Archive

  • Mark's out of Ten column

    HE'S not going to get away with it is he? Tricky Dicky, the meanest villain since Dick Dastardly, really has gone too far this time. For not only has the evil one of Coronation Street murdered Maxine and framed Aidan in the process, he's now planning

  • Options in choosing your bank account

    MILLIONS of people in the UK don't have a bank account. If you want one, you can choose between a current account or one of the new introductory or basic accounts. With a current account, most banks offer a cheque book, overdraft facilities, direct debits

  • Peace vigil is open to all faiths

    FAITH leaders are urging people to register their opposition to a war with Iraq by lighting a candle for peace in Blackdburn cathedral. Salim Mulla, chairman of the Interfaith Council, said that the 'Vigil for Peace', taking place in the cathedral on

  • Nurses' ideas win national awards

    TWO nurses from Blackburn Royal Infirmary have been given national awards for projects they developed to improve patient care. Orthopaedic outpatient sister Kathleen Eccles was highly commended in the Nursing Standard Nurse of the Year awards while nurse

  • Colin's correct, town's a dump

    COUNCILLOR Colin Rigby (LET, February 12) was nearly right -- Blackburn is a dump. Church Street is not to good standard and the Pavilions should have been demolished years ago. My wife goes shopping in other towns -- Bolton, Preston and Chorley -- which

  • Donkey stoned grave a gem

    REGARDING donkey stones (LET, February 12), my late husband spent many years researching his family tree, and found a family grave at Tockholes. It was very old and neglected, so we decided to spruce it up. We planted many spring bulbs and also arrived

  • Council sick list is appalling

    AS someone who has taken 15 days off sick -- 12 of which were for incapacitating injury -- over a 21-year working life, I am appalled at the data in respect of Blackburn with Darwen Council workers (LET, February 14). This is a sad indictment of not just

  • Refugees and asylum seekers - the difference

    THE timely warning from the Clitheroe Methodist Minister concerning the British National Party (LET, February 4) raises an important issue which is being neglected in the national scene -- the distinction between refugees and asylum-seekers. Refugees

  • Loo is 'worst' in country

    A DISABLED charity fundraiser who has travelled the length of Britain today slammed Burnley's bus station for having some of the worst facilities in the country. Passengers have complained about the facilities for handicapped people and about the toilet

  • New jobs boost

    EAST LANCASHIRE was today given a 1,500 jobs boost after plans to build three call centres on the outskirts of Blackburn were unveiled. Sussex-based Bannertown Call Centre Now has bought the last large plot of land on Shadsworth Industrial Estate and

  • It's the late, late show from Rovers

    GRAEME Souness revealed David Dunn isn't on speaking terms with him at the moment. But the Rovers boss will be prepared to live with that if Dunn continues to let his football do the talking the way he did at Stamford Bridge. Dunn was unhappy with his

  • Elderly afraid to go outside

    ELDERLY residents at a Preston sheltered housing block say they are living in fear after a plague of attacks in the twilight hours. Pensioners at Meadow House, St Paul's Road, say they are too scared to go out after dark for fear of being harassed by

  • BAE's Saudi staff on security alert

    AEROSPACE staff who work for BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia have been placed on security alert following the fatal shooting of one of their Lancashire colleagues. Robert Dent, 37, from Tarleton, was killed by a gunman who pulled up alongside his vehicle

  • 'Nuisance woman faces court order'

    A WOMAN accused of making life a misery for her neighbours is to face an Anti-Social Behaviour Order after being arrested "several" times in the last few weeks. Action is to be taken against Marilyn Birchenough, 52, of Partridge Hill Street, Padiham,

  • Second 'victim' made up story

    DETECTIVES hunting a serial sex fiend thought to have attacked two teenage girls within yards of each other today revealed the second "victim" had made up her story. Police were called in and launched a manhunt after the two incidents in Briercliffe Road

  • Loo is 'worst' in country

    A DISABLED charity fundraiser who has travelled the length of Britain today slammed Burnley's bus station for having some of the worst facilities in the country. Passengers have complained about the facilities for handicapped people and about the toilet

  • Plans for form workshop

    A FORMER workshop at 2 to 4 Smith Street, Nelson, could soon be turned into a mosque and centre for instruction. Members of the Nelson Committee consider the application at their meeting on Monday, March 3.. The main issue to be considered will be the

  • Clegg saves Nelson's blushes

    York City 1 Bury 1 - MICHAEL Nelson's first game as skipper of the Shakers was memorable for the wrong reasons until George Clegg came to his rescue. The central defender had been handed the captain's armband after manager Andy Preece decided Jon Newby's

  • Former finance director awaits his fate

    THE former finance director of a firm is awaiting sentence after admitting stealing almost £500,000. Kevan Berry, 43, now working as a hospital porter, knew he was going to go to jail, Burnley Crown Court heard. Berry, formerly working at Bowland Finance

  • Action group scoop clean-up award

    MEMBERS of a residents action group scooped an environmental award for cleaning up sections of a local river. Cloverhill Residents' Action Group, Nelson, were recognised and rewarded in a recent regional presentation from the Mersey Basin Campaign. CRAG

  • Public have their say on industrial development plan

    A PUBLIC meeting will be held tonight (Monday) to discuss the implications of an industrial estate on farmland between Tyldesley and Mosley Common. Local councillors Alan Stephenson and Brian Wilson have invited locals to the meeting which starts at 7pm

  • Star Julie sparks home's cash bid

    ACTRESS Julie Hesmondhalgh has given a care home's fund-raising project a star-studded boost. Coronation Street's Hayley became the patron of Rough Lee Home for the Physically Disabled, Accrington, after meeting volunteers and residents. The care home

  • Taylor sees off the Rams

    STAN Ternent is ready to play it again against Fulham at Turf Moor on Wednesday night and pick the same side for the third consecutive game. Having rewarded the men who forced the FA Cup replay at Loftus Road by keeping the same side against Derby County

  • Form guide...

    THE key stats and moments from the game against Derby. BURNLEY MARLON BERESFORD: One of his quieter afternoons but did everything he had to do with the minimum of fuss...7 DEAN WEST: Had to be alert as most of the best away moves came down his flank but

  • Anderson senior bursts with pride

    MICHAEL Anderson almost burst with pride as he watched son James put in a man-of-the-match winning performance for England against Pakistan. The Burnley team manager flew out to South Africa last Thursday in time to see Saturday's game and James did not

  • Taylor sees off the Rams

    STAN Ternent is ready to play it again against Fulham at Turf Moor on Wednesday night and pick the same side for the third consecutive game. Having rewarded the men who forced the FA Cup replay at Loftus Road by keeping the same side against Derby County

  • Half-term run is free

    HALF-term events will run at Sudellside Community Centre to entertain the youngsters this week. Classes will be held today until 3pm for nine to 16-year-olds, featuring karaoke and computers. Children aged between five and eight will enjoy art, craft

  • Folk night is back

    A FOLK night is to return to Darwen after almost 15 years. Peter Wilcock, of a popular folk duo which hosts nights at the Clog and Billycock pub in Blackburn, played in Darwen from 1972 to 1980 and wants to return. He said: "We won't be playing at the

  • Natasha's aiming for big time

    WHEN Oasis' Liam Gallagher described her music as 'cool', 30-year-old Natasha Lea Jones knew she was doing something right. But the Darwen starlet is striving to hold on to her roots as she heads for the dizzy heights of rock stardom. The Sudell Road

  • School issues tribute to tragic teenager

    THE former school of a 16-year-old boy who died after he was discovered hanging by a tie has paid its respects to his family. Michael Browning, who had a twin sister Katie and a younger sister Lucy, was found at his Beaconsfield Street home in Haslingden

  • Reward to catch BMW thief

    A ROSSENDALE businessman who had his £40,000 car stolen has offered a £1,000 reward for its return and the conviction of whoever stole it. Peter Foulds, 42, who owns Spring Vale Leather, in Rawtenstall, discovered his silver BMW 540 was missing at lunchtime

  • County pledge on new housing scheme

    A PROMISE has been made that provision of schools, social services, highways and libraries will keep pace with the revitalising of neighbourhoods under East Lancashire's huge Elevate programme. A 15-year plan, one of the largest in the country, began

  • Bogus clothes seller fined £500

    A Blackburn woman caught selling counterfeit designer clothes on a market stall has been fined £500. Eileen Ansar, aged 43, of Greenfields, Blackburn, has had stock confiscated and been ordered to pay fines and prosecution costs of nearly £1,000 after

  • Heroin stash found in car

    A YOUNG dad who acted as a drug dealer's driver was today starting a jail term of three years and nine months. Burnley Crown Court heard Irfan Matak, 25, told police he knew drugs were in the vehicle and believed another man in the car was going to sell

  • Crime figures welcomed by MPs

    EAST Lancashire MPs have welcomed new crime statistics which show Lancashire Constabulary is meeting targets. The Home Office figures compare Lancashire with similar forces Cheshire, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and South Wales. The statistics

  • Awarded Andy is pride of the force

    A POLICEMAN heralded as one of the main reasons why Blackburn has avoided major racial disturbances has been rewarded by Lancashire's Chief Constable. Chief inspector Andy Pratt was awarded the George Herbert Redman Award for improving police public relations

  • New jobs boost

    EAST LANCASHIRE was today given a 1,500 jobs boost after plans to build three call centres on the outskirts of Blackburn were unveiled. Sussex-based Bannertown Call Centre Now has bought the last large plot of land on Shadsworth Industrial Estate and

  • Darwen slip up

    HIGH-FLYING Darwen lacked the cutting edge to dispose of relegation-threatened Oldham Town as a scrappy NWCL Division Two encounter finished all-square. Despite a sluggish start, Steve Wilkes' men who have experienced defeat just once in their last 13

  • Blues lose by single goal

    A SINGLE goal just before half time was enough to consign Nelson to defeat in this NWCL Second Division clash. Manager Denis Underwood had two on-loan signings from Ramsbottom -- Dale Fielding and Scott Weir -- in his starting line-up and it was Fielding

  • Resurgent Rams have safety in their sights

    RAMSBOTTOM have now won three of the last four league games as they fight to get out of the drop zone in NWCL Division One. Winsford opened the scoring in the second minute through Paul Lamb who casually slotted past Marsh after being left unmarked at

  • Spenny hat-trick boosts final hopes

    CLITHEROE put one foot into the final of the Worthington Challenge Trophy with a 4-1 first leg win against local rivals Padiham. The visiting team set their stall out from the first whistle, playing five at the back and just one striker, and with no threat

  • Reds double act steals the show

    ACCRINGTON Stanley are another step closer to the Nationwide Conference after a resounding 4-1 victory over Worksop. And as Vauxhall Motors, one of the Reds' main rivals for promotion, dropped three points against Bradford Park Avenue, John Coleman's

  • Hi-tech classroom on the road

    EAST Lancashire businessman Philip Wardle had children's education in a spin when he helped to launch a new interactive classroom -- on a unicycle. It is hopes that the travelling classroom, in a 7.5 ton vehicle, will increase awareness of the life-threatening

  • Police op to stamp out phone thefts

    THE number's up for mobile phone thieves as Bury police clampdown on handset robbers. Operation Hawk officers will be walking the streets and travelling in high visibility robbery vans to get the message across. Mobile phone owners are also being urged

  • Mike's crash course at driving school

    HAD a motoring accident? Facing points on your driving licence? A Bury-based scheme is giving some motorists the chance to take a driver improvement course instead. But sub-editor Mike Whalley discovered that it is not a soft option. THE policeman gave

  • Let's welcome this jobs boost

    IT'S difficult to remember the last time anywhere in East Lancashire received an announcement that a new employer was about to move in and create 1,500 jobs. And Blackburn with Darwen Council officials deserve praise for successfully concluding more than

  • Son took mum's car and collided

    A WEEK after his mum jetted off to Spain for some winter sun, Graham Paul Cooper took her car to run his girlfriend's brother into town, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that the favour back-fired when the provisional licence holder collided

  • Duo fined after melee

    ADAM Mason claimed police who attended an incident in King Street , Blackburn, were more bothered about traffic flow than the fact his brother was lying injured. Blackburn magistrates heard Mason and Michael John Ashton-Owens remonstrated with officers

  • Commotion ends in court fine

    GERALD Peter Finnigan was making a fuss outside a house in Kings Bridge Road, Blackburn, because his ex-partner was inside with another man. Blackburn magistrates heard that Finnigan shouted at a police officer to get the man out and became aggressive

  • Driver cut free after smash

    A DRIVER from Blackburn had to be cut free from his car by firefighters after crashing head-on into a wall in Scarisbrick. Michael Nuttall, 28, from Mosley Street was driving a Vauxhall Cavalier along the A570 in Southport Road towards Southport at 3.55am

  • Married man molested girl

    A MARRIED man has been convicted of molesting a 14-year-old girl in the back of a sports car. Anthony Bain, a father-of-two, denied a claim that he indecently assaulted the teenager after meeting a friend for a night out. He now faces sentencing in April

  • Plea from the Gulf for letters

    I AM serving in the Gulf region for unknown length of time and I would like to hear from single ladies willing to correspond with a single 31-year-old member of the forces. Photo would help but is not essential, as it will be a long, lonely few months

  • Out of town and glad of it

    THE only thing I like about Blackburn is the name! But, seriously, I lived in Cherry Tree for 25 years but moved to Preston about six years ago -- and I love it. I have fond memories of Blackburn, but it is stuck in the past. Look at how Preston is always

  • Man, 57, dies in road accident

    A 57-YEAR-OLD man has died after being injured in an accident with a van in Leigh. The pedestrian was crossing Wigan Road just after 10pm on Saturday when he was hurt in a collision with a Citroen Berlingo near to the junction with Tinkersfield. He suffered

  • The sounding of the Last Post?

    FINANCIAL pressures are forcing many of our post offices out of existence. During the last few days the closure of one Atherton post office has been announced and the future of another Bolton branch thrown into doubt by the retirement of its subpostmaster

  • Sloppy defence struggles to lynch Lynx

    Leigh Centurions 38 Chorley Lynx 20 - THE Centurions will spend this week on the defensive after allowing another side to battle their way back in to a game they were dominating. Last week it was Salford who rallied to draw 20-20 after trailing 18-4 and

  • Dunny hands out silent treatment

    GRAEME Souness hailed David Dunn as one of his star performers on his comeback from injury, even though he revealed the midfielder isn't speaking to him following allegations he wasn't fully focused on his game. "We've had a fall-out and he isn't speaking

  • Back four can help Euro push, says boss

    ROVERS boss Graeme Souness is hoping he has found the solid defence that can help his side mount a challenge for a European place. "For the Southampton game that was the first time I'd written down a back four and thought 'we've got a back four of men

  • Fact file...

    A LOOK at the key moments from the game against Chelsea. ROVERS: BRAD FRIEDEL Where would Rovers be without him? The proverbial brick wall as he denied Chelsea with virtually every part of his body...9 LUCAS NEILL Another solid display for the Aussie

  • Police plea after man is attacked

    A 23-YEAR-OLD man was hit over the head and knocked unconscious during a street robbery. The victim, who has not been named but from the Burnley area, suffered a fractured cheekbone and toe during the attack. He was walking along the canal bank, between

  • Chain of peace and prayers in anti-war vigil

    RELIGIOUS leaders joined Burnley residents for an anti-war vigil in the town's Peace Garden. The Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev John Goddard, and Imam of the Brougham Street mosque, led prayers at the event. More than 50 people of all ages gathered on

  • Schools cash plea to end places woe

    BURNLEY MP Peter Pike will discuss the education crisis in the town during a meeting with Education Secretary Charles Clarke on Wednesday. The long-standing MP, due to retire at the next General Election, said he will push for extra government cash to

  • Outhouse at farm damaged by fire

    AN outhouse close to the derelict Edge End Farm, in Edge End Lane, was severely damaged by fire yesterday. Firefighters were called to the blaze at about 1.45pm and were there almost two hours. The single-storey garage and workshop was well alight when

  • Heritage expert speaks at homes inquiry

    A CONTROVERSIAL area earmarked for demolition by Pendle Council has been described as 'the most historic, largest and best surviving area of pre-1890 terraced housing in Nelson'. Darren Ratcliffe, a chartered architect working as an historic areas advisor

  • 'Take more of a pride in your area'

    RESIDENTS in Pendle have been urged to take more pride in their neighbourhood after only two people took part in a clean-up. And it is not the first time there has been such a poor turnout for the on-going series of clean-ups across the borough. The events

  • Chicago was more frazzled than dazzled

    THINK Chicago and think of an alcohol-fuelled city famous for gangsters, glamour -- and all that jazz. Unfortunately, this touring production of the acclaimed musical could boast only two of those essential criteria. A great band and a complimentary glass

  • Five years ago

    STEVE Butterfield was out cheering up Hapton with his colourful painting. The artist, who was brought up in the village and lives in Bridgefield Street, painted a canal boat and rail train on the railway footbridge.

  • Ten years ago

    DINERS were tucking into pigs' trotters when a former catering student took over the kitchen at Accrington and Rossendale College. Tim Payne, who usually works in Chelsea alongside celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, was invited back to his home town.

  • Firm to axe third of workforce

    ONE third of the workforce at an Accrington based packaging company are set to lose their jobs. Polestar Broadley, William Street, Clayton-le-Moors, will make the 30 redundancies because of adverse trading conditions in British manufacturing and packaging

  • Hope for residentson new tip entrance

    A COUNTY councillor has given hope to residents campaigning for an alternative entrance to a controversial tip. Councillor Michael Hindley, member for Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors, and Altham, said the county council could act as a go-between for the various

  • Moore looks for chance

    IAN Moore admitted to being something of a reluctant hero after he netted the crucial early goal against Derby County on Saturday. But having been on the bench for the big televised Cup games against Manchester United and Spurs, he is just desperate to

  • Clarets rescue Taylor made

    NO LESSER player than Ryan Giggs will tell you there is no such thing as an open goal. His horror miss against Arsenal showed that the only time you can celebrate scoring is when the ball is nestling in the onion bag. But the two chances that were converted

  • Councillors surgeries

    TUESDAY, February 25: Atherton Town Hall (9.30-11) and St Richard's School, Flapper Fold Lane, Atherton (3.30-4.30) B Splaine; Golborne Library (5.30-6.15) P Franzen; Atherton Town Hall (6.30-7.30) R Bleakley, N Hogg. WEDNESDAY, February 26: Leigh Town

  • Back four can help Euro push

    ROVERS boss Graeme Souness is hoping he has found the solid defence that can help his side mount a challenge for a European place. "For the Southampton game that was the first time I'd written down a back four and thought 'we've got a back four of men

  • A word of warning about trendy game

    UNLIKE many thousands of people across Britain and the world, I know only one thing about Blur. That doesn't include the fact that they are a band of some sort (I thought they were a boy band, but apparently they are not, although they look like boys

  • Services managers will have to pay for sign change

    A FORMAL application needs to be made before the M65 Services sign can be changed. A Highways Agency spokesman said, site managers of the M65 Services need to make a formal application to the agency. He added: "We haven't had anything formal and that's

  • 'Friends' for every park

    AN initiative to form supporters groups for all Darwen's parks and develop areas of natural beauty was unveiled today. Two of the six parks in Darwen have no friends groups and one has only recently been established. The town is also being targeted to

  • Natasha's aiming for big time

    WHEN Oasis' Liam Gallagher described her music as 'cool', 30-year-old Natasha Lea Jones knew she was doing something right. But the Darwen starlet is striving to hold on to her roots as she heads for the dizzy heights of rock stardom. The Sudell Road

  • My magic touch to cheer troops

    SOLDIER Clive Fawcett has got a trick or two up his sleeve to keep up morale when he joins British troops preparing for war in the Gulf. The father-of-three combines his career in the Royal Logistics Corps with membership of the International Brotherhood

  • Boro's goal blitz

    Radcliffe Boro 4 Witton Albion 2 - RADCLIFFE Borough emerged from an exciting game of twists and turns against Witton Albion with a superb victory. Three goals in a two minute first half blitz from David Bean and a Jody Banim brace set Borough on their

  • County deal title blow to Radcliffe

    RADCLIFFE Amateurs' bid to secure the Premier League championship in the Lancashire Amateur League took another blow on Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Bolton County. Radcliffe took the lead just before half-time when Mark Isherwood put

  • Drink and drugs man in jail

    A MAN who slashed a man on the neck and headbutted him in a nightclub has been jailed for two years. Ronald McLachlan later held a knife to a man's throat in a nearby restaurant and waved the weapon towards customers. But Preston Crown Court heard he

  • Council consider next phase of parking charges

    A NEW wave of pay and display meters for on-street parking are set to be introduced in Blackburn town centre. The first batch of on-street parking, in areas around Church Street, Darwen Street and Mincing Lane, took effect from January, with drivers having

  • Charity boxing match rap

    HEALTH officials have slammed Blackburn Lions over plans for a charity boxing match in aid of the North West Air Ambulance. Director of Public Health for Blackburn with Darwen, Dr Jim Paris, led the protests and said it was inappropriate to use a "blatantly

  • Great, but we want more

    THE announcement of 1,500 jobs to be created in Bannertown's call centres has prompted calls for yet more high-quality white collar jobs in the area. And workers, residents and councillors greeted the news about the new £19million development on Shadsworth

  • All change

    DALE fielded a much-changed side with new signings Martin Diggle, David Robinson and John McGill, plus the return of popular goalkeeper Mark Andrews, all starting. Any new-found optimism was blown away after just four minutes. Alex Nesovic rose unchallenged

  • Bacup hold out for the victory

    BACUP look well-placed to win promotion from the NWCL Second Division after a home win against Leek. Martin Peters opened the scoring on 22 minutes with a superb strike into the top left hand corner giving the keeper no chance. Eight minutes later it

  • Ivan's job to forge new links

    A LOCAL MP has been given a new role at the Department for Education. Mr Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South, who is minister for young people and adult skills, has been given the responsibility of looking after work-related learning, enterprise and skills

  • Parent's guide to... revision

    REVISING can be a stressful time not only for the student but also for parents. Watching your children go through a great deal of stress can be painful. But if you are wondering what you can do to help them here are a few tips. You can ask your child

  • Our School... Chatburn CE Primary School

    SCHOOL REPORT: Chatburn CE is very much a village school at the heart of the community. The school aims to provide a secure, friendly atmosphere in which pupils regardless of ability or aptitude are encouraged to do their best. PRESENT PUPILS: There are