AS the new academic year is about to commence, parents, pupils and teachers will give full marks to the effort by education bosses to defeat the serious recruitment crisis that blighted schools in East Lancashire. A year ago, it was so bad that Blackburn
ONE of the stalwarts of East Lancashire's amateur theatre world had a double reason to celebrate. At the annual National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) dinner Dorothy Perkins was presented with a surprise award to mark 50 years with Blackburn
BOSSES at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Edenfield are growing increasingly concerned over the number of cats they are taking in. The sanctuary currently has more than 250 cats looking for a new home and staff are appealing for people to adopt a cat, particularly
THE deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman have sparked calls to bring back the death penalty. We are to have a referendum on the Euro, so let's have one on capital punishment, "Life in Prison is no Deterrent". The vote needs to be put to the people
Leigh RMI 2-0 Margate by Martyn Hindley LEIGH RMI had to call upon all of their battling persistence and resolve to claim three points from an uninspiring installment of Conference football against Margate at Hilton Park. The Railwaymen recorded a clean
LIVINGSTON completed the signings of Rovers duo Burton O'Brien and David McNamee in time to beat Saturday's transfer deadline. The Scottish club had been tracking the pair for some time and finally agreed a deal late on Saturday. Rovers will not receive
A LOOK at the key moments and stats from Rovers' game against Boro. ROVERS: BRAD FRIEDEL: Some great saves when he was called into action, otherwise a spectator. Could do nothing about the goal...8 LUCAS NEILL: After the agony of his dismissal on his
THE "Italian Job" became the Cameroon Job but it was no comedy script for Rovers at the end of this smash and grab saga. Rovers' master plan was to keep striker Massimo Maccarone quiet, the £8.25m buy from Italy, but instead Nils-Eric Johansson committed
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help out at the Burnley District Citizens Advice Service, in St James Street, Burnley. The appeal coincides with the annual advice week, which will run from September 3 to 10, which has the theme of recruitment. Volunteers would
CAMPAIGNERS against plans for an open-cast mine on Heald Moor above Bacup showed their opposition on Saturday with a protest march. Almost 100 objectors gathered with their 'No Moor Mines' banners at Todmorden Town Hall, where they were met by the Bang
BOSTON UNITED 1, SHAKERS 1: A LAST minute equaliser meant that Bury had to settle for a point when they really should have taken all three at league newcomers Boston United writes JAMES BENTLEY. The Shakers always had the best of a hard fought game despite
EXTRA police have been drafted into two East Lancashire towns after clashes between groups armed with baseball bats and hockey sticks. Officers said about 20 people were involved in disturbances close to Dixie Fried Chicken and Powerhouse Gym, Burnley
RECORDS are often unclear on when Blackburn's "Serpentine," the lake in Queen's Park, was built -- as most reports hazily state that it was a "few years" after the park itself opened on June 20, 1887, as a Golden Jubilee memorial to Queen Victoria. That
TODDLER Ben Jamieson copied his two-year-old brother and got his foot stuck in a drain. Firefighters were called to Skelshaw Close in Blackburn and rescued the 18-month-old baby who had tried to get at some toys.
A CRACKDOWN on advertising signs and security blinds was launched by officials in the Ribble Valley. The initiative was sparked by complaints from the public over street clutter in Longridge, Whalley and Clitheroe town centres.
A GRANDFATHER has died of a suspected heart attack on an Austrian mountain despite frantic attempts to save his life. John Williams, 64, of Windsor Road, Knuzden, was recording the view with a camcorder high up on Brech Orn, Westen-Dorf, Austria, when
PLANNING officials are to visit a site to take another look at the access to a proposed new development of hundreds of new homes. Landmatch Ltd, which owns the former Huncoat Brickwork site, has submitted an outline application to develop the site which
A WAR hero who is celebrating 55 years of marriage today revealed how he is facing the toughest battle of his life -- to save his wife's care home from the axe. Norman Hickey, 83, of Lyndon Court, Great Harwood, broke down in tears as he revealed how
TELEVISION weatherman Fred Talbot visited Stonyhurst College to take a peek at the sun through its telescope. He visited the state-of-the-art observatory at the independent Catholic college to look at a dark spot on the sun. Although the sunspot was visible
HEALTH bosses have announced a £200,000 cash boost for hospitals and health centres across Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. The spending package from Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust includes £100,000 worth of repairs and improvements at Accrington
CLARETS striker Gareth Taylor has blasted the decision not to cancel first division games next weekend as he fears losing his place in the Burnley side. "I get a bit annoyed when games are not called off outside of the Premier League when internationals
THE key moments from Burnley's game against the Eagles. BURNLEY NIK MICHOPOULOS Vital saves mixed with some anxious moments to ensure the home fans were on the edge of their seats...7 DEAN WEST Some strong challenges but he could have done better with
RAWTENSTALL won the final of the Lancashire League's Floodlit competition beating Ramsbottom by three runs in a 20-overs final. Rawtenstall's Bob Riley won the man-of-the-match award thanks to an unbeaten 32. SCORES - Rawtenstall innings: I Mitchell run
CHAMPIONS Bacup were in no mood to let Colne spoil the party atmosphere at Lanehead - or indeed delay it - as they romped to a 10-wicket win. Having wrapped up the Transco Lancashire League championship at Ramsbottom last week, Bacup underlined their
ROVERS defender Craig Short is determined to make Chelsea suffer after the agonising injury-time loss at Middlesbrough ended their unbeaten start to the season. The Ewood outfit are now without a game until a week on Wednesday when the Blues visit and
A MAN escaped unhurt from his home in Winterton Road, Darwen, after a suspected arson attack which firefighters described as a "domestic incident." Firefighters said the man was asleep in his living room when the blaze was started near a window, which
A CLAMPDOWN is being launched on speeding motorists on a notorious route known as the 'devil's road'. The limit on the A666 Bolton Road at Bull Hill, Darwen, is being reduced from 60mph to 50mph and will be enforced by the regular presence of mobile speed
ROSSENDALE residents are being encouraged to 'do their bit' and begin composting early ahead of the borough introducing its green bin policy. A home composting workshop will be held at the Mary Hindle Resource Centre in Bury Road, Haslingden, on Saturday
A LEADING estate agent today reassured home buyers that Rossendale remained a competitive market place, despite the ongoing boom in property prices. Julie Balchin, of Rawtenstall-based estate agents Moving Works in Bank Street, said increases in the Valley
FIREFIGHTERS today warned youngsters they were risking their lives after a fire badly damaged a derelict factory in Oak Street, Bastwell, Blackburn. Station officer Aidan Fortune said children were responsible for the blaze in a pile of timber around
EIGHT puppies buried alive and left for dead before they had opened their eyes have all found new homes in the Blackburn and Hyndburn areas. The last of the cross breeds has found an owner after an appeal for people to come forward in the Lancashire Evening
FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw hailed students who gave up part of their summer holiday to study. The Blackburn MP was one of the guests celebrating the culmination of a two-week summer school at Queen's Park Technology College. Staff targeted gifted and
POLICE today appealed for the public's help in identifying a man who is fighting for his life following an alleged assault in Blackburn. He is described being from the "alcoholic fraternity" and is "extremely poorly" in the intensive care unit of Blackburn
AN unidentified man was in intensive care today with serious head injuries following an alleged assault in his home. Police have as yet been unable to determine the man's identity after he was found in Wensley Road, Blackburn, by officers and paramedics
RAMSBOTTOM made it £1,500 in the FA Cup after coming through the extra-preliminary round and Saturday's preliminary round against their NWCL Division Two opponents. The enthusiastic Chadderton side made life difficult for the Rams who dominated the early
ONE pulsating second half minute proved to be the most decisive of the 90 as Darwen crashed out of the FA Cup at the Anchor Ground. At 1-1 and still very much in the tie, Denny Khan had a goalbound header tipped over the bar. From the resulting corner
COLNE boss John Lister pointed to the absence of several key players in response to his side's heavy FA Cup thrashing at Ashington. "We had five players out going into the tie, so to lose Gareth West and Andy Ramskill with injuries during the match made
GREAT Harwood face a testing trip to Lincolnshire on Wednesday night after failing to crack their rivals defence in their FA Cup clash. Manager John Hughes had a below strength side due to injuries and suspensions, but felt his team had enough chances
FIREFIGHTERS had to climb down into a 20-foot sewer to rescue two dogs. A woman was walking the Staffordshire bull terriers on open land next to Orchard Drive in Bury yesterday when they ran out of view. She called the fire brigade after realising that
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Pendle District Citizens Advice Bureau drop in advice session, Earby Community Centre, New Road, 10am-noon. Lumb-in-Rossendale WI meet Unitarian Church Hall, Turnpike
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn and District Probus Club meet Lammack Methodist Church, Blackburn, 10am. 'Through stained glass windows' by Margaret Edwards. Blackburn Breast Care Support
SHOULD he or shouldn't he? As the debate about the presence of the father at the birth of a baby rages on, my husband happened to tune into a discussion on the issue on the radio (Woman's Hour, his favourite after The Archers). "Surely men have a right
I FEEL I must make a statement regards our residents in the council run homes. Your headline on August 22 says it all. Why won't anyone listen? Will the Labour Lancashire county councillors be willing to forego their new pay structure to help keep our
WE are very disappointed by the decision not to retain Hill Top as a residential home in the long term. The concept of having a range of support facilities and giving people choice is excellent -- providing there is a full range of facilities available
I STRONGLY agree with Simon Tonks, (LET August 26) in his response to the serving police officer, Peter Cunningham, (LET August 7, re: Janet West). It does appear to be the easy target that is being chased. I would much prefer "safety cameras" to be deployed
A CLAMPDOWN is being launched on speeding motorists on a notorious route known as the 'devil's road'. The limit on the A666 Bolton Road at Bull Hill, Darwen, is being reduced from 60mph to 50mph and will be enforced by the regular presence of mobile speed
A HEARTBROKEN couple were forced to turn off the ventilator keeping their daughter alive while she was still well enough to smile and play. Relatives and a leading clergyman today paid tribute to Matthew and Lucy Turner, of Oak Close, Barrow, for making
Leigh Centurions 60, Swinton Lions 14 by Mike Hulme INFLUENTIAL Centurions skipper Adam Bristow could be heading for play-off heartbreak after being red carded in yesterday's runaway win. The Aussie loose forward was sent off for the first time in his
ROVERS' two Academy sides chalked up impressive victories over Watford at the weekend. Rob Kelly's Under 19s won 3-0 while Ian Miller's Under 17s battled back from a goal down to complete a win double thanks to a 2-1 triumph. Young striker Andy Bell was
BLACKBURN Rovers today revealed they have slashed ticket prices in a bid to attract a bumper gate for their UEFA Cup first round clash with CSKA Sofia on September 19. Rovers were paired with CSKA, one of the giants of Eastern Europe, when the first round
ROVERS defender Craig Short is determined to make Chelsea suffer after the agonising injury-time loss at Middlesbrough ended their unbeaten start to the season. The Ewood outfit are now without a game until a week on Wednesday when the Blues visit and
POLICE have launched a September crackdown on speeding throughout the Pennine Division -- which takes in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. Police will also visit schools and community groups to talk about road safety issues. Road Policing Unit Inspector
AN East Lancashire MP has stepped up his campaign to force manufacturers, retailers and restaurants to address the problem of food allergies -- some of which are potentially fatal. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal said that one
CONTROVERSIAL plans to hang a large advertising banner on the gasholder in Brierfield look likely to be thrown out by councillors. Webtext Limited wants to hang a 67 metre by 18 metre banner on the western side of the gas holder, in Junction Street, to
STAND were in seventh heaven after their romp over struggling Daisy Hill. Athletic notched up their second win of the season to move up to third in the NWCL Division Two. STAND...7 DAISY HILL...0
CYCLISTS from all over Pendle took part in the charity Pendle Bikeathon in Barnoldswick this weekend -- but for seven-year-old Lauren Richmond it was just out of her grasp. The plucky schoolgirl, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia less
A 54-YEAR-OLD man who sexually attacked a young mum in her own bed, is awaiting sentence. Peter Wohlters Roe, 54, was found guilty of indecent assault, after a four-day trial at Burnley Crown Court. He was bailed until October 18 for a pre-sentence report
HEALTH bosses have announced a £200,000 cash boost for hospitals and health centres across Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. The spending package from Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust includes £100,000 worth of repairs and improvements at Accrington
JOHN CROPPER could be the oldest fan of one of Lancashire's most famous culinary delights after munching his way through a pie a day for 86 years. The 95-year-old declared Baxenden-based Hollands Pies are the upper crust when it comes to pastry savouries
IN times of crisis in the television series the call went out to International Rescue. As Burnley looked for their first win of the season manager Stan Ternent sent for his international strike force. Next weekend Gareth Taylor and Dimitri Papadopoulos
READ are on the verge of their first Ribblesdale League title since 1979 after weekend victories against league champions Cherry Tree and Clitheroe. Barnoldswick are the only side that can catch Read with one round of matches still to be played next Saturday
STAN Ternent must face up to the trip to Derby knowing that neither Gareth Taylor or Dimitri Papadopoulos will be available for selection. Saturday's goalless draw with Crystal Palace was far from being a classic but that first point, courtesy of a first
PRESTON put the brakes on Ipswich's goal-scoring high-jinx thanks to an elastic performance from keeper Tepi Moilanen. But while the Flying Finn was the true star of the game, fans from both sides will remember just one person as a result of a goal-less
TRIPS to hospital will be made a little easier for people in Ramsbottom with the introduction of a direct bus service from today, connecting the town with Fairfield General Hospital, Bury. Rossendale Transport has agreed to introduce a co-ordinated service
A LEADING estate agent today reassured home buyers that Rossendale remained a competitive marketplace -- despite a recent boom in prices. Julie Balchin, of Rawtenstall-based estate agents Moving Works in Bank Street, said the rise in house prices on the
SOME of the country's strongest men battled it out in a bid to become Rossendale Strongman 2002. The event at the Jester Inn, Crawshawbooth, yesterday attracted competitors from as far as Ireland, Northampton and Wolverhampton, as well as a selection
FIREFIGHTERS from across East Lancashire could go out on strike if attempts to resolve a pay dispute fail. Members of Lancashire Fire and Rescue were due to join thousands of crew in London today to lobby a meeting between the Fire Brigade Union and the
A HEARTBROKEN couple were forced to turn off the ventilator keeping their daughter alive while she was still well enough to smile and play. Relatives and a leading clergyman today paid tribute to Matthew and Lucy Turner, of Oak Close, Barrow, for making
NELSON'S first appearance in the FA Cup for 34 years ended in heartache as they crashed to a late winner from Craig Wilkinson. The Blues deservedly led twice with goals by strikers Carl Howarth and Dave Gray only to succumb to a late sucker punch from
ROSSENDALE produced the worst performance for some time to crash out of the FA Cup to a side relegated from the UniBond First Division last season. Dale started strongly winning several corners but they were unable to trouble the Ossett keeper. In the
CLITHEROE'S interest in the FA Cup was ended at the first hurdle by UniBond First Division title hopefuls Radcliffe Borough. The NWCL Division One leaders started well with frontmen Lee Cryer coming close with a header from Mark Aspinall's cross while
BACUP lost to a late goal against North East Counties Premier League leaders Bridlington at Rossendale's Dark Lane yesterday - but boss Brent Peters could not fault his side. The NWCL Division Two side were more than a match for Town but failed to defend
BURNLEY racer Neil Hodgson had to settle for two third places as Colin Edwards blew the World Superbike Championship wide open with a dominant display to take his fourth and fifth successive victories of the season at Oschersleben in Germany. The American
THE Stanley bandwagon keeps on rolling as John Coleman's side disposed of one of their main rivals for the UniBond Premier League crown. Accrington have now won five games out of five and are sitting pretty at the top of the league after Paul Mullin and
PARENTS fighting to save a Ramsbottom primary school will find out on Thursday (Sept 5) if their high-profile campaign has been a success. The School Organisation Committee (SOC) will meet in the Radcliffe Civic Suite at 7.30pm to decide whether St Paul's
