RAWTENSTALL Youth and Community Centre hopes to receive an extra £170,400 to pay for its refurbishment. Lancashire County Council is being asked to approve the additional funding at a meeting tomorrow after a number of problems were found with the building
THE leader of the Labour Party in Rossendale has returned to civic duties two months after suffering a stroke and today announced: "It's good to be back." Waterfoot councillor David Hancock fell ill just days before he was due to stand for re-election
THE 32nd annual Worsthorne Arts and Crafts Fair was opened on Saturday by chairman of the organising committee, Barbara Wharton, who promised this year's event would be bigger and better than ever. A number of crafts are on sale, including jewellery,
A FATHER-of-two and three drunken teenagers embroiled in violence the night a man was knifed amid racial hostility between locals and Poles in Barnoldswick have been spared jail. Jonathon Robinson and Kyle Hadaway, both 17, had armed themselves with
A £5million project for Harley Bank in Todmorden has won the backing of councillors at Calderdale. Members gave approval for the improvement and full renovation of 65 houses, the demolition of 33 others, of which nine, are currently empty, and a new
Clitheroe won the Ribblesdale League 20/20 competition and in doing so became the first Ribblesdale League team to beat Great Harwood in three years. Great Harwood won the toss and put Clitheroe into bat. Harwood's opening attack of Stuart Maher and
TEENAGE midfielder Jay Harris has turned down Accrington Stanley in a dramatic U-turn. The former Everton trainee was all set to sign a one-year deal with the newly promoted Reds by the weekend. But the 18-year-old did not travel with the rest of the
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes reckons last week's friendlies against Hamburg and Olympiakos will stand his players in good stead when they come to make their European bows in the UEFA Cup this season. Hughes deliberately hand-picked tough opponents
ALAN Mahon has revealed that team spirit is fantastic at Turf Moor. The Irish midfielder - one of four Clarets summer signings - has taken to life at Burnley like a duck to water while also helping the other new boys settle in. Italy's Lake Garda last
BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill admits emerging from pre-season without any serious injuries to his players has been the club's 'biggest bonus'. The Clarets returned from a six-day Italian training trip on Saturday preserving their unbeaten record in pre-season
MIDFIELDER Aaron Mokoena reckons Blackburn Rovers have signed the perfect replacement for Craig Bellamy in the shape of Benni McCarthy. The 28-year-old striker will train with his new team-mates for the first time today after sealing a dream move from
THE Black Horse Hotel in Darwen will hold a beer festival to coincide with the town's food festival. It will run from noon on Thursday, September 7 to midnight on Sunday, September 10. Local ales such as Darren Masher, Fleetwood Black, Dizzy Danny and
THE grave of Britain's tallest ever man, buried in Blackburn Cemetery, has received its make-over fit for a giant. Blackburn with Darwen Council organised the renovation at Roe Lee as part of a search for famous graves in the town aimed at promoting
CREMATORIUM staff today blasted thieves for stealing stone flags from a remembrance garden. Staff at Pleasington Cemetery, Blackburn, said they couldn't believe the thieves could be so disrespectful, and fear more flags will go missing. Mik Ince, cemeteries
A 14-WEEK-OLD baby joined a long list of relatives when she was christened in a 142-year-old family heirloom gown. Ellie Orange was the 31st child in her family to wear the cotton gown, which dates back to 1864. She was recently christened at the United
A TEENAGE cyclist is back riding his bicycle just days after he was knocked unconscious in a road accident. Joseph Gemmell, 13, of Bayne Street, Hoddlesden, suffered head injuries and cuts and bruises on his arms and legs after colliding with a van
A WELL-known and popular Darwen councillor has died suddenly at the age of 64. The devastated family of Conservative councillor Fred Slater are coming to terms with his death after he collapsed and died on Friday evening. Coun Slater lived in Minster
ENVIRONMENTAL writer and broadcaster Jonathon Porritt will be guest speaker at a conference aimed at improving East Lancashire. He will pass on his expert knowledge at a conference run by Elevate, the body set up to oversee regeneration of the area's
A soldier from Great Harwood was so shocked by conditions at a Sierra Leone hospital she is hoping to raise thousands of dollars to give child patients a better chance of survival. Lance Corporal Aly-Joy Haworth has been serving as an army paramedic
WATER company bosses say roadworks in Blackburn are worth the trouble because they will give better quality drinking water to thousands of families in the town. One million pounds is being spent improving 15kms of old cast-iron water mains in the Higher
A HIGH Court ruling has paved the way for an East Lancashire company to win millions of pounds of new business. Transport specialist Fraser Eagle will benefit after a judge ruled against a rival firm, a decision which allows the Padiham-based company
It is not the sort of thing I like to admit openly, but I have been watching Big Brother. Not to analyse the behaviour of the housemates in a Desmond Morris kind of way, and not unfortunately because there's nothing else worth watching. It's compulsive
A BURNLEY College tutor showcased her directing talents at the 24:7 Theatre Festival in Manchester. The festival featured 17 plays from exciting new play-writing talent. And on the bill was performing arts tutor Sue McGeorge who directed The Judgement
THE number of East Lancashire pupils being expelled has fallen new figures show. Today education chiefs hailed the statistics, released by the Department for Education and Skills, as proof measures to tackle unruly behaviour are working. But unconvinced
I AM a mother of two small children and I have also a mobility problem. I find it a challenge to do everyday chores like shopping, but I am determined to be independent. I am a customer of Yorkshire Bank, Accrington and absolutely dread when I have
WELL done Blackburn with Darwen Council for putting a light at Sudell Cross. It will help guide visitors into Blackburn. Then when they've driven round the ring road a couple of times, up and down the silly one-way system and then seen the astronomical
I AM writing to congratulate you on your campaign "Keep Them Safe." This new and appalling crime of luring children and young girls and grooming them for sexual purposes has been going on over the border in Keighley for quite some time with little or
WALKING down a back alley near my home, I suddenly came across a car. The driver could see by my face I wasn't very happy about this and before I could say anything he informed me that he paid his road tax (how many times have I heard this)? Exactly
HAVING worked at Talbot Funeral Service for 12 years which is situated across the road from Blackburn Old Cemetery, I have carried out numerous funerals there and seen the cemetery in some states of untidiness, however, in recent months the council has
AN INQUIRY has been set up to investigate a council's planning committee. A cross-party working group has been set up by Blackburn with Darwen council leader, Coun Kate Hollern, to probe the inner workings of the committee. The group will be made of
A Great Harwood teenager who has flouted a suspended sentence order has been given until September 8 to complete the unpaid work part or he could go to jail. Yasir Hussain, 18, of Princess Street, still had almost 44 hours of work left to do, Burnley
CHILDREN in Blackburn are being given free sponge footballs by police in a bid to cut down on noise and damage from playing soccer in the street. Around 200 of the balls have been bought by Blackburn police as part of moves to kick anti-social behaviour
THOUSANDS of fish in the River Ribble near Clitheroe have been killed after an unknown substance was twice dumped in the river. The pollution has been branded a "catastrophe" by David Hinks, the chairman of the Ribble Fisheries Association. The Environment
FOUR men arrested after the death of hit-and-run victim Olivia Whiteside have been released on bail by police. But officers are still hunting the driver of a black Range Rover which they believe was involved in the incident. Seven-year-old Olivia, from
A BURGLAR who raided a "friend's" home and stole Playstation games was rumbled by his fingerprints, a court heard. Alcoholic John Sparks, 28, got into the property in Bacup, which was undergoing renovations and had scaffolding up, by smashing a bedroom
A CLEANER helped himself to more than £52,000 from a frail pensioner who looked upon him like a grandson, a court heard. Heroin addict Michael Irving, 45, had befriended the victim after doing work for her daughter and been taken on as a £180-a-week
A PENDLE woman who emigrated to South Africa has returned to her roots to help pass on her knowledge to the next generation of apprentices. Cheryl Hyem moved with her parents from Nelson when she was just 10. After completing a business and computer
PENDLE Council is searching for a recycling champion as part of a campaign to keep the borough clean. The local authority is keen to hear about those people who help to keep the recycling rates up. Coun John David, executive member for the environment
PENDLE'S Community Transport operation, which serves local elderly and disabled folk, has celebrated its 18th birthday with the delivery of two brand new minibuses. They replace two previous minibuses that clocked up over 186,000 miles between them
TRAWDEN was invaded by more than 80 scarecrows at the weekend. The colourful creations were part of the annual Garden and Scarecrow Festival, which attracted hundreds of visitors. About 30 gardens were also opened up as crowds enjoyed the summer sunshine
A BURNLEY fashion designer has scooped top honours at an international awards ceremony in Italy. And Aitor Throup now has designs on an illustrious career in the industry with several big-name companies interested in his talents. The 25-year-old won
Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses after a 22-year-old man was seriously injured when he crashed his go-kart into a parked car on Wednesday night in Nelson. He was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital suffering from
A 20-YEAR-OLD man was taken to Preston Royal Hospital by air ambulance on Saturday after a serious road accident on the outskirts of Burnley. The man, who is from Ramsbottom but has not been named, suffered a fractured neck and head injuries when his
Another brilliant bowling performance by professional Stephen John, the Northern Premier League's leading wicket-taker, destroyed Barrow at Windsor Park. The Chorley paceman bowled unchanged in a rain-interrupted Barrow innings to capture 7 for 49
Darwen enjoyed a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over title contenders Morecambe at Birch Hall on Saturday. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Darwen soon had Morecambe in trouble as captain Mercer removed both openers cheaply. All of
AUSSIE Ryan Harris was in sensational form as champions Lowerhouse stepped up the chase in the SponsorBank Lancashire League yesterday. Harris took 8 for 35 in the clash of the day against second-placed Bacup to inspire his side to a 102-run victory
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman fielded what he expects to be his starting back line when the Reds re-open their Football League account after a 44-year absence next Saturday. And a cruel deflection was the only thing that stood in the way of
A freak injury during the warm-up before the Olympiakos match prevented Peter Enckelman from making a rare appearance in goal for Blackburn Rovers. The Finn was all set to face the Greek champions in the friendly on Friday but twisted his ankle after
TWO East Lancashire people have taken up positions on Primary Care Trusts (PCT) in the area. The key posts will be filled by Nick Kennedy, who will sit on the Blackburn with Dar-wen Teaching PCT, and Kath Reade on the East Lancashire PCT. Primary care
RESIDENTS have hit out at "frustrating" delays that have halted plans to shut off an East Lancashire lane popular with "doggers" and fly-tippers. Calls were first made to install a security gate at the entrance to King's Highway in Huncoat more than
DISABLED patients at the new Royal Blackburn Hospital are being forced to pay to park because of a "ridiculous" policy, patients claim. When all 30 of the disabled bays at the Haslingden Road hospital are occupied, patients are being told they must pay
AN ACCRINGTON Stanley fan is supporting his team's Football League return with flower power. Victor Allonby, of Abbott Clough Avenue, Knuzden, has planted his garden with red and white busy lizzies as a sign of his dedication to the team. It's just
From Bill Austin, Bute Street, Blackburn. I'm just a little sparrow as timid as can be, the slightest sound upon the ground strikes terror into me. I strut among the starlings trying to be bold, it forms a screen then I'm not seen or so
TALENTED countrywomen showed off their arts and crafts at the Clitheroe Area Women's Institute Show. Dozens of local Women's Institute members attended the event at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, and competed in a range of classes, from handicrafts
CAMPAIGNERS have stepped up efforts to "save" two East Lancashire Post Offices. The Post Office has announced plans to privatise the main "Crown" offices in Abbey Street, Accrington, and Ainsworth Street, Blackburn. But protesters claim the move will
A YOUNG Accrington mum who twice attacked the same man in as many days is starting a 14 month jail term. A court heard how drug addict Joanne Alderson, 24, had been part of a group of drunken friends who had taken turns to punch victim Stephen Griffin
VULNERABLE children are to be given greater protection from predatory men thanks to a new initiative set up in the wake of the Lancashire Telegraph's Keep Them Safe campaign. The new Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) aims to ensure that agencies
At this price you can't expect any example of California's main red grape to be a subtle, multi-layered affair. But what you have got from the central valley south of San Francisco is a 13.5 per cent warm, spicy wine that's quite drinkable. A good
A scattershot compilation commemorating one year of releases by Tough Love Records, a label with an ear for the slinky, kitschy and quirky. This is as hit and miss as John Peel's festive fifty but rewarding for it, demonstrating the UK music scene
Surprisingly rocketing to stardom with their jarring, trite tales of nothingness, the British answer to The Bravery deliver some more huffy hubris with Civil Sin. Like Clearasil on a teen's face, all traces of Boy Kill Boy's grit have been wiped clean
Featuring ex-members of soundscape shatterers Sonar Yen, plus singer Gareth from electro-evolutionists TVH-3, this, on the surface, is another slice of stale bread from the loaf of angular, discordant punk. However, delve a little deeper and Snakes
