Archive
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A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside.
EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Wednesday, Date: February 6: Rossendale Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society, Longholme Methodist Church, Rawtenstall, 7.30pm. Catalogue Ken Clothes Show, Royal British Legion, Brunswick Street, Nelson
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Armed robbery: Plea to witnesses
POLICE are appealing for information after an armed robbery at Belmont post office yesterday lunchtime. The driver of a post office security van was followed into the post office by two men at 12.30pm. The men, who are believed to have escaped empty-handed
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Three men accused of kidnap
THREE men were due to appear in court today on charges of kidnapping a man in East Lancashire. Nawaz Khan, 21, of Preston New Road; Tariq Ellahi, 29, of Trevor Close, and Irfan Mahmood, 21, of Whalley New Road, all Blackburn are jointly charged with kidnapping
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Police go to polls over pay changes
HUNDREDS of police officers across Lancashire were due to go to the polls today to vote on whether to accept radical changes to the police pay structure. The planned changes include cutting the overtime rate, a bonus payment of £400 and the introduction
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Attitude left me speechless
THE attitude of R Dust (Letters, January 22) almost left me speechless. Having no MoT, insurance or road tax never killed anybody. Speeding does. If you do the crime, pay the fine and shut up; you're a criminal. It is not the car that's the problem, it's
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Asylum seekers in our own country
THE outrageous proposals by Lancashire County Council to axe old people's homes (LET, February 1) is an affront to the dignity of our older generation. The majority of these old people have fought in two world wars for the freedom of this nation and have
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Speed cameras do save lives
MOST of the coverage about speeding tickets and cameras implies that drivers have a right to speed and that it is rotten luck to get caught and fined. This seems an irresponsible approach to take when speeding takes lives. Lancashire police are one of
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Clarets have got to sting Hornets and start a revival
WITH Clarets fans praying for the win that could revive the club's flagging fortunes it is probably appropriate that they travel to Vicarage Road tonight to take on Watford. There was the unmistakable sound of boos drifting across Turf Moor last Sunday
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Rovers jubilant with Cup victory
JUBILANT Academy chief Bobby Downes last night hailed Rovers' performance as one of the best he had ever seen after they dumped Arsenal out of the AXA FA Youth Cup in dramatic style at Highbury. Don Howe's classy Gunners were red-hot favourites to lift
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Dunn is ready for England tester
MIDFIELD maestro David Dunn today declared himself fit and ready for England's friendly with Holland next week -- should Sven Goran Eriksson decide to hand him a call-up! As I understand it, Dunn IS being considered for promotion to the senior squad after
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Dealer told to pay up
A CONVICTED drugs dealer ordered by a judge to pay up about £9,500, has been told to pay £200 a month. Mohammed Amir, 26, now a textile worker, had the confiscation order made at Preston Crown Court, after he was convicted of supplying drugs in 1997.
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Woman 'didn't know she was banned'
A YOUNG mum caught behind the wheel while banned from driving did not know she had been disqualified, a court heard. Burnley magistrates were told how Lisa Marie Gorton, 22, had been given a 60-hour community punishment order for the offence, last February
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Warning to store park trolley kids
GANGS of teenagers riding around in supermarket trolleys and pushing them into cars were today warned they could be caught on CCTV and prosecuted. Burnley police have launched a poster campaign at the town's Asda store after supermarket workers and shoppers
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40 years on - and still top of the crops
A POPULAR hairdresser who began life blow-waving teddy boys and backcombing beehives is celebrating 40 years in the trade. But it isn't a case of hair today gone tomorrow for Burnley's Peter James -- as he has no plans to hang up his scissors just yet
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Earby drums to the beat
THE people of Earby will be dancing to a new beat in two weeks time when the authentic sounds of Africa come to town. Drumming classes for beginners will start on Tuesday, February 19, at the New Road Community Centre, led by top drummer Tata Bah of Accrington-based
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BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
AN evening with a hint of Spanish passion: the Rapsodie Espanol of Basque composer Maurice Ravel, whom we tend to think of as French, was combined with the Ballet Suite No 2 of The Three Cornered Hat by Manuel De Falla. Both the pieces brought the warmth
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Ten years ago
IT WAS announced that pupils on hospital work experience would not be charged for medicals after penny-pinching health chiefs were forced to back down. Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Authority had previously charged pupils £5 each before
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Five years ago
BLACKBURN shop workers suffered a shock when they got a visit from a rather slippery customer -- a snake. Mystery surrounded the visit of the four-foot charcoal reptile who toured several shops before it was taken to the police station and popped in the
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Houses on estate haven't been touched for decades
A £2million package of improvements to council houses in Hyndburn has been unveiled. The money will mean that work on restoring a neglected housing estate can finally be completed, much to the delight of councillors, who claim some houses haven't been
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Confidence high in Clarets camp
THERE is no crisis of confidence in the Clarets camp despite the current run of just two points and two goals in the last five league games. That was the promise from assistant manager Sam Ellis just before the squad boarded a coach to travel down to
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Blake could start
STAN TERNENT will decide tonight whether to play a three card trick in order to give himself a winning hand for Burnley's crucial first division clash with Watford at Vicarage Road. Glen Little, Paul Weller and new £1million signing Robbie Blake were
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The real drive should be for democracy
MORE proof, if it was needed, that councils' war-on-the-car is driven more by knee-jerk instinct than actual necessity. For after plonking down dozens of 20 mph zones in residential areas across the county, Lancashire County Council is now embarking on
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Elderly homes: Give us the truth
ISN'T it time to do away with the blathering over Lancashire County Council's proposed closure of umpteen of its old folk's homes -- 19 in East Lancashire alone. And for us to be given a frank admission from it and the government that this is much more
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Blake could start
STAN TERNENT will decide tonight whether to play a three card trick in order to give himself a winning hand for Burnley's crucial first division clash with Watford at Vicarage Road. Glen Little, Paul Weller and new £1million signing Robbie Blake were
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Preston sink Wednesday in stormy seas
JON Macken found his scoring touch to bag his first league goal since October as North End clambered up to within three points of the play-off zone. But the star of the night was midfield powerhouse Dickson Etuhu, who not only proved capable of running
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Kill theat man in court
A MAN who threatened to kill a Darwen mother was due in Preston Crown Court today for sentence. Estranged husband Aledwyn Jones is charged with making a threat to kill against Anna Jones after an incident in Richmond Terrace, Darwen in August last year
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School in market for spare computer vouchers
STAFF at Darwen Moorland High have appealed for spare supermarket vouchers in a bid to buy extra computer equipment for the school. They are currently collecting Tesco's Computers for School vouchers and would welcome any contributions. From now until
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700 jobs may be created in major new complex
PLANS for a £2million hotel, leisure and office complex could lead to a major jobs boost to East Lancashire. The site of the former Lower Darwen Paper Mill in Greenbank Terrace could house a hotel, leisure centre and business park as well as new homes
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Bright kids' scheme hit by holidaywrangle
A £7MILLION scheme designed to help create an education authority's superbrains of the future has run into trouble amid a battle over workers' contracts. Some of Blackburn with Darwen Council's 26 Learning Mentors are upset and at least one is threatening
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Juvenile crime in focus at top-level talks
A HIGH-profile meeting between Rossendale's MP, councillors and local representatives and police Chief Superintendent John Knowles will take place on March 1. The meeting, for which Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has been calling for some time
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Attack on taxi driver for no reason
A BAD-tempered shop fitter punched a cabbie for no reason - and later told police he had "snapped," a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard how Steven Anthony Irwin, 19, admitted to officers he had been in "a bit of a mood," but shouldn't have hit
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Hip op Mayor says thanks for words of support
THE Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen today thanked residents for their support during his recent operation -- and revealed how one pensioner even sent him £10 to buy a bottle of scotch! Coun John Williams was out of action for more than a month after undergoing
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Millions wiped off company boss's fortune
A BLACKBURN entrepreneur saw millions wiped off his personal fortune after his company warned profits would fall. Shares in Winchester Entertainment, founded by former QEGS pupil Gary Smith, dived by more than 50 per cent after the film distribution company
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Armed raiders snatch shop takings
POLICE are hunting two armed robbers who raided a corner shop and stole the till after threatening a young female shop assistant. Two men went into the Mulla corner shop in Norman Street, Blackburn, at about 7.15pm yesterday posing as customers. One of
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Baby Jake inquest 'must wait'
THE coroner dealing with the inquest into a Blackburn baby's death at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool, today defended his decision to adjourn the hearing for a fourth time. Liverpool coroner Andre Rebello yesterday held and adjourned a further hearing into
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700 jobs may be created in major new complex
PLANS for a £2million hotel, leisure and office complex could lead to a major jobs boost to East Lancashire. The site of the former Lower Darwen Paper Mill in Greenbank Terrace could house a hotel, leisure centre and office complex as well as new homes
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Chorley can't rock Robins
CHORLEY slipped to a 12-point defeat at the hands of high flying Hull KR, but the Lynx can look back on an excellent first half performance. However, in the second half the Robins took the game away from Lynx. Both sides showed a willingness to throw
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Macken to stay!
JON Macken has ended months of speculation - and decided to stay at Deepdale. After hitting North End while they were down early on in the season with his shock transfer request, the striker has spent months in limbo waiting for a club to come in for
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One dead in shop crash horror
A 19-YEAR-OLD man died and three other teenagers are recovering in hospital with serious injuries after a car ploughed into the front of a shop in Prestwich last night. The car served into the video shop after it had crashed into a street bollard and
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All aboard on yer bike!
PEDAL power could persuade Metrolink bosses to finally allow passengers to bring their bikes on board. And those pressing for the current cycle ban to be overturned say passenger numbers using the 10-year-old transport system could soar as a result. Greater
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Hotel rooms are key to new jobs
THE recent closure of Blackburn's County Hotel to make way for new homes has highlighted the lack of bed space in the borough. The sort of chain hotels that have sprung up throughout the country in the past decade beside main roads and in town and city
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Gospel tunes strike a chord
VISITORS to Blackburn's Salvation Army were in fine voice as they tuned up their vocal chords for a gospel music workshop. Participants at the Vicar Street site, Eanam, were then given a short break after Saturday's rehearsal time before giving a grand
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Dancers' delight
DANCERS from a Blackburn dance school were like the cats that got the cream when they qualified for the UK championships. The realisation that the girls had won through to the finals to be held in October was a special occasion for the dance troupe as
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Drunken father arrested on 'rare night out'
A RARE night out with his wife ended with a father of three being arrested. Blackburn magistrates heard that police called to a disturbance outside the Gibraltar public house found Paul McLaughlin shouting abuse and behaving in an agitated manner. But
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Wrong answer in food quiz
An answer in your food knowledge quiz (LET, January 25) was inaccurate. Samphire is not a seaweed, it is a member of the umbelliferous family and closely allied to the better-known fennel. It was the stem that was formerly used in pickles or cooked in
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The answer is in the ballot box
REGARDING your report about Lancashire County Council earmarking 19 homes for the elderly for closure (LET, February 1). The Labour councillors are talking tommy-rot, when they make the excuse that the Government has imposed new regulations and standards
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Police appeal over missing girl, 14
POLICE are appealing for help in tracing a 14-year-old girl who has been missing from home for a fortnight. Rebecca Louise Wood Rebecca was last seen by her grandfather as he dropped her off for an out patients appointment at Wigan Royal Infirmary Hospital
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Sallie's party fit for a queen
WHILE thousands of people will be toasting the 50th anniversary of the Queen's Accession today one woman will be holding her own very special celebration. Today marks exactly five decades since Queen Elizabeth II took the throne following the death of
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Here comes fame!
BUDDING performers in East Lancashire could soon follow in the footsteps of Pop Idol's Will Young after a £500,000 cash boost to create the area's first fame school. Haslingden High School has received the government cash to allow it to become a performing
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Sweet revenge for the youths
BOBBY DOWNES today paid tribute to his Rovers young guns after they avenged last season's AXA FA Youth Cup final defeat by dumping Arsenal out of this year's competition at Highbury last night. A goal in each half from Jon Walters and Jerome Watt shattered
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Clarets chief to champion £3m jobs project
BURNLEY is to be the pilot for a £3million project aimed at bringing new jobs and businesses to the poorest neighbourhoods across the country, it was announced today. Business Brokers was launched today by the Department of Transport, Local Government
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Horror beating of drunk man's partner
A DRUNKEN man beat up his wife in front of her children after a New Year's Day drinking session and then turned on a teenager who tried to help her. Burnley Magistrates heard John Quigley, 51, dragged mother of six Donna Quigley out of bed by the wrists
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'Bad blood' led to attack at club
A YOUNG father attacked another youth after "bad blood" erupted on Boxing Day. Burnley Magistrates heard how Daniel Topping sustained a loose tooth and a wounded lip after he was punched by Michael Christopher Greenwood. Greenwood, of Chapelhouse Road
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Woman aged 83 floored by bag snatcher
AN 83-year-old woman was today recovering in hospital after being attacked and robbed on waste ground close to her home. The pensioner, who has not been named by police, was taken to Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, with serious facial and head injuries
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Leisure site takes shape
THE first part of Accrington's new leisure complex is set to open next month. Council chiefs have revealed that the drive-thru restaurant part of the Moreton Street venue will open in March. A four-screen, 800-seat cinema also being lined up, along with
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Second sex attack prompts warning
WOMEN have been warned to be on their guard after a teenage sex attacker is believed to have struck for the second time in less than a month. In the latest incident, a 25-year-old woman was walking along Eastgate in Accrington about 6.30pm on Monday when
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Window smashed after row over pizza
A MAN took back his takeaway pizza which he claimed was under-cooked -- then smashed the place with a hammer. Before his money could be refunded Daniel Benjamin Redmond ran off and returned minutes later brandishing a hammer. Blackburn magistrates heard
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Now it's time for mourning prayers
PARISHIONERS are set to have their weekly services in a funeral director's when a 119-year-old Ribble Valley church is knocked down next month. Chatburn Methodist Church, which has been in use since 1883, will close on February 23 and 24 ready for demolition
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Car crime victims
A NUMBER of cars in the Darwen area were broken into over the weekend. A vehicle parked at the Black Bull pub in Bolton Road, Edgworth, was broken into overnight on Friday and looted of a Pioneer radio-cassette valued at £200. A walker who left a car
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Vouchers scheme is just the ticket for theatre fans
DARWEN Library Theatre has joined a national scheme which aims to boost audiences across the UK. The Knott Street playhouse is now part of the Theatre Tokens scheme, which means that fans can buy and redeem show vouchers at the theatre - in the way people
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'Twins' mark golden bond
CELEBRATIONS are starting early for one of the oldest twinning arrangements between Britain and Germany -- Rossendale's link with Bocholt. The Lancashire borough and its twin German city have been officially linked for 50 years and to mark the occasion
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The fame game is coming to school
BUDDING performers in East Lancashire could soon follow in the footsteps of Pop Idol's Will Young and attend the area's first "fame schools" thanks to a £29.4 million Government education grant. Haslingden High, in Broadway, has received £500,000 to allow
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Curtain rises on a regional first
WHEN streaming and so-called "setting" of pupils with aptitude and ability has been shown to benefit them and raise standards generally, what improvements might education experience if an entire school concentrates on cultivating the special talents of
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Nature Watch: Top flight displays in store
ONCE the high winds and rain have left us there will be some wonderful birdwatching to be had. We should all take care, however, not to disturb the birds. They will all be tired and hungry after the buffeting they have endured and we should use binoculars
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Sex charges sentence
A COLLEGE lecturer was due to appear in court today for sentence on charges of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 16. Alistair Dickson, 41, of Langham Road, Blackburn, who lectures in computer studies at a college in Salford, admitted four
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Butterfly ballet beckons Rebecca
REBECCA Neilson is looking forward to appearing alongside some of her idols in the Northern Ballet. Rebecca, 12, from Blackburn, will dance in Madama Butterfly after fighting off fierce competition from more than 50 budding young dancers who auditioned
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Now may be the time for change
THE road system in Blackburn is atrocious to say the least. Some have not been resurfaced for many years and are in a state of disrepair. It's time the council got their finger out and started to reinvest our money in the road system. I think it is true
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The thought of leaving home is unbearable
REGARDING Lancashire County Council proposing to close 19 homes for the elderly (LET, February 1), the thought of having to leave the one I live in -- Ravengarth, in Haslingden -- is unbearable. I have been truly happy in this home. There has been real
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Trees saved for future
TREE Preservation Orders have been confirmed by Wigan Council planners in Leigh and Wigan. Among the latest sites to benefit are Cemetery Lodge in Manchester Road, Leigh, and Sandy Lane and land at Marsh Brook Close, both Hindley. The new orders were
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Cole and Dunn are not on the same planet
JOE Cole or David Dunn? It was a debate which raged fiercely after Blackburn Rovers' game with West Ham at the weekend. And Sven Goran Eriksson might currently be asking himself the same question as he ponders his squad for next week's friendly with Holland
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Help at hand to kick the 'weed'(HUMBNAIL:tsmoking0602)
SMOKERS are kicking the habit in droves, according to two outreach workers who visit industrial estates handing out advice. A special smoking cessation van with two specially trained advisers was on hand at the Rossendale Road Industrial Estate, Burnley
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Jubilee pay storm over 'mean' bosses
BURNLEY'S MP has blasted East Lancashire's "mean-minded" bosses after it was revealed that some have no intention of paying workers for this year's extra Bank Holiday. Peter Pike urged all employers to stump up for the holiday on June 3 to celebrate the
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Kind teenagers in line-up for award(CP:James Molloy, one of the nominees for the Young Citizen Award
THREE East Lancashire teenagers have been nominated for a prestigious police citizenship award. The Young Citizen Awards 2001 spotlights young heroes in Lancashire whose hard work, grit and determination has made them household names in their own communities
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Council leader wins place at No.10
PENDLE Council leader Coun Azhar Ali has won a place round the cabinet table at 10 Downing Street. Coun Ali has been on the Labour Party's National Policy Forum for more than two years and was successful in persuading David Blunkett to include the New
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Starring role for staff at cemetery
STAFF in Pendle Council's parks, cemeteries and outdoor recreation department were celebrating today after receiving the thumbs-up from government inspectors. Following a 12-month Best Value inspection during 2000, the service, based at Marsden Hall Farm
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Affray charge six given school ban
SIX youths charged with affray in connection with the mass brawl at Moorhead High School in Accrington were bailed by Hyndburn magistrates, but told not to go near the school until their case is heard. The six -- one aged 14, three aged 15 and two aged
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Till death us do part... only kidding
FLIRTING with the bridesmaids and having another girlfriend waiting in the wings isn't the best way to start married life -- but when you are five years old, exceptions can be made. Ben Storey and his new "bride" Sophia Ferguson tied the knot in a mock
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PAUL OKON v TONY GRANT
IF it has been a disappointing few weeks for Burnley's players they should spare a thought for Watford midfielder Paul Okon. At the start of the season the Aussie midfielder was looking forward to life in the Premiership with Middlesbrough and dreaming
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Stan wants Hornets lift off
THE last time the Clarets met the Hornets, Glen Little scored the only goal in the opening minutes and the club went on a six match winning streak. How Stan Ternent will be hoping that his side can repeat the trick. The two sides come face to face at
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Dunn is ready for England tester
MIDFIELD maestro David Dunn today declared himself fit and ready for England's friendly with Holland next week -- should Sven Goran Eriksson decide to hand him a call-up! As I understand it, Dunn IS being considered for promotion to the senior squad after
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Mum of two bound over
A 34-year-old woman was arrested and charged with a breach of the peace after police who were called to a domestic incident found her holding an ornament above her head and threatening to hit her partner. Blackburn magistrates heard the man was sitting
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No stone unturned in search for rapist
DETECTIVES hunting the Darwen rapist today revealed they had questioned every resident in the area around the scene of the attack in their search for clues. Officers began knocking on doors in Clifton Street, Sandringham Road, Hollins Road and part of
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Hearty treat goes on offer
A HUGE St Valentine's heart full of balloons is on offer to charities wanting to use it to raise money. The Fun Store in Manchester Road, Haslingden, has a spectacular red and white balloon display provided by Balloonatics and paid for by owners Catherine
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Fright for shop workers as thief struck
STAFF at a Blackburn chemists shop were kept in the rear room by a man holding the door shut while another walked in and helped himself to toiletries. But Blackburn magistrates heard a security officer employed by Moss Chemists was parked outside their
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Fire crews' tribute to terror victim
THE son of a New York fire chief who died when the twin towers of the World Trade Centre collapsed is to visit Lancashire next week. Chris Ganci will collect a cheque for £32,000 from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. The money was collected by firefighters
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Gritting vote 'vindicates' council decision
A COUNCIL leader today welcomed the results of a Lancashire Evening Telegraph poll which revealed people would not want to pay extra money to make sure their roads are gritted. Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Bill Taylor said the 64 per cent of callers
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Bright kids' scheme hit by holiday wrangle
A £7 million scheme designed to help create an education authority's superbrains of the future has run into trouble amid a battle over workers' contracts. Some of Blackburn with Darwen Council's 26 Learning Mentors are upset and at least one is threatening
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Stanley's semi
SOCCER: Accrington Stanley have got an away trip to UniBond Premier League rivals Burscough in the semi-finals of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy. In the other the winner of the NWCL Division One clash between Ramsbottom and Clitheroe face a trip to
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Lobo's stadium woe
JASON Lobo couldn't hide his disappointment that the running track purpose built for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester will be 'ripped up' after the competition. The Stadium will be the home to Manchester City FC once the Games are over. "I am so disappointed
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Lynx bask in the limelight
CHORLEY Lynx are building up to one of the biggest games in their history - and basking in the limelight they are receiving. For the Northern Ford Premiership outfit it has been an on-going battle to generate interest in the 13-a-side code but crowds
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Duo happy with late call
BOXERS Colin McCash and Gary Thompson have received a late call-up to Friday fight night at the Preston Guild Hall - but they are more than ready for action. McCash, from Accrington, will be facing Danny Moire from the North East in a light middleweight
