Archive
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Celebrating all things Mini, Cooper and Mini Sport...
PETROLHEADS from across the country are expected to descend on Padiham later this month. The Cooper Mini Day will be held at Mini Sport, in Thompson Street, from 9am until 3pm on Saturday, March 28. MORE TOP STORIES: The event will act
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Lancashire League cricketer joins forces with partners to launch new accountancy firm
LANCASHIRE League cricketer Craig Smith has joined forces with two partners to launch a new accountancy firm. Mr Smith, the second XI captain at Rishton Cricket Club, who has played for many years in the Foster’s Lancashire League, has joined ex-professional
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Extension plan for shop
THE owner of Patel Newsagents on Audley Range has been given permission from Blackburn with Darwen Planning and Highways Committee to extend his shop. He can now build a two-storey addition to increase the retail space and include a flat.
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Headteacher honoured at cathedral
A SERVICE to recognise the contribution of a retired headteacher to the community and his former school is set to be staged next month. Blackburn Cathedral will host the event in honour of David Whyte who stepped down from his role at St Wilfrid
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Funding sought for designer’s job site
ONE of the first employment websites aimed exclusively at Blackburn and Darwen is bidding for charity status. Iain Sykes set up the site linked with the council’s Work Club while he was himself looking for a new position between 2011 and 2012.
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Post deadline
THE deadline for applications to become the new headteacher at a Blackburn school is today. The position at Pleckgate High School became vacant after former head Cherry Ridgeway resigned following the school’s rating as ‘inadequate’ and resultant
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Decking is permitted
PAUL Carter has been granted backdated permission for raised wood-decking at the rear of his mid-terraced home on Revidge Road. Approval for the addition was granted by Blackburn with Darwen Planning and Highways Committee after two neighbours objected
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Blackburn Soroptimists meet stars of TV
BLACKBURN Soroptimists celebrated their 79th Charter Lunch at the Samlesbury Hotel on International Women’s Day. More than 70 guests attended the lunch, including 15 presidents of other Soroptimist clubs throughout the region. Staying at the
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Ofsted Praises Group Training Association
A Lancashire-based Group Training Association is celebrating after receiving a glowing report from Ofsted inspectors. The report, which was published today, highlighted that Training 2000 received outstanding grades for the quality of teaching, learning
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Young Blackburn dancers chosen to perform in regional heats
DANCERS from a Blackburn college are celebrating their latest success of being chosen to perform one of their own contemporary creations. The team of youngsters from the dance academy at St Mary’s College, in Shear Brow, was one of just 10 groups
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Lunchtime walking a hit with Royal Blackburn Hospital staff
A LUNCHTIME walking club for staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital has inspired a pilot scheme set to be launched at a top London hospital. St Bartholomew’s Hospital, which is the oldest in Europe, is to use Blackburn’s successful lunchtime walking
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Artisan sale
THE next Clitheroe Artisan Market is set to be held next month. The event will be staged at the United Reformed Church in Castle Gate on Saturday, April 11. The doors will open at 10am and close at 4pm.
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Wedding fair
A WEDDING open day will be held by a Ribble Valley hotel in April. The Best Western Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex in Langho will host the event. The doors will open at noon on Sunday, April 19, and will close at 4pm.
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Tour update
AN UPDATE on the Tour of Britain stage to be jointly hosted in the Ribble Valley and Pendle will be given later this week. Members of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s Parish Council Liaison Committee will be given the update on Thursday, March 26
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Pub crawl
EAST Lancashire Hospice has finalised the details of its first pub walk. The event will be staged in the Ribble Valley on Saturday, June 6. It has been organised by the Rotary Club of Ribblesdale and will see participants take on visits to
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Dream home plot for sale
LAND with planning permission for a four-bedroom ‘dream’ home has gone up for sale in Sabden. The land, at Orchard Cottage, Hollins Farm, has been given a price tag of £350,000 by Whalley firm Athertons. A spokesman described the land as “a
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‘50 shades of greyhound’ supports homeless dogs
SUPPORTERS of a ‘50 Shades of Greyhound’ campaign have been looking for kindness without the cruelty – and been surprised by the outcome. An increased number of greyhounds and lurchers have been rehomed since the Tia Rescue charity adopted the
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Magistrate appointed Lancashire’s next High Sheriff
EAST Lancashire businesswoman and magistrate Amanda Jane Parker has been appointed as Lancashire’s next High Sheriff by The Queen. The 52-year-old who lives in the Ribble Valley, will be officially sworn-in to office as one of Lord Lieutenant Lord
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Helen Mead: Are kitchens what we should all be talking about at election time?
I NEED two kitchens. I really do. I need two kitchens, four bathrooms – no, make that five – a dining room, two reception rooms and – top of the list – a utility room. I’m sick of towels and jeans that flow, lava-like, across my living room.
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Cash-strapped Ribchester Music Festival to close after 23 years
ORGANISERS of the annual Ribchester Music Festival have announced that this year’s event will be its last. At the launch event of this year’s 23rd festival at St Wilfrid’s Church in the village, Chairman Tim Rainford said that financial pressures
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Objection made to 21-pitch caravan park plan
BILLINGTON and Langho Parish Council has objected to a plan to create a new caravan park near a pub. The application for a 21-pitch touring caravan site on land to the read of the Petre Arms in Langho was submitted to Ribble Valley Borough Council
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Bypass plan is not a new idea
RE, Link road through Bailey’s Field in Darwen to open up development sites The original idea goes back even longer. My parents married in 1950 and my dad was interested in buying a small house on Holden Fold but was advised against the idea by
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Help those who rent their homes
RE, CHEERS: East Lancashire brewers raise a glass as chancellor George Osborne cuts beer duty I see the coalition are again pandering to those who aspire to owning their own homes. Adding £50 to every £200 saved is a kick in the teeth to those who
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Better use of housing stock
The idea we can build ourselves out of a housing shortage (Cameron and Miliband vote bidding war) is fanciful. Rampant house inflation has created a speculative bubble where we imagine ourselves richer by burdening future generations with unsustainable
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Jack Straw steps down after 30 years of dedication
FOR the past 30 years, people in Blackburn have been able to rely on one thing – the chance to speak to their MP in person. Every fortnight Jack Straw has held constituency surgeries around the town for residents who need his help or advice.
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Link road a long time coming
RE, Link road through Bailey’s Field in Darwen to open up development sites My family moved to St James’ Estate when it was first built. Ivinson Road wasn’t built then. When it was, it was very wide and when asked why, we were told it was for the new
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Theresa May: United front can prevent grooming
THE nation needs to unite to protect children from being groomed online by extremists, it has been claimed. Local community leaders and politicians spoke out after several young Islamic Brits headed out to the Middle East to join IS, while other
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Book to make light of people’s sight trouble
A PARTIALLY-SIGHTED former businesswoman is aiming to compile of collection of stories about people’s experiences of blindness. Hanoria Baranovich, 60, lost the central vision in her right eye about 12 years ago, before losing sight completely
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Crowd descend for second annual beer festival
CROWDS descended on Padiham Town Hall at the weekend for the town’s second annual beer festival. More than 30 ales from 12 separate breweries were on offer as well as locally-produced ciders, and real ale enthusiasts packed out the venue. MORE
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Woman in court charged with dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking
A 24-YEAR-OLD woman has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged after an incident on Wednesday when a police car was rammed. MORE TOP STORIES: Faye Marie Edwards, of Whalley Street, Burnley, was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court
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Pennine Film Festival visitors treated to animation masterclass by Oscar nominee
YOUNG visitors to the Pennine Film Festival were among those treated to an animation masterclass by an Oscar and Bafta nominee. Animator, director and author Barry Purves, who worked with director Tim Burton on Mars Attacks! discussed his life
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Tourism a vital driver for local economy
PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has joined with Geoff Cowley, managing director of Wyndham Vacation Rentals in Earby, to show support for English Tourism Week and helping boost visitor numbers to Pendle. The area, which includes attractions such as
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Remembering the 19 men who lost their lives on one of East Lancashire’s darkest days
THE 19 men who lost their lives in one of the darkest days in East Lancashire’s history were remembered. The weekend marked the 53rd anniversary of the Hapton Valley Colliery Disaster and a special memorial service was held for the miners killed
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Businesses across Blackburn and Darwen are celebrating after being shortlisted as finalists in the inaugural Hive Blackburn and Darwen Business Awards.
Successful businesses have had their written entries validated and scored against strict criteria to be named one of four finalists in each category. Finalists will now face an interview and presentation stage with judges made up of sponsors, business
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Themis at Burnley College Named Skills Provider of the Year 2015 at Red Rose Awards
Apprenticeships and Training provider, Themis at Burnley College, is celebrating after being named Skills Provider of the Year 2015 at the Red Rose Awards on 12 March. Following picking up Silver in the Training Colleges category at the Apprenticeships
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Burnley winger George Boyd adamant about penalty in Southampton defeat
GEORGE Boyd is adamant he deserved a penalty for a foul by Jose Fonte in the first half of Burnley’s defeat at Southampton. The winger went down after Fonte clipped his ankle with the score still 0-0 at St Mary’s - an incident which came during
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Third of Brits feel it's too risky to become buy-to-let landlord
A NEW poll is today revealing the negative perception that Brits have of becoming a landlord, with 36% of UK adults saying it's extremely risky being a buy-to-let landlord. Despite the negative perception, millions of buy-to-let landlords are reaping
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Accrington Stanley supporters raise money to build new changing rooms - after famous Roy Hodgson moment
ACCRINGTON Stanley fans have joined forces to raise money to build new changing rooms at the club after England manager Roy Hodgson famously refused to let his Fulham side use existing facilities. The club’s Official Supporters Club is selling
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Council’s Ruby Award honour for local man's ‘tireless community work’
A “CARING” Clayton-le-Moors man will be honoured by the council for his tireless community work with an award later this week. David Cross, 66, will be awarded for his work in caring for others when he is given a Ruby Award, launched to mark 40
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Latest play
PEOPLE in Darwen can get a taste of the West End as Darwen Library Theatre screens its latest play from the National Theatre Live scheme. ‘Behind The Beautiful Flowers’ starring well known star Meera Syal and coming from the South Bank in London
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Help to make ground lush
DARWEN Cricket Club will once again take part in the national Groundforce Day initiative on Saturday, where members and supporters pitch in to help spruce up league grounds nationwide ahead of the new season. Chairman Graham Ainslie said: “Always
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Music event
ELEVEN schools took part in the 24th annual celebration of music for Hyndburn Schools at the Civic Theatre, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle recently. The mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Munsif Dad, attended the show. It was organised by the Rotary Club
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Tree removal plan
PROTECTED trees at All Saints Grange Bowling Club, in Church Street, Clayton-le-Moors, could be removed or pruned, if planning officials give the go ahead. Laurie Denton at the club has applied for permission to carry out work, documents lodged
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Musical night
THE Rotary Club of Accrington is holding a fundraising musical night from 7.30pm on Saturday, April 11, at the Civic Theatre in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle. The Leyland Band will perform. Tickets cost £12 or £10 for concessions, available on
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Councillor complaints
A “NUMBER” of complaints have been levelled at councillors in Hyndburn, documents have revealed. Council documents said: “A number of complaints had related to members in their private capacity and fell outside the scope of the Code of Conduct.
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Team are in action
FOOTBALL fans in Darwen can see their local side in action on Wednesday when AFC Darwen take on Chadderton in the North West Counties First Division at the WEC Group Anchor Ground. Kick off is at 7.45pm. The Salmoners are hoping to make a late push
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Former Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle pleads guilty to drink driving
FORMER Burnley footballer Clarke Carlisle has pleaded guilty to a drink-driving offence. The 35-year-old, still bearing the facial scars from his December 22 suicide attempt in a crash which left him in a coma until mid-January, spoke clearly as
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Nick Nunn wine column: March 23
Calvet Picpoul de PInet 2014, £5, Asda This white is more than £2 cheaper than normal at this bargain price. Picpoul is an ancient grape variety from France’s Languedoc region and Midi area in the deep south and used to be used in making Vermouth
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REVIEW: The Rezillos and Ed Tenpole Tudor, Clitheroe Grand
IF anyone ever doubted that rock and roll had lost its sense of fun, then a visit to the Grand would have made you a believer again. There can't have been many Sunday nights in Clitheroe which have been so full of energy, commitment and musicians
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MATCH ANALYSIS: Padiham 0 New Mills 1
PADIHAM have all but been relegated after losing their must win game against fellow Evo-Stik League First Division North strugglers New Mills at the Arbories. While mathematically the Storks can still stay up, it would take an incredible escape
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MATCH ANALYSIS: Widnes 0 AFC Darwen 4
FREE-scoring AFC Darwen made it 13 goals in two games with another excellent performance on the artificial pitch of Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club. Despite missing a host of players from the first team squad, Darwen carried on from where the
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PLAYER RATINGS: Southampton 2 Burnley 0
Tom Heaton 7 Nothing he could do about either goal and made one very good save at the end of the first half Kieran Trippier 5 Usually reliable crossing and set-piece delivery was very wayward. His poorest performance for a while Michael
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MATCH ANALYSIS: Accrington Stanley 2 York City 2
ACCRINGTON Stanley left it late to deny York City all three points at the Store First Stadium, with a son of the White Rose county providing the crucial equaliser for the Reds. With the struggling Minstermen looking on course for only their third
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POINTS LOST: How Burnley's reduced options have been exploited by opposition managers
THERE were 10 minutes remaining on Saturday when the television cameras panned to a girl reading a book in the stand. A tactical change had again taken a game beyond Burnley, and the drama was over. A match that had been thoroughly enthralling before
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Andrew Greaves column: Burnley left to rue inability to take chances in Southampton loss
BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche has spoken many times this season of the importance of taking our chances. And on the south coast on Saturday those warnings came back to bite us hard as we slipped to a 2-0 defeat. MORE TOP STORIES: We started brightly
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Police caution 20 drivers on road where 13-year-old was left hospitalised
MORE than twenty drivers were cautioned by police after speeding through the area where a teenager was left fighting for his life after being hit by a car last month. Officers carried out a ‘speed awareness exercise’ in Lyndhurst Road in Burnley
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Jack Straw hosts final advice surgeries before standing down as Blackburn’s MP
JACK Straw has hosted his final advice surgeries before standing down as Blackburn’s MP ahead of the general election in May. The long-serving MP was presented with a cake by volunteers at Ivy Street Community Centre, where he has held meetings
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Headteacher calls for improved road safety measures after Year One pupil almost knocked down
A HEAD TEACHER is calling for improved road safety measures after a Year One pupil was almost knocked down. Vicky Axon, head at St Nicholas’ CofE Primary, said roadworks near the Church school were putting pupils at risk as they made their way
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PLAYER RATINGS: Blackburn Rovers 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Jason Steele 6 Had no chance with Matt Kilgallon’s own goal but made a fine finger-tip save to prevent Joao Teixeira from doubling Brighton’s advantage Adam Henley 7 Can go away with Wales on the back of another solid showing, his performances
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Shop owner returns to Darwen seven years after leaving for Ireland
DEREK Whittaker left Darwen seven years ago after tiring of his job in Blackburn with Darwen Council’s finance department. He moved to Ireland where he launched his new business, Spinners Tackle Shop. MORE TOP STORIES: And now, he has moved
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Olympic swimmers enjoy Blackburn's new sports and leisure centre
SOME of Britain’s most successful Olympic swimmers were on hand at the weekend to help inspire a new generation. Olympic bronze medallists Jo Jackson and Steve Parry were among seven top athletes who led sessions at the new Blackburn Sports and
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Six taxis suspended in police operation
ROSSENDALE Council has suspended six taxis for matters such as illegal tyres and absent roof signs and meters after an operation in Manchester. Operation Persephone was deployed jointly with the council, Greater Manchester Police, the Driver and
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Social work team manager suspended after child with fractured skull not given adequate protection
A CHILD who suffered a fractured skull was not given adequate protection by an ‘under-pressure’ Lancashire County Council social work team, a professional watchdog has ruled. Diane Constance Cleasby, the manager of the integrated support and assessment
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Seafood Pub Company crowned Publican Award winner
The Seafood Pub Company has been awarded a prestigious national title at one of the hospitality industry’s biggest annual events. Managing director Joycelyn Neve and executive chef Antony Shirley were amongst more than 1,300 leading figures
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Ex-partner jailed after breaching restraining order for thirteenth time
A 50-YEAR-OLD Clitheroe man breached a restraining order within 24 hours of being released from prison where he had been sent for a similar offence. Blackburn magistrates heard John Andrew Stevenson turned up at his ex-partner’s home just after
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Smart ticketing to be rolled out across the North of England
THE government has announced plans for a hi-tech smart ticketing system for trains, buses and trams across the North of England similar to that included in East Lancashire’s Pennine Reach public transport scheme. The proposal, similar to London
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Burnley boss Sean Dyche takes squad to Spain after Southampton defeat
SEAN Dyche takes his squad to Spain today vowing that Burnley will be ready to bounce back from Saturday’s loss at Southampton when they return to England. The Clarets were beaten 2-0 at St Mary’s on Saturday to leave them inside the Premier League
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Gary Bowyer: Blackburn Rovers' first-half showing against Brighton will influence Liverpool selection
BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer says some of his players may have played their way out of his starting line-up for the FA Cup quarter-final replay with Liverpool. Bowyer cut a deeply disappointed figure after Rovers went down to a dreary 1-0
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Residents voice anger at cold calling in area
THERE have been calls to ban cold calling in Worsthorne. Fed-up residents have recently voiced their anger at being disturbed by knocks on their doors by charity workers and salespeople. They now want the No Cold Calling Zone, currently in
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VIDEO: Watch as Darwen students' science project takes them to the edge of space
DARWEN students went from Sudell to the brink of space in a special science project this week. Year Seven and Eight pupils at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy released a huge helium balloon with a camera attached to it into the atmosphere to capture
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MATCH ANALYSIS: Southampton 2 Burnley 0
LAST week Burnley were grateful to returning 37-year-old Michael Duff for his heroics in the win over Manchester City, but seven days on they were thwarted by a man a year older than the Clarets veteran. When Kelvin Davis replaced stricken goalkeeper
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RESIDENTS' DELIGHT: Controversial application for traveller site in Lower Darwen thrown out by council
A CONTROVERSIAL application for a traveller site in Lower Darwen has been thrown out by Blackburn with Darwen Council. Council officers made the decision on Friday under delegated powers hours after a petition with 1,250 signatures was presented
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MATCH ANALYSIS & VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Blackburn Rovers 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
IF Rovers are serious about not giving up on the play-offs then this was a funny way of showing it. Actually, scratch that, as there was nothing amusing whatsoever about the way they played in the first half here. MORE TOP STORIES: You
