Archive
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God - the referee from outside the game of life
WHY can't I nip out and mug an old dear? Or slip on a pair of the wife's tights - over the face, that is - and de-money-bag my local sub-postmaster? And what's to stop me spicing a Saturday Message with four-letter words and a hint of blasphemy? "Pull
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Top marks -- the Ram is a knockour!
THE RAM INN, Cliviger ALTHOUGH we were given a wooden spoon to mark our table number, this pub grub got top marks not the booby prize. In fac,t to call it pub grub seems almost insulting. The pub is a beautifully converted barn which has been adapted
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Tower looks down on cleaner waters
ALL rivers have their own unique character and the Darwen, which gives its name to the town, gives me great cause for optimism. It has recovered from industrial pollution and is an exciting place to stroll and study natural history. Dominating the town's
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Electric supply cut off
TEN homes were left without electricity yesterday for two hours due to an underground cable fault. The homes around Scarborough Road in Highercroft, Blackburn, had no warning of the power cut. United Utilities -- which is responsible for electricity supply
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Thwaites shires haul away prizes
THWAITES' Shire Horses swept the board at the prestigious annual Shire Horse Spring Show in Peterborough, winning five accolades. A seven-strong team, led by Thwaites' head horsekeeper Charles Beardmore, scooped first prize in the pairs, unicorns and
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Car auction ents businessman £1m
A BUSINESSMAN will emigrate an estimated one million pounds richer after auctioning off his vintage car collection. Ted Lethbridge, 65, disposed of around 70 treasured vehicles so he could start a new life in Esta Pona, Spain. More than 500 people packed
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Pub raid witness plea
POLICE have made an appeal for information a month and a half after an armed robbery at a pub in Mosley Common, Leigh. At around 5.30pm on Wednesday, February 4, the robber walked into the Yew Tree, in Bridgewater Road, and punched a member of staff and
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Neighbours' access road rage
NEIGHBOURING businesses are at loggerheads over the closure of a narrow lane. Massive £2.75m refurbishments at the Greyhound Hotel in Leigh have resulted in temporary closure of the direct access road between the East Lancs Road and Leigh Animal Sanctuary
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Teacher stalked his wife
A SUPPLY teacher who harassed his estranged wife over a 14-month period has been jailed for five months. And Blackburn magistrates imposed an indefinite restraining order on Dennis Melling after hearing how he had made her life a misery through his 'persistent
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Centurions relish giant-sized task
LEIGH Centurions know they have another Giant-sized task on their hands this weekend - and they can't wait. Anyone expecting the mood in the Leigh camp to be a gloomy one after their controversial Challenge Cup exit by Wigan last Sunday would be mistaken
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We've got what it takes - Taylor
ENGLAND Under 21 international Martin Taylor today backed Rovers to beat the drop because of the current sense of 'togetherness' in the Ewood dressing room. Taylor knows exactly what it's like to experience the ignominy of relegation after he was part
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School singers are different class
PUPILS at Towneley High School in Burnley proved themselves a talented bunch in a Stars in Their Eyes style contest this week. The final came after of a week of heats in which pupils from every year in the school competed. Eight pupils performed to an
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Six brides line up for contest finale
THE waiting is almost over and tomorrow one lucky bride-to-be will be chosen as Lancashire's Bride of the Year at a grand wedding fayre at Accrington Town Hall. Evening Telegraph readers have cast their votes and selected a final short-list of six who
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Council fury at homes closures
THE threat to close 35 residential care homes across Lancashire should be withdrawn immediately, Pendle Council have demanded. In a 37-0 vote they have called on Lancashire County Council to withdraw the consultation document and the threat of closure
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Bomb plot pair put behind bars
TWO ex-convicts who plotted to cause explosions are today beginning a total of 14 years in jail. Former Morecambe pier wild west show performer John Baker, 59, was jailed for 10 years. His co-defendant, Phillip Benson, 39, of Every Street, Nelson, received
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Ban on phone pest
A MAN who persistently made abusive phone calls to a woman over four months has been banned from contacting her. Edward Nuttall, 43, of Bond Street, Colne, was given a 12 months conditional discharge and made subject of a six months restraining order
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Direct debit appeal to tax payers
COUNCIL tax payers in Pendle are being encouraged to pay their bills by direct debit. Pendle Council is sending out leaflets explaining the advantages with the bills. The council says that paying by Direct Debit will save time and money. They say that
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Six brides line up for contest finale
THE waiting is almost over and tomorrow one lucky bride-to-be will be chosen as Lancashire's Bride of the Year at a grand wedding fayre at Accrington Town Hall. Evening Telegraph readers have cast their votes and selected a final short-list of six who
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Six brides line up for contest finale
THE waiting is almost over and tomorrow one lucky bride-to-be will be chosen as Lancashire's Bride of the Year at a grand wedding fayre at Accrington Town Hall. Evening Telegraph readers have cast their votes and selected a final short-list of six who
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Animal sanctuary in fight for survival
AN ANIMAL sanctuary has launched an urgent appeal for volunteers to help a fight for survival after it was hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis. Operation Facelift at Only Foals and Horses in Oswaldtwistle will be a year-long project involving a big clean-up
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Track vandals a threat to lives
VANDALS who placed concrete troughing and a large boulder on an East Lancashire railway line put passengers lives at risk, British Transport Police said today. Officers were alerted to the Whitewell Road area of Accrington at 11.50am on Thursday when
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Mill owner dies
HUNDREDS of former millworkers are this week mourning the loss of Leigh's last gentleman mill owner. Jonathan Hayes, who received the OBE in the Queens Silver Jubilee Honours List for his services to King Cotton, has died in St George's Hospital, Wimbledon
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Youth talk sense!
A YOUTH call for better leisure facilities and policing has gone directly to the Prime Minister. Mr Blair has got the message from 50 members of Leigh and Wigan Youth Parliament who met in a mock debate at Leigh Town Hall where Leigh MP Andy Burnham said
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Andy's inspiration takes to the stage
VIOLIN virtuoso and orchestra director Andy Long had a flash of inspiration for his latest show. While watching Starlight Express in the West End the Astley maestro realised he could create the same excitement for his Amethyst Light Orchestra performances
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Ken's a prisoner in his own home after hit-and-run
BRAVE Ken Sroka has returned home after having his leg amputated following a hit and run accident. Police are still trying to trace the callous driver two months after the accident happened as the 76-year-old was returning to his Ennerdale Road home in
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Historic school fights for a future
AN historic school, which is one of a number being considered for closure by education chiefs, is still championing community needs. Despite having survived two World Wars St John's at Mosley Common -- which dates back nearly 200 years -- could be closed
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Scooter convoy is eggs-tra special
SCOOTER riders formed a massive convoy through the streets of Journaland on their way to brighten the lives of hospitalised youngsters. And ecstatic organiser Kevin "Ginger" Lawton hailed Saturday's Ginger's Easter Egg run as "the best yet" as 1,300 riders
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Six brides line up for contest finale
THE waiting is almost over and tomorrow one lucky bride-to-be will be chosen as Lancashire's Bride of the Year at a grand wedding fayre at Accrington Town Hall. Evening Telegraph readers have cast their votes and selected a final short-list of six who
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Vive la France to mark town's twinning
HOST of events in Clitheroe on Easter Saturday will mark the 25th anniversary of the town's twinning with its French counterpart Rivesaltes. Clitheroe market traders and Ribble Valley Borough Council have joined forces to plan a day to remember to celebrate
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Johnno hopes to keep Taylor on bench
ON-LOAN striker David Johnson hopes to have scored his third goal in three games this afternoon at Sheffield United - and maybe keep top scorer Gareth Taylor out of the side. Taylor was available again after suspension but looked unlikely to get a start
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Gazza signing had media in a frenzy
WHEN Ian Wright signed for Burnley it was a bolt from the claret and blue that had the media in a frenzy. But if there is a clear indication of how far the club has come in the past two years, it is the way the signing of one of the biggest names in world
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Bertie steals the show
HE may have come out to the theme from Rocky when Burnley took on Bradford City at Turf Moor on Wednesday night - but surely "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" would have been more appropriate. The rugby anthem will have been echoing around Twickenham this afternoon
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Addict had heroin and cocaine
LOWER DARWEN: Michael Dean Baldwin, 34, of Dover Street, was remanded on bail by Blackburn magistrates for the preparation of pre-sentence reports when he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine and heroin. Michael Blacklidge, defending, told the
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Drug charge driver faces 2 years jail
A DARWEN lorry driver accused of drugs smuggling faces a two year stay in prison while the French authorities investigate his case, it was revealed. Zachary Lee Edmondson, 30, who works for Darwen-based haulier JF Mercer Transport, Melville Avenue, Darwen
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Six brides line up for contest finale
THE waiting is almost over and tomorrow one lucky bride-to-be will be chosen as Lancashire's Bride of the Year at a grand wedding fayre at Accrington Town Hall. Evening Telegraph readers have cast their votes and selected a final short-list of six who
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Kip the dog the ears of clowns
DEAF clowns Norman and Elaine McLaren have had their life transformed by hearing dog Kip -- and now she has been made an honorary member of the Clowns' Institute. Grandparents Norman and Elaine are better known as Larenzo and Mrs E -- their stage names
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Stars in their eyes
STARGAZERS are welcome at Bolton Astrological Society meetings each Tuesday at 8pm in the Ukranian Centre, Castle Street, Bolton. Details from 01772 862463 or 07711 309224.
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Hag Fold leads the way
AN Atherton estate is playing a leading role in shaping the government's national strategy for neighbourhood renewal. The Hag Fold Community Network, made up of a group of the Atherton estate residents, community representatives and council officers,
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Astley pond gets clean-up
GREEN volunteers are working hard to bring an Astley pond back to life. After years of neglect, a major clean-up campaign has begun at the pond on The Ley combining the efforts of Wigan Council's Parks Service, the borough's Green Spaces Conservation
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Takeaway plan refused
CONCERNS about smells, noise, traffic and parking problems affecting a residential area have stopped a former hairdresser's shop being turned into a takeaway. Wigan Council planners refused a scheme for a semi-detached shop -- last used as a hairdressers
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A close shave for charity
A SPONSORED head shave helped raise funds for the Christie Hospital. Ex-soccer player Dennis Smith bravely endured a head and moustache shave at the Bongs Tavern in Tyldesley. It left him with a pate as smooth as the footballs he used to kick around but
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Director ban for failed firms chief
A COMPANY boss who has six businesses throughout Lancashire has been disqualified as a director for eight years. John Christopher Walsh, of Ramsgreave, Blackburn, was a director of businesses -- many in East Lancashire -- which failed with combined debts
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Cash for schools that 'add value'
STAFF and pupils at almost 100 East Lancashire schools have been awarded extra cash after the government highlighted their success in a national scheme. In Blackburn with Darwen 23 schools added value to the education of their pupils to earn a financial
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New fluoride plea as kids' teeth rot
HEALTH bosses today renewed their call for fluoride to be put into East Lancashire water after a national league table showed there was still no improvement in children's dental health -- despite several years of schemes aimed at cutting decay. The dental
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Teacher stalked his wife
A SUPPLY teacher who harassed his estranged wife over a 14-month period has been jailed for five months. And Blackburn magistrates imposed an indefinite restraining order on Dennis Melling after hearing how he had made her life a misery through his 'persistent
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Yes...
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council spends thousands on its annual planting programme, and officers stress that mown daffodils are always wild ones. Coun Colin Rigby, leader of the Conservative group on the council, explained the dilemma: "It's a difficult
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Thanks to mystery shopper
IT'S comforting to know there are still honest people about. Shopping is not the easiest chore at the best of times. It can be time-consuming and frustrating -- paying for trolleys, unloading numerous bags, then returning the wire baskets to retrieve
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Revving up support
BURY'S biggest classic and vintage car show has attracted sponsorship from a car company. Dixon Ford has donated the £600 needed to stage the Ramsbottom and District Sports Advisory Council's car show on June 15 at Ramsbottom's Nuttall Park. It will be
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Grape Escape
TERRA FRANCA VINHO BIANCO 2001, £3.99, Morrisons THE third of Aldi's trio of South American beauties is this Central Valley "Cab Sav" -- and it's the best of an astonishing bunch. Smooth and full of rich, blackcurrant flavours, this ruby wine is all too
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A fencing lesson
FENCES, walls, and gates come in a variety of types of materials and their worst enemy is damp. This penetrates wooden fences and fence posts and promotes rot. It causes brickwork to crumble when frost strikes and gives rise to rust in nails, fencing
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Green, green grass of home
IF YOU'VE got your mower out for the first time this year and found a sorry excuse for a lawn, now's the time for some maintenance and patchwork to make sure it's up to scratch. Like all living things, grass needs air and water to thrive, so with a metal
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Picture clue in hunt for sex attacker
POLICE have released an artist's impression of a man who twice indecently assaulted an 18-year-old girl near Blackburn Cathedral. PC Steve Finley, of Blackburn Police, said the Blackburn College Student, was walking down Dandy Walk around 2pm when she
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Silent protest against military action
ANTI-WAR protesters were planning to stage a silent demonstration this afternoon outside a surgery being held by Blackburn MP and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. The event comes a week after the Blackburn with Darwen Stop The War Coalition had to hastily
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Taylor: big clubs must stand firm
FORMER Rovers star Gordon Taylor today urged the Premier League to flex its muscle as TV chiefs threaten to pull the plug and bankrupt the national game. PFA chief Taylor fears a clutch of clubs will go to the wall if the Football League allows ITV Digital
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Jailed after making knife threat
A DRUNK broke into a house and threatened the owner with a knife. Burnley Crown Court heard how Christopher Wilson, 26, went to the property in the early hours and smashed a large double glazed window. The day after he told the owner he had taken her
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Theft of cash to finance drugs habit
A WOMAN went into a 92-year-old man's home and took cash days before Christmas to buy drugs for herself and her mother, a court heard. Rebecca Oxley, 26, had been so desperate she was trying to sell the pensioner her clothes in a bid to raise funds. Burnley
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Police target scum who prey on OAPs
POLICE across East Lancashire are to launch a head on assault on those who make a living from talking their way into pensioners' homes to steal money and valuables. A conference to launch the initiative in the Pennine Police Division area -- covering
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Mr Big gets 25 years
THE mastermind behind a drugs gang known as The Firm which flooded the north west of England with vast quantities of illegal Class A drugs has been jailed for 25 years. Sentencing Matthew Glover, Judge Anthony Ensor told the father-of-five he had plied
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Freeman honour for two former mayors
A DEDICATED councillor and former councillor from Pendle were made Freemen of the borough. Coun Roy Clarkson is stepping down in May after 26 years serving Reedley Ward on Pendle Council missing several meetings in recent months because of ill health.
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Direct debit plea on council tax
COUNCIL tax payers in Pendle are being encouraged to pay their bills by direct debit. Pendle Council is sending out leaflets explaining the advantages with the bills. The council says that paying by Direct Debit will save time and money. They say that
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Freeman honour for two former mayors
A DEDICATED councillor and former councillor from Pendle were made Freemen of the borough. Coun Roy Clarkson is stepping down in May after 26 years serving Reedley Ward on Pendle Council missing several meetings in recent months because of ill health.
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Council fury on homes closures
THE threat to close 35 residential care homes across Lancashire should be withdrawn immediately, Pendle Council have demanded. In a 37-0 vote they have called on Lancashire County Council to withdraw the consultation document and the threat of closure
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Distressed Jack needs a caring home
KENNELS staff are caring for a dehydrated, timid dog which was found entangled in its own chain after being dumped outside the premises of Baxenden Chemicals in Accrington last weekend. The dog, a German Shepherd cross thought to be about four years old
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100th dinner for LGS 'boys'
OLD BOYS of Leigh Grammar School were reunited at a special event. More than 80 former pupils, aged between 40 and 90, travelled from all over the country for the Old Leighians Centenary Dinner at Leigh Masonic Hall. Traditionally, the after-dinner speaker
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Cemetery gets it's iron railings back
SIXTY years after they were sacrificed for the war effort, Hindley cemetery has got its iron railings back. Regular vandalism to the headstones in the 120-year-old graveyard persuaded town councillors that security had to be upgraded. The plan was originally
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We'll be watching you like a hawk...
ANGRY councillors today pledged to keep a green-belt vigil after controversial plans to house fairground rides were passed. Hyndburn Borough Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "It amounts to the most disgusting planning decision I have ever known."
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Stolen car chase reached 90mph
POLICE followed a stolen car at speeds of up to 90mph through built-up areas of Leigh on a busy Saturday afternoon. Gareth Pierce still tried to lose officers even when a front tyre burst after hitting a kerb. He drove on the wrong side of the road, forced
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Bus company get the hump over the humps...
A BUS operator has got the hump over speed cushions which he reckons could have passengers reaching for their sea sickness pills. Jim Stones has objected to Wigan Council's plans to install 15 pairs of speed cushions on Bonnywell Road, Hope Carr Road,
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Valley on show
TOURISM delegates from throughout the county converged on the Ribble Valley this week to see what the area has to offer. The group was escorted by Jane Silvester, tourism and arts officer for Ribble Valley Borough. They heard of the claim that JRR Tolkien
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College students put saintly Vision to music
AUDIENCES packed into Stonyhurst College to catch three performances of a musical written by two former pupils. The production of the musical called Vision filled Stonyhurst College Academy Room in the Ribble Valley village. The original piece, based
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Scouse grub up to aid appeal
LIVERPOOL came to the Ribble Valley today to raise money for the city's Alder Hey Hospital. The Scouse party was organised Waddington Methodist Church's the Rev Mark Sleet and his wife Karen to say thank you for the treatment and care the hospital gave
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Mr Big gets 25 years
THE mastermind behind a drugs gang known as The Firm which flooded the north west of England with vast quantities of illegal Class A drugs has been jailed for 25 years. Sentencing Matthew Glover, Judge Anthony Ensor told the father-of-five he had plied
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Fine for sex offence
A 36-YEAR-OLD man who groped a shop assistant four times has been put on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years. Mohammed Uddin was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault after a trial at Burnley Crown Court. He was also fined £300. The defendant
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More to come from new boys
TURF Moor chief Stan Ternent believes Burnley fans have yet to see the best of David Johnson and Paul Gascoigne -- despite the fact both have made huge impressions during their first week with the club. Burnley boss Ternent, who snapped up Johnson on
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Clarets had better stock up
THE Clarets have been advised to get some more kit in following the arrival of Paul Gascoigne. The England legend was apparently famous, or should that be infamous, for ending training sessions wearing nothing but his briefs as he gave away kit to souvenir
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More to come from new boys
TURF Moor chief Stan Ternent believes Burnley fans have yet to see the best of David Johnson and Paul Gascoigne -- despite the fact both have made huge impressions during their first week with the club. Burnley boss Ternent, who snapped up Johnson on
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We've got what it takes - Taylor
ENGLAND Under 21 international Martin Taylor today backed Rovers to beat the drop because of the current sense of 'togetherness' in the Ewood dressing room. Taylor knows exactly what it's like to experience the ignominy of relegation after he was part
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Shakers back court action threat
BURY FC are backing Football League threats of court action against ITV Digital if they refuse to pay up their £315million contract in a move which could kill off the 117-year-old club writes Chris Hall Only £130million of the three-year deal, which entitles
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Wizard time at school
YOUNG Harry Potter fans will be looking forward to a taste of wizardry when a Hogwarts Theatre School arrives in Rossendale next month. The Anthony Williams Production Theatre School will be at Bacup's Royal Court Theatre between April 2 and 5. The event
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Bank's money manchie squeaky clean
CUSTOMERS at an East Lancashire bank got more than they bargained for when a mouse buried into money at a busy cash point. The rodent got into the auto-telling machine (ATM) at Barclays Bank, Bank Street, Rawtenstall. But people complained when the mouse
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Device may cut down days of sickness
THE East Lancashire-based head of a women's police association has praised a new device aimed at cutting down on the number of days women officers are off sick with period pain. Irene Divine, national co-ordinator for the British Association of Women
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Kip the dog the ears of clowns
DEAF clowns Norman and Elaine McLaren have had their life transformed by hearing dog Kip -- and now she has been made an honorary member of the Clowns' Institute. Grandparents Norman and Elaine are better known as Larenzo and Mrs E -- their stage names
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Trust appeal
PRINCES Trust volunteers are appealing for local businesses to donate materials to help their next project. A group of 15 young people aged 16-25, are planning to begin renovating Atherton Day Nursery, in Formby Avenue, on Monday and need equipment. They
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Children play safe!
TYLDESLEY children were asked to design a life saving warning to help slow down traffic on their estate. And the Tyldesley Community Primary School pupil's work will be revealed on Monday embellishing new traffic calming signs in Ennerdale Road. Safety
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Search for prettiest pub
DO you think your local is one of Britain's prettiest pub? Does it add character and charm to the local environment? If you are proud of it then vote for it because the Green Organisation is looking to honour some of Britain's prettiest pubs. Your local
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Debbie and Tym are husband and wife - again
A COUPLE who met while starring on stage as husband and wife have tied the knot in real life. When Debbie and Tym Huckin played leading roles in Ibsen's A Doll's House with a Hull amateur theatre company their relationship blossomed. After a three and
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Name and shame plea to real fans
LEIGH Centurions want their genuine fans to 'name and shame' the yobs who showered Wigan players with plastic beer bottles during last Sunday's Challenge Cup quater-final tie at Hilton Park. Centurions chairman Mike Nolan says any culprits will face prosecution
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Boxes of love
A BIG-HEARTED Tyldesley family has helped to deliver boxes of love to more than a million deserving children. Wyn and Pat Davies, aided by their daughter Maria and her husband Martin Rookyard, and grandson Simon, played a large part in collecting a record
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Six brides line up for contest finale
THE waiting is almost over and tomorrow one lucky bride-to-be will be chosen as Lancashire's Bride of the Year at a grand wedding fayre at Accrington Town Hall. Evening Telegraph readers have cast their votes and selected a final short-list of six who
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Golden couple have a song in their hearts
GOLDEN couple Mavis and Harry Kinney had something to sing about when they celebrated their wedding anniversary. Mavis, 71, and Harry, 72, toasted their 50 years together with a family bash at St Paul's Working Men's Club, Montague Street, Blackburn.
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Blackburn boss says changes will have to be made
HAWKS chief Bobby Haig insists that things have to change before the new season in September after a disastrous 2001-2002. Blackburn's player-coach set out determined to reach a top two position by the end of the English National Hockey League North season
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Hodgson warming up for challenge
NEIL Hodgson is aiming to turn up the heat on his World Superbike rivals this weekend - so long as the weather warms up in Australia. The Burnley rider clocked eighth fastest time in the first qualifying session for Sunday's race at the Phillip Island
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No...
COUNCIL workmen have been dubbed the Daff Destroyers, such is people's anger that something beautiful is being senselessly destroyed. The first report of daffodils being mowed over was late last March in the Witton and Feniscowles areas of Blackburn.
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Blue trunks that caused red faces
MY recent 'water torture' feature about knitted cozzies brought back amusing honeymoon memories of 56 years ago for Lilian Henderson, of Beardsmore Drive, Lowton. She says: "I knitted some very smart swimming trunks from a pattern, they were in navy blue
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It's not all white for me
IT'S going to be an all-white summer according to the fashion icons. Not for me it isn't. Apart from looking like an ice cream seller, an all-white suit brings back bad memories. Last time I wore one I was pencil slim, lived in Tunisia and ended up at
