Archive
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Lancashire Hot Spots
This week, with SANDRA BLAYDEN, director of the Samaritans for Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley SANDRA Blayden, Samaritans' branch director for the next three years, was planning to make her favourite journey in Lancashire today -- en route to
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My First. . .
This week, with COLIN JENNO, 37, general manager, the Macdonald Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors MEMORY: When living in Cyprus, waking up and going in search of my father who was outside collecting the post. On seeing him at the gate I then proceeded
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The Saturday Message
This week, with the Rev KEVIN LOGAN, of Christ Church, Accrington WE'VE got ourselves a Regeneration Officer in Hyndburn. Nice chap with grand smile, a good brain and he wears a suit. Pity, though, about his job. I mean, nobody knows what he does. Whatever
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Contest of Queen's message
YOUNGSTERS between the ages of seven and 14 could win a prize and the honour of carrying a message of friendship from Blackburn to the Queen. Ten winners will take turns in a relay to carry the message in the Blackburn with Darwen Council competition.
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Perfectly matched
RON and Jean Booth made the perfect match when they met at Griffin's football ground in Blackburn - and they have been supporting football together ever since. The couple of Norman Street, Blackburn, celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary yesterday
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Swedes give firefighting advice to Lancs crew
CHORLEY hosted a display of revolutionary fire fighting equipment this week as Lancashire's fire service got a little help from their Swedish counterparts. Lancashire's firefighters displayed a device that can punch holes through brick, stone, steel and
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Cycle ride for Afghan appeal
BLACKBURN Cathedral vergers Howard Waddell and Jane Jeal decided to put their best spoke forward to help people in Afghanistan. Howard, the dean's verger, will join Jane, the canon's verger, for the sponsored cycle ride on Tuesday . They will set off
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Love made to last
THE secret to a long and successful marriage is love plus plenty of give and take, say Ray and Alice Turner. The couple, who live in Witton, Blackburn, celebrated their golden wedding yesterday. They were married at All Saints in Bolton Road. Ray, formerly
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En-suites are unnecessary
IDO not know why they want en-suite bathrooms in those old people's homes when a lot of residents can't bathe themselves. They don't all have en-suites in private houses, so why get them in the care homes where they are already happy and well looked after
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The old folk have paid their dues
REGARDING the proposed closure of care homes for the elderly in Lancs, I wonder if these officials have really thought about what they are doing. They would not be in their job were it not for these unfortunate old people. They are the ones who started
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Blacklist those shoddy workers
AFTER having some new fencing installed and having to ask the fencing firm to return in order to make good the unsatisfactory work, I thought that instead of the Yellow Pages telephone directory it would prove helpful to have a 'Black Pages' listing the
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Criticism but no alternative
CONSERVATIVE Councillor Dave Pearson (Letters, March 18), claims that Blackburn with Darwen's council tax is 'the fifth highest' out of the 46 unitary authorities. Yet he could also point out, but chooses not to, that the average bill paid by residents
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Rescue after electric blanket blaze
A 32-YEAR-OLD man has been treated for smoke inhalation after his electric blanket caught fire. Firefighters were called out to the flat on Dunoon Street, Burnley at 9.10am yesterday after the man was alerted to the fire when his smoke detector went off
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Leigh's try blitz mauls Lions
Leigh Centurions 60 Swinton Lions 4 PAUL Terzis' future at Leigh may be open to debate but not his side's performance. The Centurions blitzed a disappointing Lions outfit, who were completely outclassed by a side much fitter, stronger and faster. After
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FLITCROFT: Star respected by his fans and team mates
GARRY Flitcroft was born in Bolton on November 6, 1972, one of three brothers. He first signed for Rovers on March 21, 1996, from Manchester City after club manager Ray Harford agreed to pay a £3 million fee. But his Blackburn debut was shrouded in controversy
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Lottery grant to boost kiddies' festival
A LOTTERY grant worth £20,000 will be used to fund a children's literature festival. The grant was applied for by Mid Pennine Arts, Yorke Street, Burnley, to host a six week literature festival to move around schools and community venues in East Lancashire
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Rescue after electric blanket blaze
A 32-YEAR-OLD man has been treated for smoke inhalation after his electric blanket caught fire. Firefighters were called out to the flat on Dunoon Street, Burnley at 9.10am yesterday after the man was alerted to the fire when his smoke detector went off
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New rules for taxi testing hailed a success
NEW guidelines for testing taxis, introduced last November, have been hailed as a success by Burnley Borough Council. Since their inception, the new arrangements for testing the road worthiness of private hire vehicles has reduced the number of cars failing
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Drunken couple harassed woman
MAGISTRATES have slammed a couple who got drunk and picked on a woman standing at a bus stop. Burnley bench heard how Michael and Brigid McDonagh were on benefits and owed cash in fines, yet were appearing for alcohol-fuelled offences. Michael Paul McDonagh
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Meat theft man asleep with haul
POLICE investigating a meat firm raid went to a house and found a man asleep -- surrounded by bacon and chicken joints. Burnley magistrates heard how Daniel Shaw, 20, had £100-worth of meat -- but his solicitor told the bench all he had got out of it
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Works of heart!
WHILE creating a new focal point for a Burnley park sculptor Richard Caink had to break off to deal with another more personal production -- the birth of his son Cadan. The Gateshead-based artist had been staying in a caravan in Burnley while working
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Computer games crime crackdown
COMPUTER game fans were today targeted as part of a major police crackdown on stolen consoles. Lancashire police are urging people with desirable consoles such as Sony Playstations, Nintendo or the latest Microsoft X-Box to mark them with special pens
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Let the good times roll on!
Night to remember kicks off four-day Burnley Blues Festival THE 14th Burnley Blues Festival kicked off in fine style last night with a storming evening's entertainment, which offered something for everyone. A full house at Burnley Mechanics was treated
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Appeal as girl, 14, is assaulted
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault on a young girl . The incident happened on Athol Street, Nelson, when a 14-year-old schoolgirl was assaulted by three other girls. The teenager was punched, kicked and had her hair pulled before the attackers
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Man who ignored community order is jailed
AN OFFENDER given community rehabilitation didn't bother with it, and, as a result, has lost his freedom . Burnley Crown Court heard how Jason Rigby, 27, had had a broken arm after being beaten up and did not keep in touch with the probation service.
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MP worried by threats of changes to postal services
GORDON Prentice has told the government to stop the process of opening up the postal service to competition. The Pendle Labour MP believes it is jeopardising the universal service and could close many small urban and rural sub-post offices. He is worried
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Why do we need Westminster?
IN the case of the 'Imperial Traders,' a High Court judge has ruled that European Union legislation is superior to UK legislation. Why, then, do we need a UK Parliament? Too many directives are passed by Brussels, not Westminster. B AITKEN, Church Street
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Music and fun promised at Chairman's Evenings
COLNE Dramatic Society are currently putting the finishing touches to this year's Chairman's Evenings. The events will be held at the Little Theatre on Saturday, April 13, and Saturday, April 20, from 7.30pm. Musical features will range from popular tunes
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MP urges Church ban on hunting
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has called on the Church of England to ban hunting with hounds on its land. The Labour backbencher is one of the leaders among government rebels determined to get a total ban on hunting in England and Wales. He told Church Commissioner
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Store to extend in bid to hold on to custom
A HYNDBURN superstore is set to expand after planners agreed with bosses it would stop shoppers going elsewhere. Asda wants to extend its store in Accrington by building on the car park at the front of the building. Hyndburn Council's development services
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New primary care trust is launching
THE new Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust will come into existence on Monday, after a three-month public consultation between May and July last year. The Primary Care Trust -- which employs almost 1,000 staff across Hyndburn and the Ribble
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Silver stars take stage by storm
GLITZY gran Eileen Nuttall has been crowned Hyndburn's most talented pensioner in the first round of a national contest. Eileen, 62, was one of nine hopefuls who trod the boards at Accrington Town Hall, and her spectacular rendition of Titanic favourite
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Gazza's going to the World Cup
PAUL Gascoigne is set to go to this summer's World Cup - as part of the BBC commentary team. The Burnley star is currently in negotiations with the BBC to join Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Peter Reid and Martin O'Neill in Japan and South Korea.
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Tough test for Clarets
BURNLEY'S players are travelling south this evening for phase two of their holiday programme, Monday afternoon's clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Clarets boss Stan Ternent is hoping they can clinch an 11th away win of the season and make it a miserable
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Durham tester for Lancs
LANCASHIRE launch their South Africa tour in earnest today with a clash against Benson and Hedges Cup rivals Durham. The game at Cape Town ground of Bellville gives manager Mike Watkinson an early chance to assess Lancashire's B and H chances against
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Souey blasts Duff claim
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today hit back at claims suggesting Damien Duff could be ready to quit the club if Rovers are relegated. Duff has been quoted as saying he may have to consider his future for the sake of his international career if the club
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Shakers suffer again
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1 BURY 0: IT turned out to be anything but a Good Friday for Bury as they went down to a single goal defeat in this relegation six-pointer. But not only did they let their Second Division relegation rivals pull a crucial three points
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School venue for area board meeting
RAMSBOTTOM and Tottington Area Board is trying out a new venue on April 9 for its regular public meeting. Tottington High School, in Laurel Street, Tottington, will be the setting for the meeting, which starts at 7pm. Area co-ordinator Michael Ormerod
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TV chef hit by driving ban
TV CHEF Andrew Nutter has found himself in hot water after being banned from driving for a month when he admitted an insurance charge. The restaurateur lent his BMW Z3 Roadster to an 18-year-old chef who was later caught speeding at 50mph in a 30mph zone
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Youth sentenced after estate brawl
THE last of four youths whose behaviour earlier prompted a judge to slam the "mindless violence," on some estates, has been sentenced. James Williams, 19, got involved in the brawl on the Edgeside estate in Waterfoot, which was sparked after a young father
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Andrew's black puds the best of British
BLACK pudding manufacturer Andrew Holt has proved his puds are the best in Britain by scooping a major prize in a competition in France. Andrew has owned R S Ireland in Waterfoot for the past 10 years and has been actively entering competitions for the
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Air mercy team to share £2.2m funding
THE North West Air Ambulance is one of five ambulance charities in the UK to benefit from a share of £2.2m funding announced by the Government. In addition the NHS will meet the cost of about £150,000 for staffing every air ambulance in the country with
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FLITCROFT: He should have owned up, say blonde lovers
THE women with whom Garry Flitcroft had affairs said today he had made the situation worse by attempting to hide it. Nursery nurse Helen Hammonds, from Helsby, Cheshire, told The Sun: "He has made a thing out of all this that should never have been. He
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Bouncers 'had police type batons'
A SOLICITOR has claimed that some doormen in Blackburn town centre are arming themselves with police style extending batons. Stephen Parker told the town's magistrates his client had been threatened with a baton outside a club was later confronted by
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Fear for clergy on pay and pensions
AN MP today launched a campaign to get better pay and pensions and retirement provision for Church of England clergy. Chorley MP Lyndsey Hoyle had been approached by two vicars in the Blackburn diocese worried about increased workload and low wages. They
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Station entrance plan to solve parking problem
PLANS are being drawn up to create a new entrance to Blackburn Railway Station in a bid to end traffic congestion in the town centre. Coun Ashley Whalley, the man charged with spearheading the regeneration of Blackburn made the announcement as the first
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Pubs' extra time to toast Queen
EAST Lancashire will be able to raise an extra glass to the Queen on her Golden Jubilee after new extended licensing hours were announced by the government today. Pubs and clubs will be able to open for an extra two hours from 11pm on Monday June 3 to
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FLITCROFT: Star respected by his fans and team mates
GARRY Flitcroft was born in Bolton on November 6, 1972, one of three brothers. He first signed for Rovers on March 21, 1996, from Manchester City after club manager Ray Harford agreed to pay a £3 million fee. But his Blackburn debut was shrouded in controversy
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Shame of Rovers skipper
THE Premiership footballer who went to court to stop a Sunday newspaper reporting he had affairs with two women was today named as Blackburn Rovers star Garry Flitcroft. The nationwide ban on media identifying the player was lifted after a legal injunction
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Party-goer ended up in hospital
A MAN was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital on Friday night with minor burns to his knee and hand after a family party went horribly wrong. It is believed two men were caught by a backflash after throwing a tin of paint thinners into a small bonfire
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Useful back-up to front line police
THE disclosure today that more community wardens are training in East Lancashire will be welcomed by most people -- despite the police warning that they are no substitute for officers on the beat. But while there may be nothing like experienced officers
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A walk through history
Drive & Stroll, with Ron Freethy - this week, around Hoghton Tower and Walton le Dale LAST week I explored the Darwen from its source down as far as Witton Park. This week I discovered the stretch from Pleasington through Hoghton Bottoms and around
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Novel experience to be a young girl
COLLEGE lecturer Richard MacSween's first novel was published this week. He tells PAULINE HAWKINS how a centuries-old tale of intolerance fired his imagination. "OH Dad, Dad, you're hopeless. Useless. Gripless. Brainless. And daughterless too, soon, if
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Ever get that sinking feeling?
One Fort in the Grave, with KEITH FORT JUST booked for my summer hols, a one week boat trip from these shores -- and, no, not because of any fear of flying. Actually, it's a much braver choice than that. It almost borders on the masochistic. Like to know
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Cash deadline still threat to Shakers
BURY Football Club are still in big danger of folding according to Neville Neville, vice-chairman of the Save Our Shakers Fund. Mr Neville is concerned that people in the town believe the Shakers' troubles are over following the extension to the administration
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Owner chased car thief
A MAN who drove away from a trailer centre at Gisburn auction mart with a £2,500 trailer hitched to his vehicle was arrested after crashing while being chased by the owner. Blackburn magistrates heard that the Isuzu Trooper driven by Robert Gordon Alderson
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Kevin's group free to get back on song
EAST Lancashire pop star Kevin Simm is set to make a summer comeback - just months after a high court judge made his group change its name. The Abbey Village 'flopstar' originally landed a record contract after being one of the final 10 not to win the
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Set for life with MPs' pensions
MPs can enjoy a comfortable retirement pension after 20 years service, which would cost their constituents more than £630,000 to buy in the private sector. With a backbench MP earning £51,822, his or her index-linked pension would provide an income of
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'Leader' would face charges
WHAT is this 'International Community' that causes Foreign Secretary Jack Straw so much enthusiasm? No formal organisation, no framework of law, no rules even. Dispensing dubious justice like desperate vigilantes. The only condition of membership -- total
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One law for the 'innocent'
IT never fails to amaze me how some offences are dealt with lightly, yet other less-serious wrongdoings are rewarded with seemingly harsher penalties. Some time ago, I was guilty of exceeding the speed limit (on a long, straight road, with no nearby houses
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We must fight to save service
THE proposals from the Strategic Rail Authority for Trans-Pennine rail services are quite serious for local transport. It appears that the current Trans-Pennine Express service from Blackpool to Bradford, Leeds, York, and the east coast, which operates
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Punishment should fit the crime
MY car is fully taxed and insured and has a current MoT. I have it serviced twice yearly to make sure it is roadworthy. I have held a full driving licence for 44 years which was unblemished until recently. About 18 months ago, I was driving through a
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Leniency the root cause of soaring crime
CRIME and punishment? Yes and no! The root cause of robbery and burglary in our present society is leniency -- the fault of the judicial system and the politically-correct attitude that the criminal is more in need of help than the victim. Instead of
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Plain clothes wardens out to catch litter louts
PEOPLE who drop litter in Leigh and Atherton are being warned that they face fines in a new crackdown by Wigan Council. From Tuesday, specially appointed wardens will have the power to issue £50 fines to anyone caught dropping rubbish. In February, the
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Shame of Rovers skipper
THE Premiership footballer who went to court to stop a Sunday newspaper reporting he had affairs with two women was today named as Blackburn Rovers star Garry Flitcroft. The nationwide ban on media identifying the player was lifted after a legal injunction
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FLITCROFT: He should have owned up, say blonde lovers
THE women with whom Garry Flitcroft had affairs said today he had made the situation worse by attempting to hide it. Nursery nurse Helen Hammonds, from Helsby, Cheshire, told The Sun: "He has made a thing out of all this that should never have been. He
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Souey blasts Duff claim
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today hit back at claims suggesting Damien Duff could be ready to quit the club if Rovers are relegated. Duff has been quoted as saying he may have to consider his future for the sake of his international career if the club
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Shame of Rovers skipper
THE Premiership footballer who went to court to stop a Sunday newspaper reporting he had affairs with two women was today named as Blackburn Rovers star Garry Flitcroft. The nationwide ban on media identifying the player was lifted after a legal injunction
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Supermarket staff win safety honour
KIND-HEARTED staff at a Burnley supermarket were celebrating today after scooping a national award. The team at Asda in Princess Way was recognised for their efforts in trying to keep customers and colleagues safe and healthy. The Health and Safety Executive
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Barbara would be pleased!
AFTER the recent complaints, criticisms and endorsements of Blackburn with Darwen's new orbital route, I think everyone involved may find the following amusing. A friend of mine who visited and drove through the town recently remarked that in his opinion
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Church gardens a joy to behold
EACH time I pass St Paul's gardens adjoining Blackburn College, it is a joy -- always clean and free from litter. At this time of year the flowers are in bloom and lawns well-maintained. These gardens are a credit to the gardeners who attend them and
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Linda's models are plastered!
SHADOWY figures will appear around Colne town centre as part of a final degree sculpture project by artist Linda Erliz. The mum-of-two, of Skipton Road, Colne, is in her last year of a BA Hons in fine art at the University of Central Lancashire. She has
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Fundraiser Paul well on the weigh to reaching target
A GREAT Harwood fundraiser who wants to raise pounds by losing pounds is well on his weigh to reaching his target! Paul Dunn, 41, of Green Hill, Great Harwood, cooked up the idea of a sponsored slim to help raise cash for the Great Harwood Royal British
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Drinker 'lost it' after being ejected
NEIL Anthony Galloway 'lost it' after being thrown out of a Blackburn town centre pub. Blackburn magistrates heard that he smashed a window and as he wrestled with police head butted an innocent bystander on the nose. The court heard that young woman's
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Riddle as missing parrot goes home
A TALKATIVE parrot is back on his perch today after escaping to take up residence in the roof of an East Lancashire nursery. But Pebbles, an African Grey, hasn't said a word about her disappearance since she arrived back home to owner June Moore of Cliff
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Warden patrol set to hit the streets
POLICE today revealed Hyndburn's first community warden recruits were in training but said: "They're no substitute for officers on the beat." The newly appointed team will patrol the streets of Accrington tackling problems including litter, dog fouling
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All quiet on the transfer front - nearly!
IT was one out and one in when the curtain came down on what must be one of the Shakers' quietest transfer deadline days on record. Jason Jarrett's move to local rivals Wigan Athletic on Wednesday for a £75,000 fee was followed by the arrival of Blackpool's
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Tough test for Clarets
BURNLEY'S players are travelling south this evening for phase two of their holiday programme, Monday afternoon's clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Clarets boss Stan Ternent is hoping they can clinch an 11th away win of the season and make it a miserable
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Budget could be boost for local business
SMALL firms across East Lancashire could save thousands of pounds if Gordon Brown cuts VAT and the cost of buying a property in next month's budget. The Chancellor was expected to announce the proposals in a speech to businessmen and union leaders in
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Sex pest trailed women after drinking
TWO women walking home after a night out in Darwen were followed by a 24-year-old man who then confronted them and exposed himself. Blackburn magistrates heard the women were "terrified" and "disgusted" by the behaviour of Jason James Firth and one of
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Big adventure for plucky Kath, 64
RETIRED teacher Kath Wilkins is leaving her home, family and friends to embark on a two-year teaching project in West Africa. The 64-year-old former Holy Trinity teacher will fly 3,300 miles from her Darwen home in June to work on a Voluntary Service
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Tragic accident boy named
POLICE have released the name of an 11-year-old boy who died eight days after being struck by two cars on the Rawtenstall to Edenfield bypass. Emmanuel Thomas Gerald McConnell had been living in a private children's home in Cherry Crescent, Rawtenstall
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United fans aid charity
ROSSENDALE's branch of the Manchester United Supporters' Club is backing Gateway in Blackburn. Manchester United have adopted Mencap/Gateway as one of their charities for the year and have provided Blackburn Senior Gateway Club with an autographed ball
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Sailing centre is the 'best in Britain'
NATIONAL competitions could be attracted to East Lancashire after grants of £500,000 helped develop what is claimed to be the best sailing club in the UK. Hundreds of windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts already flock to the area to take advantage of funding
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Queen Mother dies in her sleep
THE Queen Mother has died, Buckingham Palace announced his afternoon with her daughter, her majesty the Queen, at her bedside. The 101 year-old died "peacefully in her sleep" this afternoon at Royal Lodge, Windsor, the Palace said. "Queen Elizabeth the
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Dishwash quarrel lands husband in court
MOHAMMED Younis ended up being arrested after an argument with his wife over who should wash the dishes. Blackburn magistrates heard that the domestic argument escalated out of all proportion and ended with Younis being arrested. Younis, 30, of Whitehead
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Fun in the sun as fair comes back
FAIRGROUND fever arrived in Blackburn with the return of the annual Easter fair at Witton Country Park. And organisers hope the sunshine will continue over the next few days to help return the fair to its former glory following last year's washout. The
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Cancer woman's carjack nightmare attack
A PRESTWICH woman recovering from breast cancer fought off a gang of armed carjackers who were trying to steal her car. Geraldine Bridgewood, aged 41, warned off three men after they demanded the keys to her £28,000 Volvo outside her home in Bury New
