"THE only good grey squirrel is a dead one" I once heard a forester say, and if there is a lot of them it is hard to disagree with him. Let us, however, get a few facts straight. Although they are often described as an "ugly tree rat" we have to accept
I THOUGHT Christmas was about Christ! Christmas is not specifically about children, nor even grottoes. If more allegedly religious people thought about Christ it might be better for the world, even for agnostics like me! BRIAN TODD, Heys Lane, Blackburn
SO a 15 year old who held up a sign saying "BNP" in a school bus is immediately arrested and threatened with expulsion. I suspect that had he been holding up a 'stop Bush' sign nothing would have been said. To the headmaster of Mansfield and the community
IF DISPLAYING a sign saying BNP was the only reason a community support officer had for stopping and arresting a school pupil, then we are now indeed living in a police state. As far as I am aware membership of the BNP is not in itself an arrestable offence
THE HARDY fans who travelled to the Isle of Man last summer were first to witness the phenomenon. No, not the Blackpool team heading out on a fishing trip like a scene from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, or the sight of Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore
UNION leaders today told of their determination to overturn the decision to close the Philips TV glass factory at Simonstone next year with the loss of 410 jobs. They pledged today to try and pursuade bosses at LG Philips Displays to reverse their plans
GRAEME Souness is confident of wrapping up a deal for American striker Brian McBride despite reports suggesting the move might not be as straight-forward as first thought. Souness has already started negotiations with the player's agent, Paul Stretford
FOOTBALL'S incredible ability to throw up surprises never ceases to amaze me. Who would have thought that Blackburn Rovers would be entering the most crucial month of the season so far with Andy Todd and Craig Short as the team's potential saviours? Cast
CHIEF Constable Paul Stephenson is spearheading a recruitment drive aimed at making Lancashire Constabulary more representative of its diverse communities. Mr Stephenson will attend an informal get-together of potential recruits, local community members
ANGRY club bosses today backed East Lancashire MP Nigel Evans in condemning plans for a new anti-crime 'tax'. The idea of the new tax on major licensed and entertainment premises in urban centres such as Blackburn, Burnley, Nelson and Accrington was floated
WORK is due to start on a new technology centre on the former Michelin site in Burnley, thanks to a £2million cash boost from the North West Development Agency. The building, which will provide accommodation for up to 20 small and medium sized enterprises
A 49-YEAR-old man is to face prosecution for the manslaughter of a mother-of-two who died as she walked on a beach with her two sons in a case which will make British legal history. Teaching assistant Carole Cruz, 38, was cut in half when she was hit
A FATHER-OF-FIVE who left a gay man in a coma with multiple injuries is behind bars for five years. Burnley Crown Court heard how Michael Chappell, 26, repeatedly stamped on victim Nigel Hughes' head and chest and kicked him, like he was a football. One
A MAN who was found lying in the street with serious head injuries has died, police said today. Allan Clynch died at 5pm yesterday, just two days after being found in the street. Mr Clynch was found lying in Whalley Road, Accrington, at 5.45pm on Sunday
A PROUD father has spoken of his heartbreak as he prepares to say his last goodbyes to one son just 24 hours after watching his other son collect a masters degree. Malcolm Binns' 13-year-old son Stephen died suddenly after contracting flu, almost nine
CHILDREN in one of the most deprived areas in East Lancashire have seen their dream of a new play area come true. Two new facilities designed by youngsters have been opened in Church in the last four days. Councillors say the schemes are a welcome boost
NO CRIMINAL charges will be brought over the death of a grandmother, it has been revealed. The news was announced today as an inquest was set to start into the death of Eveline Birtwell. A police investigation was launched into the death of the 82-year-old
NO criminal charges will be brought over the death of a grandmother, it has been revealed. The news was announced today as an inquest started into the death of Eveline Birtwell. A police investigation was launched into the death of the 82-year-old, who
TERRY Pashley is confident Burnley can upset near-neighbours Preston in tonight's Lancashire FA Youth Cup tie at Turf Moor. The Clarets youngsters are without top scorer Rhys Carpenter for the visit of North End in the competition, which is limited to
DRINK-DRIVER Raymond Volkert, 45, of Hannah Street, Darwen, was laughing from when he was stopped in Clayton Street through to when he was charged, magistrates heard. The arresting officer described him as "jovial" and when told he was going to be arrested
POLICE were called to a disturbance involving the parents of a four year old boy who was hospitalised last month after inadvertently taking ecstasy which had been hidden in a kettle. Blackburn magistrates heard that the child's parents, Kelvin Bonney
POLICE questioning al Qaida suspect Sajid Badat, a former student at an Islamic college in Blackburn, have just 24 hours left before deciding whether to charge or release him. The 24-year-old was arrested in Gloucester last Thursday morning on suspicion
A PROUD father has spoken of his heartbreak as he prepares to say his last goodbyes to one son just 24 hours after watching his other son collect a masters degree. Malcolm Binns' 13-year-old son Stephen died suddenly after contracting flu, almost nine
JUST 10 years ago, the Philips TV glass plant in Simonstone - still known locally as 'Mullard' - was the most modern in Europe. The then president of the Dutch multinational, Jan Timmer, travelled from Holland to open the new tube plant which he promised
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl suffered a broken leg after being dragged across school changing rooms and thrown down stairs by two other girls, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard the victim was left in a dark room until a teacher at Witton Park High School
JAMIE Speare is desperate to become top of the stops after battling back from the brink of a confidence crisis. And the Accrington Stanley goalkeeper can think of no better time to prove himself than Saturday's FA Cup showdown at Second Division Bournemouth
BOTH goalkeepers were on top form to keep the scoresheet blank in what was one of the most entertaining goalless draws there has been at Dark Lane. Worksop Town await the winners of next Tuesday's replay in the next round, but Dale should have been the
RAMSBOTTOM'S new management duo of Vince Overson and Ged Walsh got off to a winning start at Skelmersdale. The first half was played at a frantic pace, with both teams looking to capitalise on any mistakes by the opposing defences. The first notable clear-cut
BLACKBURN Hawks stepped up a grade and matched Premier League opponents Telford to earn a 8-8 tie in a Premier Cup clash, staged on Wildfoxes' territory. Twenty-four hours later at the Arena, the in-form Hawks outplayed Scottish league side Dumfries,
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Christmas Tree Festival, Wesley Hall Methodist Church, Fielden Street, Blackburn, 10am-4pm and 6pm-8pm. English Folk Dance and Song Society's Folk Dance, All Saints School
AN EXCELLENT place to visit to watch wildlife is Pennington Flash. The country park is signed along the A572 and within easy reach of the M6. From our area it is an easy journey of around 45 minutes. The part was opened in 1981 and consists of around
!TWO terrible cases over the past fortnight have highlighted just how warped society's obsession with appearance has become. In the most shocking, the Rev Joanna Jepson is calling for the prosecution of a doctor in Hereford who terminated the life of
LINDA Sawley loves children. So when she and her husband Jim found they couldn't have a family, the disappointment might have scarred her life. Instead Linda, 54, has drawn on her humorous experiences in her work as a midwife and children's nurse to create
A FAMOUS festive landmark which can be seen for miles around is in full glow. Accrington Stanley chairman Eric Whalley pushed the button to light up the giant white star on top of the Thwaites' brewery building in Blackburn. He performed the annual tradition
THE water authorities are warning that we are in for a dry time. With that in mind, I wonder if readers are aware that most people can try a water meter free of charge for 13 months to see how it compares with the present rateable value-based bill that
WELL Blackburn with Darwen Council have done it again! They have turned a potentially good idea into a nonsense. I am referring to the widening of the road at Eanam. At the announcement of this scheme it was said improvements were needed to get the traffic
HOW despicable is the attempt by Chris Davies, Lib Dem MEP, to sell us his federalist EU constitution on what he perceives to be a wave of anti-Americanism. He confuses anti-Bush administration with anti-Americanism. There is a stark difference. While
WORK is due to start on a new technology centre on the former Michelin site in Burnley, thanks to a £2million cash boost from the North West Development Agency. The building, which will provide accommodation for up to 20 small and medium sized enterprises
NEW signing Matt Derbyshire could be in line for his Youth Cup debut as Rovers prepare to face Bury Town in the third round tonight. The 17-year-old striker, who recently joined Rovers from North West Counties League side Great Harwood Town, has been
IF there's one thing that makes my blood boil more than anything else in football it's the performance of certain referees. Call me an old cynic if you want but I can't stand officials who enjoy being the centre of attention. Don't get me wrong, I've
A PUB worker saw red when he returned home from a night in police cells and found his girlfriend and a close friend in bed together. Burnley Crown Court heard how the scene which greeted angry Brian Thompson, 27, was said to be totally innocent - but
COUNTRYSIDE chiefs have come up with a £2m five-year vision for making the Forest of Bowland even more spectacular. Members of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) committee for the area meet on Friday to discuss the plan, which aims to conserve
SEVEN magnificent friends of Mark McMurray rallied round when they found out he was battling leukaemia. In a show of solidarity, they all had their heads shaved so they would blend in with their pal when he loses his hair after chemotherapy. Mark, 17,
COUNTRYSIDE chiefs have come up with a £2m five-year vision for making the Forest of Bowland even more spectacular. Members of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) committee for the area meet on Friday to discuss the plan, which aims to conserve
THE Ribble Valley will be the first area in the country to see a new breed of emergency personnel on the beat, it has been revealed. Emergency Services Community Support Officers will be trained in police, fire and fire aid techniques and take up their
A TEENAGE footballer died when his car collided with a bus in Earby an inquest heard yesterday. Daniel Connor, 18, of Tyseley Grove, Earby, died of multiple injuries after his car was involved in a head-on collision with a single decker bus in Salterforth
BURNLEY goalkeeper Brian Jensen today admitted all he wants this Christmas is a few clean sheets. The former West Brom stopper has become irritated by the lack of stop-outs this season as the Clarets have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 games
Maybe. Good games, bad games, successful seasons, relegation, good times, bad times. In football, business or anything, maybe to"look at every bad decision that goes against you, as a blessing in disguise, an opportunity to be turned around to your advantage"is
GRAEME Souness is confident of wrapping up a deal for American striker Brian McBride despite reports suggesting the move might not be as straight-forward as first thought. Souness has already started negotiations with the player's agent, Paul Stretford
BURNLEY goalkeeper Brian Jensen today admitted all he wants this Christmas is a few clean sheets. The former West Brom stopper has become irritated by the lack of stop-outs this season as the Clarets have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 games
SCOUTS and guides in Darwen are to carry out a special delivery of Christmas post in Darwen, Lower Darwen and Hoddlesden. Each year since 1987, the Darwen District Explorer Scouts and Cellar Dwellers Ranger Guide Unit have provided the service. Special
DARWEN Labour MP Janet Anderson was among a group of people who witnessed a road accident in Hindle Street in the town. Blackburn magistrates heard that information supplied by Mrs Anderson's party enabled police to track down the driver of one of the
A DARWEN cat lover has launched a Christmas campaign to ensure that festive felines don't become unwanted gifts by the New Year. Maureen Savage, of Moggies Cat Rescue in Stansfield Street, is determined to prevent cats becoming frightened or abandoned
SEVEN magnificent friends of Mark McMurray rallied round when they found out he was battling leukaemia. In a show of solidarity, they all had their heads shaved so they would blend in with their pal when he loses his hair after chemotherapy. Mark, 17,
LANCASHIRE'S fire service has appointed a new deputy chief fire officer. Former assistant chief fire officer, Paul Richardson, has taken up the post following the retirement of his predecessor, Gerry O'Neill. Paul, who describes himself as "a Lancashire
CHIEF Constable Paul Stephenson is spearheading a recruitment drive aimed at making Lancashire Constabulary more representative of its diverse communities. Mr Stephenson will attend an informal get-together of potential recruits, local community members
ANGRY club bosses today backed East Lancashire MP Nigel Evans in condemning plans for a new anti-crime 'tax'. The idea of the new tax on major licensed and entertainment premises in urban centres such as Blackburn, Burnley, Nelson and Accrington was floated
A MAN who has breached a restraining order seven times in seven months confronted his ex-wife as she collected her son from school. Blackburn magistrates heard that David John Kealey threatened to "take" his children if he wasn't allowed to see them.
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl suffered a broken leg after being dragged across school changing rooms and thrown down stairs by two other girls, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard the victim was left in a dark room until a teacher at Witton Park High School
UNION leaders today told of their determination to overturn the decision to close the Philips TV glass factory at Simonstone next year with the loss of 410 jobs. They pledged today to try and pursuade bosses at LG Philips Displays to reverse their plans
EVERAL new signings have joined Bacup over the past couple of months, and during the first half this was evident as they looked like a team of strangers. But that all changed after Salford took the lead on 20 minutes following a free kick given away by
