WE all know the National Health Service is under huge financial pressure. Those running it on a daily basis have to keep within restrictive, government-imposed cash targets. And if those targets are not met, heads are likely to roll. Budgetary controls
REGARDING the story about vets stopping their 24-hour service (LET November 24). I and other animal owners have a great deal of respect for our vets and their staff as you get to know them well if your animal does not have good health. We have, over the
THOUSANDS of East Lancashire residents came together to remember Britian's war dead. Towns and villages across the region held church services and wreath laying ceremonies to mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. One of the biggest was in Blackburn
We need rules and we need them now. Either we take the shoes off or we leave them on. Which is it? We are not mind readers my dearest friends. We need guidelines and we need them pronto! It is no longer as simple as it used to be. I went to a house and
Blackburn Rovers trio Brett Emerton, Lucas Neill and Morten Gamst Pedersen still have it all to do if they are to fulfil their dreams of appearing at next summer's World Cup finals. Neill and Emerton were part of the Australian side that lost 1-0 to Uruguay
BLACKBURN Rovers fanatic Gordon Ormerod is hoping to compile the most comprehensive history ever written about the club as a lasting legacy for future generations of like-minded football devotees. The 58-year-old, who hails from Wigan, has been hooked
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen has vowed to prove his critics wrong by leading Norway to a place at next summer's World Cup finals. The former Tromso star has come under fire for his recent performances for the Norwegian national side
MEMBERS of Blackburn Rovers' new Independent Supporters Association are working together with the club in a bid to try and come up with a solution to the problem of falling attendances at Ewood Park. BRISA was formed last month by a group of like-minded
A BURNLEY flautist is holding a charity concert in memory of her mother. Helen Tansey is organising the St Cecilia's Day concert on November 22 with Fence and Pendleside Fundraisers for Pendleside Hospice, in memory of Patricia Maria Tansey. Local musicians
AN inquest has been opened into the death of a young woman who plunged 25ft from an upstairs window. Amanda Alexander, 26, of Booth Crescent, Waterfoot, suffered head injuries after the fall in the early hours of November 7. She fell from the bathroom
AN elderly woman narrowly avoided a gas explosion after leaving her gas oven on all night. Neighbours alerted firefighters after smelling gas the next morning. Crews attended the property at Clover View, Burnley, at around 11am yesterday to find the 83
THE body of a pensioner was found in his home more than a month after he died. Today neighbours said the horrific discovery of Bernard Kelly, 78, in his terraced house in Eldwick Street, Burnley, demonstrates how communities are no longer close-knit.
MIDNIGHT football matches are being set up to keep teenagers off the streets and away from crime. Community leaders are staging late night games because they think it will reduce crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour - especially late at night when
A COLNE mental health project could shut its doors as early as next week due to a £20,000 funding shortfall. Greenspace runs horticultural projects in Burnley and Colne. But money from Lancashire County Council social services and the local Primary Care
TELEVISION personality and ChildLine founder Esther Rantzen was guest of honour when East Lancashire business-women celebrated their achievements with a glamorous awards ceremony. The Unique women in business organisation, part of the East Lancs Chamber
A BRAVE and determined young woman died from a brain tumour the day before friends held a fund-raising party in her name. Today, the parents of Catherine Kearney, 24, told of how everyone was determined the event would go ahead. And Eddie and Joan Kearney
Nas-T and Mirza MC's collaboration with Nasir Khan has helped ensure 'Sodhnai Nain' stormed up the charts this month The debut single by Nasir Khan who's album, Sensation is released soon, hit the number one spot on the Zee TV music chart and stayed there
AN East Lancashire community 'legend' invited to speak at a charity conference used the event to lobby for more local cash. Mel Diack, of Clitheroe, recently crowned winner of the National Lottery Local Legend award, was invited to speak at the National
SIMON Grayson's debut as temporary boss of Blackpool ended in a thrilling win over Scunthorpe United yesterday. The former Blackburn Rovers defender, who is in charge while the club search for a successor to Colin Hendry, led his side to a 5-2 victory
BURNLEY chairman Barry Kilby's deal to buy Turf Moor and Gawthorpe for £3million should be sealed later this week. The Clarets will then be 'debt free' with no outside creditors, just two years after a £600,000 loss almost dragged the club into administration
THE aches and pains have just about started to wear off for Jamie Hoyland after his debut marathon. The former Burnley defender, who was famed for vomiting before every game because of nerves, admitted that he was close to maintaining his trend in last
BURNLEY may look to bring in a goalkeeper for just seven days as emergency cover for Brian Jensen. The Clarets are in the market for a loan signing to cover for their only fit-senior stopper, who misses the home game against Leicester City a week today
BURNLEY chairman Barry Kilby today scotched rumours of a massive cash injection after announcing a major £10million shares issue. And as the Clarets continue to recover from the brink of financial meltdown, Kilby revealed the club is still losing money
ENGLAND stand-in skipper Marcus Trescothick batted his team into a dominant position in the first Test in Multan today. The somerset batsman made a superb 193 in his side's 414-9 - to give England an overall lead on 140over Pakistan. Trescothick, whose
League Challenge Cup Round Two: Great Harwood buried the ghost of a season past when they delivered a knockout blow to Atherton Colleries. Victory in the NWCL Challenge Cup second round was especially sweet as Colleries' last day victory in the 2004-2005
CHORLEY golfer Nick Dougherty had to settle for joint third at the HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai. Dougherty, who was leading the tournament with Howell after round two, fell away and ended six behind the winner Howell and three behind Tiger Woods
League Challenge Cup Round Two: A professional performance saw the Rams through to the next round of the North West Counties League Challenge Cup. The scoreline could have been greater had it not been for a fine goalkeeping display from Mechanics keeper
DEREK Egan's reign as Rossendale United manager started off with a cracker of a game against the UniBond First Division's in-form side Spalding United. With eight new signings in the starting line up, it was always going to be difficult for the side to
The Blues battled to an FA Trophy replay after gaining a well deserved draw against their UniBond Premier League opponents. Both sides will feel they could have won this game and tomorrow's replay promises to be another exciting encounter. On a difficult
Prog rock star Greg Lake, formerly of King Crimson and supergroup Emerson, Lake And Palmer - is bringing his new six-piece band to Preston on November 14. Dorset-born Lake will be at the Guild Hall to explore his four-decade career as part of his first
ACCRINGTON Stanley sent Grays Athletic's chance to set a new Conference record crashing down around their ears, then celebrated as if they had won the league. They may be premature, but if Saturday's tempo and level of performance is maintained for the
Your diary of the big gigs coming to Lancashire soon, including the likes of Status Quo, Paul Weller, Doves, Blondie, The Coral, Australian Pink Floyd, The Magic Numbers and Fun Lovin' Criminals. NOVEMBER 14 Alan Price, Thwaites Theatre, Blackburn, £11
A FORMER British, European and World arm-wrestling champion is facing his toughest opponent yet - a two pound albino rabbit. And Neil Pickup is desperate for its owners to claim it as he fears his new long-eared friend could cost him glory at next month's
A DEVELOPER had his dreams dashed when plans to create a holiday park were refused. Today the man behind the ambitious "tourism boosting" proposals said he would fight Rossendale Council 's decision and is considering an appeal. The scheme for 20 holiday
Hopes for the long-awaited relaunch of the historic Fleetwood to Knott End ferry service have been sunk again. Wyre Council bosses have announced that the new year-round service will not set sail on November 8 as originally hoped, but will be officially
Salmon, dolphins and sea horses are making their homes off and around the Fylde Coast, a leading water specialist says. Jeff Lang, the man in charge of waste water for United Utilities says £7 billion of new investment has paid off for the region with
Two lucky female entrepreneurs have won places on the first-ever women's trade mission to India. The competition was run by the Ethnic Minority Business Forum North West, to encourage women business owners to consider international trade as a way of growing
A 21-year-old man who tried to be a peacemaker ended up in a prolonged struggle with police who were trying to arrest him, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard an officer involved said he had never come across anyone who struggled so violently
FOUR people were arrested and 251 cars were stopped as part of a police operation targeting travelling crooks. Officers ran an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) checkpoint in Bolton Road, Ewood, from Tuesday until Saturday. Detective Inspector
Two students from Burnley College have made the step up to university after achieving excellent exam results at the College. Syed Shah, a former pupil of Barden High School in Burnley, completed his Advanced Level Business course at the College and has
The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) welcomed the release of the report 'Promoting Good Campus Relations: Dealing with Hate Crimes and Intolerance', from Universities UK (UUK). FOSIS shares the concerns outlined within the report that academic
New drivers are being reminded that if they receive six penalty points they will lose their licence. This is compared to the 12 points limit for other drivers. The new campaign aims to improve safety on the roads after recent figures showed 20 per cent
ERIC SKORA got his month-long loan to Walsall off to a flying start at the weekend. He scored the Saddlers' second in a 2-0 victory over Gillingham to cap a star performance in League One. Coming on as substitute, he volleyed home early in the second
I think the article 'Marriage Bureaux: An Islamic perspective' was very interesting. I have been asked about this issue many times by many people and as a Muslim could not explain it fully. It gave a detailed explanation as to how some places do not adhere
DICKSON ETUHU has agreed a two-month loan deal to Norwich City - but is already talking as though he will be there for good. The 23-year-old joined ex-Blackpool boss Nigel Worthington's Canaries on Friday afternoon. The former Manchester City youngster
I fully agree with the letter concerning child abuse within the community. I feel it is time someone lifted the lid on some of the horrors that take place. The people in our community get so outraged and shocked if they see an Asian woman behaving inappropriately
If we are to follow the guidelines set by the Ulema of Dar-Ul-Ifta then we single women wont meet anyone. I felt the article failed to recognise the modern day problems many single women go through. If our family members cannot act as walis then who will
The big question on everyones lips is, 'Is it prudent for Saddam Hussein to stand trial for alleged war crimes in Iraq?' If so then why are Bush and Blair also not tried for war crimes for thousands of needless civilian deaths and injuries. Their downward
Prince Charles received a warm Lancashire welcome when he visited the county. The Prince was in Burnley and Nelson where he witnessed a range of projects from football in the community to regeneration. He kicked off his first official visit to Burnley
Asian businesses are being urged to view a CD Rom in a new campaign against underage sales launched by Lancashire Trading Standards. The Age Check training packag has been introduced by Trading Standards in response to figures showing shopkeepers in the
The response of international governments to the Asian earthquake was condemned as a "disgrace" by a leading charity. Weeks after the earthquake ripped through Pakistan and India killing an estimated 80,000 people, Save the Children said the international
The Hindu Forum of Britain has welcomed the discussions between the Department of Trade and Industry and the Royal Mail. This has resulted in a decision on 4th November that Post Office branches would not to issue the 68 pence Christmas stamp to customers
A surgeon has arrived home to help victims of the South Asian earthquake. Dr Mohsin Shakil had been working at Bradford Royal Infirmary for one month of a three-month cultural exchange from Kashmir when the tragedy struck. He has returned to the region
DETECTIVES hunting a gang of machette-wielding bank raiders today appealed for residents who saw the robbers switch cars to come forward. Officers investigating the attempted raid on the NatWest, Copy Nook, Blackburn, believe that information could hold
THE TV licence is to rise to approximately £180 over a period of time. In 2004 the BBC spent £12.5million on taxis for its staff here and abroad. This year we have seen gas and electricity prices rise sharply, this has also had a knock-on effect on the
I UNDERSTAND that both Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and her deputy Norman Warner have both refused to attend the official opening of the new Darwen Health Centre. Our MP Janet Anderson was shocked and angry that it took a Labour minister three months
ROAD signs across East Lancashire have been hauled down by a group campaigning for the county's historic boundaries to be re-instated. National organisation CountyWatch removed signs at Wilpshire, Guide, Belthorn, Preston Old Road, Knuzden and Whitebirk
MIDNIGHT football matches are being set up to keep teenagers off the streets and away from crime. Community leaders are staging late night games because they think it will reduce crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour - especially late at night when
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is set to lose Aaron Mokoena for a three-week period during the New Year after the midfield hardman has indicated his intention to lead his country in the African Nations Cup. Mokoena, nicknamed 'The Axe', will be on duty with
A BURNLEY College boss is celebrating after fulfilling his lifetime's ambition of climbing to Mount Everest base camp. Tired, breathless from the high altitude and after days of trekking thousands of feet above sea level, Julian Clissold, assistant principal
A BURNLEY pensioner died from complications during an operation aimed at saving her life, an inquest was told. Marigold Boggs, 67, of Roughlee Grove, underwent the operation to reduce a narrowing of the arteries in her neck that doctors feared could cause
COUNCIL chiefs have approved bulldozing 26 homes in Burnley Wood to provide land for new housing and open spaces in a £1.3million project. But one property owner is opposing the compulsory purchase orders needed to buy up the houses saying it is "stupid
A MAN who was made aggressive by steroid abuse has been jailed for 20 months after a "road rage" attack. Burnley Crown Court heard how Imran Bashir, 29, who later absconded to Pakistan, "stalked" and chased his victim, looking for confrontation after
NELSON residents can take a look at plans for their area next week. People living in Bradley ward are being asked for their views on schemes to revitalise the area following public consultation in September. More than 300 residents told regeneration bosses
Keiron Cunningham is confident Great Britain will not be left to rue their slow start to the Gillette Tri-Nations Series. The Lions hit their straps in convincing fashion with a record-breaking 38-12 victory over the Kiwis at Huddersfield on Saturday
TICKETS have gone on sale for a star-studded concert to raise cash for an East Lancashire charity. The 'Stars for a Night' talent contest has been organised by the Clarets Trust, a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation run by Burnley supporters. Visitors
WORK has started on a project to plug the final hole in Hyndburn's cycle path network. The scheme will create a low-level causeway across Platt's Lodge, behind the borough council's offices, in Ormerod Street, Accrington, and a bridge across Woodnook
Friends, relatives and colleagues packed into St Cuthbert's Church, Lytham, to pay tribute to one of the Fylde's best and best loved journalists. More than 250 mourners gathered yesterday (Wednesday) to pay tribute to Bob Gray, former editor of the Citizen
Burnley chairman Barry Kilby has hailed the "tremendous" job done so far by manager Steve Cotterill and his backroom team. Kilby said: "Everyone knows about the change in policy when Steve came in as manager. "The players we started to bring in have borne
Burnley fans are reminded that tickets are now on general sale for the Championship game at Leeds United on Tuesday, November 22. The Clarets have been allocated 3,205 tickets for the south stand, priced at £20 (adults) and £10 (senior citizens &
IT WAS celebrations all round at Victory Park as Chorley finally delivered their first league win at home this season. And in the process they at last laying their Belper bogy, putting one over the Nailers for the first time in thirteen UniBond First
League Challenge Cup, Round Two: Three goals in the final five minutes and a dug-out brawl brought this entertaining encounter to a spectacular end. Chris Clarke thought he had won it for Colne as he marked his debut with a brilliant goal four minutes
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is set to lose Aaron Mokoena for a three-week period during the New Year after the midfield hardman has indicated his intention to lead his country in the African Nations Cup. Mokoena, nicknamed 'The Axe', will be on duty with
BURNLEY chairman Barry Kilby today scotched rumours of a massive cash injection after announcing a major £10million shares issue. And as the Clarets continue to recover from the brink of financial meltdown, Kilby revealed the club is still losing money
Indie rockers, Ocean Colour Scene, will drop into Preston on November 19 for a special gig at The Mill as you have never seen them before. Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison will be live and unplugged, without band mates, Steve Cradock, Andy Bennett and
IF YOU HARK back to the days of The Stranglers, The Jam and The Bodysnatchers then you're in for a real treat when 3 Men & Black perform at Colne Muni on November 18. The band is made up of an informal gathering of four or five of a wealth of artists
POLICE are still trying to piece together the final hours of a man who died after being found collapsed over a wall. Police today revealed that the man, who died on Tuesday night, was 57-year-old Thomas Goodson, who lived alone in Joseph Street, Darwen
A POPULAR annual exhibition is set to be axed after too many local artists began complaining that their work was not being shown. Almost 50 people displayed paintings and drawings in this year's art exhibition at the Sunnyhurst Wood Visitor Centre, Darwen
A SIX-year-old boy found his young mum's body after she died in the night from what is believed to be a diabetic coma. The youngster rushed to a neighbour's house where he told them his mum Katherine Hanson had been sleeping and he could not wake her
A spate of wheelie bin-nappings has left Wyre council chiefs faced with a £1,400 clearing-up bill after police were inundated with calls. More than 70 of the council's grey wheelie bins - worth £20 each - have been reported missing to police in the borough
Two new routes to Blackpool International Airport have given the resort an end-of-illuminations tourism boost. The first ever Monarch flight from Malaga to Squires Gate last Thursday brought in 103 visitors from Spain while a Jet2 flight from Belfast
Tourism chiefs will not be switched off the idea of national TV advertising despite visitor numbers failing to soar after Blackpool's first television advertising campaign. Members of the Blackpool Marketing Consortium are set to meet this week to discuss
An undercover 'sting' by trading standards has revealed Blackpool is no longer one of the North West's hotspots for underage booze sales. The two-month 'mystery shopper' style operation - carried out by the resort's trading standards officials and Nightsafe
ABF Enterprise4all Ltd and Leeds Metropolitan University have launched a professional educational award to recognise individuals and companies in the business sector. The Professional Diploma in Management is a cost effective investment in staff development
A STRAY albino rabbit who prevented an arm-wrestler from training for next month's world championships in Tokyo has been reunited with its owner. Former British, European and World arm-wrestling champion Neil Pickup took pity on the pet after he spotted
BLACKBURN witnessed "the birth of a new theatre" on Saturday night. Thwaites Empire Theatre, Ewood, officially opened its new balcony -- taking capacity to 320 seats -- with a star-studded variety show. The once-derelict building has been transformed
A MAN flew into a jealous rage after overhearing his girlfriend talking about sex at the top of her voice in a shop, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates watched a video tape that showed Vincent Cook, 25, storm into the shop, grab his girlfriend by
A MAN whose wife lost her brave battle against breast cancer despite winning the right to be treated with herceptin has said he is astounded women still struggle to get the drug. Michelle Hilton died in 2001 and her husband Barrie today said he was "disgusted
ROAD signs across East Lancashire have been hauled down by a group campaigning for the county's historic boundaries to be re-instated. National organisation CountyWatch removed signs at Wilpshire, Guide, Belthorn, Preston Old Road, Knuzden and Whitebirk
MOTORBIKE legend Carl Fogarty has launched an amazing broadside at fellow Lancashire racer Neil Hodgson. Four-time World Superbike champion Foggy, known as the Blackburn bullet, slammed Burnley rider Hodgson labelling his season in American Superbikes
Getting a pilot licence these days is not the easiest of tasks especially when you want to travel to America to do it! But it was just what student Anas Patel set out to do to realise a life-long dream. Anas left school and went on to do a BTEC National
Boxers from across the North West took part in the first boxing gala to be held by Audley Boxing Club. And it was 20-year-old Taqiq Khan who maintained his impressive record to win his ninth fight out of nine. That puts him in contention for a place in
Bradford's Albion Sport made it a year to remember by winning the UK National Asian Football Championships held in Glasgow. After finishing runners-up in the FA Carlsberg Cup in April this time there were no mistakes. Lancashire however will have to wait
Regarding the article Crackdown on Forced MarriagesI think there is still some confusion. When people think of forced marriages they immediately think of parents taking their children abroad and getting them married. But for most it isn't like that. I
A woman who lost 30 members of her family in the South Asia Earthquake travelled to Pakistan to help victims. Shaheen Akhtar returned to the UK saying specialist orthopaedic surgeons are desperately needed to help treat people with horrific injuries.
Yobs have attacked a community learning centre, which is used by Muslim women, in the holy week of Ramadan. A scene of devastation greeted manager Hanif Alli when he opened Hibbert Street Community Centre in Halliwell. Computers had been smashed and furniture
