A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Bric-a-Brac and Jumble Sale, St Silas's Parish Centre, Preston New Road, Blackburn, 6.30pm. Table Tennis, St Cuthbert's Church, Burnley, 2pm. Fashion Show and Dance,
EQUALITY of opportunity for youngsters in higher education is a dream that has long been chased but still has to be realised. The hard fact is that despite many educational advances in recent years students from poor backgrounds trying to get to university
WHEN is a rat not a rat? When it is a water vole! Those of us who live near towns know the brown rat is one of our most dangerous pests. They deserve to be regarded as vermin. The water vole (Ratty in Wind in the Willows) is a harmless vegetarian but
HOW can Hyndburn Council call itself a caring council when it orders the destruction of a handicapped child's garden, where she can play safely (LET, March 29). Shame on them. It is despicable. Please, readers, don't let this happen and object strongly
REGARDING the remarks of Noel Eke (Letters, April 11), may I put the record straight that proceedings for speeding offences in a 30mph area are instigated at 35mph, not 33mph as stated. This is in accordance with national guidelines agreed by the Association
CLARETS fans have every reason not to look forward to this weekend. While fans pile in to Carrow Road and St Andrews to watch Sunday's first legs of the play-off semi-finals they will not be blamed if they head for the garden/the nearest cricket ground
TWO sex beasts were being hunted today after a schoolgirl was attacked and threatened with a gun as she walked home in the early hours. The 15-year-old was raped and indecently assaulted in a secluded lay-by after she got into a car with the men between
A 25-YEAR-OLD woman was taken to hospital after being attacked by a young girl in a gang of about 20 teenagers. Police are appealing for information about the assault. The victim was making her way home from a night out at about 11.30pm on Saturday near
A NEW state-of-the-art solar powered bus shelter, the first of its kind in Lancashire, was unveiled in Burnley yesterday. The shelter, at Gannow Top, stores solar energy during the day to power internal lighting during the night. The stop forms part of
THE Parish Clerk is to request officers from the Environmental Health department at Burnley Borough Council replace the damaged Fido Bin on the public footpath by the bus stop on Brownside Road before a nasty accidents occurs. VILLAGERS who live in cottages
A VILLAGE shop thief sank his teeth into a neighbour who tried to bring him to book and also attacked the man's wife. Burnley Crown Court heard how Michael Walmsley had chased the van in which father-of-three Leigh Atkinson was driving away with a haul
RESIDENTS in some of Burnley's most deprived areas welcomed a VIP visitor to their homes yesterday in a bid to highlight the need for housing regeneration in the town. Labour chairman Charles Clarke visited Burnley Wood during a tour of Lancashire. The
TWO sex beasts were being hunted today after a schoolgirl was attacked and threatened with a gun as she walked home in the early hours. The 15-year-old was raped and indecently assaulted in a secluded lay-by after she got into a car with the men between
PARENTS of pupils at St Paul's Primary School, Ramsbottom, are continuing to campaign against its closure. Bury Labour councillors on the Executive Committee last week voted unanimously that the school should shut next year due to a surplus of pupil places
YOUNGSTERS at Edge End High School in Nelson were presented with certificates for their chess skills by the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Colin Waite. Year seven pupils Kasim Mahmood, Anthony Dickson and Nicholas England all competed in the Walton Chess
THE popular annual one-day sale held by the Blacko Group of Hospice Fundraisers will take place on Tuesday, May 14, and organisers are now collecting any good quality items to sell. The event, which is held every year at Blacko Sunday School, regularly
RESIDENTS living on some of Pendle's poorest housing estates could benefit from new windows, central heating systems, bathrooms and kitchens thanks to a £2.5million government cash boost. The bumper budget has been allocated to refurbish and improve standards
BURY commuters are to benefit from new revolutionary satellite technology which will gather information on the progress of buses on the road. The Bury-Manchester quality bus corridor is included in phase one of the new Real Time Passenger Information
A VIDEO shop assistant was punched in the head as two robbers raided the till. Officers investigating the robbery at the Blockbuster Video store in Market Street, Colne, at 11.25am on Sunday. The incident occurred as the female shop assistant was on her
A DRUG addict who raided and ransacked a pensioner's home while he was in hospital could remember little about it. Burnley Crown Court heard how Frank Clark, 25, had been drinking and replaced his drug problem with an alcohol one. Clark was caught by
SET in the notorious Robben Island prison, The Island is a tribute to the men and women who, with indomitable courage and a longing for freedom were imprisoned for taking part in the fight for a free and democratic South Africa. Since its premiere in
JUBILANT Julie Brandwood of Boxwood Street won a brand new car she could not drive. The young mum gambled her £1,300 cash gain in a radio competition for the Citroen AX car.
HYNDBURN school pupils discovered the right formula to succeed in science. The youngsters attended a Chemistry at Work event at the Clayton Park Conference and Learning Centre in Clayton-le-Moors to find out about career options in chemistry. Youngsters
AN East Lancashire Rotary Club is teaming up with convicted criminals to put the Third World in the frame for their latest spectacular campaign. The Rotary Club of Rishton and Great Harwood is looking to collect as many pairs of glasses as possible to
POLICE are to tour a borough with a mobile station in a bid to tackle crime and improve community relations. The move comes after a special unit set up in Accrington centre to help cut back on the seasonal rise in pick-pocketing and theft proved to be
SENIOR detectives were today hoping a Crimewatch reconstruction of the rape of a Great Harwood teenager would help catch the attacker. A team of more than 24 detectives, led by Det Insp Neil Hunter, have been investigating the case for the last three
A TEENAGER today spoke about the beast who brutally raped her in her own home and said: "I'm terrified because I know he is still out there." The victim -- who was attacked just two days after her 18th birthday -- revealed how the incident had changed
CORPORATE finance specialists from Bury-based accountants DTE, Manchester law firm Cobbetts and fund provider Venture finance are to give advice on buying a business at a free seminar to be held at the Novotel, Worsley on Friday. (April 26). Tel: Brenda
TWO men from Bury - one a former policeman - have been jailed for a total of 28 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to rob at Minshull Street Crown Court. Former policeman Graham Huckerby, aged 42, from Prestwich, and James Power, aged 60, from
HOMES and businesses in Clitheroe were left without electricity last night after a bird flew into a power line and shorted the circuit. Engineers were called about 9.15pm yesterday after the accident -- which left Rovers fans watching the match against
A RIBBLE Valley policeman is to set out on a one-man roadshow around the district's villages to give essential advice on crime prevention. PC Peter Wareing, based at Clitheroe, will embark on the 28-village tour, which runs from April 30 to July 11, to
THE M65 will be closed overnight on Saturday from junction 8 near Padiham and Hapton to junction 10 near Burnley while work is carried out on an overhead electricity cable. Diversion routes will be be signposted in both directions via the A56, A679 and
AN ex-policeman who took a £1,000 bribe to become the "inside man" for one of Britain's biggest ever cash robberies was starting a 14 year jail term today. Security van driver Graham Huckerby, aged 42, corruptly accepted the payment to let masked gunmen
FEWER than 48 hours after the heartbreak at Turf Moor, Stan Ternent started his preparations for next season. His first decision was to release six members of his first team squad incuding the highly experienced pair of 37-year-olds Kevin Ball and Mitchell
YOUNG boxers are preparing for a sponsored 20-round spar to raise money for their club. Darwen Boxing Club is staging the event on Saturday morning at the Sierra Mill Centre, in Whitehall Street. Money raised will pay for new equipment, while organisers
ROSSENDALE residents looking forward to celebrating 50 years with twin town Bocholt in Germany want local organisations to get involved. The Friends of Bocholt reach their Golden Jubilee with events in Bocholt in September and Rossendale in October. The
THE fate of two primary schools in Ramsbottom could be decided tomorrow by a scrutiny panel set up to look at controversial proposals to close them. Members will examine plans relating to St Pauls and St Andrews, triggered by falling pupil numbers. Education
A FOOTBALLER has apologised following an incident when a referee appeared to be assaulted during a match. Bacup defender Gary Lloyd, 31, was suspended by the club pending a Lancashire FA inquiry after a man appeared to lunge at referee Mike Shaw, a police
THE wife of Colin Hendry was said to be showing further signs of improvement in hospital today. Denise Hendry is still being cared for in the critical care unit at the Royal Preston Hospital more than a week after being admitted and diagnosed with septicaemia
A MAN wove a web of lies after losing his job for the second time within 12 months, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that Paul Andrew Harkness kept up the pretence of leaving the house every day for his work as a delivery driver despite the
THE appearance in court of a mother of five on a drunk and disorderly charge was said to herald the arrival of the "barbecue season". Defence solicitor Andrew Church-Taylor told Blackburn magistrates that the changing seasons bring many things and among
POLICE are urging a council to refuse an application to extend a club's hours over fears it could lead to a rise in crime. Just months after losing his public entertainment licence for his Cubes venue, Scott Moon has applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council
FOOTBALL fan Daniel Coates turned three actresses into top players -- and managed to teach them to Bend It Like Beckham. Soccer coach Daniel, 22, who once played alongside Ewood star David Dunn at Blackburn Rovers School of Excellence, was the man who
EAST Lancashire sixth-formers who come from deprived backgrounds are to be paid £100 weekly so they can afford to study during the summer holidays. A new bursary scheme means that students planning to go to university or training colleges this autumn
INSTEAD of studying history, pupils at 15 local schools could help make it. They have been invited to take part in what looks set to be the biggest innovative information technology project to take place in Britain. Regional education chiefs have unveiled
CONTROVERSIAL decisions to close several Bury schools and amalgamate others will come under full scrutiny this week. The council's decision-making body, the Executive, has agreed to a number of options for specific schools, in a bid to tackle the problem
A POTENTIALLY deadly fungal disease is spreading quickly through alder trees and the Environment Agency says it has reached Yorkshire. The fungus is called phytophthora and since 1996 it has become a real problem; the recent rain over the past three years
A TEAM from Blackburn fire station will scale 8,000ft in a sponsored challenge. Eight members of red watch will tackle Ben Nevis, Scotland, Scafell Pike, Cumbria, and Snowdon, Wales, to raise money for Diabetes UK. They came up with the idea after colleague
PUPILS from two schools in Blackburn with Darwen will take part in a project to raise awareness of the environment. Blue Fish is a pilot project sponsored by the Environment Agency to increase knowledge of the pollution of rivers and streams and how they
I READ in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph about the daffodil problem in our town. I agree with Mr Crane about the situation. I spent a few days in Ireland last week, and could not help but compare what happens there to Blackburn. Everywhere I went, in
ISRAEL is committing the most terrible outrages against humanity and what are the so-called liberal democracies doing about it? Nothing. Tony Blair and George Bush say they are fighting a war for the moral high ground yet do nothing to stop the slaughter
HOW interesting that JJB Sports intend to move from their current premises in Blackburn town centre to above the BHS store (LET, April 5). It seems to prove that large multiples are interested in expanding in Blackburn regardles of whether or not they
A TEENAGER today spoke about the beast who brutally raped her in her own home and said: "I'm terrified because I know he is still out there." The victim -- who was attacked just two days after her 18th birthday -- revealed how the incident had changed
BOBBY Robson was pleased with a point. Robson said: "It WAS a great point. Twice we've come back again and I think we are the champions in that respect. "But having to come back all these times is not good for the heart, certainly not at my age, but I'm
ROVERS boss Graeme Souness today revealed that Stig Bjornebye will undergo surgery next week after suffering a fractured eye-socket in an accidental collision. And an initial prognosis from Rovers' medical staff would suggest that the former Liverpool
EWOOD legend Alan Shearer today backed Rovers to become a top 10 force next season after last night's pulsating 2-2 draw with Newcastle effectively banished all thoughts of relegation. Third-from-bottom Ipswich must now win every one of their three remaining
A LOOK at the key stats and figures from the game against Newcastle. FRIEDEL: Celebrated his call-up for the World Cup finals with a couple of impressive stops...7 NEILL: Kept a tight rein on Laurent Robert until the fiery Frenchman exacted his revenge
ALAN Shearer sent Rovers' survival battle into extra-time last night after scoring the goals which confirmed his place in Newcastle folklore. The former darling of the Blackburn End became the toast of the Toon after his second half double-whammy secured
ALAN Shearer is one of the greatest legends in Rovers' rich and proud history -- end of story. So isn't it about time EVERYONE at Ewood acknowledged that fact by giving him the respect and appreciation he deserves. Last night, the vast majority of Blackburn
THE trial of five police officers accused of the manslaughter of the brother of an East Lancashire woman was due to resume today. Christopher Alder, whose sister Janet lives in Manchester Road, Burnley, was taken into police custody on April 1, 1998,
NEW licence plates have been launched for cabs in a bid to crack down on bogus private hire operators who dodge paying insurance. Due to recently introduced legislation Burnley Borough Council is no longer able to manufacture and fit the combined licence
A VILLAGE shop thief sank his teeth into a neighbour who tried to bring him to book and also attacked the man's wife. Burnley Crown Court heard how Michael Walmsley had chased the van in which father-of-three Leigh Atkinson was driving away with a haul
A DISABLED pensioner sent home from hospital on the day she was due for an operation today said: "I just want to know what is going on." Wheelchair-bound Jean Curry, 68, was expecting an operation at Burnley General Hospital to repair a broken hip joint
ORGANISERS of the Nelson Mela in Victoria Park are hoping for another successful turn out after more 3,000 people attended last year. The multi-cultural event will be on Saturday, July 28, between noon and 7pm, and is being organised by the Nelson Mela
FAIRGROUND worker Stephen Linford evaded justice for four months after being caught drink driving on Christmas Day. He pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, without insurance, licence or MOT and failing to answer bail. Linford, 49, of North Parade
A 20-year-old woman has been cleared of taking part in an attack which left a man with-life threatening injuries. Katrina Hadfield was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a trial at Burnley Crown Court. She was discharged
CHOPS and changes in layout brought Paintin's Butchers in Whalley Road, Accrington, up to scratch for a television drama. The shop featured in the drama Hetty Wainthropp and celebrated by giving out the recipe for the Wainthropp Sausage.
AN ARTIST has invited Hyndburn residents to create their own version of TV's smash-hit DIY show Changing Rooms. Anita Burrows is staging two workshops where adults and children can make their own printing blocks. She said: "The blocks people create can
A GANG of men left a trail of destruction after two cars, a school and a shop were firebombed in Accrington in one night, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court was told how Rajib Ali, 20, was one of four men who plotted together and with others to make
PREPARATIONS are well under way for this year's visit by a group of Chernobyl's children to the Ribble Valley. Each year the Clitheroe group of the Friends of Chernobyl's Children raises around £10,000 to provide a month-long holiday for the youngsters
FLAGS will no longer be flown above Clitheroe Library after county council bosses deemed it too dangerous for staff to climb on to the roof. A health and safety inspection carried out by their staff looked at a number of ways of keeping the flag flying
FEWER than 48 hours after the heartbreak at Turf Moor, Stan Ternent started his preparations for next season. His first decision was to release six members of his first team squad incuding the highly experienced pair of 37-year-olds Kevin Ball and Mitchell
PROPOSALS to increase the number of school terms in Lancashire from three a year to six -- reducing the long summer holiday in the process -- have predictably run into opposition from teachers. Well, any change would interfere with the necessity of them
WHERE'S all the gore, then? If you were to believe the latest surge of anti-speeding propaganda, you would be forgiven for thinking we should be up to our knees in the blood of road-accident victims in Lancashire. For last week as fixed speed cameras
ROVERS boss Graeme Souness today revealed that Stig Bjornebye will undergo surgery next week after suffering a fractured eye-socket in an accidental collision. And an initial prognosis from Rovers' medical staff would suggest that the former Liverpool
A COMEDY play written in rhyming couplets comes to Darwen Library Theatre next month. 'Swollen Tongues' offers a contemporary take on Restoration comedy. The story follows two siblings, Thomas and his sister Catherine, who are instructed in the powers
A GUIDE leader from Darwen will experience life in the Land of the Midnight Sun this summer as part of an international jamboree camp. Blackburn College student Sarah-Jane Hawthorn, 18, is accompanying 15 other guides and leaders to Iceland in July, where
A FORMER works in Darwen is to be converted into a snooker club, despite fears that it could mean a rise in juvenile problems. Permission to convert the town's former Babywise building, in Wood Street, was granted by borough councillors after a request
TWO men have been bound over after an explosion in a telephone kiosk in Waterfoot, last April. Jobless father of five David Fallows, 27, of Clare Street, Burnley, and part time welder Nathan Brown, 21, of West View, Haslingden, were both bound over in
WOULD-BE artists who have always wanted to try their hand at painting but never known where to start can get advice at an Absolute Beginners Watercolour Challenge workshop in Rawtenstall. Sessions are held at the Rossendale Museum in Whitaker Park every
A FORMER escort girl who hacked her businessman lover to death with an axe told a friend police believed he was a paedophile, a court heard today. Jane McNamara said Jan Charlton, who has a four-year-old daughter called Amy, confided in her following
ROSSENDALE Council is failing to work in partnership with Bacup police to tackle crime in the borough, a leading MP claimed yesterday. Labour Party chairman Charles Clarke, who played an major role in implementing the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act which
A YOUNG mum, given a chance by a court, didn't take it and has ended up behind bars for 28 days. Charity box thief Danielle Nicholson, 22, had earlier been given a drug testing and treatment order, had done well for while but "slipped back" into temptation
A MAN refused to take no for an answer when his ex-partner denied him access to their children. Blackburn magistrates heard that, despite being warned by police, Stephen Bamber phoned Sarah Gornall more than 60 times at her place of work and was waiting
A SERIAL trickster who tried to get into an East Lancashire hospital posing as a doctor has revealed the reasons why he became Britain's biggest conman. Paul Bint was jailed in 1994 for a series of thefts and deceptions, including offences at Blackburn
CAT owners in Blackburn have been warned to be on their guard after cat thieves are thought to have struck ten times. Concern is growing after ten young cats were snatched from the Lower Darwen and Mill Hill areas in the last few weeks. Patricia Wright
GOVERNORS at Radcliffe Infant School and Radcliffe Junior School are seeking assurances in the wake of plans to merge. Education bosses formally recommended at last Thursday's (April 11) executive meeting to close the two Coronation Road schools and create
AN 89-year-old woman suffered injuries to her face, arms and legs when she was attacked in her own home during a burglary. The woman answered the door at her home in Ainsworth to a white man in his 20s who pushed past her at about 2.45pm on Monday. During
