A CAPTAIN from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment has spoken of his troops' frustration at standing-by for fire and rescue service strikes while war unfolds in Iraq. Some 550 soldiers are training at the Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in a state of
ASHLEIGH have become Darwen Primary Schools tournament champions for the first time -- and denied Holy Trinity a 10th consecutive title. In one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament, Ashleigh beat Holy Trinity after extra time in a thrilling
THE 15th Stonyhurst Sevens competition ended suddenly and dramatically when home team captain Greg Haynes broke his leg in the senior final. The talented full back, playing at outside half for Stonyhurst senior sevens broke his leg soon in to the final
STEVE TINNISWOOD talks to former Burnley Boys Club Leader Jack Bottomley who is all on the committee of the Hospital Cup, the Burnley Sunday League and the Burnley and Pendle Grand Prix Race Series... He wouldn't admit it himself but Jack Bottomley as
IN response to the remarks of Ian Dixon, of Friends of the Earth (Letters, March 10), unfortunately, you cannot close the Whinney Hill landfill site at Altham as plans have been passed for the next 40 years. We, as a residents' group, feel that we are
THE Rev Kevin Logan (Letters, March 1) is quite correct in assuming that I have not read his book Responding to the Challenge of Evolution. I seldom read fiction. I find it difficult to believe that such a simple and obvious process as "evolution through
A TEENAGE purse 'dipper' who targeted elderly women has been banned from Blackburn, Accrington and Darwen town centres. The triple exclusion zone was established as part of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against 18-year-old Shirley Maughan. Susan McLane
THE owners of empty properties in Ribble Valley could be told to rent or sell them in a bid to halt house-building. Around 800 homes currently stand empty in Ribble Valley, many of them second homes for people living abroad. Now Ribble Valley Council
CUP finals have been linked with 'curse of the dressing room' stories for two or three years now - particularly since Wembley was ditched in 2000. But the Reebok Stadium has become the latest stadium to be labelled with the jinx ahead of next month's
A GROUP of disabled workers from Burnley got sporty for a day to celebrate the European Year of Disabled People and raise charity cash. Six staff from Remploy, Accrington Road, joined 20 members of the Ightenhill Pumas under-nines football team for a
A PARISH council today issued a rallying call to residents to get involved in a new plan to make the area a better place to live, work and visit. Cliviger Parish Council people to get involved in the Cliviger Challenge. A timetable has been drawn up for
A 41-YEAR-OLD man was today beginning a life sentence after murdering a former Colne teenager as she was five months pregnant with her first child. Stephen Charles Hughes bludgeoned 18-year-old Kim Newson to death before cutting her body into pieces with
TWO community projects have scooped £800,000 of Lottery cash to help create better environments in deprived areas of East Lancashire. The money, which has come from the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund, will be pumped into areas of Pendle and
BLACKBURN'S Devlopment squad continue to top their league following this emphatic victory over third placed Altrincham Kersal on Saturday. In an effort the whole team can be proud of, Dominic Moon's individual performance caught the eye as he scored five
ACCRINGTON narrowly missed out on victory in a pulsating clash at high-flying Ince Rose Bridge in a match that wasn't decided until the last minute. The calm boot of Steve Ellis gave Accrington the lead before Rose Bridge stormed back to take a 12-2 lead
ASPIRING young disc jockey Jonathan Whitton had a dream come true. Jonathan, 21, of Rainhall Road, Barnoldswick, who suffered from spina-bifida, was treated to a day spinning the turntables with former Radio 1 DJ Andy Peebles.
A FAMILY who moved into a council home after their previous house flooded three times last summer woke up to find yet another deluge in their kitchen. Chris Gaynor, 23, of Wordsworth Close, Oswaldtwistle, woke with his family to find the kitchen flooded
AN ancient Ribble Valley inn thought to have been a watering hole for thirsty pilgrims on their way to the 12th century Whalley Abbey is up for sale. The Swan Hotel in King Street, Whalley, has links with the Cistercian Whalley Abbey, which in its heyday
THE key stats and moments from the game against Bradford City BURNLEY MARLON BERESFORD Was helpless with both goals and did not have a single other shot to have to save...6 DEAN WEST Had a couple of half chances when he got into the Bradford box but he
DOUGIE Lampkin has failed in his bid to win the 2003 World Indoor Trials Championship. The Sandifords of Burnley rider finally conceded defeat after recording his worst result of the year in the final round in Madrid. Lampkin failed to even qualify for
YOU can imagine the worry of Blackburn dad Terry Bigland as he travelled to hospital with his concussed 14-year-old son, Nick, in the back of an ambulance after it was feared the lad had suffered a serious spinal injury when he was thrown off a horse.
SLOVAKIAN international Vratislav Gresko could stay at Rovers for at least another season. Manager Graeme Souness has made no secret of the fact he would like to extend the fullback's spell at the club beyond the end of this term. And I understand Rovers
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent was left angry and frustrated after his side lost 2-0 at home to Bradford City last night to finally end any lingering play-off hopes. Two key decisions went against his side, and while he did not want to be drawn on the performance
DEVOTED mothers are invited to dance the night away at Darwen's top night spot - for free! As a Mother's Day treat, mums are invited to Privilege Nightclub on Saturday night and they will get in free alongside their offspring. Manager Julia Bracewell
VOLUNTEERS at Cancer Research UK are about to hold their 35th annual sale to raise money for research into the disease. The sale is from Monday to Friday, April 7-11, and Darreners are asked to donate items for the sale at Babywise, formerly Wardley's
'JUST Poets' will visit a Sure Start fun day to help children express their feelings through writing. The duo, who pay frequent visits to Darwen Library Theatre, will appear on Saturday to host poetry workshops for visiting children. The day also features
GIRLS are getting ready to bowl it like Botham! After more than a century of domination by men's teams at Darwen Cricket Club, officials plan to create a women's team. It would be the first in the borough since a similar scheme ended at Cherry Tree, Blackburn
ROSSENDALE Council has revealed a two-pronged approach to sprucing up the Valley for spring. The authority is to host a forum for local groups planning to give their area a clean. And plans to enter the Britain in Bloom initiative will also be unveiled
COMMUNITY groups have expressed their disbelief after thieves stole 22 stone flags from a unique history garden as it neared completion. The Stacksteads Path of History in Newchurch Road is a publicly funded garden project inspired by the history of Stacksteads
WIGAN Council members will hold the following advice surgeries: WEDNESDAY, March 26: Leigh Town Hall (10.30-12 noon) B Jarvis, A Turnock. THURSDAY, March 27: Golborne Library (10-11) B Strett, D Kelly; Lowton Civic Hall (6-6.45) P Franzen; Abram Library
DEVELOPERS have been told to come up with a creative lighting scheme to prevent a new retail park looking like a row of sheds. The move came as detailed plans for the scheme which could lead to 300 jobs being created in Blackburn were approved by councillors
BRENT Peters will be remembering his first match in charge of Bacup Borough to guard against complacency when his side hosts Oldham Town tonight. Four years ago Peters inherited a Bacup side that were bottom of North West Counties Division Two and had
ROSSENDALE were unlucky to see their unbeaten run came to an end at high flying North Ferriby. After arriving late due to heavy traffic, they struggled to settle in the early stages but went on to become the better side, keeping goalkeeper Paul Sharp
THE Robins took the honours but both managers were seeing red after Great Harwood beat Darwen 3-0 at the Anchor Ground last night. Paul Mashiter's first-half brace and a single strike by Russ McKenna put Great Harwood 3-0 up before the break. Despite
COLNE took all three points to close the gap on local rivals Nelson in the NWCL Second Division derby at Victoria Park. In an end to end first half, Colne got the break they needed when Bernard Morley's free kick was deflected off the defensive wall and
BRITISH soldiers outside Basra are fighting fleeing Iraqi militia as the situation around the town remains confused. Also overnight a 2,000lb bomb had been launched at the Baath party headquarters destroying it completely. The British military said that
CHILDREN at Westleigh Methodist Primary School in Leigh have raised hundreds of pounds for charity through their Citizenship programme of work. By completing a sponsored worksheet children raised more than £400 for the NSPCC, a figure which equates to
IT was Tory Environment Minister John Gummer who a decade ago coined the phrase "sheds on the by-pass" to describe many modern retail developments. Alas, it was a criticism too often disregarded. But, thankfully, it is an outlook that has been thoroughly
THE wife of a marine killed during the war on Iraq is hoping for a full military funeral at the church where they were married. Captain Philip Stuart Guy, 29, was one of eight commandos killed when their American Sea Knight helicopter developed mechanical
A BURNLEY school today explained the decision to stage a production of the musical Oh What a Lovely War -- as thousands of British troops continued to fight in Iraq. Staff at Ivy Bank Business and Enterprise College said although serious consideration
SHAWS of Darwen will kick off their defence of the Orphanage Cup against Blackburn Chemical at Pleasington on Monday, March 31. The full draw is -- Monday, March 31 (kick off 5.30pm): Netlon v PP Engineering Ltd, Blackburn Council v Crown Wallcovering
WHEN I wrote a few months ago that the former Bedding Box in Great Harwood had closed down and suggested its use as an indoor market and toilets I got no response. Now the Co-op building has closed, what about putting this building to this use? PAM TAYLOR
IT was with great sadness I heard of the death of Dilys Knowles, a nursing auxiliary who worked on ward six at Blackburn Infirmary until her retirement last August. Dilys was exceptionally caring and conscientious and her skills in communication with
I read with interest about the introduction of the three-bin waste system in my home town (LET, March 10). Two years ago, we arrived in Bremen from Blackburn, to be faced with the same system. We have one bin for compostable waste, one general waste bin
VANDALS are ruining plans to develop young people's cricket at a local club. A spate of attacks in recent weeks at Atherton Cricket Club has forced officials to spend thousands of pounds on repairs -- instead of pumping more cash into paying for extra
BURNLEY'S home attendances for league games hit a low for the season last night with just 11,095 for a match that the manager called 'half a derby'. In recent games it has been a bit unclear as to how many fans have actually been at Turf Moor with the
SLOVAKIAN international Vratislav Gresko could stay at Rovers for at least another season. Manager Graeme Souness has made no secret of the fact he would like to extend the fullback's spell at the club beyond the end of this term. And I understand Rovers
AT five minutes past five on Saturday afternoon there was not so much as a suggestion of a smile on Rovers boss Graeme Souness's face as he sat down for the after match press conference after the 5-1 defeat at Newcastle. By six minutes past five he was
A REPORT looking at how Burnley Council pays its benefits and collects taxes has given the service one star out of three. The Audit Commission's independent appraisal of the council's service noted some improvements. It said the benefits service matched
A DRIVER who led police on a long and high speed chase in an allegedly stolen car, has been jailed for six months. Burnley Crown Court heard that drug addict Mark Christian, 26, went through three sets of red traffic lights, clocked up 90mph on icy roads
THE Parish Council have moved to reassure residents over the amount of precept people in the village will pay on top of council tax. Parish clerk, Carole Galbraith, moved to halt rumours that it would be £52 a year. She said "The precept will only cost
DRIVERS suspected of using red diesel were among those arrested as part of a major crackdown by police and customs. Pennine Division's road policing unit teamed up with Customs and Excise and the Department of Transport to target criminals using vehicles
ARTS groups across the area today welcomed the announcement of a massive new investment programme from the Arts Council. Groups in the region to benefit from the £1million windfall include Burnley Youth Theatre, the Mid Pennine Arts Gallery and the Horse
Bury 1 Oxford 1 by Chris Hall: SHAKERS may have dropped back out of Division Three's play-off zone but they remain in the hunt for automatic promotion. The astonishing water tight nature of the table's top half allowed Bury to drop two points and fall
A MIDDLE-AGED man had sex with two runaway schoolgirls after "harbouring " them at his Brierfield home, a jury heard. Burnley Crown Court heard how Eric Dale, 49 had intercourse with one of the girls and then the other after both had been drinking cider
A DEVIOUS cover-up of the murder of pregnant teenager Kim Newson was foiled by a combination of painstaking police work and carelessness by the accused. Stephen Charles Hughes tried to destroy all traces of his neighbour after attacking and killing her
YOUNG musician Laurenne Chapman showed her flair with the flute. The 15-year-old Westholme pupil, who lived at Thorncliffe Drive, Darwen, had just won a place in the National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra.
WIGAN Council members will hold the following advice surgeries: WEDNESDAY, March 26: Leigh Town Hall (10.30-12 noon) B Jarvis, A Turnock. THURSDAY, March 27: Golborne Library (10-11) B Strett, D Kelly; Lowton Civic Hall (6-6.45) P Franzen; Abram Library
A CONVERTED try in the last five minutes saw Rossendale crash to a rare home defeat and allow their visitors to leapfrog them in the league. The first period saw Dale establish a firm grip on the game as winger Dax Balfour fell on a loose ball to score
IT was 31 years ago when Burnley RUFC made history by hosting the first ever club from behind the old Iron Curtain -- now they are making the return trip. For Burnley are preparing to embark on an eight day tour of Poland and Estonia at the end of April
PARENTS have been urged to take a strong line with their children after drunken youths destroyed hundreds of daffodils in a town centre. Paul Dunn, 42, of Greenhill, Great Harwood, said the vandalism has affected all the flowers planted in the town by
THE owners of empty properties in Ribble Valley could be told to rent or sell them in a bid to halt house-building. Around 800 homes currently stand empty in Ribble Valley, many of them second homes for people living abroad. Now Ribble Valley Council
BURNLEY'S reserves will return to action at Barnsley tonight, playing their first Avon Insurance game for a couple of weeks. The match will offer an opportunity for a number of Stan Ternent's squad to get some much needed match action. Gordon Armstrong
STAN Ternent had labelled this match 'half a derby' before kick off - it was a shame his side decided to turn in only half a performance. After another woeful first half display the Clarets improved after the break, they could hardly have done anything
GIRLS are getting ready to bowl it like Botham! After more than a century of domination by men's teams at Darwen Cricket Club, officials plan to create a women's team. It would be the first in the borough since a similar scheme ended at Cherry Tree, Blackburn
A BROKEN gearbox spoiled Dave Holden's bid for victory in the opening round of the British Sidecar Championship. The Great Harwood-based sidecar racer looked set to monopolise the podium at Snetterton after clinching an emphatic win in the first race
SUPERBIKE star Neil Hodgson will pay his own personal tribute to double world champion Barry Sheene at Phillip Island this weekend. The Burnley rider will wear a black armband at the second round of the World Superbike Championship as a mark of respect
LIKE all sports, there's a very fine line between success and failure in rallying. And, as we discovered during our recent trip to Mexico, one seemingly minor problem can undo all the preparation and hard work that goes into winning. David and I were
A WACKY worm, I see, is to be the mascot for a county-wide billboard campaign to get more people to recycle the 30 per cent of household rubbish that could be turned into garden compost. "Don't wriggle out of composting," is the slogan, as the recycling
FRIENDS of Ashton Park meet tonight and are looking to attract new members to help restore the area. The meeting, part of Blackburn with Darwen Council's development of Darwen parks, is at St Joseph's School, off Blackburn Road. Ashton Park is a well-used
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a secondary school after a pupil set fire to a storage heater during a maths lesson. The fire, at Moorland High School, Holden Fold, Darwen, was extinguished by a teacher who raised the alarm and helped evacuate the class of
RAMSBOTTOM'S Annual Music Festival has taken place. The festival, which is in its 12th year, started on Friday in the Civic Hall with the instrumental and choral classes, before moving to the Frank Bennett hall in Woodhey High School for the evening programme
A RISE in school bus fares has been put on hold. Ten Blackburn with Darwen Tory councillors have demanded the decision to replace existing fares, which are based on the distance pupils travel, with a standard fare, be discussed by a scrutiny committee
A TEENAGE purse 'dipper' who targeted elderly women has been banned from Blackburn, Accrington and Darwen town centres. The triple exclusion zone was established as part of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against 18-year-old Shirley Maughan. Susan McLane
THE rejuvenation of a crucial area in Blackburn town centre is expected to gather pace next month. Workmen are due to begin the £1.3million revamp of the three dilapidated Waterloo Pavilions next week. And officials hope the fifth and final sculpture
Darwen teenager Justin Astley is hoping to make it third time lucky in the final of the Poplar Classic Snooker 2003 tournament tomorrow. His opponent, Craig Steadman from Cuemasters in Walkden, Manchester, has defeated Astley in the last two Poplar finals
CLITHEROE chairman Dave Burgess has had to fork out around £400 to replace 11 match balls that were stolen during a break-in at the club. The double doors of the changing room were also damaged in the Monday night burglary, hampering the Blues' bid to
CLITHEROE's championship hopes took a massive blow with a defeat at lowly Abbey Hey. Just when they were building up a head of steam for the final run-in, they were knocked back down to earth with this shock defeat. Disappointed manager Lee Sculpher said
BLACKBURN Hawks finished their season with a winning challenge double over Flintshire Freeze to claim the M56 Cup. And it was player-coach Bobby Haig who led the way, scoring a superb four goals to put the skids under the Freeze as the Hawks triumphed
THAT Preston manager Craig Brown can watch his side grab a last-ditch goal to steal a point against league leaders Portsmouth and then complain about missed chances shows just how well his side are playing at the moment. But it also shows where North
STRICKEN striker Ricardo Fuller has let slip that Preston boss Craig Brown could be about to swoop on Jamaica again in the hunt for new players. In a 'Question and Answer' session on Preston North End's offical website, Fuller says there are other Jamaican
TWO Allied missiles have hit a busy shopping area in Baghdad. Reuters are saying at least 15 burned corpses lay in a poor residential area in the north of the city, apparently killed in a US-led air raid by fighter-bombers. Other reports claim that two
A POLICEMAN who worked as a parachute instructor while off sick has been sentenced to a 150-hour community punishment order after admitting deception charges. Bury-based Pc Andrew Hesketh, aged 43, was on long term leave with a back injury and taking
