Archive
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Thursday, December 6
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Hyndburn Local History Society meet Accrington Library, 7.30pm. 'Man in the Natural Environment' by Tony Robinson. The art of wearing a kimono, a demonstration at Blackburn
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Take the bunny and run!
IT is not often that I am able to save the life of an animal but last week I was wandering along a sand dune system and witnessed a very unusual sight. I heard a couple of very tiny young rabbits squealing and nearby an evil looking stoat was preparing
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Refusing notes is simply not on
IAM in total agreement with Elaine Hutchinson (letters, November 29) on the subject of Scottish notes not being legal tender. Total rubbish! Since when has Scotland been a foreign country? The notes issued by the Royal Clydesdale Bank are perfectly legal
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Food and staff were delightful
DO not let people criticise Hyndburn Hospital Food. Ihave just spent three weeks in Blackburn Royal Infirmary after falling and breaking my hip and I could not have recieved better treatment if I had been the Queen Mother. I am 84 years old and had never
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Gang in new A580 raid
A GANG of three armed with knives and a stun gun raided a McDonald's restaurant close to the East Lancs Road last night. It was the latest in a series of raids on premises close to the A580, said police. The gang threatened staff before making off with
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Toddler's parents told 'he's cured'
BRAVE toddler Joshua Westwell was getting ready for an extra special Christmas today after doctors told his family -- Your son's cancer is cured. Joshua had the life-saving operation to remove part of his diseased liver on his second birthday in September
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Flitty touch and go
EWOOD enforcer Garry Flitcroft today confessed he is 'touch and go' for Sunday's Premiership showdown with Leeds United. Graeme Souness's influential skipper is desperate to return to the Ewood engine room for the visit of David O'Leary's title-chasers
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Flitty touch and go
EWOOD enforcer Garry Flitcroft today confessed he is 'touch and go' for Sunday's Premiership showdown with Leeds United. Graeme Souness's influential skipper is desperate to return to the Ewood engine room for the visit of David O'Leary's title-chasers
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Rovers starlets run riot at Ewood
ROB Kelly's young guns swept into the fourth round of the AXA FA Youth Cup last night courtesy of a Chelsea power show at a rain-lashed Ewood Park. Goals from Alan Morgan, Jon Walters and Adam Nelson in the opening 38 minutes effectively ended the Blues
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Clarets striker in court
CLARETS striker Andy Payton was due in court today to face a charge of failing to provide a breath test. The 33-year-old Burnley FC forward, who lives in Accrington, is also accused of failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and
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MP wants an influx of faiths to House of Lords
BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has called for religious leaders of other faiths to join Church of England Bishops in the House of Lords. He tackled Church Commissioner Stuart Bell in the Commons this week. Mr Bell said that the number of C of E Bishops in Parliament's
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Drink-driver hadn't passed his test
A DRINK driver who got behind the wheel for the third time in a year while banned, has paid the price with a six-month jail term. Burnley magistrates heard how David Bracewell, 31, had never passed a test or even had driving instruction. He was spotted
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Council freeze on parking fees
A PLANNED increase in town centre car parking charges is Burnley has been put on the back burner. Councillors concerned at the possible effects on smaller shops in the town have asked officers to investigate the cost of free parking after 3pm on Saturdays
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Report spotlights council's success story
THE personnel department of Burnley Borough Council has been given the thumbs-up by an independent report. The report, released by the Audit Commission has given the department two stars because it has 'clear and and challenging aims, is universally well
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Angela wants a return to festive tradition
THE landlady of a local pub is determined to find an antidote to today's brash, flash Christmas, and is looking for traditions to create a more peaceful festive season. Angela Butler of Ye Old Sparrowhawk, Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, is asking customers
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Bid to stem jobs losses
UNION bosses were today due to lobby MPs in a bid to help to stem job losses in the aerospace industry. Industry in East Lancashire has been rocked by job losses in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks with losses at BAe in Samlesbury and Rolls
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Five years ago
POLICE chiefs banned striptease girls from the force's boxing ring at sportsmen's dinners because their high heels were ruining the canvas. The canvas arena owned by Lancashire Constabulary's boxing club had been used as a stage by exotic dancers but
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Online boost for struggling mobility project
A DISABLED project currently under threat after a funding crisis has received a boost from a new awards scheme. BT Community Connections, which aims to award £1million-worth of internet ready PCs to community groups, has awarded the Accrington Shopmobility
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Camera to KO estate crime
A CCTV camera is to be fitted at the entrance to an East Lancashire housing estate in a bid to rid it of crime. Hyndburn Council is to pay £12,000 to install the digital camera at the entrance to the Southwood Drive housing estate, off Manchester Road
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Pupils try role change
YOUNGSTERS at Oakhill College, Whalley, had an eggstraordinary time when they tried their hands at being parents. Inspired by Anne Fine's book 'Flour Babies,' about a fictional school class which had to look after six-pound bags of flour as if they were
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Scrap the spin doctors, MP tells Blair
MP Nigel Evans has told Tony Blair to scrap the spin doctors, such as his Director of Communications and Burnley fan Alastair Campbell, and put Parliament back at the centre of British politics. The Ribble Valley member said the Prime Minister's "presidential
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Teenage keeper handed chance
TEENAGE keeper James Salisbury will make his debut for the Clarets reserves tonight when they take on Rotherham United at Turf Moor (7.15pm). And reserve team boss Ronnie Jepson said: "It will be a good experience for him and we will get to see how he
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Walk into that festive spirit
WALKERS are invited to take part in a guided walk this Christmas followed by a festive get-together. The walk, which has been organised by Blackburn with Darwen's Sports Development and Countryside Services, starts from the main gates at Darwen's Bold
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Gala's charity cash joy
MORE than £3,000 was raised for charity during Darwen's annual gala, the gala committee revealed at its annual meeting. The committee concluded that the 2001 gala had been a great success, despite a few hefty showers. The new attraction of live groups
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Victorian fair at museum
A CROWD of more than 1600 people attended the annual Christmas Victorian fair at Helmshore textile museum. Queues were waiting outside at 10.30am half an hour before the event started. Principal keep of industrial museums Ian Gibson commented; "It has
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Security guard hit in armed raid on bank
ARMED robbers hit a security guard and stole a quantity of cash from the Royal Bank of Scotland in the second armed raid in Ramsbottom in two days. The guard, working for a security firm, suffered bruising and was initially taken to hospital but is now
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Conversion plan for derelict mill
A DEVELOPMENT company is bidding to convert a derelict eyesore mill in the centre of Rawtenstall for residential use. In April Rossendale Council decided to apply to have Ilex Mill delisted with a view to ultimately demolishing the building and developing
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Drunken man was refused bed at hostel
STUART Greene found a bed for the night in Blackburn police station after he had been refused admission to the Salvation Army hostel because he was too drunk. Blackburn magistrates heard that Greene "kicked off" in the public inquiry area and, after being
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Girl, 8, tells of being 'scared'
AN eight year old girl told a court how she was dragged into a derelict garden and indecently assaulted after being asked to help look for a missing dog. The girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said she had been 'scared and frightened' by
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Village stalwart Frank, dies at 95
MEMBERS of Mellor Parish Council have paid tribute to the work of former council clerk Frank Eccles, who has died aged 95. Speaking on behalf of fellow members, Coun Charles Warkman, vice chairman of Mellor Parish Council said: "Although many of his contemporaries
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Tagging order may be imposed on thief
TWO men who stole a CD player from a car parked overnight were equipped with children's walkie-talkies to help in the enterprise. Blackburn magistrates heard that Paul Cottam kept watch while Brian Taylor ripped the top of a Ford escort convertible and
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Motorist hit in clamping drive
THIRTY motorists in Blackburn and Darwen have had their cars clamped in just two days as part of a drive to tackle road tax dodgers. Police and DVLA officials launched the clampdown across the county this week and the owners of unlicensed could find their
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Violence at home on the increase
CAMPAIGNERS for women's rights in East Lancashire have welcomed the launch of a new national policy on domestic violence. They say the new policy, launched by the Prime Minister's wife Cherie Blair and the director of public prosecutions David Calvert-Smith
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Sacred Heart celebrate
SCHOOL deputy head Andrea Perry celebrated with pupils after they went to the top of the class in the Government's performance league tables. The tables, which were published today, highlight Sacred Heart RC Primary School in Colne as one of only three
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It's onwards and upwards at St Barts!
STAFF and pupils at St Bartholemew's C E Primary in Great Harwood were celebrating today after after gaining high marks inthe Government's school performance league tables. Head teacher Graham Boyes said: "These results reflect the performance of that
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Top class! Four schools get 100 per cent in main subjects
EAST LANCASHIRE'S primary schools are continuing to improve, according to performance league tables published by the Government today. Top of the class in the region were Brindle St James CE Primary, Sacred Heart RC Primary, Colne, and Turton and Edgworth
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Gran (83) dies in bus crash
A DOTING grandmother died when she was struck by a double-decker bus in Manchester city centre. Now, the family of Mrs Peggy Harrow are seeking answers as to how the tragedy occurred in Piccadilly Gardens last Thursday morning (Nov 29). Her son-in-law
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New scheme to target tearaways
BURY'S persistent young offenders are to be targeted in a new initiative to curb their criminal activities. And the stark warning to them is to stop offending or face the consequences. The Youth Justice Board's Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme
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School's rise is a class act
IT is difficult to see how anyone could argue that first few years at school are anything less than vitally important for all youngsters. The reason is quite simply because if progress is not made at that time in achieving basic standards of literacy
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Agency highlights access problems
NOW that the countryside is opening up after the foot and mouth tragedy, we can all enjoy walking without restriction. The the Countryside Agency, however, says there are still some problems to be dealt with. England's rights of way are now easier to
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Song and dance of cup draw
WATCHING the football World Cup draw, we got an orchestra, chorus and soloist, song and dance act, opera diva and dance drum troupe. Why then, on Stars In Their Eyes, don't we get mid-programme a documentary on bricklaying and a discussion on the moorish
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Festive tree is a disgrace
IAM writing on behalf of the residents of Bacup regarding the Christmas tree in Bacup Town Centre. A number of people have complained about the state of the tree. We, the people of Bacup, feel it is an insult to us. The tree is very thin and not very
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Conference on care homes
NURSES, owners of care homes and their staff, and local authority care workers, in the North might like to know that there is an important regional conference in York on February 27 on restraint in care homes for older people. The timing is particularly
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We need to clean up our own backyard
REGARDING Hyndburn MP Greg Pope's visit to America to witness the devastation after the terrorist attack of September 11 (LET, November 20), I also admire his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Kashmir conflict. I am sure that every member of
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Ex-miners 'dying before they get payout'
MINERS' leaders claim that former coal face workers are dying before receiving compensation they deserve because of government failure. Following a court case three years ago, the Government agreed to pay out cash to former miners suffering from respiratory
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Award carries a hoodoo
FOOTBALL is a sport that lends itself to superstitions. In the dressing room players will put their kit on a particular way before each match. Others will always walk out on to the pitch in the same position in the line up. In the stands fans will wear
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High praise for school's saviour
A HEAD teacher called in to save a failing school was hailed as a miracle worker today after it came top of the class in education tables. St James' CE Primary, Brindle, faced possible closure after it was described as giving "cause for great concern"
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Youngsters crack home four
ROVERS Youth coach Rob Kelly today hailed last night's 4-0 win over Chelsea as one of the best performances he has ever seen from his Brockhall youngsters. Rampant Rovers marched into the fourth round of the AXA FA Youth Cup after a four-star show against
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Those Irish eyes are smiling
THE rest of the nation might have gasped in disbelief, but the draw for next summer's World Cup Finals was greeted with a mixture of excitement and trepidation within the bowels of Ewood on Saturday. For England wannabe David Dunn, the outcome couldn't
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DJ Duncan goes back to school
AWARD winning student DJ Duncan Whittaker is to return to his old school for a live show. Duncan who won a prize at the recent Radio 1 awards for his university road show, is going back to Ivy bank High School, Burnley, to perform his show for the pupils
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Anger over flood threat to park
A TODMORDEN town councillor has accused the Environment Agency of "vandalism" after its up-to-date schemes were put on display for the public. Coun Olwyn Jennings was first to criticise proposals after the Environment Agency gave out plans to Todmorden
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Pubs take hard line on violence
THE licensees of the four village pubs in Briercliffe are taking a hard line against troublemakers. With the police, they have launched a new pub watch scheme, Harle Syke Against Rowdy Disorder (HARD) and are promising tough action against any who misbehaves
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Pubs take hard line on violence
THE licensees of the four village pubs in Briercliffe are taking a hard line against troublemakers. With the police, they have launched a new pub watch scheme, Harle Syke Against Rowdy Disorder (HARD) and are promising tough action against any who misbehaves
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Surgeon apologises for medic's remark
A SURGEON apologised to a grieving daughter for an unprofessional remark allegedly made by a hospital doctor. Susan Heys told an inquest at Burnley that when a nurse asked a doctor to see her seriously ill mother he replied: "Do you think I can make her
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Homes plan set for approval
COUNCILLORS look set to give the go-ahead for the building of 55 detached houses and four detached bungalows on land at Tweed Street, Nelson. The site is the final phase of the Trent Road development and includes an area of unused allotment land. One
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New waste targets mean tax rise
NEW recycling targets set by Lancashire County Council will mean a revolution in waste collection in Pendle -- and a rise in council tax charges. The amount of household waste recycled in Pendle last year was set at nine percent, but that will rise to
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A cracker of a party planned
MEMBERS of the Horsfield Community Association, Colne, are gearing up for a Christmas cracker of a weekend. A party for senior citizens will take place at the Byron Road social centre on Friday starting at 2pm. There will be music by the Pensionaires,
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Laid off father of four stole games
A FATHER of four, laid off from work, stole games from his bosses to give to his children for Christmas. Burnley magistrates heard how Stephen Hunter, 37, was extremely upset he wouldn't be able to provide for his family over the festive season and took
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Lara meets Shrek in family fun panto
AN AMERICAN I know thought pantomime was a play without words performed by gay actors, and definitely not family entertainment. He couldn't understand the link with Christmas. Men called dames and women called principal boys, whatever next! Oldham's show
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A beauty of a show
THE Library Theatre Company have done it again this Christmas with a magical leap into the land of Beauty and the Beast. Their production of the classic fairy tale has been brought to life with dramatic lighting, dance and action of the highest quality
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Ten years ago
OSWALDTWISTLE granny Florence Ratcliffe brought her childhood memories back to life when she went into print at the age of 93. Storytime in her house had always been lively as she entertained her grandchildren with tales of days gone by so they urged
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Drugs were on dealer's list, court is told
POLICE were said to have found 'dealer's lists' when they searched a house used by an alleged drugs pusher, a jury was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how cash amounting to £700 was found on Anthony McVay, 31, while he was at the police station and many
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Fairground 'base' plan under scrutiny
COUNCILLORS and residents in an East Lancashire town are waiting for the results of a public inquiry into an application for a new showman's site on greenbelt land. The public inquiry last month, was held after Hyndburn Council rejected the application
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Arson attack forces Halfords out
A COMPANY hit by fire during an arson attack will not be reopening its doors because bosses fear it will not make enough money. Halfords, in Eastgate, Accrington, was one of three businesses which lost millions following the blaze in last July. CBS mail
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Pooper snoopers spy on dirty dogs
A "zero tolerance" campaign against dirty dog owners has been launched in an East Lancashire borough. Almost three years after Hyndburn Council first employed dog warden Steve Wood, residents have been warned that if they let their dog foul they will
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Vandalism delays gallery reopening
COUNCIL chiefs are bidding for funds to complete the refurbishment of one of East Lancashire's best-known art galleries after renovation costs rocketed by nearly £50,000. And it was revealed today that the opening of Accrington's prestigious Haworth Art
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Town hall anthrax scare concern
COUNCILLORS today demanded to know why they had been left in the dark about an anthrax scare at an East Lancashire town hall -- and why the building was not evacuated. Details of the scare at Accrington Town Hall more than a month ago were only revealed
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Pool inty semis
BLACKPOOL secured a place in the Northern semi-finals of the LDV vans trophy with a resounding 3-0 away win at Chesterfield. LDV Vans Trophy Northern Section Quarter-Final Chesterfield (0) 0 Blackpool (1) 3 Chesterfield: Abbey, Booty, Breckin, Payne,
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Teenage keeper handed chance
TEENAGE keeper James Salisbury will make his debut for the Clarets reserves tonight when they take on Rotherham United at Turf Moor (7.15pm). And reserve team boss Ronnie Jepson said: "It will be a good experience for him and we will get to see how he
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England toil to topple India
IT took Nasser Hussain's side 169 overs to eventually bowled India out for 469. Yorkshire spinner Dawson claimed four wickets, with three in the final six of his 43 overs. County colleague Matthew Hoggard finished the innings less than an hour after tea
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Flitty touch and go
EWOOD enforcer Garry Flitcroft today confessed he is 'touch and go' for Sunday's Premiership showdown with Leeds United. Graeme Souness's influential skipper is desperate to return to the Ewood engine room for the visit of David O'Leary's title-chasers
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Preece plans no rest for Gigg aces
ANY Bury players expecting a two-week holiday will be disappointed. Andy Preece's team have no match this weekend after crashing out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle. It means they are not back in action until Dec 15 when they visit Notts County. But
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Background reports call
A DARWEN man has admitted threatening to kill his wife. Sentence on Aledwyn Jones was adjourned for background reports to be prepared. The 43-year-old of Richmond Terrace, pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill his wife Anna Jones on August 9. He also
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Boy, 11, tricks and robs old woman
DARWEN CID is urging elderly people to be on their guard and not to let anyone they don't know into their homes following the theft of a handbag from an 80-year-old woman's house. The women on Harwood Street answered her door on Monday evening at 7.45pm
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Appeal for attack witnesses
POLICE in Darwen are appealing for witnesses after a group of youths carried out a series of "nasty attacks" in the town on Saturday night. The first incident occurred at around 11pm after a group of young men were thrown out of the Millstone pub in Railway
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Dingles set to join in charity dash
FELL runners have the chance to race against TV's famous Dingle family -- all in the name of charity. Emmerdale actors Emma Atkins, alias newly-wed Charity Dingle, Tate, Jeff Hordley, the villainous Cain Dingle, and his younger brother Sam Dingle, played
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Soldier earns MBE
A SOLDIER who devoted his spare time to helping people in Bosnia today spoke about the work which earned him an MBE. Staff Sergeant Alan Brown turned his peacekeeping role into a mercy mission helping local refugees in the war-torn country. Alan, from
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Repairs unlikely to cause traffic problems
ESSENTIAL sewer repair work has begun throughout Rossendale on many main roads, but traffic disruption should be kept to a minimum. The work affects Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, Bacup Road, Waterfoot
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Opposition grows to sale of ground
CAMPAIGNERS fighting a bid to purchase a section of Trickett's Memorial Ground in Waterfoot have collected nearly 200 letters of objection in just nine days. Feelings are running high in Waterfoot and the neighbouring villages and districts where campaigners
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Children chock full of buttons
CHILDREN across East Lancashire found themselves in chocolate heaven when Glistens packaging factory, in Blackburn, donated 2,000 boxes of spare chocolate buttons to Children in Need. Management at the firm, in Hill Street, Blackburn, which has just won
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New home for the Rotary
BLACKBURN Rotary Club have been busy this month. First the group had to pull out all the stops to find a new meeting place after their regular venue, the County Hotel on Preston New Road, closed. After a long search the Petre Arms on Longsight Road in
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Reformed addict 'haunted by ghosts of past'
REFORMED drug addict Russell De La Rue was haunted by ghosts from the past when he returned to live in Blackburn. The towns magistrates heard that De La Rue, who was being pressurised to repay old drug debts, had found a guardian angel who had paid his
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Nelson's Trophy hopes
NELSON are in action tonight, weather permitting, when they take on Atherton LR in the first round of the Worthington Challenge Trophy. The NWCL Division Two side will be aiming to topple their Division One rivals when the two meet in the twice postponed
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Reds still wait on deal
ACCRINGTON Stanley have brokered a £200,000 deal with Blackpool to allow Brett Ormerod's dream move to Southampton to go ahead - but they won't be missing out. The former Stanley striker is set to finally put pen to paper on a £1.75m move to the Saints
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A roaring night
JOKER Steve Cunningham outshone the stars at yesterday's charity match by stripping off and streaking. Stars of Coronation Street, Brookside and Hollyoaks turned out in aid of Rossendale United player Steve Bird. But it was Dale star Cunningham who stole
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Third time unlucky for Blues
CLITHEROE conceded late goals for the third successive match as their NWCL Division One title hopes took another dent at Woodley Sports last night. Having been given the lead in the 48th minute through Jason Jones, Lee Sculpher's men looked to be on course
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More 'Brett's' at Crown Ground
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman is hopeful that he might have a few more 'Brett Ormerod's' at the Crown Ground. Former Reds striker Ormerod is close to sealing a move from the UniBond Premier League into the Barclaycard Premier League in five
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Spot kick woe for Stanley
IT was penalty woe all round for Stanley as Peter Cavanagh missed a last minute spot kick in normal time and then the Reds crashed out of the FA Umbro Trophy second round replay on penalties to Altrincham. They lost 3-1 on spot-kicks with only goalkeeper
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Quality education for children
PADIHAM Green CE Primary head teacher John Hughes was celebrating today after pupils gained high marks in today's Government performance league tables. He said: "I put the results down to good teaching and hard work by all the staff and pupils. We're
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LibDems control best...and worst
THE best and worst local education authorities in England are both controlled by the Liberal Democrats, according to this year's primary league tables. Richmond upon Thames came top in terms of aggregated results achieved by 11-year-olds as more than
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Police hunt armed bank raid gang
POLICE are hunting armed thieves who attacked a security guard during a bank raid yesterday. The robbery took place at 10.51am at the Royal Bank of Scotland on Bridge Street, Ramsbottom. The gang threatened staff with a firearm and the security guard
