BROADBAND For Schools, an ambitious new initiative aimed at providing primary and secondary schools across East Lancashire with free, lightning-fast internet access, has been launched. Just 20 per cent of schools in the UK currently own a broadband connection
HUNDREDS of East Lancashire's blighted and boarded-up terrace houses are set to be bulldozed and rebuilt in the next decade as the Government targets the region's deprived areas. Meanwhile, Accrington and Rossendale College is busy turning out highly-skilled
SCHOOL MESSAGE: Roman Road Primary and Nursery School staff will work together to ensure that every pupil enjoys a challenging educational experience which meets his or her individual needs in a supportive and caring environment. Roman Road Primary is
IN the midst of their first eight-day strike, firefighters in East Lancashire have brought welcome reassurance to the half million people they normally protect. It is that when lives are at risk, they will abandon their strike. For not just once, but
A second new DIY superstore is being planned for Blackburn. Nelson-based Barnfield Construction has applied for planning permission to build a 75,000 sq ft DIY warehouse, 17,500 sq ft garden centre and 17,500 sq ft builder's yard on land at Byrom Street
I WOULD like to thank the staffat Peel House Medical Centre, Accrington for the care and attention I received during my recent illness. Thanks also to Terry Barber. ROSEMARY SPEDDING (Mrs), Perth Street, Accrington.
MAY I remind cyclists who travel to work or college, especially on dark mornings, that the Highway Code applies just as much to them as it does to motorists. As a keen cyclist, who, to my shame, commutes by car from Brownhill to Blackburn town centre,
REGARDING Mr R Blackwood's experience with a speed camera off Whalley Road, Great Harwood, where the limit has recently been reduced (Letters, November 20). My husband has received a fine through the post after being caught by it. He uses the same route
DURING the first world war Phyllis Duncan won a Leigh Girls' Grammar School prize for her display of pressed flowers. Born in 1900, Phyllis recently died recently and that wonderful display which earned her an award in 1916 will be preserved for future
A PRIMARY school hit by four burglaries is taking drastic steps to prevent more -- by bolting down computers and defacing valuable equipment. Glenys Lees, headteacher of Roe Lee Park County, in Emerald Avenue, Blackburn, decided to improve security after
POLICE have launched a murder inquiry after a grandfather is believed to have killed his wife before hanging himself in the garage of their home. Linda Carroll, 54, was found with a substantial head wound in the attic of the house in Pendle View, Burnley
SOUNESS has called on his players to cut out the sloppy mistakes which cost them dearly against Charlton. "We are in a period where we are making individual mistakes," said Souness. "The second goal was a poor goal and that's us at the moment. "Collectively
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is eyeing up a possible swoop for Turkish World Cup star Hakan Sukur. As I understand it, the Rovers boss is planning to hold talks with the 31-year-old about a move to the Premiership in the next seven days. And the former
A LOOK at the key moments from the game against Charlton. ROVERS: KELLY: Might have done better for Euell's goal late on but before that he'd done little wrong. 6 CURTIS: Looked far more comfortable on the right than he ever did on the left. 6 NEILL:
ACCORDING to the adverts, a quick dose of Rennie is meant to act as a fast and effective remedy for indigestion. However, here at The Valley, nothing could have been further from the truth as the performance of referee Uriah Rennie left Graeme Souness
HIGH school pupils have scooped another national theatrical premier. Award winning pupils from St Mary's High will be the first in the country to perform Les Miserables, the West End musical based on the novel by Victor Hugo. The production is set to
NINE jobs at one of Padiham's oldest companies are set to go after bosses admitted they were expecting a down-turn in business -- a fall in business blamed on the foot and mouth disease. Bosses at Perserverance Mills Ltd, based at Albion Mills, Padiham
A FORMER Burnley chapel is set to get the green light for conversion to a nightclub. Developers want to turn the former Mount Pleasant Chapel, in Hammerton Street, Burnley, into a disco. They have drawn up plans for the conversion. Proposals for the overhaul
HOW they rated FORMGUIDE: Garner 7, Stuart 7, Swailes 8, Nelson 7, Unsworth 7, Billy 7, Preece 7 (O'Shaughnessy 81), Redmond 7, George 7 (Nugent 61), Newby 7, Johnrose 7. Subs not used: Lawson, Woodthorpe and Forrest. REFEREE: Mr C. Webster (Tyne &
Carlisle Utd 1 Bury 2 by Phil Thorp ANDY Preece's happy travellers wrapped up another three away points in a game that only came to life midway through the second half. Both defences were well and truly on top until Cumbrians skipper Peter Murphy blasted
GORDON Hudson, 58, of Townhouse Road, Nelson, was arrested on Thursday after a team of officers armed with a warrant raided an address Police said a "substantial" amount of what was believed to be an explosive substance was recovered along with various
SOLDIERS prevented a bungalow being destroyed by a garage fire in Radcliffe. A Green Goddess crew extinguished the fire in the garage which was threatening to spread to a bungalow in Grindsbrook Close yesterday afternoon. A man was taken to hospital after
A PENSIONER today spoke of his terrifying ordeal when two armed men burst into his house and threatened him with a crowbar. Malcolm Ashworth was lying in bed watching TV when the masked men burst through the front door and ran into his bedroom. They threatened
COUNCILLORS on Wigan MBC will hold the following advice surgeries: TUESDAY, November 26: Dorset Road community centre, Hag Fold, Atherton (10-11) S Loudon, R Holmes; St Richard's School, Flapper Fold Lane, Atherton (3.30-4.30) B Splaine; Atherton Town
A RAIDER who targeted a man's flat while he was away for the weekend -- and had breakfast while he was there -- has been jailed for 12 months. The victim lost irreplacable and sentimental jewellery belonging to his late wife and was angry and upset by
POLICE have launched a murder inquiry after a grandfather is believed to have killed his wife before hanging himself in the garage of their home. Linda Carroll, 54, was found with a substantial head wound in the attic of the house in Pendle View, Burnley
FYLDE Coast motorists are being warned by Lancashire County Council to take extra care on the roads during the eight day firefighters' strike. The council is urging drivers to keep within speed limits and drive more slowly when road and traffic conditions
A CHEEKY parrot that shot to fame when he started singing, 'Ian Wright, Wright, Wright', can't wait for the Worthington Cup clash between Burnley and Manchester United. Coco the red-tailed African grey is a major attraction at Barrow Post Office, where
YOUNGSTERS in the Ribble Valley have called on public transport bosses to act on their concerns about buses and trains. They unveiled their report, Young People and Public Transport, at a meeting in the Ribble Valley Council Chamber, Clitheroe. The report
THE few remaining tickets for next week's Worthington Cup clash with Manchester United will go on sale at Turf Moor tomorrow morning. Only 684 season ticket holders had not claimed their seats for the big game by Saturday's deadline and they will now
THE key stats and moments from the game against Norwich City. BURNLEY MARLON BERESFORD In brilliant form as he repeatedly repelled the visitors, the save from Paul McVeigh a particular highlight...9 DEAN WEST Had lots of space on the right and is always
THERE are lots of people who believe that now Bury FC has come out of administration, everything is plain sailing and the future is assured. A very different scenario was presented to the 50 or so members of Forever Bury (the Bury FC Supporters' Society
LEIGH Rotary Club is appealing for extra wheels to help with this year's Christmas float collection. Safety and insurance requirements ban collectors from travelling in float-towing vehicles so charity fund-raisers need a minibus. Venues are: December
FATHER Christmas will head Thursday's festive parade in Leigh which begins the five week run up to December 25. At 6pm the grand old man will head a procession through town to the Spinning Gate shopping centre. His entourage will include elves and giant
Tyldesley slip into more trouble TYLDESLEY RU remain in the bottom four after a 13-5 home defeat by a well-drilled Rossendale at St George's Park. The visitors controlled the set pieces and provided little ball for Tyldesley to play with. But the game
RESULTS - Premier Division: Staff of Life B 5 Church Sp St 2; Rainsough Brew 3 Derby Ht A 4; Summerseat A 4 Staff of Life A 3; Roach Ht A 2 Hamers Arms 5. First Division: Derby Arms 1 Masons Arms A 6; Welcome A 2 Bridge Tav A 5; R/Crown Rams 6 H/Hounds
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is eyeing up a possible swoop for Turkish World Cup star Hakan Sukur. As I understand it, the Rovers boss is planning to hold talks with the 31-year-old about a move to the Premiership in the next seven days. And the former
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott could have the final say on whether a proposed industrial estate, which could create 1,500 jobs, can go ahead on land off Greenbank Terrace, Lower Darwen. The land was earmarked in Blackburn with Darwen's Local Plan
A 77-YEAR-OLD charity shop helper died after being hit by a car as she crossed a busy main road to get to her work. An inquest heard that Joan Mary Monks had laughed at suggestions that she should use the pelican crossing just 50 yards further up Duckworth
A COUNCILLOR today accused van drivers of disrespect for constantly ripping up an estate's grass verges by parking on them. Coun Mike Barrett wants the practice on Darwen's Birch Hall and Anchor estates to stop. He said a variety of drivers were parking
A 23-YEAR-OLD man who sparked a major police investigation after claiming he had been kidnapped and set on fire by three Asian men who he believed were armed with either a gun or a knife has not been sent to prison. Blackburn magistrates heard that Stuart
ROSSENDALE Council is hoping to improve interaction with the public in a series of meetings over the next month. Officers and councillors from the authority, which was branded the worst council in the country in an audit commission report, are to hold
LINE dancers in Rossendale put their best feet forward over the weekend as they joined people from all over the world in a synchronised line dance. Members of the Alamo line dancing group took part in the international event in a room at the local Mencap
A SENIOR health boss is to give a presentation on improving and modernising clinics at a Rossendale council meeting tonight. David Peat, chief executive of the Burnley Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, will speak at the meeting of the council's
PLANS for an enterprise park in Rossendale, which has been awarded nearly £1million of European cash, are to go out to public consultation. Stubbylee Park, Bacup, is due for a major makeover and Groundwork Rossendale is working with the borough council
CHRISTMAS shoppers got a taste of Germany when the sounds of the East Lancashire Youth Orchestra led the way to the Friends of Bocholt's German Christmas Market when it returned to Rawtenstall at the weekend. Now in its seventh year the Christmas Market
A TEACHER who was awarded one of the highest accolades for education from the Pope has died at the age of 78. Theresa Lawson spent most of her teaching career at the Notre Dame High School in Penny Street, Blackburn. She was the youngest of five children
ANTI Nazi League protesters have told Labour to "wake up" and offer people more following the election of a BNP councillor in Mill Hill. A hundred people joined an ANL protest outside Blackburn Town Hall, holding placards and chanting slogans denouncing
A PRIMARY school hit by four burglaries is taking drastic steps to prevent more -- by bolting down computers and defacing valuable equipment. Glenys Lees, headteacher of Roe Lee Park County, in Emerald Avenue, Blackburn, decided to improve security after
RAMSBOTTOM, the NWCL first division's bottom side, went to top-of-the-table Prescot and are still looking for their first league win since new managers Jimmy Clarke and Andy Grimshaw took over. Prescot went ahead in the 10th minute through Steve Torpey
ALMOST a century separated international rugby league matches being staged in Blackburn - the town may have to wait that long to witness a similar occurence again. When Rovers' Ewood Park stadium staged the first Test of the series between Great Britain
COLNE impressed against top-of-the-table Maine Road but couldn't come away with all three poinst from this NWCL second division side. Colne dominated the first half but Maine Road went ahead through their only attack. Colne debutant keeper Chris Brennan
Strugglers force Stanley to sweat SPOT ON: Stanley's Lutel James late penalty salvaged a draw HYDE UNITED...3 ACCRINGTON...3 A LAST minute penalty from Lutel James spared Accrington's blushes as they almost succumbed to the UniBond Premier Division's
THE dentist found guilty of serious professional misconduct over his treatment of tragic five-year-old Karla Selley has been condemned for the 'culture of complacency' at his surgery. Michael Lane escaped being struck off by the General Dental Council
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Jewellery Evening with Helen Odot, St Silas Ladies Circle, St Silas Parish Centre, Pewston New Road, Blackburn, 7.45pm. North Blackburn and District Probus Club, Lammack
ROYAL Mail has recommended last posting dates for Christmas. To get letters and cards to their destination by Christmas second class mail needs to be posted by December 18 and first class by December 21. For parcels, last recommended date is December
THE future looks Rosie for the first pet lover to offer the furry feline a good home. Rosie is one of nine cats in the care of Animal Kingdom Rescue in Padiham. Bella, Pepper, Bob, Cat and four kittens are also looking for a haven. And if dogs are your
IT never seems to amaze me that when I talk to people about independence for Darwen, they all say: "Yes, that's what we should have". And the crunch came when you asked people for their views (LET, November 12). Very few bothered to even pick up the phone
IF there are any lessons to be learned from the depressing victory for the BNP in Mill Hill in Blackburn, then, surely, the first must be that the established mainstream parties must never again treat the electorate with disdain by denying people the
A TEENAGER lost his fight for life just two weeks before his 15th birthday. Devoted parents Maria and Peter Anderson lost their much loved son Daniel Green to respiratory failure. Despite their grief they are determined to celebrate their son's short
Leigh RMI 1 Morecambe 0 by David Magilton - IT was less than a month ago that a missed penalty from Dino Maamria put paid to any hopes Leigh had of an FA Cup run. The Tunisian striker saw his well struck shot against Moor Green cannon off the upright
CSKA Sofia have been hit by a hefty fine as a result of the crowd trouble which marred their UEFA Cup clash with Rovers in October. UEFA have decided to fine the Bulgarian club to the tune of 21,000 Euros after trouble flared in the first round second
BURNLEY author Tony Bell has officially launched his book charting the history of one of Burnley's most famous working men's clubs. The Miners, in Plumbe Street, is featured in Owt and Nowt, which charts the history of the club from its inception as a
BURNLEY and Rossendale will be at the forefront of renewable energy production if plans for two new wind farms get the go-ahead. Bosses at power company United Utilities have announced they are considering building a wind farm on land close to the Rossendale
A PADIHAM man whose 11-year-old daughter suffers from autism is hoping people will join him on a sponsored walk to raise money for an autism support group. Martyn Smith, 46, is a full-time carer for his daughter who is classed as having mild to moderate
IA RESIDENTS' group today blasted vandals and thieves and said: "You're threatening the regeneration of Burnley". Members of the Accrington Road Residents' Organisation (ARRO) issued the stark warning after a new community garden was wrecked. Accrington
A NEW mosque is to be built in Burnley next to a former Working Men's Club - but the traditional call to prayer will be silent. Councillors also said the building, planned for Abel Street, Daneshouse, must not interfere with television reception in the
BURY might not yet have a free Saturday when the FA Cup second round matches are played on December 7. If Tranmere Rovers lose to Cardiff in their FA Cup first round replay at Ninian Park on Tuesday evening they will play the Shakers at Gigg Lane in the
SHAKERS fans are being given the opportunity to buy part-season tickets that will cover the second half of the campaign. The deal will cover the final 11 matches of the season starting with the visit of Hull City on New Years' Day. Adult tickets are priced
IT was just one of those days for Jon Newby who had three glorious chances to settle any late nerves firing either side of the post and seeing Glennon block another. But Shakers' leading scorer nevertheless received the backing of his manager after the
RESIDENTS in 160 homes on the Hodge House Estate, Nelson, will benefit from a portion of £56,000 being spent on making houses warmer and more energy efficient. The council has agreed to enter in to a partnership with Scottish Power, who will part-fund
CHRISTMAS came to Darwen after the lights on the town's biggest ever Christmas tree was turned on. Blackburn with Darwen Mayor Peter Greenwood threw the switch.
A SIX-year-old boy from Darwen won a national Lego competition beating older youngsters. Jules Dears, of Lower Waterside Cottages, earned a trip to Legoland, in Billund, Denmark, for himself and his parents.
THE fastest growing womens' sport in the country has been given a massive boost in the Accrington area by the creation of Hyndburn Women's and Girls' Football Development Group. And organisers are appealing for more people with an interest in women's
SCHOOLS in two Hyndburn towns are to work together to organise a travel plan to ease congestion and get youngsters into school safely. Councillors from Clayton-le-Moors and Altham had previously talked about a walking bus scheme and are now discussing
RESIDENTS in a Ribble Valley village have demanded action after a quarry blast allegedly shook their houses and sent them diving for cover. But planning bosses are allaying their fears after vibrations rippled through Worston, near Clitheroe, following
THE Clarets may have closed to within four points of fourth spot in the first division with a 2-0 defeat of Norwich City at the weekend but boss Stan Ternent is not getting carried away. "We are still 21 points off 50," he said, that landmark being the
FOR a clear indication of how angry a manger is about a particular decision it is best to see how long it is before he refers to it after the game. On Saturday evening Clarets boss Stan Ternent could barely wait to vent his fury about the "goal" his side
COMING events at the Mill at the Pier in Wigan include The Mersey Beats from 7pm on Friday, November 29. For further details and tickets call the box office on 01942 776090.
IMAGINE Tarantino and Scorsese meet Father Ted... the outcome would be something very similar to the Octagon's current productionThe Lonesome West. Set in Leenane, Galway, The Lonesome West tells the story of Valene and Coleman, two brothers living together
BURY RES...2, OLDHAM ATH RES...3: SHAKERS' second string crashed out of the Manchester Senior Cup after this spirited defeat. However, the biggest boost to Bury fans is the news that George Clegg, Lenny Johnrose and Gareth Seddon all came through the
THORNLEIGH Salesian College PTA will hold a Christmas craft fair at the school in Sharples Park Avenue, Astley Bridge, on Friday, December 6, from 5pm to 8pm. For details call 01204 301351.
THE Clarets may have closed to within four points of fourth spot in the first division with a 2-0 defeat of Norwich City at the weekend but boss Stan Ternent is not getting carried away. "We are still 21 points off 50," he said, that landmark being the
NORTH End sunk to 18th in the league and 10 points adrift of the play-offs after gifting a point to lowly Brighton. But incomprehensible refereeing from Howard Webb combined with woeful defending from North End's back four, ensured a frustrating afternoon
MY daughters think that I'm a disgrace. Flat shoes, shapeless chunky-knit jumpers, plain old workwear trousers, frizzy all-over-the-place hair. And -- horror of horrors -- not a trace of make-up. Not the sort of image they would like to be associated
A 29-year-old man of "exemplary" character flipped after someone spiked his drinks at a party, Blackburn magistrates were told. The bench heard Kenneth Andrew Masterson fought with a man on the bonnet of a car and then turned on the car owner. Masterson
A 50-YEAR-OLD man whose pelvis was shattered in a car crash turned to cannabis for pain relief. Blackburn magistrates heard that Gary Waring considered conventional pain relief addictive and the numerous side effects dangerous. But defence solicitor Jonathon
A LANDLORD today heaped praise on striking firefighters and the soldiers manning East Lancashire's green goddesses after they saved his pub. Colne's Green Goddess crew was dispatched to the Hargreaves Arms, Keighley Road, Laneshawbridge, at 11pm on Saturday
A SOLDIER was injured as the army tackled a blaze at a make-shift church being used by two Christian denominations in Nelson. Police have now begun a probe into the cause of the fire at the St John Southworth Centre, in Every Street, which is being treated
FIREFIGHTERS crossed the picket lines to rescue a man who was seriously injured in a car crash. The incident, in Preston New Road, Blackburn, at 7pm yesterday was one of four occasions when crews abandoned their strike after being told lives were at risk
TWO men said to have raided a transport company boss's house and stolen almost £70,000 have been cleared. Christopher Fowler, 36, of Gloucester Road, Blackburn, and Gareth Jonathan, 23, of Blackburn Road, Haslingden, were found not guilty of burglary
A SPECIAL visit by a high-ranking German churchman to East Lancashire has been celebrated with valuable inter-faith talks. Deputy Bishop Peter Kollmar from Wolfenbuttel near Berlin, Germany, is visiting the region as part of his church group's special
LANCASHIRE Police Authority is on the lookout for three independent members to get involved. Members must be good communicators who are interested in community safety, committed to building partnerships between the police and local communities and keen
A 'BRILLIANT' student working towards a pharmaceutical degree at Liverpool University killed herself by taking a massive overdose of tablets. An inquest heard that Sabhia Karbhari, 23, had more that seven times the maximum level of paracetamol in her
PAUL Leaver was sitting between two police officers, handcuffed to one of them, in a hospital waiting room when he was punched on the nose by his mother-in-law. Blackburn magistrates heard that Leaver 'lost it' when the officers refused to take any action
THE LARGEST branch of the Mothers' Union in the world outside Africa has been revealed -- in East Lancashire. It's not, as expected, in a big city such London, New York or Washington, where the Christian charity is active, or in a densely populated country
BLACKBURN'S first BNP councillor has revealed six other areas where the far-right party is aiming to win seats. Robin Evans, 38, who was elected to Blackburn's Mill Hill ward with a majority of 16 votes last Thursday, said they had many other people who
GREAT Harwood boss John Hughes cut an angry figure after seeing his side slump to another NWCL Division Two defeat, this time at the hands of local rivals Nelson. "We're in a real rut at the moment and we'll need to dig deep to get out of it," he said
JUST a single goal, and even that was a penalty, was all Clitheroe had to show in a game they dominated. Abbey Hey had their moments in the second half, but Clitheroe keeper Kris Richens was on top form and twice his saves denied the visitors. Clitheroe
ROSSENDALE fell to their third consecutive league defeat, but the final score was harsh and didn't reflect their overall dominance of the game. The first clear chance fell to Stewart Clitheroe who volleyed wide for the visitors when well placed. Rossendale's
FREE-SCORING Darwen built on last week's impressive victory over Bacup Borough with another NWCL Division Two triumph at Chadderton. Steve Wilkes' men have now scored nine goals in their last two outings - quite an achievement after a sequence of six
DURING the first world war Phyllis Duncan won a Leigh Girls' Grammar School prize for her display of pressed flowers. Born in 1900, Phyllis recently died recently and that wonderful display which earned her an award in 1916 will be preserved for future
