WINTER is an excellent time to visit the seaside. The salt prevents freezing and there are no crowds. I love to stroll along the sands at Southport, St Annes or Morecambe, with a camera (even a cheap model) at the ready and you can have lots of fun keeping
THERE is a saying that "there's nowt so queer of folk", and another that "there's nowt new under the sun." This certainly applies to our friend the robin which I described last week. Did you know that they, like us, have regional accents? These days we
ST Leonards Primary School were the last team to book their place in the area finals of the Railtrack six-a-side competition -- and ended up as the team to represent Blackburn Rovers in next month's regional finals. The Langho side only made the final
HE started with the Magnificent Seven and it has been an epic adventure ever since. For Mike Hindle is the man behind Park High School Athletics Club which became one of the smallest clubs in the country when it was formed with just seven runners back
GRAHAM Carter (Letters, January 14) is so right in his criticism of Labour Party members and their support for Tony Blair and his war. However, he is an optimist if he thinks that substantial opposition will come from the Labour Party since the anti-war
A MAN has been charged with causing the death of a young father who was killed in a head-on crash. Garry Murray, 29, died on the operating table at Royal Preston Hospital after the accident in Burnley Road, Altham, on Monday. Mr Murray, who lived with
A COUPLE have spoken of their anguish after their son was left fighting for his life three years after the horrific death of his brother. Tony Leecy, 63, and his wife Ann, 55, were asleep when their 34-year-old son Darren was viciously attacked in the
A COUPLE who claimed more than £34,000 in benefits while running a Padiham pub, have walked free from court. Pamela Brown, 46, and Gordon Bidder, 39, were landlord and landlady of the Starkie Arms. Burnley Crown Court heard Brown got handouts on the basis
A MOTHER of three who fiddled benefits to the tune of almost £9,000 while she was working has been given community punishment. Burnley Magistrates heard how Bernadette Peat, 35, claimed income support on the basis she was single, not working and her only
MEMBERS of Northern League side Chorley have voted overwhelmingly against a proposal to relocate to a site near Euxton. At a packed and lively meeting at Windsor Park, members threw out a proposal by the committee to pursue preliminary negotiations to
A MAN whose two dogs killed one cat and badly injured another has been convicted of failing to keep the dogs under proper control. David Paul, of the Wellington pub, Stand Lane, Radcliffe, had denied any wrongdoing by the dogs, Jack and Chip. However,
A MAN has been charged with causing the death of a young father who was killed in a head-on crash. Garry Murray, 29, died on the operating table at Royal Preston Hospital after the accident in Burnley Road, Altham, on Monday. Mr Murray, who lived with
A CAMPAIGN for a new security camera has been launched to protect businesses in Oswaldtwistle town centre. Councillors Sandra and Doug Hayes have called for an additional CCTV camera in Union Road after a spate of criminal damage to the town's shops.
EAST Lancashire MPs have attacked the Department of Trade and Industry for spending £100,000 to find out how much force is needed to open a packet of crisps. Hyndburn's Greg Pope and his Burnley Labour colleague Peter Pike believe research by the University
AN MP has condemned government plans to make university students shoulder enormous debts for their higher education. Education Secretary Charles Clarke has admitted that his new proposals to replace up-front tuition fees with a form of graduate tax reclaimed
A COUPLE have spoken of their anguish after their son was left fighting for his life three years after the horrific death of his brother. Tony Leecy, 63, and his wife Ann, 55, were asleep when their 34-year-old son Darren was viciously attacked in the
DRISSA Diallo was born to Guinean parents, grew up in Paris, has played football in Belgium - but now he hopes to fulfil his dream of playing in England. "It has always been my dream to play here," admitted the 30-year-old defender who is trying to impress
I CAN see both sides of the argument in the controversy over faith schools provoked by plans for Lancashire's first state-funded Muslim school. After all, if Christian or Jewish schools can have state support, in fairness, why not Muslim ones? But what
SEE what a can of worms is opened when even only the possibility is aired of a women-only shortlist being imposed for the contenders hoping to stand as Labour candidate in Peter Pike's super-safe Burnley seat. Already, the situation reeks of discrimination
DRISSA Diallo snubbed first division leaders Portsmouth in order to pursue a career with the Clarets. And two games into his month-long deal, he admitted: "I am very happy here." And despite his short stay to date he has already seen enough to convince
A PENALTY from Ruud Van Nistelrooy sealed Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Rovers in the Worthington Cup semi-final, read the minute by minute match action here. FULL TIME: Rovers 1-3 Utd. Rovers go out of the Worthington Cup 4-2 on aggregate, which
A PET parrot in Darwen has been put up for sale because of vicious squabbles with a neighbour -- a feisty grey cockatoo. Farm worker Robert Early, 26, of Lower Barn Farm, Blacksnape Road, was amazed when he bought two-year-old Casper, an orange winged
A PROPOSED £1 million home for people suffering from dementia has gained support from residents. Ellenshaw Close, Darwen, may soon benefit from a home where relatives and carers will be able to visit people who are suffering from the illness. A proposal
HOSPITAL radio chiefs are on the hunt for the Valley's answer to Sarah Cox or Steve Wright to volunteer to help the charity. Radio Rossendale, which is based at Rossendale General off Haslingden Road, needs a variety of people to help -- from tea bar
FIREFIGHTERS broke their picket line within hours of the latest fire strike starting to help with a three-car motorway pile-up. The crews raced to the scene of the accident on the M61 near Walton Summit, and helped soldiers free several people trapped
A MAN bought lighting and heating equipment from a car boot sale and converted his garage into a cannabis factory, Blackburn magistrates heard. Mark Hudson, 25, of Grafton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to cultivating 23 cannabis plants. He was fined
TWO men armed themselves with kitchen knives after being attacked by a group of youths in the Johnson Street area, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard a 15-year-old boy and his friend were threatened by the men as they went for a pizza. One
A BAND heading for the big time today told how a friend's death from cancer inspired a track on their debut album. And the husband of Michelle Hilton, who battled the disease for seven years, praised Blackburn band The Burn for their "brilliant gesture
ONLY Prestwich Heys of the Manchester League stand between Atherton LR and the Reebok Stadium final of the fifth Goldline Trophy. The two clash tonight at Atherton Colls - the team who await the winners of this match after beating Charnock Richard 3-0
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn Flower Club, Trinity Reformed Church Hall, Brownhill, Blackburn, 7.30pm. "Contrasts and Changes" with Carol Black. Burnley ladies Speakers, Nelson House, Nelson
ANIMAL lovers today urged people who want to adopt a pet to overcome what they have dubbed "coat discrimination". Charity workers said black and black and white coats lose out when it comes to picking a new pet. Pauline Roper, of East Lancashire Cats
I DON'T undertand this -- is it true that English people are not allowed to fly the English flag? I am a Dane and I would love to see people fly their handsome English flag in their homes and gardens. Even the smallest plot or garden in Denmark has a
I AM not surprised that a private Islamic girls' school in Blackburn is being brought into the state system (LET, January 10). They have taken the opportunity and money offered by our multi-cultural council and government and have run with it. Had the
STRIKER Neil Tolson, released by Leigh RMI, has been signed by Nationwide Conference rivals Kettering Town. The 29-year-old scored over 50 league and cup goals with Walsall, Bradford, York and Southend before injury forced him out of the full-time game
ROVERS keeper Brad Friedel wants to go back to Wales. "It would be fantastic to return to Cardiff," said USA international Friedel. "It is a massive incentive for us to try to win tonight having already had a taste of success last year. "Like always,
GRAEME Souness was gutted to see his side suffer a second leg disaster when Celtic ran riot in the UEFA Cup at Ewood. And he is desperate to avoid lightning striking twice as Rovers stand on the brink of their second successive Worthington Cup final.
A FORMER heating engineer paid the price of a couple of "strong pints" with a 12-month driving ban. Burnley Magistrates heard how David Ronald Kett, 45, was found to be over the limit after police saw his van weaving in its lane and stopped him in Collyhurst
AFTER being given a conditional discharge for shoplifting offences by Burnley Magistrates Paul Samuel Doyle travelled to Blackburn and re-offended. Blackburn magistrates heard the reformed drug addict had committed the latest offence because a man from
REDUNDANT workers from one of Burnley's biggest employers are getting back to work, with a little help from each other. Hundreds of people who lost their jobs when the Michelin tyre factory closed last year have been invited to a reunion of staff. And
A BANNED motorist who led police on a high-speed chase through the streets of Burnley has been jailed for a total of 13 months. Burnley Crown Court heard how John Duggan, 22, jumped red traffic lights, went round a roundabout the wrong way, overtook other
SHAKERS manager Andy Preece gives his verdict on the Carlisle defeat. He said: "Carlisle started the game like it was a cup tie and I didn't think we did. "Our first half hour wasn't good enough but for the next 60 minutes some of our football was fabulous
A FOOTPATH which aims to make walking to school safer for children has been officially opened in Salterforth. The new footpath link at Earby Road was opened by members of Pendle Council's West Craven Area Committee. Councillor Margaret Bell, chairman
POLICE are still investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl. Aysha Begum, of Fountain Place, Accrington, left her home on Sunday and has not been seen since. She is Asian, 5ft 5in tall, slim, with long black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen
A HOLOCUAST memorial service will be held at St Mary's RC Church, Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, at 10am on Sunday. The service will be attended by Hyndburn Mayor Councillor Sandra Hayes and her consort Coun Doug Hayes, along with other members of
A 57-YEAR-OLD man was attacked by two robbers armed with knifes and axes during an attempted raid on business premises in Bury. The worker from Mail UK, in Whitefield, was taken to North Manchester General Hospital suffering from a four inch wound to
BURNLEY will put out a strong side for the reserve clash at Rotherham this evening as Stan Ternent looks to keep his first team squad fresh and match fit. For much of the season Ronnie Jepson's side has resembled a youth team as injuries have forced the
MEMBERS of Darwen Lions urgently need people for charity work in the area. Volunteers are required to visit socially isolated people in and around Darwen. Ian Ashton, past-president and member of the charity group, said: "We want men and women to come
A MAN caught driving while disqualified five times in three months was sent to prison for five months by Blackburn magistrates. The court heard that Usman Akhtar was to attend a police station after he gave a cousin's name and address to police. But before
THE HUSBAND of a woman tragically killed in a house fire is recovering in hospital more than a week after he was admitted. Malcolm Turner was described as "comfortable" in Burnley General Hospital after suffering smoke inhalation at his home in Burnley
HUNDREDS of jobs will be created when a £7million garden centre opens its doors in April. Lancashire Homes and Gardens, Syke Street, Haslingden, will be the biggest garden centre development in the county and will create around 200 jobs. The joint venture
TWO men ejected from Blackburn shopping centre for shouting abusive comments about the people of Blackburn later returned and confronted security staff. Blackburn magistrates heard that during the fracas that followed security officer Kenneth Brogden
BURY'S reputation for quality education is to be singled out for praise on a Government website. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) www.dfes.gov.uk has chosen Bury as an example of good practice for its strategy on getting pupils with special
A MAN attempted to abduct a 19-year-old woman as she walked along a street in Tottington. The victim was on Market Street, when she was between 10.05pm and 10.20pm on Monday. The man seized her from behind and tried to pull her backwards but she put up
JUVENILE nuisance and vandalism is a common curse throughout East Lancashire, but incidents we report tonight show just what a mindless and expensive evil it is. For at Accrington we find the town's £8million new market development being plagued almost
JUST over an hour from East Lancashire is some of the finest natural history to be found anywhere in Britain. I followed the M6 and turned off at junction 35. Turn left to the Carnforth traffic lights and then right over the railway, then follow the signs
CLAYTON were crowned men's team winners in the annual Keith Mutton Memorial Bullsworth Hill Fell race after three runners finished in the top 10. Andrew Orr led the charge for Clayton when he finished in sixth place in a time of 57.56 -- on place in front
The only way is up for Bacup rider Geoff Banham after he was named best beginner on a slippery when wet Back Cowme Quarry course. Rochdale and District Motor Club's 2003 season may have got off to a cracking start with Jerry Cragg taking the honours in
I WAS disgusted by the reprimand given to a police officer for having the Union Jack displayed in his police car (LET, December 21). I am determined to find a photograph of the Union Jack and place it in my window and, failing that, to buy a flag and
HOW have the plan for Darwen's proposed health centre been approved without a fight from our local councillors and MP? The people of Darwen have had no say in what is a most important issue. Union Street has two buildings -- the old clinic and the health
THOUGH I have resisted responding to the contributions of Councillor Alan Cottam in recent days, when he turns his attention to the Blackburn with Darwen Council scrutiny committee which I chair (Letters, January 11) I must comment. Coun Cottam, it seems
I RETURNED from a two week holiday at the weekend to discover that the Mother Theresa of English football had suddenly been turned into the devil's spawn. Yes, little Michael Owen was officially a bad lad. So what is his crime. Had he been hitting his
LIVERPOOL'S victory over Sheffield United last night has ensured Rovers midfielder David Thompson has an extra reason for wanting success against Manchester United tonight. The goal-scoring hero from the first leg is desperate to collect his first senior
ANDY Cole feels Blackburn Rovers' team spirit and desire to win is just as strong as Manchester United's. The Rovers hotshot believes comparisons can be drawn between the dressing rooms at Ewood Park and Old Trafford. But he admits such motivation has
A YEAR can be a long time in football -- just ask the latest product to roll off the production line at Blackburn Rovers' Academy, Jay McEveley. Eleven months ago, the 17-year-old defender joined the rest of his Academy colleagues on a trip to Cardiff
A MAN caught growing cannabis for the second time in a year has escaped jail. David Cooper, 35, had been given most of the plants by a friend but had had no electricity while they were in his basement, Burnley Magistrates heard. Cooper, who told police
FORMER town clerk Arline Greenwood has received one of the first-ever service to Todmorden awards. Mrs Greenwood, who retired from the job three years ago, was one of five people chosen to receive the honour at Todmorden Town Hall, with tribute being
A WOMAN who fell victim to heroin at the age of 20 had to suffer the humiliation of prison and street prostitution, a court heard. Burnley Magistrates were told how Gina Smallwood, 24, was now deeply motivated to try and kick the habit -- and the bench
TRAVELLING the world as a soldier was all Carl Rivers ever wanted as he grew up in Burnley. But after serving in the Gulf War and Northern Ireland, Carl is fighting his toughest battle --against Gulf War Syndrome. The former infantryman was convicted
CARLISLE UNITED 3 BURY 2 (Full time 2-2, Carlisle win on golden goal rule) by Phil Thorp BURY'S hopes of a money-spinning trip to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium for the LDV Vans Trophy final fell by the wayside in heartbreaking circumstances at Brunton
POLICE today appealed for information after a woman in her thirties was attacked as she walked her dog. The victim, not named by police, was in Marsden Park, Nelson, when she was appraoched by four men at 7pm on Monday. One of the men demanded money from
RESIDENTS in the Whitefield ward of Nelson are being encouraged to get involved in a clean-up campaign this weekend. Pendle Council's neighbourhood pride officer Nasreen Khanam will be joined by ward councillors to encourage residents in the ward tohelp
THE people of Pendle had their fingers crossed today after it was revealed the popular Barrowford Agricultural Show could be back this year after a break of two years. Restrictions imposed during the foot and mouth crisis in 2001 forced the show to be
TAKE one part reality TV show and add a large helping of tacky gameshow and you have the ingredients for this hugely entertaining and wickedly observed production. Brought to the Octagon by the acclaimed Hull Truck Theatre Company, Reunion will appeal
MUSIC mad Alison Currie went south to meet her idols, chart toppers Go West. Alison, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, received the VIP treatment on her trip to Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham for her 21st birthday.
YOUNGSTERS were able to clown around in class when circus performers visited their school. Cedars Infant School pupils in Blackburn invited Manchester-based Bright Red Circus Group to spin plates and juggle as part of a school project.
POLICE have stepped up patrols around a town centre building site, in a bid to combat teeny vandals who have caused £30,000-worth of damage. Youths, and children as young as nine, have been regularly spotted late at night in the area around the £8million
NINE people were arrested after the body of a man was found slumped in the back seat of a car. The 19-year-old man was discovered by people living in Commercial Street, Oswaldtwistle, at 2.30pm yesterday. Police believe he may have died from a drugs overdose
LANCASHIRE girls are the best! That's the verdict of boy band Blazin' Squad who took to the stage in a special concert at a school. Hysteria erupted at St Cecilia's RC High School, Longridge, when the ten teen rappers from East London took to the stage
VISITORS to Bethesda Street United Reform Church in Burnley during the next fortnight will be able to find out more about the music of the town. Local historian James Howell, who writes the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Bygone Burnley column, has organised
DRISSA Diallo snubbed first division leaders Portsmouth in order to pursue a career with the Clarets. And two games into his month-long deal, he admitted: "I am very happy here." And despite his short stay to date he has already seen enough to convince
FIVE members of Radcliffe Athletics Club decided to start the New Year as they mean to go on by running the Ovenden Fell Race, from Oldham's Ogden Reservoir. Winter fell races are always highly likely to be affected by extreme cold, snow, driving winds
REDUNDANT workers from one of Burnley's biggest employers are getting back to work, with a little help from each other. Hundreds of people who lost their jobs when the Michelin tyre factory closed last year have been invited to a reunion of staff. And
DARWEN'S Kung Fu School has donated a children's rocker to the Sudellside Community Centre's Parents and Carers Group. The group, who raise money for local charities, was keen to help the group in its quest to provide a much-needed community service.
A NEW course has made sure youngsters take to water like little ducklings. The Duckling Award Grade, a ten-week course, has been recently launched by Sure Start and is available for pre-school children from four months old. The grade involves youngsters
ANIMAL lovers today urged people who want to adopt a pet to overcome what they have dubbed "coat discrimination". Charity workers said black and black and white coats lose out when it comes to picking a new pet. Pauline Roper, of East Lancashire Cats
A DISQUALIFIED driver, trying to get to Liverpool for a family gathering at the graveside of his father, was stopped by police driving a friend's car. Blackburn magistrates heard that Steven Farrell was also caught driving less than a month later, when
A BAR owner fears live music could be banned from his venue after he was prosecuted for Health and Safety breaches. Daniel Hook, owner of the The Cellar Bar, King Street, Blackburn, fears councillors could refuse to renew his public entertainment licence
RSPCA inspectors who seized a bull-mastiff type dog from a Blackburn house could see every bone in its emaciated body, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates banned Amanda Jane Hickey and Sean Pinder from keeping any animal for the next 10 years. The
AN IRAQI Kurd stabbed to death in a Blackburn street was an asylum seeker who had been refused residency in Britain. Mokhliss Mostafa, 26, was finally identified 36 hours after dying after his fingerprints were checked against immigration records. Mr
EDUCATION bosses have spoken of their determination to fill teaching vacancies after a recruitment fair attracted hundreds of would-be applicants. The Blackburn with Darwen Council event, held at Ewood Park on Sunday, was aimed at persuading people to
PEOPLE with an interest in homelessness are invited along to the next meeting of the Bury Housing Forum. The Forum will be staging an event intended to help further shape the borough's plans on how to tackle homelessness in the town. The meeting, on Thursday
ACCRINGTON Stanley's Crown Ground has been passed fit for the Nationwide Conference but that is not enough for the UniBond Premier Division leaders - they want a ground good enough for the Football League. Ground grading inspectors visited Stanley recently
The Rams, bottom of the NWCL first division, went behind to a dubious first-minute penalty awarded after a Newcastle player ran into the Rams' Liam Bowden. Andy Bott duly scored the spot kick but just 10 minutes later the home side could have equalised
WOLVES striker Michael Branch has emerged as Craig Brown's latest target in his hunt for a new frontman. The former Everton players was included in today's reserve team which took on Bury. This season, he has been frozen out at Molineux and has been on
PRESTON manager Craig Brown is confident Ricardo Fuller will make a full recovery from his serious knee operation. The Jamaican, out of action since November with cruciate ligament damage, underwent surgery in Colorado last week to reconstruct a knee.
IPSWICH extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches with two-goal super-sub Darren Bent condemning patched-up Preston to a fifth consecutive defeat in Division One. Town's steady march up the table continues to gather momentum, but the scoreline
PRESTON have ditched attempts to sign Arsenal's young striker Michael Barratt after he demanded higher wages than established forward duo Ricardo Fuller and Richard Cresswell. Barrett, currently on loan at Brighton, has kept North End hanging on for over
