IT will be no comfort to residents of Burnley's run-down Daneshouse ward to learn that their houses, with an average price of just £12,659, are officially the cheapest in Britain. Or that out of more than 9,000 locations nationwide, theirs is the worst
TODAY we learn that Blackburn with Darwen Council is looking to tie up with a developer in the hope of transforming Blackburn town centre. Regeneration chief Andy Kay tells us that this could mean flattening part of the central area, although he is careful
I LOVE to see young people getting to grips with natural history early in life. The last time I visited the Wyresdale Ecology Centre, between Skippool and Fleetwood, the resource was full of children keen to learn about the flora and fauna of an estuary
THOSE who want to record their sightings and avoid forgetting details need a notebook, a pencil (with a pencil sharpener) and a plastic bag to keep everything dry. You should use a pencil because Biro or ink does not work if it is raining. If you have
FOLLOWING some recent references to barn owls in this column there have been a few questions which need answers. What were the early names for the barn owl? How can they fly without making a noise? Why have barn owls been persecuted because they actually
CHILDREN from six schools are learning all about trees. With the help of Groundwork Blackburn the pupils at schools in Blackburn with Darwen will take part in activities including seed planting, a magic tree trail and assemblies on the importance of trees
EYEBROWS were raised when The Reverend Paul Sweeting told his congregation at St Gabriel's Church in Blackburn he was leaving to take up a post 8,000 miles away in the Falkland Islands. And the now the man he is replacing is taking up a new post just
I BELIEVE that the three Pavilions have always been part of Church Street in Blackburn. So why were they not included in the recent upgrading of the street at the start instead of squandering the money which was available at the time? We have ended up
IF my memory is right a 'solution' to the in-famous Devil's Elbow accident black spot near Read (LET, November 23) was both designed and shelved -- albeit more than 20 years since. So far as I remember the proposed plans involved building an embankment
A NEW bridge and a new road is to be built at a cost of £2million to help solve problems on journeys to and from the Accrington side of Blackburn (LET, November 22). As someone who travels that way, I find this most welcome. I was a little bemused by
I READ with interest your report on (LET, November 22) Blackburn Council's £2million plan to 'put end to traffic misery' by building another bridge at Eanam. Whilst this is no doubt good news for the motorist, what about putting right the 'misery' engineered
THE sad part about their dispute is that the firemen have had to resort to strike action to claim what they believe is a wage that represents a fair reward for their daily efforts. Many people have blamed the government for this situation. This is wrong
THE saga of the pros and cons of speed cameras drags on -- as does the argument that they exist to generate to make more money to get more cameras to get more money, etc. Let's look at the practical side of this. Imagine a car travelling at 40 mph in
TWO robbers armed with handguns stole cash, cigarettes and mobile phone cards from store in Astley near Leigh. Posing as customers, they threatened staff at the Late Shop in Manchester Road before running off. No one was injured and no shots were fired
NO one who follows a Football League club needs reminding about what the collapse of ITV Digital did to the beautiful game and I have no intention of repeating that whole debate. I can even understand why the clubs RELUCTANTLY got back into bed with the
A BURNLEY tutor has been charged with child pornography offences in connection with a joint investigation by police and the FBI. Ruben Sorli, 42, of Scott Street, Padiham, was arrested by police officers from Lancashire Constabulary as part of the international
ROVERS' Under 19s bounced back from the disappointment of last week's set-back against Newcastle with a thumping 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the weekend. Rob Kelly's young guns were beaten 4-1 on their last outing a week ago which put a dent in their
ROVERS' three-game unbeaten run came to a grinding halt at the hands of an experienced Manchester City side last night but the 3-0 scoreline failed to tell the full story of an entertaining game. Second half goals from Darren Huckerby, Ali Benarbia and
STAFF at Burnley's ASDA store in Princess Way handed over a Christmas treat for charity. Two trolleys of gifts donated to staff at the supermarket were given to the Salvation Army. The gifts will be distributed to disadvantaged children and families in
A BURNLEY tutor has been charged with child pornography offences in connection with a joint investigation by police and the FBI. Ruben Sorli, 42, of Scott Street, Padiham, was arrested by police officers from Lancashire Constabulary as part of the international
ORGANISATIONS are being urged to get into the festive spirit and decorate a Christmas tree to help spruce up Burnley's Thompson Park. Organisers of the Christmas in the Park initiative have already sent out 240 letters to schools, churches, community
CIVIC dignitaries past and present paid tribute to the former Mayor known as the "Big Man of Burnley". Members of the council gathered on the Town Hall steps yesterday afternoon as the funeral cortege of Frank Booth passed by. The procession of cars then
RESIDENTS in a rundown East Lancashire district officially have the cheapest houses in the country after a survey placed it bottom of more than 9,000 locations in the UK. But while houses in Burnley's Daneshouse ward swap hands for about £12,000, people
THE former Churchill Rover showroom in Manchester Road, Nelson, could get a new lease of life after standing empty for months. James Hall & Co (Properties) Ltd applied for a change of use and permission to carry out alterations to the building to
TWO people have been arrested and charged with starting a fire which destroyed a Nelson church. A 17-year-old youth and a 25-year-old man were arrested yesterday and have both been charged with arson at St John Southworth Centre in Every Street. Both
CALLS from a Nelson town centre trader to dump disc parking on Saturdays look likely to meet with opposition from the council. At the Nelson Committee's last meeting, Wilma Owen, from the Sunrise Cafe said she believed such a move would bring in more
ON Friday (November 29) I am to give my first rendition of A Year on The Life of a Sven lookalike at Leigh Rugby Club, Hand Lane, Leigh. This dinner is open to anyone who wishes to attend in order to raise funds for the Lowton High School appeal of which
STAFF and friends from Whalley's Oakhill College returned to the Victorian era to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their school building. Oakhill House was a private home for many years until it was converted into the college in 1978.
A RENT collector allegedly helped himself to about £25,000 belonging to a landlord, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard claims that David Hargreaves, 48, who was entitled to a ten per cent cut from his collections, overpaid himself . He was relying
THE grandmother of Coronation Street's Sophie Webster has been hailed as the best grandparent in the North-west. Maureen Cain, from Prestwich, was nominated for the Age Concern Grandparent of the Year regional award by her granddaughter, nine-year-old
MARK McGregor may have been the Clarets goal hero at the weekend but the versatile defender was just as happy with a second successive clean sheet. And with skipper Steve Davis and fellow defender Ian Cox coming back to fitness, the 25-year-old is hoping
AN Atherton estate is to have fortnightly visits from a mobile library service. The bus will park up at Hag Fold Estate's community centre in Dorset Road alternate Mondays between 10.15 am and 10.35 am.
COUNCILLORS on Wigan MBC will hold the following advice surgeries: WEDNESDAY, November 27: Leigh Town Hall (10.30-12) B Jarvis, A Turnock. THURSDAY, November 28: Golborne Library (10-11) B Strett, D Kelly; Lowton Civic Hall (6-6.45) P Franzen; Abram Library
EXPLANATIONS, if not grovelling apologies, are evidently owed to East Lancashire children's home manager Sue Clark who, despite having a 16-year unblemished record, was suspended by Lancashire County Council for nearly five months while it dawdlingly
PORTSMOUTH boss Harry Redknapp has failed in an audacious bid to land Rovers duo Andy Todd and John Curtis. The runaway First Division leaders are currently in the midst of a defensive crisis and Redknapp wanted the pair to help boost his side's promotion
UNION leaders at BAE Systems' plant at Samlesbury have demanded talks with senior management over the increasing threat to up to 400 jobs. And works convenor Neil Sheehan has warned there could be strike action throughout BAE's Lancashire operations if
MORE than 200 people have been issued with fined after the latest police crackdown on road tax dodgers in East Lancashire. The three-day initiative, involving local traffic wardens and staff from the DVLA, took place in Rossendale last week. It follows
A RAMSBOTTOM councillor is calling for a sign to be erected in the town centre to prevent vehicles making wrong turnings. At the Ramsbottom Area Board meeting last Tuesday Councillor Barry Theckston said he was very concerned at the volume of heavy goods
A DRUG addict who walked out of Asda with a DVD player tucked under his arm did it as a "cry for help," a court heard. Burnley Magistrates heard how Richard Whittaker, 27, who also took his sister's car and crashed it after he had been drinking, couldn't
A LOUTISH Haslingden schoolboy has promised his mother he will stay out of trouble after his father died while on holiday in Turkey. Ryan James Patrick Breslin, 15, became the latest in a growing list of Rossendale teenagers to be made subject of an anti-social
TWO people have been arrested and charged with starting a fire which destroyed a Nelson church. A 17-year-old youth and a 25-year-old man were arrested yesterday and have both been charged with arson at St John Southworth Centre in Every Street. Both
THREE days after being banned from driving Matthew Thornley slammed his step-father's car into a bus, injuring two passengers. Magistrates were told the driver heard Thornley's car before he saw it come over a rise in New Chapel Street, Mill Hill. As
LEE Rigby flew into a jealous rage after a night out with his partner during which they met an ex-boyfriend . Blackburn magistrates heard that after calling Sharon Maliner a "tart" Rigby slapped her repeatedly about the face and head before pushing her
SPEED calming measures are needed to stop youngsters in cars endangering pedestrian lives in a busy area, according to a councillor. The streets of Cedar Street, Whalley Range, Calder Street and St James's Road, Blackburn, are becoming a race track for
SHOPPERS will soon be able to pick up spiritual advice along with their weekly shopping. Blackburn's Asda is to become the first East Lancashire supermarket with its own chaplain. Asda is advertising the two-hours a week post which will involve chatting
A FATHER has appealed for help to catch the man who caused these horrific injuries to his teenage son with a broken bottle. The 16-year-old from Accrington was attacked on Church Street as he walked towards Blackburn bus station with a friend. The attacker
RESIDENTS in a rundown East Lancashire district officially have the cheapest houses in the country after a survey placed it bottom of more than 9,000 locations in the UK. But while houses in Burnley's Daneshouse ward swap hands for about £12,000, people
ROSSENDALE cemented a mid-table position with a comfortable victory over near rivals Tyldesley at the weekend. Dale slipped behind after only five minutes after failing to clear their lines to leave Tyldesley's winger to touch down in the corner. But
BLACKBURN Hawks matched league leaders Sheffield Scimitars in a thrilling 6-6 draw, but delight was tempered by injuries to Wayne Slater. The match at Blackburn Arena was held up for 20 minutes as Slater received treatment before being taken from the
A MAN who killed his girlfriend in a sustained and violent attack spread over several hours was today starting a five-year jail sentence. Preston Crown Court heard that Craig Kellett had a mood disorder which made him considerably more likely to lose
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Mid Pennine Arts present "Wise Guys," Whitewell Bottom Youth and Community Centre, Waterfoot, 7.30pm. Christmas Fair, St Mary's Primary School, Rawtenstall, 6.30pm. Rossendale
I NOTE in your article on Ron Freethy and his new book Lankie Twang (LET, November 4), Ron says that, 'Ye shud be reet prahd,' so we should. I suggest Ron's book should be put on the curriculum of our local schools so as the younger generation should
I WITNESSED at the Remembrance Day Service at the war memorial in Oswaldtwistle, what can only be described as the blatant silencing of a person speaking in public. 'Freedom of speech', it would seem, is only for some and for others it's a case of keep
CLICK! -- 35mph. It's a fair cop, Guv! As Mr Derek Behan (Letters, November 4) rightly states, I write in outrage; not at the fact that I was caught, but at the reasons behind this purge. The Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety informs me that "it
AFTER all of the comments on cameras and safety on the roads, it is obvious that everyone has lost the plot. How many people are killed on the pavement? Without any facts to hand, I would say, not many. Who, alone, decides to cross the road and go into
LARGE areas of Blackburn could be bulldozed in an ambitious scheme to revamp the town centre and bring big name shops to the area. Blackburn with Darwen Council wants to team up with a large developer to lift the regeneration of Blackburn town centre
PORTSMOUTH boss Harry Redknapp has failed in an audacious bid to land Rovers duo Andy Todd and John Curtis. The runaway First Division leaders are currently in the midst of a defensive crisis and Redknapp wanted the pair to help boost his side's promotion
BLACKBURN Rovers star Andy Cole today told how he broke down in tears as he watched children suffer with AIDS in Africa. The striker revealed his own personal trauma as he kick-started a national charity awareness campaign to ease Third World suffering
ROVERS' recent slump in fortunes has resulted in a sudden flood of letters to the sports desk, mainly attacking manager Graeme Souness. But, as disappointing as recent results have been, I'm afraid to say some fans have short memories given what the former
A MOTHER and child were taken to hospital with slight injuries after being struck by a car. Shamim Akhter, of New Hall Street, Burnley, was taken to Burnley General Hospital after the accident in Colne Road yesterday. Mrs Akhter, 31, was not detained.
PLANS to change a condition protecting open space from development has fallen at the first hurdle. An application to remove a condition that land off Thanet Lee Close, Cliviger, remain open space was refused by Burnley Borough Council. Land owner Paul
A 17-YEAR-OLD from Colne is the first winner of Pendle Training's Engineering Apprentice of the Month award. Colin Faraday is in his first year 'off the job' training as an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Engineering. He combines sessions at Pendle
A RADCLIFFE man died after being punched and kicked in the head more than three times, it has been revealed. Unemployed joiner Shane Eckersley was beaten to death in the late-night street attack after a night out. Mr Eckersley, aged 40 -- who has a 12
REGARDING Councillor Lois Rimmer's advice on receiving benefits payments and pensions at the Post Office (Letters, November 15), I have been trying to contact someone in the Post Office for a few months now about a "universal bank account" so I could
THE idea of a new bridge at Eanam in Blackburn to ease the "misery" for traffic into town (LET November 22) is a laugh. To me the "misery" really starts at the Boulevard from either direction. Also from Darwen Street Bridge it is just one crawl, far worse
AFTER demanding money from the motorist through speeding fines, the police now want to extract even more money from us through council tax (LET, November 14) by using emotive terms such as combating terrorism and crime. Isn't that what we pay them for
THE council says more than 20 streets in Blackburn town centre are to be pay-and display in areas (LET, November 21) so how many spaces are for disabled drivers? Has the council thought this out properly or is it just an exercise to get taxpayers to pay
YOUNGSTERS at Balladen County Primary School, Hall Carr, Rawtenstall, celebrated the school's links with Italian restaurant owner Mario Di Michele. The children have lessons at his restaurant and Mario sponsors the school's football strip.
YOUNGSTERS in Mount Pleasant Primary School's choir have been presented with a new uniform by sponsors at Cheshire Building Society. The bright yellow polo shirts, embossed with the school and building society logos, were presented by building society
A FORENSIC investigation team has completed its examination at a murder scene in Altham. Police were called to a house in Pendle View, Burnley Road, on Sunday night after the body of John Carroll, 54, was found hanging in the garage by friends. His wife
STUDENTS at Accrington and Rossendale College have been praised for their successes at the 12th annual higher education awards evening. Nancy Cookson, principal, congratulated students for their contribution to the East Lancashire economy and their hard
SPORTS retailer JJB Sports has named its new chief executive -- less than two months after its former boss was found hanged in the Ribble Valley. The UK's biggest sports retailer, founded by former Blackburn Rovers player Dave Whelan, announced last night
THE Clarets take on Crystal Palace at Turf Moor tonight in the FA Youth Cup but coach Terry Pashley has been forced to wait to name his full squad of 16. This morning he was waiting for clearance from the Football League to put a couple of 14-year-olds
MARK McGregor may have been the Clarets goal hero at the weekend but the versatile defender was just as happy with a second successive clean sheet. And with skipper Steve Davis and fellow defender Ian Cox coming back to fitness, the 25-year-old is hoping
PRESTON erased the misery which raised the boos at Deepdale on Saturday with a win which showed just what they can be capable of. Leicester have lost just three times this season, but failed to get past a solid Preston back four. Preston took the lead
A FIREWORK display will ensure Darwen's Christmas lights switch-on goes with a bang. Coun Tony Humphrys, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, will be joined by the cast of Scrooge who are appearing at the Library Theatre, to flick the switch on Saturday. There
A PENSIONER had her purse snatched as she stopped to buy flowers last Christmas Eve, a jury was told. Nellie Whillan, 82, went after the alleged thief and was joined by members of the public who heard her cries. Peter Roach was later caught and the purse
DARWEN politicians and residents today told the BNP: 'There is no place for you in our town'. Following on from his election victory by 16 votes in Mill Hill, Blackburn, Coun Robin Evans announced, "Darwen here we come". The far-right party already claims
LEADING members of Lancashire County Council went under the spotlight for the first in the authority's Cabinet in the Community series of public meetings. About 35 people attended the Question Time-style event at St Mary's Chambers, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall
A HOLIDAY jet from Manchester airport had to make an emergency landing today after the crew reported a technical fault. The emergency occurred on a MyTravel airways flight, with more than 200 people on board, bound for Monastir in Tunisia, the tour company
JOINED-UP government is the aim of Jackie Flynn who is to start work as Lancashire County Council's District partnership Officer in Rossendale. Jackie, a county council employee for 20 years, is to be given an office in Rossendale Town Hall with a brief
A MAJOR investment from a Birmingham-based company could transform a derelict building into a state-of-the-art fitness centre in Waterfoot. Plans for a leisure development have been submitted to Rossendale Council by a firm looking to revitalise the former
DRIVERS are being warned to take extra care on the roads during the eight-day firefighters' strike. With fire and rescue teams under extra pressure during the dispute, people are being urged to keep within speed limits and drive even slower when road
FIREFIGHTERS today warned lives could be at risk if the Army is allowed to operate regular red fire engines instead of their aging Green Goddesses. Crews manning the picketline at Accrington Fire Station hit out after Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans called
AS the firefighters' strike continues, reporter Richard Newton talks to an East Lancashire fireman to see how the strike is seen from the picket line and how it is affecting an average family... FIREFIGHTER Gavin Watson has served at Accrington Station
PARENTS have been warned to keep alert after a four-year-old Preston boy fell ill after swallowing an Ecstasy tablet. The youngster from Preston, was kept in hospital where he was given tests including a brain scan after taking the tablet. Police said
A MAN caught with a quantity of York stone flags in the back of his car claimed he was going to lay them in his garden. Blackburn magistrates heard that Mark Jones and Steven Leggat removed the flags from a builder's compound in a Ford Fiesta which was
BLACKBURN Rovers star Andy Cole today told how he broke down in tears as he watched children suffer with AIDS in Africa. The striker revealed his own personal trauma as he kick-started a national charity awareness campaign to ease Third World suffering
A DEDICATED headteacher who has spent four years "removing the barriers" at a Blackburn secondary school is moving on. Vicki Devonport, of Queen's Park Technology College, has overseen a rapid progress in the performance of the school, both in grades
LARGE areas of Blackburn could be bulldozed in an ambitious scheme to revamp the town centre and bring big name shops to the area. Blackburn with Darwen Council wants to team up with a large developer to lift the regeneration of Blackburn town centre
BACUP Borough and Accrington Stanley drew 2-2 in a friendly at Ewood Bridge, Haslingden, last night. Accrington Stanley raced into a 2-0 lead but Lee Anderson pulled one back for Bacup late in the first half. Martin Peters equalised after the break.
BLACKBURN skipper Stuart Rouse described it as possibly their worst display of the season as his third team were stretched to the limit with a number of players off enjoying the England international. With eight changes from the previous week, Blackburn's
ANDREW Sutcliffe scored his first hat-trick of tries for the club and Luke Elston kicked seven out of nine conversions as Blackburn recorded an emphatic victory over Stockport. It was a high powered team performance from both the forwards and backs with
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
THE mother of murdered Radcliffe joiner Shane Eckersley -- battered to death in a gang attack outside a karaoke bar -- today issued the heart-felt plea: "Please help catch my son's killer. Dorothy Kay urged witnesses to the attack to come forward with
