A SLEEPY bus passenger missed his stop by 10 miles and became abusive when the driver woke him, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that Martin McGuiggan assaulted the driver and a bus station official before being arrested walking down a busy
A GANG which stole metal grates from Colne back streets left behind a serious safety risk, police have said. Sixteen iron grates and manhole covers were stolen from Lord Street and Brown Street West at the weekend, leaving large uncovered holes in the
ROSSENDALE Council is appealing to the government to save the Valley's post offices. Coun Darryl Smith proposed the move at a meeting of the full council. He urged councillors to agree to write to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and oppose
A YOUNG mum found to be twice the legal limit in the early hours worked voluntarily for the Youth Offending Team, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Sandra Gwinnett, 24, told police she had "only had a few," after she was stopped in Barnoldswick
LANCASHIRE'S business leaders were left in shock when the Casino Advisory Panel snubbed Blackpool's bid for a super casino. Instead of Lancashire seeing the knock-on benefits of the investment, it will be East Manchester which will see a £265million
There's something that's really been getting on my nerves recently - bogus callers who rip off old people. Recently East Lancs has had a spate of pensioners being targeted by these ruthless cold callers particularly in Blackburn and Darwen. After
A SHORTAGE of pearls has left a king and queen with a huge problem. David and Jil Atkinson are the only pearly royalty ever to have been recognised outside London. They can be seen collecting cash for good causes at charity events throughout the year
A FATHER-of-four attacked his partner in bed and left her injured as the youngsters slept in their rooms, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how Andrew Eaton, 40, turned nasty after victim Geraldine Rafferty complained about him scratching himself
PLANS for a £10million redevelopment of two Victorian canalside mills in Burnley have been submitted to the council. The project on a seven-acre site off Finsley Gate, Burnley, will transform the buildings into houses, flats, businesses and for leisure
This week's cinema release of Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly, is a reminder of the havoc which diamonds have caused to African countries. During the 1990s, diamond-fuelled wars killed millions of people, displaced millions
A MAN was taken to hospital after he lost part of his ear in a fight at Burnley Wood Conservative Club. Trouble broke out at the Branch Road club while an auction was being held. Sgt Martin Selway, of Burnley Police, said: "We had various reports about
THE band who have created a stir by having a tune downloaded a million times prove that they have some real depth. Imagine Green Day having gone through college and listend to a bit of Keane along the way and you're getting there. Maybe a little
VARIETY is coming to Darwen on February 3 when the Mayor's Command Performance takes to the stage. This is the fifth year the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen has hosted such an event - all four previous shows have been complete sell-outs. The show
TWO teenagers were attacked in the street by a gang of youths. The boys, aged 15 and 16, were walking past Queen Victoria Park, Burnley, at around 2.35pm on Wednesday when they were attacked by a group of youths. One of them was left with injuries including
Gifton Noel-Williams admits he is relishing the prospect of playing football on the continent. The 6ft 3ins forward completed a £50,000 move from Burnley to Spanish Segunda Division side Real Murcia on transfer deadline day, ending a spell of almost
Bristol punk rockers The Following Announcement will be hitting Accrington on April 13 as part of a mini nationwide tour. The lads - whose influences include Green Day and Fall Out Boy - will be at the town's Attic venue. They have already been
STUDENTS at Blackburn College celebrated their success at a graduation ceremony last night. Over 600 students attended King George's Hall in Blackburn pick up awards for their for achievements. The 680 graduates obtained a variety of degrees, diplomas
A PAINT sprayer who did not give police a breath test after a road smash was spared a further driving ban. Burnley magistrates heard how Zubeir Shah, 27, who was disqualified until February, would not have ended up in court if he had given the test as
A PUB regular had his long locks chopped off to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Donations poured in from customers at the Feildens Arms, Preston Old Road, Feniscowles, Blackburn, when Mick Lee, who hadn't had his hair cut for years, agreed to have
AWARD-winning Burnley brewer Moorhouses has unveiled plans to expand its pub estate in 2007. The independent firm has already begun talks to buy a group of 10 outlets that fit into its business profile of strong community pubs. The plans were announced
UNDER pressure East Lancastrians are being urged to get more sleep, eat well and make time away from work to combat rising stress levels. The move came as the Samaritans charity marked national Stress Down Day with research showing that anxiety and stress
A SEVEN-year-old girl has died after accidentally setting herself on fire. Anum Kauser Dalvi, of Randal Street, Blackburn, suffered 40 per cent burns when her skirt was set alight by a heater in the lounge. The youngster, a pupil at St Michael with
A MAN facing jail over more than £2,300 unpaid fines got a chance to keep his freedom. Burnley magistrates heard how Derek Theodore, 38, was last November made the subject of a suspended committal order and had then been told he would be sent to prison
A MAN who lost his father to bowel cancer has hit out at drug chiefs who refused to approve a "valuable" new treatment. Jeff Fay, 49, said he would have been standing alongside campaigners who this month lost their appeal for cetuximab if his father,
A VIOLENT man absconded from an open prison and lived in Spain for two years before handing himself in. William Fullerton, formerly of Hornby Street, Oswaldtwistle, fled from Sudbury prison in Derbyshire where he was serving a 10-year jail sentence for
ACCRINGTON STANLEY boss John Coleman is backing loan signing duo Stuart Fleetwood and Przemyslaw Kazimierczak to make a big impact with the Reds. Polish U19 goalkeeper Kazimierczak joined on a month's loan from Bolton Wanderers, with a view to extend
BURNLEY manager Steve Cotterill has urged his players to match the fighting spirit he anticipates from Queens Park Rangers. The Clarets travel to Loftus Road tomorrow looking for their first win since the end of November, while QPR will be battling to
DAVID Dunn today said he's itching to pull on a Blackburn Rovers shirt again as he eyes a possible role against Sheffield United. Three years, eight months, three weeks, and two days since his last appearance for the club he grew up supporting as a boy
TWO cocker spaniel puppies worth £1,500 are thought to have been dog-napped'. And their owner is offering a reward of an undisclosed sum for the safe return of the family pets, which were taken in broad daylight. Michael Lynch, 40, who has recently
What kind of person says he wants sharia law in this country? It's been another week when all we could talk about was what Muslims were thinking and whether the ones here were British enough. There is nothing more infuriating than having a report and
VISITORS to Burnley's Towneley Park saw the first seeds of its future when a flagship tree was planted along the historic walkway. Burnley Council's Executive member for the Environment, Coun Roger Frost, officially bedded in the tree as part of a
COUNCILLORS were cheered and applauded last night as they turned down a controversial application for a village supermarket. Residents packed Barrowford Civic Hall to protest against Booths building a store, and Pendle Council's Barrowford and Western
PLANS for a £70 million campus for Burnley College were last night given the go ahead. The borough's planning committee approved the proposal which will see the college move to land off Princess Way and Ashfield Road. Burnley MP Kitty Ussher and Jim
YOU know that a takeaway is successful when you have to drive round the block twice to find a parking space. The Mai had been recommended by two different people who raved about its fish and chips. So cod and chips twice it was then, plus a small portion
CALLING all comedy fans -it's that time again for Blackburn's top monthly stand-up night, Lock'n' Load at King George's Hall on February 3. Combat those winter blues with the help of comedy consultant Antony J Brown, supported by Dominic Woodward.
Lancashire Constabulary officers arrested 488 people on warrant in January - the highest ever-monthly figure. Such was the success that the Constabulary now has a record low number of outstanding warrants of just 866. This is the lowest recorded
PENDLE is gearing up for a visit from some of the world's top cyclists. The Pendle Cycle Fest might not begin until July, but entry forms to take part in its biggest and newest event are already available. Last summer, more than 420 riders took part
FORMER Burnley favourite Tony Grant is dreaming of facing his old Turf Moor colleagues - after arriving back in East Lancashire at Accrington Stanley. Grant joined the Reds on transfer deadline day, signing an 18-month contract, and will take up the
IT'S hard to believe but Chumbawamba have been ploughing their own particular musical furrow for 25 years. Next Friday, the band's current line-up - Burnley duo Boff Whalley and Lou Watts, along with Jude Abbott and Neil Ferguson - will be playing an
JONATHAN Stead returns to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs tomorrow looking to mastermind another Great Escape' in the colours of his new club Sheffield United. The 23-year-old striker, who almost single-handedly saved Blackburn Rovers from
SHOP canopies in Brierfield have been left in need of a lick of paint and a good spruce-up because of a shortfall in its maintenance budget, Pendle Council has said. Engineering manager Scott Whalley's report to the Brierfield and Reedley committee said
AN East Lancashire print firm was raided and its boss arrested as part of an investigation into money laundering. Police searched Print Inspiration, Kent Street, Blackburn, along with three further addresses in Blackburn, one in Colne and one in Preston
AS director of Tate Britain one of my key aims is to make art more accessible to people all over the country. That's why I'm urging readers to log on to Tate Online to view two new online video installations concerning the works of Antony Gormley and
AS chief executive of UK gas safety watchdog, CORGI, I echo Dr John Astbury's comments on January 20. At this time of the year when we are all relying on our central heating systems, it is critical that the appliances are working correctly. We recommend
I MUST disagree with Mr B Hudson regarding his views re smoking at Turf Moor. Yes there is fresh air' but why should non-smokers have to put up with drifting smoke? You still smell it! The sooner a total smoking ban comes into force in all public
RE the Cash for crash' story (LT, January 23). The evening before this article was published my son was almost involved in a staged car crash. Because this had happened to him before he became suspicious of the other driver's actions and managed to
ONE year on from the first public meeting to discuss the proposed location of the Marsden Heights Community College on Bent Head playing fields, Brierfield, we have Pendle Council's Executive boasting of a brilliant' deal for residents. What planet do
A BURNLEY gas fitter has died after falling from a first floor balcony while working at a council flat. And the widow of Andrew Rae, a former Burnley councillor, has told of her shock and devastation at her "genuine, down-to-earth" husband's death.
HALF term fun for all the family comes to Darwen on February 9 and 10 with two performances of Beauty and The Beast. The shows, at the town's Library Theatre, will be on Friday night with a matinee performance the following afternoon. The show is
Lyn Paul first sang I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing with band the New Seekers - and now she's teaching us about the joys of dancing in new show Footloose, in Salford from February 10 to 17. THE Footloose cast are taking a well-earned break from
Indie rockers Kill Devil Hills are making a comeback to the North West gigging scene after a year in the recording studio. See them in Blackburn on February 16. The Blackburn-based band - made up of Darrell Smith (vocals), Neil Tattersall (lead guitar
LEADER of the Commons and Blackburn MP Jack Straw has admitted that the Prime Minister is not going through his easiest period'. It comes after it emerged that Tony Blair was questioned last Friday for a second time in relation to the cash for honours
DARWEN have been boosted by the return of Leigh Smith as they head to Norton United looking for their first double' of the season. The midfield general has been out with a broken ankle for three months and manager, Steve Mullen, says getting him back
PADIHAM manager Steve Wilkes is hoping his February curse doesn't haunt him this year. In two years in charge of the Storks, Wilkes hasn't recorded a win in this month - losing five league games in his first season and four in his second term. "Hopefully
COLNE face a tricky trip to Congleton Town looking for their first league win of the New Year. The Holt House side haven't won any of their last five league and cup games - Wednesday's 3-1 home defeat against Ramsbottom the latest. Colne beat the Cheshire
RAMSBOTTOM boss Lee Sculpher is without four players as his side bid to extend their unbeaten run to four games at home to Squires Gate. Forward Lee Cryer and midfielder Chris Steele are both away, while injured Anthony Johnson (shoulder) and Neil
BACUP boss Brent Peters is sweating on the fitness of his two leading scorers ahead of the visit of FC United. Peters is hoping Ian Barker and Lee Oldham recover for one of the biggest games at West View in recent years. He said: "No team can survive
CLITHEROE aim to keep their improving form in tact as they host Alsager Town. The Blues will be hoping to welcome back winger Lennie Reid, who missed last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Skelmersdale with a slight hamstring injury. "We are moving in the right
A MOTHER and her two children escaped a suspected arson attack at their home. The blaze was started in an outside storage unit close to the front door of the family's flat in Roebuck Close, Blackburn, at about 4.15am yesterday. Flames caused severe
DEREK Egan is taking nothing for granted when he takes Rossendale to struggling Chorley tomorrow. Dale were pushed all the way by the Magpies in a 3-2 victory earlier in the month and Egan is expecting another tough encounter. "I have too much respect
BLACKBURN ROVERS striker Matt Derbyshire's amazing year continued last night when he earned his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad. Derbyshire, a former Great Harwood Town player, is in the squad to face Spain in a friendly at Pride Park on
JOHN Coleman wants striker Paul Mullin at Accrington Stanley for the next couple of years after turning down a derisory offer for the 32-year-old. The Reds dismissed a five-figure and player bid for Mullin from a League Two rival, believed to be tomorrow's
STEVEN Caldwell is set to make his Burnley debut at Queens Park Rangers tomorrow following his late transfer deadline day move from Sunderland. The Scotland international, who has been called up by new boss Alex McLeish for a two-day training camp in
Top stand-up comedian Lucy Porter is bringing her sell out solo Edinburgh show to 29 venues across the country - including a date in Burnley on February 24. We spoke to her about recycling, being good and unwaxed lemons. LAST year when comedian Lucy
COLIN and Justin, until a few weeks ago I'd have dismissed them in the same way as I would Ken and Deirdre or Zippy and Bungle - slightly annoying and ultimately without any real substance. But over the past few weeks I have to say my opinion of these
residents are urged to donate to a Darwen church project for a stained-glass window with scenes of the town from past and present. The design, which features India Mill, Darwen Tower and the trams which used to run in the town, is to mark St Peter's
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council has signed an agreement with the government's housing agency to build more affordable homes in the borough. The council and the Housing Corporation will work together to appoint housing associations to build new homes, make
A MAGISTRATE'S son has apologised for embarrassing his fam-ily after being caught almost four times the drink drive limit. Damien Thomas Culshaw, 38, could have been a danger to other road users and himself after getting behind the wheel in Accrington
