BURNLEY-born England Test cricket star James Anderson was a guest of honour at the opening of a new £4.2m sports centre. The state-of-the-art sports complex at St Theodore's Catholic Sports College and Sixth Form, Ormerod Road, offers a range of indoor
A BURGLAR was branded despicable and disgusting today after stealing £9,500 worth of items from a primary school. Police and education bosses rounded on the burglar following the raid at Springfield Community Primary School, Oxford Road, Burnley, over
AN Asian taxi driver was racially abused and then attacked after an argument over a fare. Police today said the assault on the taxi driver in Slater Avenue, Colne, was being treated as a racist incident and that such behaviour would not be tolerated.
THE new owners of a building which used to be a Colne supermarket have been revealed. St Modwen Properties Plc have taken over the former Kwik Save, Craddock Street, after the firm bought the supermarket as part of a £13million buy out of stores across
A BARNOLDSWICK band is launching a bid for stardom after winning a national competition. Bashphelt has beat off fierce competition to be crowned the winners of Popworld Promotes, a contest aimed at discovering unsigned bands. Thomas Hargreaves, 23,
A SCHEME aimed at keeping thieves out of Burnley town centre has been recognised with a national award. The Burnley Business Initiative against Crime (BBIAC) partnership recently achieved the nationally recognised prestigious award which endorses Burnley
ROSSENDALE Leisure Trust has applied for an entertainment licence to be used outside at Marl Pits Sports Complex in Rawtenstall. Rossendale's Licensing sub-committee will consider granting permission for outdoor entertainment at the sports centr. Trust
BENEFIT cheats were caught out in a crackdown by Burnley Council. Council bosses today said that the housing and council tax benefit fraudsters were swindling genuine claimants out of thousands of pounds every year. During the past year, the council
A ROSSENDALE choir will be taking to the stage of London's Royal Albert Hall later this year when they perform at the prestigious Festival of Brass and Voices 2006. The Rossendale Ladies Voice Choir will be joining over 1,000 singers from around the
A NEW arts boss is delving into Burnley's hotbed of talent to bring a splash of colour and creativity to the town. Helen Knowles was appointed arts development officer by Burnley Council to implement its arts strategy. And she is rounding up local artists
STARS of Burnley and Accrington Stanley's present and past turned out to mark the end of Paul Cook's professional career last night. After 700 games for nine different clubs in a career spanning 22 years, the well-travelled midfielder was celebrated
FORGET Tom Cruise and his latest blockbuster Mission Impossible 3; for Blackburn Rovers and Mark Hughes it's Mission Accomplished! A year ago, Hughes completed phase one of his mission to restore Rovers to their former greatness when he guided the club
Midfielder Steven Reid reckons Blackburn Rovers can be a real force in Europe next season under Hughes' shrewd leadership. The former Millwall man, who scored last night's winner against Chelsea, was part of the Rovers squad that crashed out to Genclerbirligi
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes hailed his players as heroes after their magnificent 1-0 win over Chelsea last night secured a place in Europe. On a night of glory at Ewood Park, Rovers guaranteed themselves a top six finish, and a place in next season's
CLITHEROE'S new £200,000 skate park was officially opened with competitions and music to entertain youngsters. The park, built to replace a smaller venue closed amid safety concerns in 2002, has already attracted youngsters from across the North West
I WANT to say thank you to the kind young man who helped me to my feet after falling heavily on a slippery surface caused by a fleshy piece of fruit outside Blackburn market. Please take note, the person who dropped it, that it could have turned into
WHAT a pleasure it was to be in the company of six youths from Roe Lee Community Centre, Blackburn, when they went sailing at Fishmoor Reservoir with the organiser, Kayleigh Wainwright, PC Tracy Haigh and PCSO Michael Rhodes. They were polite to all
I WRITE concerning the so called' new traffic measures on New Chapel Street, Mill Hill over the past couple of weeks. I was born in Mill Hill and have lived here all my life and out of the changes that have been made here, this must be the worst one
RE the letter (LET, April 17) from Phil Hamilton. It's true you never see traffic wardens up Whalley Range or the Queens Park area of Blackburn. The Infirmary area has them all the time, so does Church Street. There don't seem to be any rules on the
IT was a tragedy almost lost in the mists of time. Three Darwen lads had gone for a walk over the moors after Sunday school just a few days before Christmas 1917 and had vanished in a sudden and severe blizzard. Their bodies were found a few days later
AN Accrington firm has scored contracts to supply furniture to some of the country's best known football clubs including the new Wembley. Senator International Ltd, based on Altham Business Park, has signed a hat-trick of deals to kit out the stadia
A BODY representing local small businesses has called on local councils to be more "user friendly"' towards them. In the run-up to the local elections, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has published a manifesto highlighting eight key areas where
AN 11-year-old victim of an indecent assault was left unable to sleep, failed exams and was traumatised by the attack, a court was told. And magistrates locked away her 13-year-old attacker after hearing that he had committed his first sex offence when
A MODERN day Romeo and Juliet story shot in Blackburn and dealing with forbidden love across the racial divide is to open at cinemas this week. Love + Hate will be shown in the town from Friday and has caused controversy with Muslim leaders warning that
PRIME Minister Tony Blair said that Labour was still the party of high moral values during a visit to Blackburn. Mr Blair called in at Mill Hill Community Centre, New Chapel Street, yesterday, to rally party members and activists ahead of tomorrow's
A FAMILY spent a frantic day looking for a mother-of-two who disappeared while suffering from post-natal depression. Diane Louise Stewart disappeared yesterday at about 8.45am when her 10-year-old son left for school. But she was found at 7.30pm in
THE family of a 71-year-old Sabden man were told his sudden deterioration and death were a result of him developing sporadic CJD. Frank Mason, of Stubbins Lane, Sabden, died in Clitheroe Hospital on September 7. It was initially thought he may have
A COUPLE having a quiet drink were both injured after trouble erupted in an Accrington pub, a court was told. Susan McKnight was left with loose teeth and could only eat through a straw after she was hit by drunken father-of-two John Seery in The Imperial
A BAILIFF has been jailed and labelled a coward for a road rage attack on a frail Huncoat pensioner who challenged him for using his mobile phone while driving. Richard Gorry, a father-of-three with no previous convictions, who earns £50,000 a year as
A MAN was jailed for 15 months after smashing his victim's teeth with several punches. Daniel Stott, 21, of Cutler Crescent, Stacksteads, lost his temper and hit Mark Mellor after a row over some DVDs that had allegedly been stolen, Burnley Crown Court
A BOY was set upon by sick thugs who filmed the attack on their mobile phone in Burnley's first "happy slapping" attack. Today a police boss said he hoped the incident would be the first and last attack of its kind in the town. The 12-year-old boy,
ORGANISERS of a proposed scheme for traders to pay a levy on their rates to fund town centre improvements have set up a new website. The site www.burnley bid.co.uk will keep businesses up to speed with developments on the proposed Business Improvement
THE parents of a baby who died from meningitis staged a fundraiser to help other families visiting sick children in hospital. Susan Birney and Lee Broomfield, of Lebanon Street, Brunshaw, Burnley, said they wanted to remember their "strong little girl
ITEMS worth £370 were stolen from a house in Bankside Lane, Bacup, after a window was forced open. A white Apple iPod, an iPod charger unit with speakers and a Garmin satellite navigation system were taken. A man described as white, in his early 20s
ROSSENDALE bus-iness bosses attended a workshop to help them to develop and market company websites. The technology workshop was staged by the Lancashire Digital Development Agency at the Kingfisher Business Centre in Rawtenstall. David Barlow, of Rawtenstall-based
POLICE are continuing to hunt for missing mum Jane Payne. Jane, 29, also known as Jane Kelly, left her home in Queen Victoria Road, Burnley, at 11pm on Friday, March 31, and has not been in touch with her family including her three year-old daughter
VOTERS in Burnley are being urged by the council to have their say in tomorrow's local elections. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm tomorrow as 55 candidates vie for 17 seats across the borough. Postal voters are also being reminded their
BURNLEY College students have taken part in a real-life simulation to get a better understanding of work in the fire service. Students taking advanced level BTEC National Diplomas in public services joined Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service crew members
FAMILIES from across East Lancashire are being encouraged to lead a more healthy life by growing their own fruit and vegetables. The Grow and Sow project, which sees children between the ages of seven and 11 and from different schools working together
EX-CLARET Paul Cook has thanked his former team-mates for making his testimonial game a night to remember. The Accrington Stanley player-coach marked his retirement from a playing career spanning more than two decades with a special match between a Clarets
WHAT do Oswaldtwistle Immanuel captain Gerard Metcalf and Yazz and the Plastic Population have in common? They both believe the only way is up! Last season was a traumatic one for the New Lane outfit. After pro Raja Ali was forced to return home mid-season
BLACKBURN Hawks' season came to a disappointing end as they were knocked out by Cardiff Devils in the English Cup semi-final. Hawks had gone in to the game full of confidence after a good run of form, but they were conquered 7-5 by the superior Devils
BLACKBURN manager Mark Hughes will celebrate leading Rovers back into Europe by agreeing a new contract in the next few days. As I understand it, Hughes is very close' to shaking hands on a new deal and an official announcement is expected shortly.
THE former leader of Rossendale Council has suffered a stroke just days before he was due to stand for re-election. Labour Party leader David Hancock complained of feeling run-down over the weekend before suffering a mini-stroke on Monday morning. The
RESIDENTS of the Spring Hill area of Accrington are being urged to help make it a better place to live. The area does not have a residents' association after Spring Hill Community Network folded last year due to a lack of support. But the Network has
VILLAGERS said it was a "dream come true" after a £215,000 all-weather sport facility was opened following six years of fundraising. Former Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper and Chipping resident Alan Kelly officially
IT MUST be tough being a homeowner nowadays you'd be forgiven for thinking every plumber, electrician, painter and decorator, locksmith and every other handyman you can think of is a rip-off merchant. Especially if you tuned into last night's House
HYNDBURN Council has announced plans to rebuild the Oakhill Park bandstand almost two years after it was destroyed by arsonists. The news has been hailed by a local group set up to improve the Accrington park. Shirley Hodson, of the newly formed Friends
IN the 'Comments' column (April 28) about the Bishop of Blackburn the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade urging clergy to preach anti-BNP sermons you write The move will no doubt, attract criticism'. Darn right Mr Editor, but not because of the subject matter, nor
I COULD scarcely keep my cocl' on reading that Mr Kenneth Quirk had been brought to bock' because some focl' at the DVLA thinks that there is such a place as Liverpocl'. This locn' should be given the boct' forthwith obviously being as mad as a coct
A PARENT support group called Don't Forget About Daddy, has set up a virtual memory tree. The Rishton-based organisation, started by Andrea and Andy Greenhalgh last year, helps parents and families separated by Parental Alienation Syndrome, a recognised
LAUREN BRADSHAW has figured out how to be a world champ. For Lauren fought off competition from thousands of people to finish first in the world in two of her accountancy exams. Lauren, 23, of Jubilee Close, Darwen, was top of more than 5,500 students
An internet design company owned by a former Blackburn College student has won a top prize for the second year running. Stray Beyond, based in Harrogate but run by Blackburn-born Jamie Snape, has been voted the Best North Yorkshire Internet Company at
A VIOLENT and "jealous," ex-con who smashed his rival's cheekbone in a "love triangle" attack weeks after his release from jail is behind bars for two and a half years. Former soldier Grant Francis Kenyon, 21, of Bower Close, Blackburn, was on licence
TWO men fled after the car they were driving virtually demolished' the wall of a cricket club after a collision with another car. Police said about 9.05pm yesterday, a blue Fiat Punto was turning from New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, into Willow Park when it
A BEST-SELLING Lancashire author is coming to Blackburn to be grilled about her work. Kate Long's first two books "The Bad Mothers' Handbook" and "Swallowing Grandma" were major hits and both spent weeks in the Sunday Times Top 10. And the author, who
Cowboy clampers may have to hang up their boots and spurs, if a new Code of Practice is backed by the Government. The RAC Foundation is backing the British Parking Association's Code of Practice for Parking Enforcement on Private Land and Unregulated
I would love to hear from anyone who knew me in the Darwen-Blackburn area. I'd especially like to hear from old school mates from Sudell Road Darwen, 1952-56. If you knew George, click here to email him.
