THE devastation caused by last year's foot and mouth scourge has left scars in the rural economy that will take many years to erase. Every area of life in some parts of East Lancashire was adversely affected by the disease which hit business, local authorities
SOME resolute batting and sharp fielding handed Great Harwood the annual Asian Image Cricket Cup. They were up against it for much of the tournament and got their revenge on favourites Audley who had beaten them in a group match earlier in the day. In
AS the season lumbers from one disaster to another and promotion chases and cup finals seem more likely than a tee total end of season do, I got around to thinking about a conversation the team had in the pub the other weekend. The topic was the average
ONCE is careless, twice is sheer stupidity but here I was 12 months later competing in another energy-sapping Summer Tough Guy. I had obviously not learnt my lesson. The venue was again Mr Mouse's Farm for the Unfortunate on the outskirts of Wolverhampton
BLACKBURN Rovers proved the club is about more than just football when it scooped an BT education award. The club's project, called S'porting Science, aims to encourage pupils to learn about the scientific side of football and won the education department
IT is quietly announced that MPs' pensions are going up by 10 per cent -- half the increase being borne by the taxpayer. This increase is roughly twice the amount by which the prudent Chancellor has increased spending for the rest and works out at near
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NOW that the government has done an about-turn on the enforcement of the recommendations of the National Standards Commission on Residential Homes, what will Councillor Chris Cheetham and his colleagues at Lancashire County Council do? The recommendation
TWO members of staff and a customer were robbed at knifepoint in a raid at a Leigh newsagents. The customer was forced to hand over his wallet as the shop workers were ordered to open the till. The robbery happened after the men ran into the shop in Holden
A MOTORIST is fighting for his life in hospital today after suffering serious internal injuries in a hit-and-run accident. The man, aged 55, from Leigh, was driving his Ford Escort along Wigan Road near to the junction with Browning Street, in Leigh,
BURNLEY General Hospital today unveiled ambitious £20million plans for the next stage in its redevelopment. More than 170 new beds will be created for dermatology and stroke patients. New outpatient accommodation will also be created for ENT, audiology
GAY wedding ceremonies are to be staged at two East Lancashire register offices, it was revealed today. Homosexual couples will be able to choose their own style of service and exchange rings although the events would not be recognised under law. The
PROTESTERS took to the streets to complain about the closure of four council old folks' homes. They brought traffic to a halt as they blocked zebra crossings around Bury town centre on Saturday (July 27) morning. The protest was organised by Bury Pensioners
LEIGH RMI may have been praying for Conference survival over the past few seasons but rarely have they relied on a Bishop to answer their calls. Ian Bishop - with stints at Manchester City, Everton and West Ham under his belt - looks set to move to Hilton
WORKING on a coffee plantation may not be everyone's cup of tea! But Elizabeth Chater (pictured) is relishing her trip to Nicaragua to experience life as a fair trade coffee farmer. Elizabeth (28), of Manchester Old Road, Bury, flies out today (Friday
A VOLUNTARY organisation helping young families in Burnley cope with stress is looking for new volunteers. Home-Start offer support, friendship and practical help to families in their own homes to prevent breakdown in relationships. They are currently
A 57-YEAR-OLD man who tried to steal £60,000 from Burnley Borough Council in a rent swindle is awaiting sentence. The town's magistrates committed Michael Pullen, who lives in Surrey, to Burnley Crown Court for sentence, after he admitted attempting to
CRaCA are holding a Magnificent 7 Walk around the pubs in the parish, to raise funds for projects within the community. Starting at The Deerplay at 11.30am on Sunday August 18, participants will then move on to the Towneley Arms, Ram Inn, The Queen, Fighting
BURNLEY General Hospital today unveiled ambitious £20million plans for the next stage in its redevelopment. More than 170 new beds will be created for dermatology and stroke patients. New outpatient accommodation will also be created for ENT, audiology
A WORKING group is expected to be set up in Pendle to improve community cohesion in the borough. Members of the council's executive considered a possible response to the Government's draft guidance document on community cohesion at its meeting and decided
PUPIL Daisy Barrow thought her day trip to Chester Zoo was in ruins when she missed the coach. But Mr Geoff Hirst, head teacher at Wesley Methodist School, Radcliffe, saved the day, by driving her there himself! Nine-year-old Daisy had been looking forward
PLANNING permission for ten bungalows for elderly people in Earby could be given by Pendle Council this week. Members of the West Craven Committee have been recommended to approve the proposal for two-semi detached and six linked bungalows on an open
A THREE-month-old kitten had a lucky escape when it plunged 30 feet from a tree. Lillian Smith, Dudley Street, Oswaldtwistle, said her cat -- Barnabas -- was chased up the tree by a neighbours dog.
TAXI drivers today blasted the council for approving a new private hire firm in a street where they claim existing drivers were refused rank spaces. Last week, Hyndburn Council's development services committee gave the go-ahead for a new business to open
POLICE have renewed their appeal for information after a girl aged 14 was approached by two thieves who followed her before making off with her mobile phone. The girl was alone walking along Wellgate, in Clitheroe. The thieves who were walking in the
ACCRINGTON Stanley deservedly beat a young Burnley side last night as both clubs continued their preparations for the new season. Stanley's David Robinson scored one and created the other but the most important thing for both sides was getting another
BURNLEY'S hopes of signing both Marlon Beresford and Marlon Broomes for the new season were evident yesterday as both players appeared on the official team picture. The out of contract players travelled to the Isle of Man with the rest of Stan Ternent's
THE line-up for the Lock n Load Comedy Club's August 8 show has been finalised. The night will feature Keith Carter, Toby Haydoke, Des Sharples and an unconfirmed open mic spot. The show will be the last one to appear on a Thursday and the club will move
THE owners of the Royal Hotel in Great Harwood will celebrate their first anniversary in the independent pub with a pint of their best real ale. Peter and Janice Booth will lay on 15 ales from Phoenix Brewery in Heywood, which produces the pub's most
AMBITIOUS plans for a £1 million revamp of Bury museum have passed the first test. Arts bosses are bidding for Lottery money to create a new museum and heritage centre in the Moss Street building. They have now been given the go-ahead to submit a detailed
NEW signing Dwight Yorke is set to make his Blackburn Rovers debut tonight - much to the delight of chief executive John Williams. Rovers face Bundesliga side 1FC Nuremburg in Weismain this evening in the second of their pre-season tour games. Yorke flew
RACHEL Hunter had better beware. So should any other female who gets involved with Robbie Williams. The 28-year-old singer has just bought a flashy sports car -- but, guess what? He can't drive. He employs a chauffeur to ferry him around. Rather like
A FUND-RAISING drive has been launched in a bid to hurry along flood repairs to Sunnyhurst Woods. Members of the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods will take to the streets on August 31 to raise cash after council bosses were hit with a £100,000 repair bill.
ASSISTANT stylist Matthew Threlfall has won through to the top six of a prestigious hairdressing award for Junior of the Year. Matthew, 18, of Darwen, has worked at Freddies salon in Bank Street, Rawtenstall, for 18 months and had to complete a rigorous
A TEXTILE worker who broke into and trashed a man's flat has walked free from Burnley Crown Court. Simon Herbert, 23, was disgruntled over a television set given to his victim and got into the property after he had gone out for the evening. Herbert was
HUNDREDS of families will be left living on the breadline as a result of the plans to close 32 of Lancashire's 48 care homes, union leaders warned today. Nearly 500 people will be made redundant if Lancashire County Council pushes ahead with its new proposals
A BLAST which destroyed a Blackburn takeaway as well as causing damage to other properties was the result of arson, a jury has heard. Preston Crown Court heard claims that business owner Zaheer Ali stood to gain through an insurance claim and that another
TWENTY-SIX members of a troubled racial harmony organisation have signed a petition calling for three executives to be kicked out. They have demanded that an extraordinary meeting of the Blackburn with Darwen Racial Equality Council should be convened
FAKE sportswear was seized by trading standards officers from a Blackburn discount fashion clothing shop, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how Quality Service Fashions, of Green Lane, Cherry Tree, in Blackburn, was one of three run by Quality
COUNCIL bosses plan to launch a new service aimed at getting disabled people into employment at the expense of an existing workshop. Blackburn with Darwen Council's social services department is now asking for opinions about its plans, which would provide
BAXENDEN athlete Kerry Gillibrand will take to the track in the City of Manchester Stadium tonight when she competes in the semi-finals of the 1,500m. The Sale Harrier achieved her aim of reaching her first major final when she qualified for the Commonwealth
GAMES traffic problems will hit Prestwich, which hosts the lawn bowls tournament in Heaton Park. For the duration of the Games, a park and ride scheme for 4,000 cars will operate in the park between 8am and midnight. Cars will use the Sheepfoot Lane entrance
A SCHOOL that cares has received warm praise from independent inspectors. The Ofsted team sent to look around Sunny Bank Primary in Bury found plenty to please them, confirming not only that the school is providing a good education for youngsters, but
A TEENAGE dancer's dream of performing in the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was left in tatters just two days before the momentous occasion. Jenny Cliff had been looking forward for months to stepping out in front of the Queen and a television audience
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. The Dream Concert Summer Special, Mechanics, Manchester Road, Burnley, 7pm
FINE fryers of fish Elaine and Tony Jordan, of the Old Mill Hill Chippy, are hoping for a place in the regional final of the Chip Shop of the Year award. The premises on New Chapel Street, Blackburn, has been trading as a chip shop since 1925 and the
PARKING outside a popular cricket club could be knocked for six after residents argued their drives were being blocked by vehicles. Highways officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council will now begin consulting residents living in the vicinity of Cherry
WHATEVER Kerry Gillibrand achieves in the Commonwealth Games later today there will be a great sense of pride in one corner of East Lancashire. And Ian Coffey, chairman of the Hyndburn Athletics Club, will be leading the cheers for the 1500m runner who
I CAN understand motorists getting frustrated with Blackburn's new traffic system. Have you tried to give directions to a driver wishing to find a shop or to get from A to B? Well, I can vouch that you will find that the way you used to go is now out
NEIGHBOURS rescued a woman and two young children from a house fire early today. The woman and the children, aged two and five months, were trapped on the first floor of a house in Warwick Road, Atherton. Neighbours propped a ladder up outside a window
DIVISION ONE P W L D Df Pts E&Ch A**... 11 8 2 1 45.5 80.5 Prestwich CC A... 11 6 4 1 54.5 74.0 ELPM B... 11 8 3 0 53.0 73.5 Black Lane... 10 5 3 3 48.0 68.0 Walmersley A**... 11 4 4 3 58.5 64.0 Walmersley B... 10 5 4 1 57.5 57.5 Stanley B... 11 4
ALTHOUGH not agreeing with the strike action of the council workers, which affects only members of the public who have no say in their pay negotiations, I fully agree that many are being underpaid, mainly because of councillors' inability to manage budgets
I WAS amazed by Mark Harrison's comparison of speeding motorists to paedophiles (Letters, July 20). Such comments have no place in any reasoned debate. Not that his overall argument is very robust. By suggesting that only those who keep below posted speed
A TEENAGER accused of snatching a handbag from an elderly woman has been committed to the Crown Court for trial. Haroon Rashid, aged 18, of James Street, Bury, is said to have robbed the 74-year-old during an incident earlier this month in Whitefield.
DISABLED youngsters had their wheelchair skills put to the test in a project piloted in the borough. The charity Whizz-Kidz staged a wheelchair training programme over five one-day sessions at Coney Green Sports Centre in Radcliffe. The scheme, entitled
ORGANISERS of a park brass band concert fear their event fell victim to the cancellation of a larger event. Normally more than 1,000 people attend the Brass in the Park event which has been held in Queen's Park in Burnley for the past five years. But
A HOUSEHOLDER who had only just finished refurbishing his home will have to start again after fire ripped through his property. Firefighters said John Whittam, of Printers Fold, Burnley, had been at work but left a recharging unit for a set of hair clippers
BINGO fans could soon be flocking to a Burnley club where a lucky caller has given away her second national jackpot in under a year. Christine Aitken has given away two big prizes to winners at the Gala club in Centenary Way. Her latest success came this
A HOUSE raider was spotted climbing out of a kitchen window in the early hours. Burnley Crown Court heard how drug addict Wayne Forrest, 27, told police he had not been able to sleep and had been simply taking his dog out -- but his trainers matched a
A TEENAGE girl was terrified after a man followed her and exposed himself in Burnley town centre. The town's magistrates heard how the 17-year-old was shaking and panicking as she feared the man would make a grab for her. Blackburn-born Paul Sweeney,
A MOTHER who had failed to attend court after the non-attendance of her children at school was arrested and brought before Bury magistrates. Sharon Hughes, of York Street, Bury, failed to attend a hearing date after earlier pleading not guilty to two
A SPECIALIST doctor who gave a reference to a colleague which failed to mention he had been suspended following the death of a patient has been cleared of serious professional misconduct. The General Medical Council found consultant urologist Dr David
HOLCOMBE Brook Primary School held its first presentation evening to celebrate the achievements of final year pupils over the last 12 months. And so successful was the Year 6 leavers presentation evening, that the head teacher, Mr Graham Howarth, is now
YOUNG people in Pendle have been trying to emulate their athletic heroes during a sports scheme at Seedhill Athletics Track, in Nelson. The Norwich Union Star:Track scheme has events taking place across the country and the athletics at Seedhill will continue
PENDLE Council could be spending more than a penny refurbishing Victorian public toilets after more than £45,000 was put aside for improvements. Councillors who attended a meeting of the executive approved £205,690, which will included £30,000 for the
A MOTORIST doing welding work escaped when his car burst into flames. Craig Spencer, Townhouse Road, Nelson, was working outside JC Motors, Moorfield Industrial Estate, Altham, when his Opel Manta caught fire.
HUNDREDS of homes in Hapton were left in the dark when a magpie crashed into pylon cables causing them to collapse into a field. The magpie's mishap on Sunday meant that many fans missed out on Coronation Street's wedding of the year. The wires came crashing
A COUNCILLOR has defended a cemetery that piled five feet of soil on a man's grave. Councillor Malcolm Pritchard, member for the Milnshaw ward, spoke after widow Mary Humphries, of Haywood Road, Accrington, blasted cemetery workers when she couldn't find
A CEREMONY to mark the early stages of work on a £2million state-of-the-art fire station is to be held next week. Work has now begun on the Hyndburn Road fire station in Accrington, which will be the headquarters for Eastern division that covers Hyndburn
VOTERS in Hyndburn could be asked whether they want to be part of a regional assembly in three years. Council leader Coun Ian Ormerod told a meeting of the cabinet that Hyndburn should not dismiss the idea of merging with other authorities. A recently-published
AN Accrington councillor today branded Lancashire County Council 'heartless' after hearing local homes for the elderly were not among three saved from the axe. Coun John Griffiths, who represents Baxenden, spoke out after County Hall revealed 32 homes
EAST Lancashire farmers who fought back from the despair of foot-and-mouth have proved they are the cream of the crop with a new venture. They have picked themselves up from the after-effects of the disease to form a groundbreaking co-operative involving
A COMPANY book keeper at an eyewear firm who caused job losses by stealing nearly £70,000 from her bosses has been jailed for two years. Mary Fishwick, 40, was told by a judge that she had very nearly brought down the business. At least seven people with
A COUPLE from Torquay who moved to East Lancashire are missing their beloved football team so much they are hoping to set up a Burnley branch of Torquay United supporters. Anna and Alan Taylor moved to Colne in March but the original Burnley branch of
A CLAYTON-LE-MOORS pub will host a four-day beer festival next month. Landlord John Burke, of the Albion in Whalley Road, hopes the fourth annual event from Thursday, August 8, to Sunday, August 11, will give his customers something to smile about. The
A BURNLEY pub believes it has come to the rescue of music fans disappointed the annual Bands in the Park event will not go ahead this year. The Kestrel Suite, Cow Lane, will play host to an evening of live bands headed by Slack Babbath -- a Black Sabbath
YOUNGSTERS can have a cosmic time by taking part in Summer Fun sessions at local libraries. The theme of this year's Summer Reading Challenge is Space, which is taking place at all branches and is open to children aged up to 12. Every primary school child
BURNLEY'S hopes of signing both Marlon Beresford and Marlon Broomes for the new season were evident yesterday as both players appeared on the official team picture. The out of contract players travelled to the Isle of Man with the rest of Stan Ternent's
RAY Heeks loved his five minutes of fame carrying the Queen's Jubilee relay baton. He ran a 440-yard leg in Liverpool Road, Burscough, as part of the run up to the Commonwealth Games. But he was horrified to learn that his technophobic wife Julie had
A WOODWORK firm is to relocate to Darwen after receiving planning permission by councillors. Pendle Woodcraft (Blackburn) Ltd, currently based at Church, is to take over the Cotton Hall Street Mill later this year. The building was previously a storage
FOOTBALLERS in Ramsbottom are in for a treat when the new season starts after pitches at Nuttall Park received league club treatment. Council staff have visited professional clubs to receive tips on how to raise standards in the area. Bury Metro technical
THREE rundown houses off Fallbarn Road in Rawtenstall could be demolished and replaced by five detached homes if planning permission is given. Rossendale Council will consider granting outline permission for the development tomorrow at the meeting of
THE last surviving cotton mill in Bacup is facing demolition. Doug Thompson, owner of Irwell Mill, in Rochdale Road, has applied for permission to demolish the building, including the spinning range, office, size house and engine house, which is part
POLICE are hunting a masked raider who wrestled a pensioner to the ground and stole her handbag. The 69-year-old woman managed to punch her attacker in the face before being shoved to the floor, receiving cuts and bruises to her elbow yesterday morning
A TEENAGER from Blackburn has become the new face of Club 18-30. Adele Whiston, 18, is appearing as the star of the holiday group's latest brochure in a series of shots depicting drinking, sunbathing and partying with the opposite sex. She spent a week
EAST Lancashire farmers who fought back from the despair of foot-and-mouth have proved they are the cream of the crop with a new venture. They have picked themselves up from the after effects of the disease to form a groundbreaking co-operative involving
A BID to halt plans for a £90million super hospital because part of it cut across a public footpath has been rejected. Blackburn with Darwen Council ruled that because the footpath had not been in existence for 20 years, there were no grounds for people
BIG-HEARTED pensioner Hannah Sanderson has donated spare change collected over months to the Magic Eye Appeal. Mrs Sanderson, 76, of Audley Range, Blackburn, has been saving her coppers in a toffee bottle. She said: "I've been saving 2ps and 1ps for months
GAY wedding ceremonies are to be staged at two East Lancashire register offices, it was revealed today. Homosexual couples will be able to choose their own style of service and exchange rings although the events would not be recognised under law. The
CRAIG HEAP missed out on a bronze medal by 0.138 of a mark - but it didn't dampen his party spirit as he completed what has been a fantastic Commonwealth Games for him. The 29-year-old gymnast was going for a medal on an individual apparatus - the high
HEADTEACHER Hilary Spragg retired last week after 14 years at Leigh Central Primary School. Mrs Spragg, of Leigh, had two presentations, the first on Wednesday, when staff and colleagues presented her with a collection cheque, and a second on Friday,
