MORE people are leaving Burnley than any other area in the country, new figures have revealed. Research from the Office for National Statistics show that Burnley saw the greatest drop in population of any area in the country over the five years to 2006
NICK Dougherty maintains in a good position in the Quinn Direct British Masters after firing a four-under-par second round 68 at The Belfry today. The Shaw Hill professional carded six birdies and two bogies around the famous Wishaw course, after opening
A MOTHER and her young daughter have been abandoned' in a vandalism and arson-plagued street because officials can't find them a suitable new home. And Cayla Adams has revealed that six-year-old Ellie Hughes is now too scared to sleep in their council-owned
A FAMILY as paid tribute to a stabbing victim - and said he was fiercely loyal and "always had a smile or joke." The statement was issued by the family of Steven Taylor as around 100 people gathered for his funeral in Darwen yesterday. Steven, 29, was
BURNLEY-born stopper Rachel Brown is one step away from reaching the Women's World Cup semi-finals as England prepare to face world number one USA tomorrow. The Three Lions qualified for the tournament's last eight after a convincing set of results in
A FATHER-of-two attacked his ex-partner and smashed her mobile phone after turning up at her home and getting drunk, a court was told. Craig Spencer, 37, who struck while their children were in the house, exercised "psychological control" over victim
AN ANGRY businessman who attacked his wife after their wedding anniversary celebrations has been spared jail. Albert Lucas, 53, had grabbed victim Karen Lucas by the throat and was said to have repeatedly punched her because he thought she was having
JOSE Mourinho's exit is a big loss to the English game. I was as surprised as anyone when I heard the news that he'd left Chelsea, but although results hadn't been great for the Blues, I don't think it was the match against Rosenberg or Rovers that tipped
Haslingden's own Elvis impersonator, Steve Preston (see previous story) competes in the BBC1 show that begins on Saturday, 22nd September, the "Worlds Greatest Elvis Auditions" at 6.50pm. The programme has thirty finalists who fight it out to be crowned
TWO parks have been listed amongst the best open spaces in England and Wales with the announcement of the 2007 Green Flag Awards. Mercer Park in Clayton-le-Moors, and Oakhill Park in the Barnfield area of Accrington, have again been awarded the prestigious
LANCASHIRE'S 73-year wait for the Championship trophy is set to continue after another dismal day at the Oval. With Durham winning and leapfrogging Lancashire in the county table, and Sussex racking up the points against Worcestershire, Mark Chilton's
COUNCIL leaders have given the final go-ahead for plans to open a new community arts centre and office complex in Nelson. The new Arts, Cultural and Enterprise Centre (ACE), on the site of the former Lambert's market and Salvation Army citadel, will
ROSSENDALE councillors have vowed to take steps to ensure that a £45million shopping centre goes ahead despite an imminent change in owner. Fears had been raised about the plans for The Valley Centre shopping centre and apartments in Rawtenstall after
A GRANDMOTHER'S declining health has forced her to quit raising money for children's charities after a decade of work brought in more than £10,000. Lois Thornber, 63, first began raising money for granddaughter Lauren Thornber in 1997 - she suffered
A BLACKBURN teenager was part of a group attack on a man who was minding his own business. Blackburn magistrates heard that the victim was struck with a glass during the incident but Nathan Cook only accepted punching the other man. Cook, 18, of Cherry
WHEN Robbie Blake returned to Burnley in the summer I was absolutely delighted, and now he's starting to show why. He's quick, and he not only makes his own contribution goal-wise but also creates chances for others. Both of those qualities came to the
A MAN was caught repeatedly dumping rubbish in backyards as part of an undercover surveillance operation. Hidden CCTV cameras were set up by the council covering alleys behind Hurtley Street and North Street, Burnley, after complaints by residents about
TRIBUTES have been paid to a Burnley hotel owner and keen rugby player who has died of a heart attack. Richard Colyer, who ran the Alexander Hotel, Leven Street, suffered a heart attack last Saturday shortly after captaining Kirkby Lonsdale's third team
THE grandmother of Clarets star Stephen Jordan has been rescued after she fell into the famous Grand Canal in Venice. Ellen Riseley, 86, tumbled off a gangway as she made her way from a boat on to a jetty while on holiday in the Italian city. Hero Phil
Fresh postal strikes have been announced by unions as pay talks with Royal Mail continue to flounder. Bosses of the Communication Workers Union are angry at a number of executive decisions as salary discussions over a 2.5 per cent rise deal, plus benefits
A DRUNKEN woman caused damage at a house then went back for a "second helping" Burnley magistrates heard. Claire Duckworth, 21, punched and smashed glass in a door then flung two flower pots through the window in the door. Duckworth, who had also made
THE world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum could be coming to Blackburn as part of plans for a cultural quarter. Blackburn with Darwen Council hopes to secure funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to extend Blackburn Museum. The scheme could kickstart
A YOUTH worker who stopped to help a man she knew through work was repaid when he took her car and crashed it. The woman's car was badly damaged when it was driven into a bus shelter and driver Andrew Davies was more than three times the drink-drive
After a break from stand-up comedy which lasted nearly 10 years, Sean Hughes is leaving the TV studio and returning to the stage and the live circuit he loves. We caught up with him as he hit the road. SEAN Hughes was until recently a regular on Coronation
A SINGLE mother-of-two said to have been a "go-between" for her drug dealer partner is awaiting sentence. Burnley magistrates heard how Stacey Louise Wilkinson, 23, who supplied cocaine to undercover police, claimed she had been under pressure as he
Cannon and Ball are as British as fish and chips on a windswept beach. We spoke to one half of one of the UK's best-loved double acts, Bobby Ball. WHAT DOES the name Bobby Ball mean to you? A Northern born-again Christian with moustache, perm and a
John Robb is a familiar face on TV as a leading comentator and author on the punk scene. But as his band Goldblade prepares to come to Blackburn , he tells us he remains a musician at heart. THE sound of a train can be clearly heard as I try and have
Cellist Natalie Clein is coming to Blackburn's King George's Hall. She spoke to us about her early rise to success, making classical music "trendy" and MySpace. DESCRIBED as a combination of supermodel and girl next door, 30-year-old Natalie Clein
DARWEN firefighters' charity car wash was hailed a success. Crews at the fire station in Union Street washed cars in aid of the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund, set up to rehabilitate injured firefighters and to support bereaved families. The
A councillor who sparked speculation about the balance of power at Blackburn town hall when he went to India is back in the UK. And Yusuf Sidat's party leader on Blackburn with Darwen Council has insisted that he will continue to serve in his Queens
A TAXI driver who sexually assaulted a teenage girl in his vehicle has been jailed for three years and seven months. The 16-year-old girl was terrified during the late night ordeal and thought she was going to be raped, a court was told. Saghir Ahmed
A QUIET cul-de-sac was made to resemble a duck pond after drains swelled with rain water in today's torrential downpour. The flooding in Arley Rise, Mellor, left Enid Stainton, 59, distraught after her garage suffered water damage for the third time
WORK will begin on a major overhaul of Bacup's South Street bridge on Monday. The underground structure, which dates back more than 100 years, is to be completely replaced as part of a £1.5m project which will restore the strength of the road and open
A 24-year-old disqualified driver who freewheeled his trials bike across a car park at Sainsbury's, Darwen, was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and pay £250 compensation and £65 costs. Blackburn magistrates heard that Christopher O'Brien crashed
WHEN referee Mike Thorpe signals the end of tomorrow's match at Ashton Gate, Burnley will have completed all their missions against the three teams promoted from League One. Outings against Scunthorpe United and Blackpool have so far yielded only one
A MOTHER was horrified when one of her young children picked up an abandoned syringe outside a town centre supermarket. Angela Ainsworth, 36, of St Alban's Road, Darwen, said she was terrified when her eight-year-old son Andrew Threlfall picked up
RESIDENTS were "lucky to escape" after fire spread to their homes following a suspected arson attack at an empty mid-terrace house. Heavy smoke spread through properties in Hobart Street, Burnley, and fire crews had to evacuate neighbours after the blaze
A FLAGPOLE taken down while regeneration works were carried out will return to to Darwen town centre, council bosses have said. The announcement comes after local residents and market traders feared the pole would not be replaced in Market Square. Blackburn
FOUR key lessons should be learned following the suicide of tragic teenager Adam Rickwood, health chiefs have been told. Adam, 14, of Burnley, who died in August, 2004, after he was found hanged in a secure remand centre in County Durham, was a patient
SWIMMERS in Burnley are being invited to help charity by swimming the equivalent distance of crossing the Channel. ASPIRE, the national spinal cord injury charity, is inviting people to take part in their annual ASPIRE Channel Swim. Swimmers have to
WORK to prepare Lord Square for demolition, in advance of a £66million extension to The Mall, is continuing in Blackburn. Contractors are filling in former shop fronts inside the square, creating internal walls for the extension. Next month the block
ACCRINGTON Stanley goalkeeper Kenny Arthur admits he is a very difficult man to please. The big Scotsman has made a promising start to his career at the Fraser Eagle Stadium and has been showered with praise for his performances between the sticks.
AN insurance company is calling for changes to the driving test to make drivers more aware of bikers. The move comes after it was revealed that bikers in East Lancashire are at a higher risk of having an accident than their fellow riders across the
DEREK Egan believes new Rossendale United signing Mark Redshaw will add some much-needed impetus to his side's strikeforce as they face Bradford Park Avenue tomorrow. "Mark's got lots of quality," said boss Egan. "He showed it against Mossley and
CLITHEROE will hope to build on their midweek FA Cup success when they host Harrogate Railway. "We're three games unbeaten, but only wins this season have come in the FA Cup," said Blues boss Neil Reynolds. "Hopefully, this will kickstart our season
PADIHAM have Gavin King, Chris Blundell, Barry Shuttleworth, Ben Lloyd and Scott Dignan missing for their trip to Bootle.
Darwen boss Steve Mullen will give fringe players a chance against Penrith. He said: "It's a chance for other guys to come in and give me a selection headache for next week."
Manager Terry Fildes has revealed tomorrow's FA Vase match away to Squires Gate could be the last chance some of his Nelson players have to impress him. After a poor start to the season, Fildes admits they must start turning draws into victories.
RAMSBOTTOM United boss Lee Sculpher is desperate for a win as his side travel to AFC Emley. United have now gone five games without a victory. "At the moment, it would be nice just to get a win," admits Sculpher. "Our problem is that we are not
BACUP manager Brent Peters has branded his FA Vase second qualifying round tie away to Colne as a "toilet draw". Peters is disappointed Borough have been paired against their East Lancashire neighbours, saying he would have preferred a team from out
Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman is hoping to build on the success of their last home match - a 4-1 win over Grimsby Town - and carry that into tomorrow's match against fellow strugglers Mansfield Town. Coleman said: "It's a tough game, but there's
BLACKBURN Rovers will have to produce something special to stay in the UEFA Cup after former Everton striker Ibrahima Bakayoko put them to the sword here in Greece. The Ivory Coast international, who was a flop in his spell at Goodison Park, scored once
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill has urged his side to start as they mean to go on as they strive to end Bristol City's unbeaten start to the season tomorrow. Goals in the first 15 minutes of their last two away games have resulted in back-to-back wins
AN abattoir was closed for several hours after an animal was tested on suspicion of having foot and mouth disease. Trading standards officials went to Woodhead Brothers Meat Company, Colne, on Thursday morning after reports that a sheep was displaying
Larissa boss Giorgos Donis claimed that his side deserved more than their 2-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers yesterday. The former Rover said: "I'm very happy with the way we played but not the score. "We had many chances and should have got more
A RECOUNT of votes for a controversial Burnley election is taking place today at the High Court in London. The May 3 election for the Rosegrove and Lowerhouse Ward initially led to a tied result between BNP candidate Peter John Rowe and the Labour's
BURNLEY manager Steve Cotterill believes his ever-improving back four will be key to maintaining the good start to the season. The Clarets head to second-placed Bristol City tomorrow with a record of just one defeat from their opening seven games. While
I WRITE in reply to the lady who wrote in about the public footpath through St Paul's School in Hoddlesden. I agree with the head teacher about the safety of our children. I have children at the school and have always had grave concerns about the footpath
I AGREEwith K Moody (LT, Sept 10) when he says the town of Accrington must support Accrington Stanley. As he says, the town is sandwiched between football league clubs each only five miles away. And, as he says, the town is in the wrong place. No one
IN reply to "Elders are no longer our betters," (LT, September 17), I would like to point out to the writer of that letter that although he or she has lost respect for many older people because of their bad behaviour, there are many older people who still
I WRITE reflecting on the Lest We Forget mood at this particular time of year, September, when a Sunday of the month used to commemorate the most crucial battle of WWII. Our Prime Minister in that Autumn of 1940, with great relief and no doubt tears
BRADLEY Orr insists it is no fluke that Championship new boys Bristol City have topped the table three times this season. The Robins, who climbed to the top of the pile courtesy of a 1-1 draw against West Brom in midweek, were knocked off 24 hours later
Friday, 22nd September sees St John's Church, Baxenden celebrate the renovation of the church cellar into a modern state of the art audio-visual centre for 11-18 year-olds. The gig starts at 8pm. On Saturday a live band will be performing The project
Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen could be ruled out for up to a month after suffering a hamstring injury in Greece yesterday. He is expected to miss at least four games. Boss Mark Hughes said: "It's the hamstring he had an operation on but we think it's
BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes said too many players failed to perform after Rovers slumped to a shock 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their UEFA Cup tie with Larissa last night. Two goals in the space of 90 seconds led to Rovers downfall in Volos, and a
A CHARITY fundraiser is plucking up the courage to do a skydive which will raise money for a wildlife group. Virginia Harvey, 22, of Wilpshire, will drop several thousand feet on November 24 at a site near Cambridge for the Atlantic Whale Foundation
The immigrants are taking over, I heard someone say just the other day - and I was quite taken aback. Not that I was offended by this remark, but it was a third generation Asian fella who said it. Why someone whose grandfather was an immigrant in the
THE SECRET of a long marriage is patience, according to a couple celebrating their diamond wedding. Ralph and Mary Easton of Parsonage Road, Wilpshire, walked down the aisle of St Oswald's Church, Knuzden 60 years ago yesterday. The couple met at Tony's
IF you have ever wondered why Royal Marine Commandos consider themselves a breed apart, last night's documentary on ITV1 should have helped. Every credit to film maker Chris Terrill who, although not exactly a raw recruit, has vowed to follow and undertake
A DARWEN primary school has been given the thumbs-up by education inspectors from Ofsted. Government inspectors said Sudell Primary School provides a good quality of education, with particular praise for pupils' personal development, described as outstanding
COMMUTERS faced long delays this morning after a series of crashes forced the closure of three lanes of the M6 motorway. Police were called at shortly after 7am to what they described as a series of minor shunts' near to the Tickled Trout hotel at Samlesbury
