Archive
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Suddenly out of dead wood, life begins to emerge
The Saturday Message, with the Rev John Cree, of Immanuel Church, Feniscowles, Blackburn WHEN I lived in West Africa I missed the British Springtime. In the tropics there are only two seasons. A long "dry season" and a shorter one which is the "wet season
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Funny way to earn a living!
MOBILE phones, expensive trainers, CDs and DVDs and all the trappings of 21st century life are commonplace among children today. So do they view traditional party entertainers as old (top) hat? PAULINE HAWKINS investigates. A MULTI-COLOURED shirt and
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Rovers want a fair price for McAteer
BLACKBURN Rovers will hold out for a sizeable fee for out-of-favour midfielder Jason McAteer who appears to have set his heart on a move north of the border to Celtic. The Scottish Premier League champions have been linked with a move for McAteer before
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Bank building to come down
A PROMINENT building in the centre of Todmorden is to be demolished to make way for a garden area, which is being paid for by an anonymous donor. Members of Todmorden Town Council's development committee gave approval for the Barclays Bank premises at
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Teenager in sex assault on child of seven
A TEENAGER who sexually assaulted a little boy has kept his freedom -- but was told by a judge he would probably have gone to custody if he had been older. The 17-year-old student -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- was given a six month supervision
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Raider spotted in back yard of house
A YOUTH who tried to raid a woman's home could offer no explanation why he had done it except he was short of cash. Burnley Crown Court heard how Michael Duckworth, 20, was recognised by the victim's neighbour who had known him for several years and spotted
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Cabbie hit by hammer in night of terror
POLICE sealed off streets in the Duke Bar area of Burnley today amid unconfirmed reports of stabbings and violence in the area. A taxi driver was taken to hospital after being smashed in the face with a hammer and several cars in the New Hall Street and
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Patrol wardens to take to estate streets
NEIGHBOURHOOD wardens will be on patrol on estate streets in Burnley by the end of August, it was revealed today. Their job will be to help build up community spirit and cut down on anti-social behaviour. The project, in which wardens will be uniformed
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£100,000 fine after worked killed at Smurfit
THE widow of a man crushed to death in an horrific works accident today welcomed the £100,000 fine imposed on his employers. Smurfit UK admitted failing to ensure the safety of workers and particularly Ian Holgate who was dragged into unguarded rollers
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Your chance to shine
A TOP prize of £500 will be on offer at the open-air Starquest talent contest in the town centre next Saturday. The event, seen as a major springboard to success for local talent in the music business will take place in the Place de Creil, Nelson, and
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Reviews of the latest sound
Singles BIG DOG: In The Middle (Jive) -- The second offering from Kermit and the gang finds the singer sharing his thoughts on the paranoia that surrounds a relationship turning sour. Taking the foot off the gas, this tune is way more chilled than it's
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Surf the net for festival programme
PENDLE Leisure are inviting people to surf the net to get into the swing of this year's Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival. A full preview of the August Bank Holiday event in Colne in available to anyone logging onto www.bluesfestival.co.uk for access
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Mum-of-two suffers late vouchers blunder
NURSERY vouchers for the term starting April 1 were only received by a Barnoldswick mum a few days ago leading local councillor and county council David Whipp to condemned it as a sick April Fool. Jacqueline Mercer has two under school age children, Lily
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Who's playing where in East Lancashire
SATURDAY (June 23) Town Hall, Accrington: GONE BEGGING, Irish, 8.30pm. Privilege Nightclub, Darwen: COMMERCIAL AND CLASSIC DANCE ANTHEMS, 10.30pm to 3am, £4. Oxygen, Blackburn: '70s DISCO SOUNDS, 9pm to 1am, free. Cubes, Blackburn: DJ ROBIN WOLFENDEN,
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Rape charge: Man bailed
A MAN has been arrested and released on police bail following an alleged rape in Accrington town centre. The alleged incident took place in Back Willow Street between 11pm and midnight last Sunday. The 22-year-old man, who is not local, was arrested in
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Teenagers in court over attack
TWO 16-year-old boys were due to appear before Blackburn magistrates today following an attack on a man found unconscious in an alleyway. The Accrington teenagers, who can not be named for legal reasons, have been charged with wounding with intent to
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Delivery driver is jailed for swindle
A DELIVERY driver who helped himself to goods worth £700 from Boots has gone to jail for three months. Christopher Crabtree, 47, was spotted and photographed unloading his wagon in a back alley and later admitted he did it for spending money for his holidays
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Norman's war - in 100 pages
WHAT started out as a few jotted memories by ex-soldier Norman Hickie has turned into more than 100 pages of the highs and lows of a Great Harwood lad's life during the war. Norman's War Diary documents his life between December 1939, when he enlisted
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Councillors scorn McDonald's 'monopoly'
PLANS by a burger giant to open a new restaurants just 150 yards from its first outlet have been condemned by councillors. McDonald's is the favourite takeaway restaurant to win the lease for a drive-thru near Accrington's new cinema complex. The firm's
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Chemists on Duty
Sunday, June 24 BLACKBURN: 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrugs Pharmacy, 3-7 Stonybutts; 11am-2pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 12noon-1pm: Moss Pharmacy, 98 Audley Range. DARWEN: 12noon-4pm: Boots Chemist, 8 Market Street; 12noon-1pm: Geloo Bros, 14 Union
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Chemists on Duty
Monday, June 25 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst
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Chemists on Duty
Tuesday, June 26 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver
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Get that Rev counter ready!
A VICAR is attempting to talk himself into the Guinness Book of Records - with 36 hours of non-stop unscripted preaching. And the Rev Chris Sterry, the vicar of Whalley Parish Church, is also hoping to raise £2,000 in the process. During the marathon
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Clarets cash in on keeper Crichton
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent last night cashed in on goalkeeper Paul Crichton to help fund his squad strengthening ready for another tilt at the top end of Division One. Crichton has signed a two-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months with
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COUNTY CRICKET: Timely boost for Old Trafford
LANCASHIRE crashed through the £1 million barrier with their international double at Old Trafford during the last month to leave their critics with egg on their face. A total attendance of 63,504 at the npower Test Match between England and Pakistan produced
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COUNTY CRICKET: Big-hitter Law eyed by Old Trafford
STUART LAW has batted himself to the top of Lancashire's hitlist if they decide to sign a new overseas player for next season. The 31-year-old Australian scored an unbeaten century in each innings for Essex at Old Trafford, taking his tally of runs against
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COUNTY CRICKET: Lancashire in good spirits for Surrey
LANCASHIRE are ready for revenge against Surrey. That was the message from batting hero Warren Hegg after they completed a third straight Championship win to climb to second in the First Division table at Old Trafford yesterday. After tonight's floodlit
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Bank is backing East Lancs
ONE of Britain's leading banks is strengthening its Blackburn-based corporate arm. Lloyds TSB Commercial believes there will be a renaissance of Lancashire's manufacturing industry. The bank is boosting its support for business across the county in a
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Horror death of dog tied to rail track
THUGS tied a dog to a railway line and left it to be mutilated by a train, police said today. A Railtrack employee discovered the corpse of the animal on a stretch of track on the Darwen side of Raikes viaduct, close to Bridge Street, Lower Darwen. The
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Prison threat to lorry crash driver
THE driver of a seven-and-a-half ton lorry which crashed into vehicles parked in Belmont High Street on Tuesday afternoon was more than three-and-a-half times the legal drink driving limit. Blackburn magistrates warned that custody will be an option when
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RUBIC's thanks
A PROJECT aimed at raising the effectiveness and profile of the voluntary and community sector in Rossendale will be holding a thank-you evening next Friday. RUBIC -- Rossendale Unite Building Integrated Capacity -- was funded by a grant from the European
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Guest beer put driver over limit
POSTAL worker Francis Michael Owens failed a breath test after drinking a pub's "guest beer," which was stronger than his normal brew. Owens, 31, of Gretna Walk, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was disqualified for 18 months
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Tyre slasher had mix of drink and pills
PAULA Townsend went on a tyre slashing spree after mixing alcohol and prescribed medication. Blackburn magistrates heard that she used a knife to slash tyres on 11 different cars in the Bentham Road area where she lives. And the court was told that Townsend
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Time and a place for sculpture
A 30FT-LONG wooden sculpture was due to arrive in Blackburn next week to help spruce up the River Darwen Parkway behind Ewood Park. Designed by Tyne and Wear artist Keith Barrett, with help from pupils at Queen's Park High Schoool, Blackburn, it features
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Trainee manager stole £57 from his own store
A TRAINEE manager at a Blackburn convenience store, caught with £57 worth of goods in the boot of his car, at first claimed he had bought them at Tesco. Blackburn magistrates heard that Joseph Bux, who was working his notice, eventually admitted stealing
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500 new jobs in £205m deal
THE £205 million deal to privatise Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council services over the next 15 years has been concluded. And Capita, the company that will be delivering the services, has revealed for the first time the additional contracts it will
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Burglary evidence led police to heroin users
TWO youths who committed burglaries to raise funds for their heroin habit have received custodial sentences of 21 months each. Preston Crown Court was told that the defendants left footprints behind. Hugh McGeough, 20, of Bombay Street, Blackburn, and
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EVENTS in East Lancashire on Sunday, June 24
Fun Day, Eanam Wharf, Blackburn, 1pm. Dance and Performing Arts centre, and the Hoochi Coochie Band. Service at Pickup Bank Chapel, 3.15pm. Coach will leave Hoddlesden 2.30pm. St Silas's Church Procession of Witness. Meet church grounds, Preston New Road
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My First. . .
This week, with comedian and radio presenter JIM BOWEN MEMORY: Getting a Mars Bar in 1945 after the war when sweets came off ration. I was eight and I'd never seen one before. Bananas became available at about the same time. LOVE: A girl called Christine
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Where beauty and history combine
Drive & Stroll, with Ron Freethy ALTHOUGH the national media tells us that foot and mouth disease is now history, try telling that to those of us who live in East Lancashire and the Ribble Valley. I therefore headed off along the M6 before turning
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Police help the fight to beat cancer
POLICE officers have raised £3,000 to help research cancer in men. The cheque will be handed over at the Lancashire Police HQ at Hutton next Friday.. The Lancashire Police Federation Constables Branch Board raised the money for the Cancer Research Campaign
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Can you help a baby bird?
A DEDICATED owner is being sought to give an injured jackdaw a home for the rest of its life. The bird will never fly after leaving its nest too early and falling prey to a cat. It was brought to the WildLife Line sanctuary, in Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn
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Horror death of dog tied to rail track
THUGS tied a dog to a railway line and left it to be mutilated by a train, police said today. A Railtrack employee discovered the corpse of the animal on a stretch of track on the Darwen side of Raikes viaduct, close to Bridge Street, Lower Darwen. The
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Firm fined £100,000 over dad's death
A FIRM has been fined £100,000 after a father of two was crushed to death in an horrific works accident. A judge fined Smurfit UK after hearing how Ian Holgate died at a factory six years after Mark Earnshaw, of Wilson Street, Blackburn, was killed when
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Watt's a bright prospect
MANCHESTER City's youngsters have given the club hope of a bright new future. Two of the top prospects at Maine Road are midfielder Lee Croft and striker Dorryl Proffitt. They have both been named in the adidas/PFA Platinum Group for next season. The
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School's Extra honour
BURNLEY's Ivy Bank High School has received national approval for its out-of-school-hours provision. The school was one of more than 1,100 to apply for extra funding from the Education Extra, but only about 300 actually received an award and Ivy Bank
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Chirpy Charlie bids for telly stardom
MEET Charlie! She could soon be a very familiar face to millions of TV viewers as she bids to become a children's presenter. Charlotte O'Horo is only 16 but she has bags of personality and character -- as bosses at CITV will find out when they view her
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Pervert jailed for abusing young boys
A CHILD molester who sexually abused four little boys over three years was today starting a five year jail sentence. Burnley Crown Court heard how Jack Walsh, 23, tried to have sex with a three year old, committed sex acts on himself as some of the youngsters
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Give new scheme your stamp of approval
RECREATION chiefs are hoping young people will get right behind this year's summer holiday leisure programme -- and give themselves the chance of winning a new mountain bike in the process. Pendle Leisure -- which took over the council's recreation centres
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Kick start plan go-ahead
A £4.4million package of schemes to breathe new life into the most deprived areas of Pendle is set to get under way. The first phase of the Government's three-year Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme is set to be given the go-ahead by Lancashire county chiefs
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Saints rally not enough
WIGAN were left celebrating a memorable derby success as St Helens, for once, came up short with one of their trademark late rallies. Saints seemed irresistible as they fought back furiously after trailing 29-16 midway through the second half to close
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Fighting for life
THE family of a man fighting for his life after colliding with a bus have kept a bedside vigil waiting for him to wake up. David Mellelieu, 31, of Persia Street, Accrington collided with a Blackburn single-decker bus after he stepped out from the kerb
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Surgery pest is given five year ban
MAGISTRATES failed to ban a man from every medical practice in Hyndburn after hearing it could infringe his human rights. Razwan Sarwar, 24, of Willows Lane, Accrington, was told he had one last chance to improve his behaviour after intimidating medical
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Chemists on Duty
Thursday, June 28 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive; Healthbook Ltd, Audley Shopping Centre
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Chemists on Duty
Friday, June 29 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Moss Pharmacy, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst
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lChemists on Duty
Wednesday, June 27 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Lloyds Pharmacy, 4-6 Railway Road; The Surgery (Chiropody), 132 Lammack Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy
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Monday visit for rural supremo
CABINET countryside supremo Margaret Beckett is set to make her promised visit to East Lancashire on Monday. Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans said she would be at Gisburn auction market to hear pleas from farmers and businesses for government cash aid
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Rural chief vows to investigate 'brutal' culls
RURAL affairs minister Margaret Beckett has promised to investigate claims of cruelty in the culling of animals in East Lancashire as a result of foot and mouth. And she has asked local MPs Gordon Prentice and Nigel Evans for evidence of the brutality
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Race is on to save hen harrier
LANCASHIRE police are warning people could face fines of up to £5,000 if they fail to respect the county's wildlife. The announcement comes as English Nature, the government's wildlife watchdog, said it has launched an investigation aimed at preventing
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LOCAL CRICKET: Hodge exit is key
GARY Laycock thinks the key to getting Colne to their third Worsley Cup final in four years is the removal of Ramsbottom's professional Brad Hodge. The Colne skipper has singled the Australian out as the man who stands between the Horsfield side and their
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COUNTY CRICKET: Lancs looking for some light
LANCASHIRE are hoping the Old Trafford floodlights will kickstart their National League promotion drive tonight. Lightning have made a slow start to their first season in the Second Division, as have the opponents in the first of the four floodlit games
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LOCAL CRICKET: McNicholas is planning revenge
PADIHAM skipper Andy McNicholas is planning to exact revenge on Earby for last week's demoralising league defeat when the two clubs cross swords again in the Jennings Ramsbottom Cup tomorrow. McNicholas and his Padiham team-mates were left reeling last
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LOCAL CRICKET: Lessons learned from cup calamity
BURNLEY have no time to lick their wounds following last Sunday's final-ball defeat to Church as they prepare for a Worsley Cup semi-final clash with Transco Lancashire League champions Bacup at Turf Moor tomorrow. Andy McLeod's men tossed away a golden
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Rovers want a fair price for McAteer
BLACKBURN Rovers will hold out for a sizeable fee for out-of-favour midfielder Jason McAteer who appears to have set his heart on a move north of the border to Celtic. The Scottish Premier League champions have been linked with a move for McAteer before
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Clarets cash in on keeper Crichton
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent last night cashed in on goalkeeper Paul Crichton to help fund his squad strengthening ready for another tilt at the top end of Division One. Crichton has signed a two-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months with
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All together now. . .
A COMPILATION album featuring 19 local bands is being launched today in Burnley town centre. The Stereo Hot Pot project gets under way this afternoon with three bands playing in the bandstand between noon and 4pm. Tonight three more acts will perform
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Punks clean up their act for charity show
BIG-HEARTED punks underwent a drastic change of image this week. Performers better known for their anarchic antics raised £300 for charity in memory of their close friend, Blackburn punk Simon Moran. Raising the money for muscular dystrophy, Requiem,
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A fun day, but safety comes first
EMERGENCY crews from across East Lancashire were today due to attend a fun day aimed at reducing the number of accidents involving young people. Parents are being invited to bring their families to the event being run by Sudell and central Darwen's multi-agency
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Kittens show claws to fight closure plan
STAFF at a Darwen nursery facing closure in the next six months are due to submit an application for lottery funding in a bid to keep the centre open. Kittens Pre-School, is currently based at St Edward's Primary School, in Blackburn Road, Darwen, but
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New bus routes for carnival
BUSES through Bacup and Stacksteads will be diverted tomorrow for Rossendale Carnival. Service 34 will not go on New Line, Britannia or Rochdale Road until 6pm, instead it will run direct via Market Street between Bacup and Park Road. A shuttle bus will
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Garden bid outcry
A PLAN to extend house gardens over open land would sever a 200-year-old public track, councillors have been told. The proposal to change vacant land to garden areas at the back of three homes in Hempshaw Avenue, Loveclough, has drawn objection from other
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£300,000 scheme to treat colliery water
A £300,000 scheme to treat water coming from Deerplay Colliery, above Weir, should be complete in 13 weeks. The scheme is being carried out by Bolton Firm A & E Yates on behalf of the Coal Authority. Consultant Alistair Byfield said: "We dropped a
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Firm ready to bale out after flood
AN office supplies and stationery firm is considering relocating elsewhere in Rossendale after a flood caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. Brothers Pete and Steve Shepherd only opened their business Rossendale Office and Stationery Supplies in
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Youth launched a flying kick at car
A 19-YEAR-OLD youth, fed up of being stopped and searched by the police, launched a flying kung-fu kick and broke the window of his friend's car. And defence solicitor Basharat Ditta told Blackburn magistrates that Imtiaz Desai could offer no logical
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Boyfriend hatched plan to steal parakeet
BIRD man Frank Sullivan ended up behind bars after trying to break into the aviary in Blackburn's Corporation Park. Blackburn magistrates heard that he "hatched" the "bird brained" idea to steal a parakeet for his girlfriend after drinking in the town
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If you get one of these, 'tear it up'
A PENSIONER is warning others to be vigilant after she was sent a letter telling her she had won a prize of nearly £2,000. But after scrutinising the fine print, Betty Myles, 72, realised it said to claim the prize of £1,976.25 she had to send a cheque
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Royal appointment in red rose county
THE Queen is coming to Lancashire where she will end a tour to celebrate 50 years on the throne. And communities who plan to honour the event with a lasting tribute are invited to bid for grants of up to £5,000. Her Majesty will make two visits to the
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Colne raid Stanley
COLNE have raided Accrington Stanley as the look to bolster their squad for their NWCL Division Two campaign next season. Chris Ingham and Anthony Woodyer have made the move from the Crown Ground while Gavin Cooper, released from Bolton Wanderers, has
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SOCCER: Premier giants to visit Deepdale
THE prices for North End's three pre-season home fixtures against top class Premier opposition have been announced. The first giant to visit Deepdale is Everton on Saturday July 28, with Steve McClaren's Middlesbrough up next for Lee Cartwright's testimonial
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GOLF: Mathews leads
JEFF Mathews, a Blackburn-based Geordie, handed in a flawless seven-under-par 65 to take a one shot lead in the first round of the HSBC Manx Classic at Castletown. A run of four birdies in a row from the fourth hole set him up for an outward half of 33
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BOXING: Robin rocks the gym on time out
WORLD Super Middleweight Champion Robin Reid took time out from training for the defence of his title to speak to youngsters at a Blackburn gym. The Liverpool-born fighter, who will defend his WBF crown against South African Soon Botes on July 14, visited
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MOTORSPORT: Troy will not tire on Italian track
AUSSIE star Troy Corser is the man Neil Hodgson will have to beat in tomorrow's San Marino round of the World Superbike Championship. That's the view of the four times world champion Carl Fogarty following the first day of qualifying in sweltering conditions
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NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Chorley boss backs play-offs
CHORLEY manager Ken Wright has backed the new play-off system for the UniBond League -- even though he doesn't agree with it! The Magpies chief doesn't think the 'lottery' of the play-offs is fair on the teams that finish at the top of the pile, who often
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WOMEN'S SOCCER: Underdogs fancy their Euro chances
RACHEL Brown will hope to be part of the England side who kick off their European Championship campaign against Russia in Jena, Germany, tomorrow. The Burnley goalkeeper is second choice behind England's number one Pauline Cope but, with 12 caps, will
