JULIE Waring got a job at a nursing home using a false name at a time when she was claiming incapacity benefit. And Blackburn magistrates heard that, over a period of 12 months, Waring received £3,792 to which she was not entitled. Waring, 41, of Stansfeld
STACKSTEADS may soon have its own 'Wall of History' similar to the one in Bacup. Councillor Michael McShea has identified a piece of council-owned land close to the junction of Brandwood Road and Newchurch Road. At its next meeting the policy and resources
A MOBILE cafe owner has been asked to move her caravan from a lay-by on the notorious Haslingden to Blackburn road in a bid to reduce accidents. Karen Murray, who has run the business for four years, has been asked by police to move her business as part
ELAINE June Duffy was caught working as a cleaner when she was claiming incapacity benefit and producing doctor's notes to say she was unfit for work, Blackburn magistrates heard. Duffy, 26, of Glenluce Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three charges
AN East Lancashire special school earmarked for change in a major education review has won a second prestigious Investors in People award. Dame Evelyn Fox School in Roman Road, Blackburn, has been recognised for its high standard of staff development
A COUNCIL says improvements to the road where two men died in a horrific car smash this week will start within the next month. Blackburn Council allocated £19,000 towards improvements to the A666 in Darwen in October last year. The work will be carried
AN alcoholic who raided his next door neighbour's home by breaking through the attic, has started a 15-month jail term. Burnley Crown Court heard how Alexander McGhee, 39, had known his victim for many years and was disgusted by what he had done. Sentencing
Learning Pays A MAJOR conference looking at how education can lead to economic benefits will be held in Blackburn next week. The Learning Pays conference, at Ewood Park, has been organised by Blackburn with Darwen Lifelong Learning Forum. Nearly 200 delegates
Blackburn Rovers Reserves 0 Leeds United Reserves 1 SCOTLAND international David Hopkin sank Rovers with a stunning second half thunderbolt at a misty Ewood Park last night. The United midfielder struck in spectacular style two minutes after the break
SINGLE mum Jessica Halsall claimed benefits while she was working as a steward at Blackburn Rovers and as a part-time barmaid. Blackburn magistrates heard that by the time the deception was discovered, Halsall had been overpaid by more than £2,000. Halsall
ROVERS Youth team could come face-to-face with West Ham's teenage star Joe Cole in the fourth round of FA Youth Cup tonight. Cole, who is currently being touted for a place in England's Euro 2000 squad, played for the Hammers in the last round of this
THE WORRIED parents of a four-year-old girl have taken their daughter out of school because of fears over a head lice epidemic. Rex and Michelle Gath, of Fawcett Close, Bank Top, Blackburn, claim they have lost count of the number of times their daughter
A PRIMARY school found to have serious weaknesses less than four years ago has been praised in its latest Ofsted report. St Luke and St Philip's CE Primary, in Hancock Street, Blackburn, is described as a good and improved school after four inspectors
GARRY Flitcroft is planning to give Blackburn boss Tony Parkes a selection problem by making a first team comeback early next month. The combative midfield man returned to action as a second half substitute with Rovers reserves' last night during a 1-
CLARETS chairman Barry Kilby is hoping that Burnley's promotion run-in will entice extra fans to Turf Moor to help pay off the club's debts. Despite their vastly improved form this season - and a record of 10 wins in 12 games at Turf Moor - Burnley are
Blackburn Artists' Society meet St Gabriel's Church Hall, Brownhill Drive, Brownhill, Blackburn, 7pm. "Merlin and the Sacred Map," Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, 7.30pm. Citizen's Advice Bureau advice and information session, Audley Community Centre, Blackburn
CYCLING fanatic Alan Roff is preparing to swop the Ribble Valley's country roads for the for the heat of Mexico in a gruelling charity challenge. Next month Alan will join a small group of cyclists travelling coast-to-coast across Mexico to raise money
TWO East Lancashire Tories defied Chief Whip Tim Renton to vote against the Government over the poll tax. Hyndburn's Ken Hargreaves and Pendle's John Lee were hauled before Mr Renton and read the riot act. But they refused his appeal to their loyalty
A PARROT escaped a roasting thanks to Darwen's intrepid fire-fighting team. The bird's owner escaped when a chip pan caught fire at her home in Sandy Lane, Lower Darwen. But the parrot was trapped inside the smoke-logged house when firefighters came to
BOBBY Haig has stepped up his efforts to strengthen his Blackburn Hawks squad as the transfer deadline looms ever closer. Player-coach Haig, whose side are pushing for a promotion play-offs place in the English League Division One (North), is currently
DARWEN had to work the nightshift before settling for a replay in their Floodlit Trophy clash with Kidsgrove Athletic. A delayed start due to the fog, which lifted 10 minutes after the scheduled 8pm kick-off to guarantee that the game could go ahead,
JACK Straw's forebears came to England where clearly they elected to stay. It was at Leeds University where he received an education, much subsidised by the English and the rest of British taxpayers. An English constituency gave him his seat in Parliament
THE years since the war have seen the steady erosion of the qualities which made us so special. The base for society used to be marriage and the family, with each member playing his or her role with pride. This was similar to the one used in the Army
IT is with regret that I read (LET, January 12) Councillor Tim O'Kane's flippant remarks about the effects of the proposed telecommunications tower being sited so close to a school and in a residential area in Sandy Lane, Accrington. At Friends of the
A TAXICAB protest was due to take place in Burnley today as cabbies claimed their livelihood was under threat. Taxi drivers planned a cab procession from the town's main bus station cab rank to the town hall to object to plans to remove the rank as part
A CONTROVERSIAL figure in local politics in Burnley during the sixties has died. Former alderman and council leader John Cassidy was found collapsed at the bottom of the stairs at his Hobart Street home and died in hospital on Saturday. He was 78. Mr
PLANS to extend a warehouse in Commercial Street, Oswaldtwistle, look set to be approved by councillors despite objections from residents. Vernon Stainless Ltd wants permission to build a 1,144 square metre extension at its Victoria Works. Neighbours
EDUCATION chiefs want to build a specialist unit for autistic children at Broadfield School in Fielding Lane, Oswaldtwistle. The county council has applied for permission to build a single-storey extension including two classrooms, a multi-purpose group
THREE Oswaldtwistle men were due before Hyndburn magistrates today after a street attack which left two men with slashed heads. Lorry driver William Alexander Fullerton, 37, of Hornby Street, faces two counts of wounding with intent and one of violent
TEENAGERS in Hyndburn were vaccinated against a strain of meningitis at Accrington Victoria Hospital. The session, on Tuesday evening, was held for 15 to 17-year-olds who are not in full time education and had missed out on their jabs. It was one of 20
HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope wants a telecommunications mast to be sited further away from an Accrington school, amid fears children could be exposed to cancer risks. Mr Pope has asked the police and BT Quadrant - who were granted permission to erect the 15-
Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy THIS week, I have pleasure in devoting time and space to a consideration of the Fauna Britannica Survey. Your role in Fauna Britannica: Readers of this column will know of the importance I place on listing the wildlife of
TEENAGERS are being given a taste of the world of work. Pupils from secondary schools in East Lancashire are taking part in a pilot project which will see them spend three days a week on work experience and two days in school for 20 weeks. The aim of
MANUFACTURING is back! Latest figures show that the recovery in the industry which dominates East Lancashire's economy is continuing to gather strength. The Office for National Statistics reported manufacturing output in November was up 0.6 per cent on
THE end of gang violence in Brierfield is to be marked permanently with the creation of a Millennium Peace Garden. The idea of came from young people at the town's youth centre who said they wanted to transform open land near the town hall to mark the
A MOTHER today praised the prompt actions of Spanish doctors who saved the life of her daughter after a new millennium holiday nearly turned to tragedy. As the chimes of the new year rang out, two-year-old Chelsea Baldwin was lying in an Alicante hospital's
POLICE are opposing plans to extend the 30mph speed limit in Rivington Road, Blackburn. Residents say they want the extension because cars have been approaching the village at high speed before hitting the speed restricted zone. But police say the current
YOUNG birdwatchers from East Lancashire are invited to join in the UK's biggest-ever survey of garden birds. The Big Garden Birdwatch is organised by the RSPB's junior section and will provide useful information about how birds are faring and which species
VISITORS to Rossendale Museum in Whittaker Park, Rawtenstall, want to see more local history displays, more activities for younger children and longer opening hours of the refreshment kiosk and toilets, a survey showed. The exhibition programme, character
Learning Pays ONE company which knows that Learning Pays is Blackburn-based Partwell Limited. The firm, which machines and supplies plastics and cutting steels for a wide range of industries, has invested in training and is now reaping the dividends.
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council has come up with a magic way of promoting road safety. The council's road safety unit has organised a tour of infant and primary schools by Birmingham-based Professor Kevin Martyn and his show Abracadabra. The show uses magic
CROOKS who steal cars in one area to use them to commit offences elsewhere are being targeted in a combined operation between police in Rossendale and Greater Manchester. Operation Flyover, launched on Monday, will last for several weeks. Inspector Andy
AN objective view on the most controversial transport issue facing Pendle is being prepared by environmental groups. Pendle Transport 2000 and Community Action Network have linked to produce a local leaflet on options on the £30million Colne-Thornton-in-Craven
CRUMBLING roads and bridges in East Lancashire will get a £5million boost to help cut a three to five year backlog of repairs. The money has been secured under the Government's Local Transport Plan scheme. And the county council has also agreed to pump
PLANS to extend Clitheroe's closed circuit television system into Longridge and Whalley have been dropped by councillors. The proposals to extend coverage with 17 new cameras, at a cost of £276,000, were deemed too expensive and were dumped in favour
A FORESTRY worker could face prison after being found guilty of digging for badgers and cruelty to his dog. Stipendiary magistrate Michael Abelson reached his verdict after listening to two days of evidence at Burnley Magistrates Court and adjourned the
NELSON overcame the dismissal of skipper Ian Lang to secure a deserved league win. The visitors went ahead in the 22 minute when Mark Robinson worked the ball through into the box and gave Bacup keeper Marc Scowcroft no chance with a resounding shot into
THE massive job of cleaning up the European Commission's image gets under way today when Neil Kinnock is expected to propose a new internal audit service and an ethics committee - seen as the most radical overhaul of the Brussels operation in 40 years
ACCRINGTON Stanley have sold star striker Gary Williams to Doncaster Rovers for a club-record £60,000. The deal for 24-goal hitman smashes the Reds' previous best pay-day of £50,000 for Brett Ormerod. But Stanley supremo Eric Whalley believes the Nationwide
POPULAR former Worsthorne publican John Thompson has died following a nine month battle against cancer. Ex-policeman Mr Thompson, 50, licensee at the Crooked Billet for three years, underwent an operation to remove a brain tumour at Royal Preston Hospital
A BURGLARY victim saw his property in the window of a second hand shop, a court was told. Burnley Crown Court heard James Atkinson, 44, raided a neighbour's home and claimed he did it because the man had allegedly molested a little girl. Sending Atkinson
A BURGLARY victim saw his property in the window of a second hand shop, a court was told. Burnley Crown Court heard James Atkinson, 44, raided a neighbour's home and claimed he did it because the man had allegedly molested a little girl. Sending Atkinson
CLARETS chairman Barry Kilby is hoping that Burnley's promotion run-in will entice extra fans to Turf Moor to help pay off the club's debts. Despite their vastly improved form this season - and a record of 10 wins in 12 games at Turf Moor - Burnley are
GARRY Flitcroft is planning to give Blackburn boss Tony Parkes a selection problem by making a first team comeback early next month. The combative midfield man returned to action as a second half substitute with Rovers reserves' last night during a 1-
BARRISTERS representing the final two men accused of being involved in street violence which left two brothers injured, told a jury they were not guilty. Keith Harrison, defending Graham MacGregor, 39, urged the Burnley Crown Court panel to see through
A SENIOR Kashmir independence campaigner in East Lancashire has called on the British Government to resolve the bitter war between Pakistan and India over the disputed territory. Mohammed Aslam, of Nelson, who is general secretary of the All Jammu and
A BLUEPRINT has been drawn up to build one of the biggest housing estates in Pendle in years. Whoever builds on the green field site between Nelson and Brierfield will have to call in independent experts to check on the geology and stability of the site
A BLUEPRINT has been drawn up to build one of the biggest housing estates in Pendle in years. Whoever builds on the green field site between Nelson and Brierfield will have to call in independent experts to check on the geology and stability of the site
WORKERS picketed Blackburn's Norweb depot to protest against sister company North West Water's plans to transfer 500 jobs to another employer. Repair gangs who carry out maintenance work were speaking to visitors at the Whitebirk site. The men are angry
URGENT talks have opened between health managers to try and find the cash to fund the Government's inflation-busting pay rise for hospital workers. Bosses at Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust are hoping that its annual spending allocation
BACUP and Stacksteads community partnership is preparing a single regeneration bid for £4.75 million. Rossendale Council chief executive Steven Hartley will co-ordinate the preparation, production and distribution of a leaflet to all households in Bacup
SMALL catering businesses and other food outlets concerned about new food hygiene regulations can now get the answers at Nelson and Colne College. Along with the North West Development Agency the college has developed a package of help designed with the
A FORMER Darwen couple have stumbled across Blackburn Down Under! Colin and Doris Whitter moved to New Zealand 29 years ago, but at the end of last year they came across Blackburn near Hawke Bay, near Napier in North Island, complete with its own Pendle
Learning Pays BUSINESSES in East Lancashire must invest in training and education if they are to thrive in the new global economy, according to the keynote speaker at Tuesday's conference. Professor Mike Campbell is director of the Policy Research Institute
Andy Neil reports on 'Jack's Academy' THERE is not the usual blooming red rose in the centre of the Blackburn Rovers badge that proudly adorns the new Brockhall Academy entrance. Instead, a rose bud signifies the imposing futuristic building's role as
Learning Pays EDUCATION helped Rehana Mall go from being a £50-a-week trainee to a full-time council employee in a year. Rehana, from Blackburn, is a former pupil of the town's Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School and St Mary's College. In early 1998 she
EXPANSION plans at one of East Lancashire's newest employers are expected to lead to up to 40 new jobs. Rosenberger Micro-Coax set up a factory manufacturing electrical cable assemblies on the Walker Park in Blackburn last year The American and German
ADRIAN Bibby was caught on camera doing 99mph on the Clitheroe by-pass on a Sunday afternoon. And Blackburn magistrates rejected a plea for him not to be disqualified under their discretionary powers. Bibby, 23, of Parson Lane, Clitheroe, was disqualified
PUPILS have a new school for the new millennium - 40 years after it was first planned. Children at St Mary's RC Primary School, Sabden, spent their first day in the new Watt Street building yesterday and are thrilled by the bright, new surroundings. For
I WISH to report a most unusual event that occurred as I was reading Councillor Frank Gorton's comments highlighting Labour's towering and incomparable achievements during the past two years (Letters, January 13), when my attention was diverted by the
IS this not just typical of our Blackburn with Darwen New Labour councillors that they charged double for cremations over the festive season? (LET, January 3). Have they not got the comprehension to realise that people do not choose the day of their departure
THIS long awaited Floodlit Trophy first round replay finally got under way some 17 weeks after the original 2-2 draw at Dark Lane. Midway through the half Rams skipper Warren Brierley jumped into Danny Heyes just inside the penalty area. The referee had
THE £376 million for health authorities is a tonic for my area, Gordon Prentice says. A tonic for whom? The patients and nursing staff or for administrators and councillors to indulge in their ideas of what is good for the people? We have seen great expansions
CRIME figures in the Pennine police division have improved dramatically since figures highlighted Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale as the crime centres of the county. Chief Supt Ian McPherson said the figures up to September, 1999 were a clear indication
AN inquest was being opened today into the death of former police sergeant Paul Rowley. The body of Mr Rowley, 46, of Condarol Cottage, Sellars Fold Farm, Hapton, was found hanging in woods behind the Hapton Inn near to Miste Farm on Saturday. The grim
Reporter MIKE RIBBECK continues his battle to give up smoking I WAS beginning to give up all hope of anyone coming out to support my bid to pack in the fags. I am sure there are plenty of smokers out there who decided to quit at the start of the new millennium
A TILE firm has reported a leap in profits of more than 50 per cent. Topps Tiles, which has a base in Blackburn, saw sales rise by 56 per cent to £30.3million in the six months to November 27 compared with the same period last year. Profits before tax
EVER been to a council meeting? Do you know how key decisions involving your council tax are taken at the town hall? The Labour government is proposing huge changes which will end years of tradition. And concerns have been widely expressed that the new
A PROJECT aimed at getting jobless people back into work and training has been launched in a Pendle town. The Brierfield Access to Training and Jobs scheme, based at the town's youth centre, was unveiled yesterday.. It is aimed at unemployed people of
DISABLED people may qualify for lower council tax bills this year. Pendle Council says recent Government changes mean more reductions are available. From April 1 the reductions for disabilities scheme will include properties in tax band A, houses valued
A PAIR of young thieves have raided the Darwen homes of at least eight elderly people in the past two months. Police are urging householders to watch out for the boys who claim to have lost their football or cat. Det Sergeant Chris Hughes of Darwen CID
A RUNNER who has battled against cancer has helped raise £2,800 to help other sufferers. Jimmy Egan, 47, of Queen's Square, Hoddlesden, took part in the 13-mile Great North Run in October. He was joined by his friends and training partners David Taylor
A DOG lover is urging people to help the plight of a mongrel who was found in a horrific condition at a house in Blackburn. Glenys Fryer, of Green Lane, Blackburn, rescued the dog after she visited Aspen Valley Kennels in Oswaldtwistle and heard the dog
