play Liverpool in the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup under the glare of the Anfield spotlights and
FOOT and mouth restrictions have prevented two sisters and a brother from searching farmland for their missing pet. The Glover youngsters, Nicola, 19, Michaela, 13, and Stinton, eight, have had the dog from being a very young puppy and have offered a
A FATHER of two saw red when his estranged wife turned up at his home and he spotted his young son sitting on the knee of his 'love rival,' a court heard. Burnley Crown Court was told how Jason Hodgson, 26, attacked teenager Ian Tregay. His brother Garry
A COUNCILLOR will not be facing criminal proceedings after a police probe cleared him, it was revealed today. But prominent Burnley councillor Mozaquir Ali may still face internal disciplinary proceedings from town hall bosses over claims he failed to
A SMALL part of Burnley has been identified in a national survey as having one of the most desirable addresses in the country. Buy a house there, says the Sunday Times, and you are virtually guaranteed to make money. Your neighbours will be company directors
A SENIOR town hall officer has been rapped by his bosses for allowing staff to accept hospitality at December's Burnley v Blackburn Rovers derby clash. Burnley Council chiefs say environmental health and cleansing service manager Andrew Mason made "an
A LABOUR boss has spoken of his bitter disappointment over being dumped from a new power-sharing executive to run Burnley -- after party colleagues voted to replace him with a Liberal Democrat. Cliviger councillor Philip Walsh hit out at a new Lib-Lab
SCHOOLS in Pendle are set to take part in a major clean-up as part of a national project launched this week. The Just Bin It campaign aims to treat the problem of unsightly litter on the streets and has been launched by the Tidy Britain Group. Pendle
THE Rector of Colne has underlined his opposition to human cloning. The Rev Peter Mott says that in a sermon last year he argued that it was ethically permissible to use stem cells from human embryos to help cure people. Writing in the new edition of
A PROPOSAL to build a long industrial building over the site of the recently demolished Grove Mill at Wardle Storeys PLC, in Earby, could be given the go-ahead tonight. Council officers have recommended the approval of the application which bridges over
A COUNCIL today pledged to help find new jobs for 80 workers who are thought to have been laid off from a mill. Staff at Wills Fabrics, at Stonebridge Mills, Oswaldtwistle, say they were told yesterday the firm had gone into receivership on Friday. Shop
A CLITHEROE club for the over 55s aims to bring members up to date with modern technology by introducing them to the world of computers. The Pendle Club, already well known in the town for its weekly lunches, as well as more lively pastimes such as snooker
A RESCUE team has had to cancel its training events because of the foot and mouth crisis -- but is planning instead to travel around the world without leaving the country. The Bowland Pennine Mountain Team is dedicating its unexpected free time to raising
A LORRY driver sacked by cement firm bosses donned a banana suit to make his own a-peel for 'justice' at the company gates. Michael Joyce, 55, of Copster Green, has worked for Clitheroe's Castle Cement as a driver for the past 12 years but was sacked
THE Board of Directors of Burnley FC could be forgiven for thinking that circumstances had conspired against them over the weekend. Just days after announcing a 17-and-a-half per cent hike in the cost of season tickets, the team get thumped 5-0 by Blackburn
SINGERS are invited to take part in heat three of a karaoke competition with a chance of winning £100. The contest at Bar Ibiza, in Market Street Lane, Blackburn, promises the winner £100 plus a trophy. Eight heat winners will go on to two semi-finals
LICENSEES David and Sue Johnson are holding a special charity event in memory of a local sportsman who died last year. Steven Pilkington, 51, the captain of the pool team at the Grey Horse pub, in Whalley Road, Accrington, died from a heart attack last
PUB managers Trevor and Pam Speedman celebrated after becoming regional winners of a national competition. The couple, who run the Black Bull Inn, in Bolton Road, Turton, raised their glasses after beating off stiff competition to get through to the grand
Atherton LR travel to Darwen for a NWCL Division Two fixture with injury doubts over Liam Boden, Jason Holroyd and Mark Jones. LR disappointed on Saturday in a 3-0 home defeat by Warrington Town in which only debutant Paul Buckley, a last minute signing
BLONDE popstar Suzanne Shaw has made a confession to warm every Lancastrian heart -- she loves an ample portion of Bury's famous black pudding. Suzanne revealed her penchant for the staple Bury grub when asked to list the things she missed most about
REPUBLIC of Ireland keeper Alan Kelly is planning to give Rovers' promotion chances a massive boost tonight by stopping Bolton firmly in their tracks. The 32-year-old stopper signed for Stockport last night in a one week loan deal as emergency cover for
OLDHAM boss Andy Ritchie has responded to claims of gamesmanship by Bury's Andy Preece by fighting fire with fire. Preece was furious after Latics Matthew Tipton failed to properly return the ball to Bury after the Shakers had kicked the ball out of play
POLICE today vowed to continue their fight against car crime after vandals went on a wrecking spree. Detectives announced they would be stepping up the number of plain clothed, uniformed and mounted police officers in and around troubled areas of Darwen
A STEAM engine enthusiast travelled from Barnsley to take photographs on the East Lancashire line at Rawtenstall only to have camera equipment valued at £1,135 stolen. The 53-year-old trainspotter set up his photographic equipment at New Hall Hey at 2.35pm
DETECTIVES are hunting a robber who smashed a window at a petrol station and stole cash from the counter. Two cashiers were working at the Grimshaw Park Service Station, Blackburn, at about 2.40am yesterday when the man approached the shop, smashed the
YEAR 11 GNVQ students from a Blackburn high school have come together to plan an egg-citing activity for younger pupils tomorrow. The Queen's Park Community Technology College, in Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, will hold a spring egg-stravaganza as part
HARROGATE-based Blazefield Holdings will take over East Lancashire bus services on April 15th following a buy-out from Stagecoach. And today the company which has bought out Stagecoach's depots in Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe and Bolton, moved quickly
ROMAN Catholic leaders have decided to demolish an 80-year-old church gutted by an arson attack. St Anne's RC Church, France Street, Blackburn, will be pulled down in the next few weeks, three months after the fire which destroyed the interior and part
BOLTON will be aiming to end their home hoodoo which has seen them slip out of the Division One automatic promotion frame when they take on Stockport County at the Reebok tonight. Wanderers have not won at home since January 13 and boss Sam Allardyce
EVERYTHING is now in place for what promises to be spectacular ice hockey game at tonight's ten-year anniversary fixture at Blackburn Arena. "Everything has come together very well, not just the players giving up time to come back to Lancashire for the
