THE Shakers kicked off their official pre-season friendly programme with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Chorley. A goal in each half from trialist Steve Macauley, the former Crewe skipper, and 17-year-old Dave Nugent gave Andy Preece's side the edge.
SCHOOL'S out - and it's a sad fact that children with time on their hands are putting themselves and others at risk. In Darwen a police operation was launched last week to protect schools which often become a target for vandalism as soon as term ends.
Radcliffe Borough...1, Bolton Wanderers...1 BOLTON's big stars didn't come out to play, but Radcliffe Borough will still vote this friendly exercise a huge success. Last pre-season the Wanderers brought a 40-strong first team squad to Stainton Park and
BURY FC: Bury plugged the gap in midfield created by the departure of Brian Williams when they completed the £25,000 signing of Oldham Athletic's Ian Robins. Manager Bob Smith confirmed that he is still on the look-out for another player -- possibly a
WRESTLING: Only contest to go the full eight rounds at Saturday's wrestling meeting, presented by Wryton Promotions Ltd in the Bury Athenaeum was the major attraction, the meeting of Angelo Panini with Charlie Scott. For the first four rounds both wrestlers
RUSSELL Owen was the first local runner home in the Bull Hill Fell Race when the Darwen Dasher crossed the line in sixth place. The Welsh internationl fell runner covered the 5.5 mile course in an impressive 39.35 minutes to become the first East Lancashire
WITTON Park came to a standstill as thousands of fans flocked to the Blackburn park to watch the annual Kabaddi championships. And local fans of the ancient tag game went away happy as Blackburn regained the title they lost to Manchester last year in
A MAJOR drugs crack down in Chorley has led to detectives seizing 3,000 kilos of cannabis worth an estimated street value of £6million. The National Crime Squad and officers from Lancashire Constabulary made the discovery at industrial premises in Chorley
CHILDREN as young as 11 are playing a deadly game of 'chicken' across a busy motorway. Youngsters have been seen darting across the M65 before waving at drivers hurtling down the carriageway. Motorway police said today the problem was widespread along
YOUNG and old alike are invited to a bumper Activities for Life event taking place in Bury next month. Residents can try their hand at a huge range of sports and leisure events at the Jubilee Centre in Mosley Avenue, Bury, next to Clarence Park. The free
POLICE were called in after a woman left a pub, fell over and then got in a car and drove off. Burnley magistrates heard how alcoholic Elaine Denise Gouhar, 42, then almost tumbled out of the vehicle when officers stopped her, swore, was abusive and told
BURNLEY Grammar Old Boys football team, who play their home games at Mount Lane sportsfield, have recently received a welcome grant of £5,000. This is being spent on improvements to the senior pitch, including installation of more land drains. A request
ANDY Preece has put former Crewe stopper Steve Macauley at the top of his 'wish list'. The Bury boss sees the experienced 33-year-old Lytham-born defender as just the man to give the Shakers defence a solid look ahead of the new campaign. However, with
MEMBERS of a support group which helps refugees and asylum seekers settled into East Lancashire is appealing for volunteers. The Building Bridges Refugees and Asylum Seekers' Support Group want to hear from anyone or any organisation interested in getting
A DRIVER who got behind the wheel for the fourth time while banned kept his freedom after his solicitor told the court custody would be "catastrophic." Burnley Magistrates heard how Christopher James Welch, 33, who had battled a drug problem, helped care
FUN-LOVING Darryl Brocklesby, 19, brightened up an interview with a bit of barefaced cheek. The impish student, from Shale Street, Burnley, turned up at Blackburn College dressed as a bear - and bagged a place on a HND course in product design.
JOHN Mercer is the subject of the second in a series of promenade lectures at Accrington Library on Thursday. Mercer was born in Great Harwood in 1791 and was illiterate until the age of nine. He opened a small dyehouse before patenting the process known
POLICE in Accrington have declared the first weekend of the town-centre outdoor drinking ban a success. Officers reported no significant incidents as revellers switched to the new regime, which prohibits bottles and glasses from the town centre. The legislation
CLARETS chairman Barry Kilby claimed that this is a "vital" week for football as the ITV Digital saga nears its conclusion. The case is due to go to court on Friday but he is still hopeful that a deal can be brokered with the media giants of Carlton and
LANCASHIRE Lightning travel to the Rose Bowl at Southampton to face Hampshire Hawks in a Norwich Union League day-night fixture. Graham Lloyd joins the squad who travel fresh from the Frizzell County Championship match against Yorkshire at Headingley.
SHAKERS' scheduled friendly clash against Chester City this Wednesday evening has been cancelled as the Nationwide Conference club are having remedial work done to their Deva Stadium surface.
THE landlord of a popular pub has unveiled the entertainment schedule for the coming months. Kraig Murtagh of the Sun Inn, Burnley Road, Briercliffe, said the pub boasts one of the liveliest atmospheres and entertainment line-ups in the area. Kraig has
THE line-up for the Blackburn Lock n Load Comedy Club's August 1 show has been finalised. The show will feature Keith Carter, Toby Haydoke, Des Sharples and an unconfirmed open mic spot. The night will be the last show to appear on a Thursday and the
LANDLORDS are turning to bird-watching to bring in customers. Neil Murphy, landlord of the Ram Inn, Burnley Road, Cliviger has put up a nesting box in its grounds ahead of next year's mating season while regulars could soon be welcoming some feathered
ANDY Woodward's appearance in a Shakers shirt will have come as something of a shock to the Bury supporters who made the trip to Chorley on Saturday. The versatile Stockport-born defender was signed by Mike Walsh in the 1994-95 season but left to join
DWIGHT Yorke's dream of a cut-price move to Blackburn moved a step closer after Manchester United hinted they could be ready to drop their asking price for the Trinidad and Tobago international. Rovers boss Graeme Souness had threatened to drop all interest
ONE in three 30-somethings is in the depths of a mid-life crisis, a study has found. The so-called Cold Feet generation feel they are not making the most of what life has to offer. Trapped in the nine-to-five doldrums, with financial commitments and mounting
DARWEN Library Theatre touring company present Kenneth Grahame's classic children's story The Wind in the Willows at the Knott Street venue on Monday, July 29, at 2pm. It features animal masks and original songs. Tickets are £3.50. And Little Red Riding
A 17-YEAR-OLD boy suffered amnesia after he was knocked to the ground by attackers in a quiet residential in Darwen area. Police have described the attack, which occurred on Friday at around 10pm in Olive Lane or Anyon Street, as a "mystery" and are appealing
MOTORCYCLE football is coming to Rossendale. The unusual sport will be part of the Rossendale Valley Motorbike Show on September 22 and will take place in Newhallhey. This year is the show's 10th anniversary and will also include a stunt display team
A LEADING theatre company which recruited two of the country's leading artistic talents in a bid to boost its profile has welcomed the latest additions to their posts. Rossendale-born Jane Horrocks, star of the hit TV show, Absolutely Fabulous and Oscar-nominated
KARTING enthusiasts are gearing up for a Grand Prix event. Blackburn Indoor Karting Centre is going from strength to strength since being launched in 1998 from a warehouse in Bridge Street. The centre also caters for hen and stag parties, as well as corporate
SCHOOL bands are set to join the line-up of a flagship festival from next year, a council leader has pledged. Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, says he was so impressed by a recent performance of the borough's school bands at St Bede's
A MOTHER tried to blame her seven year old son when she was challenged by a member of the public after walking out of Kwiksave without paying for a trolley full of groceries. Blackburn magistrates heard that she then screamed that the man was attacking
STAFF at Pleckgate High School have raised £500 for the Magic Eye Appeal. RE teacher Kathleen Emery organised a staff raffle while Patricia Charnley, a staff support assistant, raised money by selling hand made greetings cards. Mrs. Emery decided to donate
BLACKBURN-BASED Crown Eyeglass has been rapped by advertising watchdogs in a spat about its competitors' small print. The Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint that a regional press advertisement for one of Crown's subsidiaries had "unfairly
THE longest relay race in the world arrived in Blackburn to the cheers of enthusiastic supporters. People braved the rain around Preston Old Road, Blackburn, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen's Jubilee relay baton en-route for the Commonwealth Games
CHILDREN as young as 11 are playing a deadly game of 'chicken' across a busy motorway. Youngsters have been seen darting across the M65 before waving at drivers hurtling down the carriageway. Motorway police said today the problem was widespread along
WILPSHIRE golf club have scrapped their entry fee in a bid to attract new members. The club, which has been established for more than 110 years, has around 500 women, men and junior members. Club captain David Ellis said: "Many people, especially those
FORMER Stand manager Nick Davis has joined Winsford United as assistant manager - and he insists he will have a major say over team affairs. Davis left Stand under a cloud last month after the club was refused promotion to the North West Counties League
A FIVE-year-old girl died in a dentist's chair after an anaesthetist made a catalogue of blunders during a routine tooth extraction, a General Medical Committee hearing was told. Dr George Kenneth Vanner put little Karla Selley to sleep at the Towngate
LANCASHIRE Police say they are growing concerned for the safety of an 80-year-old man who has been missing from a St Annes hotel since July 4. Alexander Stuart has been missing from the Hollingworth Hotel, Clifton Drive South since 8am on July 4 when
AS another football season draws closer, and the future of Bury Football Club looks more stable than it did six months ago, I would like to congratulate my fellow Shakers fans, and football fans all over the country, who helped raise thousands of pounds
Two boxed set DVDs of Elvis in the '50s and Elvis in Hollywood are the fabulous prizes in our latest competition. Click HERE to enter.
A 78-YEAR-OLD widow was allegedly raped in her Bury home by a man she had known as a child, a Manchester Crown Court jury heard. Henry Lasota, aged 60, of Taylor Street, Prestwich, has pleaded not guilty to rape and attempted rape in January last year
SHAKERS physiotherapist Alan Raw has spoken about his dream move to Premiership new boys Manchester City. For Raw, who would have been starting his tenth season at Gigg Lane, is a City fanatic! But his departure isn't without mixed feelings as he has
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Bat 'N' Ball Sports Courses for Children, Harrison Playing Fields, Lammack Road, Blackburn. Quizingo, Poplar Social Club, Accrington, 8.30pm. Holiday Active Club for
AC Blackburn proved to be the perfect hosts when they won their own annual tournament! AC beat Huncoat United in the re-arranged under 13s tournament at BAe Salmesbury which was originally called off due to bad weather. The 11-a-side competition attracted
A NEW minister, the Rev Lena Talbot has been ordained into the United Reformed Church in Blackburn. She was ordained as a part-time stipendiary minister at the Revidge Fold and Trinity United Reformed churches. The ordination was performed by United Reformed
The boundary that wasn't which led to the run-out that wasn't dominated this rain soaked affair at King George's Playing Fields. Confusion reined early in Kashmir XI's innings when Ibrar Raja's cover drive appeared to be heading for four runs before the
HOME Secretary David Blunkett has an endearing habit of admitting mistakes and as a result diverting and softening criticism. His latest blunder is likely to be far more costly and its effect widespread. The prospective legislation of cannabis is a devastating
THE chairman of MG Rover has called on Tony Blair to take us into the European common currency. In his report to shareholders, John Towers says that the rest of UK manufacturing industry will also look forward to joining the eurozone at a competitive
REGARDING the threatened closure of our county council care homes for the elderly, from what I can gather, we old people are living too long and it is causing a money problem all over the country because these homes are too expensive now to maintain and
REGARDING increasing crime on the street, I find it extremely difficult to believe when the police authority and the Government state that they have no idea why this is happening. Firstly, we, as parents, do our best to chastise our children when they
ROVERS are currently working on a new improved offer for Damien Duff in a bid to persuade the winger to stay at Ewood. Souness and the club's board of directors are desperate for the Republic of Ireland star to put pen to paper on a new contract. And,
A DRUNKEN passerby who chanced upon a road smash tried to climb into an ambulance, then a fire engine and finally walked off - taking a blue flashing light with him. Burnley magistrates heard Frank Colecliffe, 47, had nothing to do with the accident and
A FATHER of two who got behind the wheel while banned escaped jail and was told he was lucky to leave court a free man. Burnley Magistrates heard how Paul David Hoyle, 20, who was disqualified until 2004, had done a similar thing before and the bench
THE sister of a man who died in police custody says she is considering launching a civil action against five police officers were cleared of manslaughter. Janet Alder, 40, from the Manchester Road area of Burnley, has campaigned for justice since the
VILLAGERS were today bracing themselves for a month of traffic chaos after work began on a busy road into Worsthorne. Many motorists found themselves stuck in heavy traffic in narrow Salterford Lane after Brownside Road was closed to allow resurfacing
TRADERS from Nelson town centre packed into the Sun Rise Cafe last night to discuss the proposed opening of an information and drop-in centre for asylum seekers in Scotland Road. The shopkeepers have opposed the plans since they were submitted and claim
PARISH councillors are demanding action from county hall over a stretch of road branded "a disgrace." Councillors claim the A56 in Earby has deteriorated so much that it is now like an obstacle course and that accidents are inevitable. They are calling
A DRIVER who got behind the wheel for the fourth time while banned kept his freedom after his solicitor told the court custody would be "catastrophic." Burnley Magistrates heard how Christopher James Welch, 33, who had battled a drug problem, helped care
BOSSES at an East Lancashire exercise equipment firm had their breath taken away when they scooped one of the top prizes in a television business contest. Blackburn firm Shapemaster Fitness won £25,000 for coming second in Granada's Flying Start enterprise
AN Accrington teenager completed a family double by passing his army training a year after his big brother completed his. Thomas Elhasham , of Devonshire Street, successfully completed eight weeks training with the Royal Logistics Corps in York. And the
POLICE are hunting four men who got out of a car at traffic lights and attacked a pedestrian. The gang were in a black 4x4 vehicle at the lights at the junction of Whalley Road and Eastgate, Accrington, when they spotted a 29-year-old man. Police said
A DISABLED man has been left without his wheelchair after his friend's car was stolen at gunpoint. Alex Jones, 23, of Platt Close, Accrington, was asleep in a Travel Lodge at Yardley, near Birmingham, when the drama unfolded on the car park outside. He
A FARMER who led calls for a public inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak today welcomed an independent report into the epidemic. Thomas Binns lost more than 3,000 sheep and lambs and 60 cattle when Hecklin Farm, near Clitheroe, was hit by the outbreak
SLOPPY set-piece defending condemned the Clarets to a 3-1 defeat against Luton Town, leaving Burnley at the bottom of their group in the Isle of Man Steam Packet Football Festival. Despite an improved second half display, gifting free headers to Steve
MARLON Beresford opted not to take the opportunity to play for Wrexham last night after the injury suffered by Andy Dibble playing against the Clarets on Sunday. The out of contract keeper who Stan Ternent is still hoping to bring back to Turf Moor on
A HOST of former Bury FC and Bolton Wanderers stars are set to battle it out for charity on Sunday, August 11. A charity soccer match between ex-players of both sides has been arranged at Radcliffe Boro's Stainton Park ground. The game sponsored by Tower
REGULARS at a Hyndburn pub will notice something different behind the bar. The Thorn Inn on Edward Street, Church, has a new licensee. And 29-year-old Julie Brewer is enjoying her first stint as landlady -- though she has worked in pubs for more than
SLOPPY set-piece defending condemned the Clarets to a 3-1 defeat against Luton Town, leaving Burnley at the bottom of their group in the Isle of Man Steam Packet Football Festival. Despite an improved second half display, gifting free headers to Steve
A POLICE operation to crackdown on vandalism on schools has been hailed a success despite two incidents in just four days. Operation Expel was launched as schools broke up for the summer holidays and ran for four days from Thursday. Its aim was to halt
THE boss of a hatchery which burned down destroying over three million chick eggs today vowed the company would not fold. Mike Haines, manager of Mayfield Chicks, Ewood Bridge, Haslingden, said all 45 jobs were safe and added: "We're not going to throw
A PUBLIC memorial to remember a thousand soldiers who lost their lives in the World War I will be created in Rossendale. A local councillor and amateur historian have teamed up to create the memorial stone, which will display the names of a thousand soldiers
COLE the dog was the star of the show when he joined the unemployed actors of the Talia Theatre Company in a series of workshops to raise awareness of the problems of dog fouling. The workshops were at Westbury Gardens, Audley Range, Blackburn, and the
A MAN who jumped from a bedroom window to escape a fire is still "poorly" in hospital. Richard Marsden was one of four people asleep in the house, in Mosley Street, Blackburn, when fire broke out downstairs. Police and fire investigations into the cause
A PENSIONER who flew back from America where she was being treated for cancer is still too ill to undergo chemotherapy. Phoebe Morley, 76, was taken straight to Blackburn Royal Infirmary after being flown into Manchester Airport by air ambulance at the
DARWEN funeral services brought a ray of sunshine to a memorial service by selling hand-made flowers in aid of the Magic Eye Appeal. Sheila Lysuik organised making and selling more than 70 iris to represent the magic 'eye' scanner appeal run by the Lancashire
THE owners of an asbestos-riddled former bleach works have been given two months to clear the site and five months to demolish the building. Blackburn with Darwen Council has served notice on Wilpshire-based Stephen Hilton and his wife after it was discovered
BOB Tipping is enjoying life since his treatment for oesophageal cancer nine months ago. And the teetotal landlord is so happy to have been saved he is determined to raise funds for the benefit of other sufferers. As landlord of the White Lion in Huncoat
IT'S the men's turn to tee off with their caddies in tow as part of the Magic Eye golf tournament. Captain of the Great Harwood club, Neil Crawshaw, has chosen to make captain's day a fundraising event after losing his father to cancer nearly 40 years
BLIND golfer Andy Gilford begins his quest for the British Open title in Northern Ireland today. The 29-year-old England international from Darwen - whose guide is Val Brewer - is one of the favourites for the 36-hole strokeplay contest, which takes place
ACCRINGTON Stanley are giving a trial to former Norwich defender Michael Merrick. The 19-year-old centre back spent three years at Carrow Road but was never able to make an impact at first team level. The Stockton-on-Tees born teenager was released in
SHAKERS 'keeper Glyn Garner is set to step into Paddy Kenny's shoes and is fiercely determined to succeed. Former Bury boss Neil Warnock's decision to take Kenny to Sheffield United on loan with a view to a permanent transfer has thrown the Welshman his
SHAKERS boss Andy Preece says he will not be hanging up his boots for another couple of years. The 35-year-old striker is preparing to embark on his fifth season at Gigg Lane and the 16th of his professional career, while also juggling the demands of
