Archive
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Wednesday, April 24
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. James Byrne, Darwen Library Theatre, 7.30pm. Open Circle, Spiritualist Church, Burnley, 7.15pm. Blood Donor Sessions, King George's Hall, Northgate, Blackburn, 2pm-4pm
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Tuesday, April 23
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. St George's Day Extravaganza by St Wilfrid's School, King George's Hall, Blackburn, 7pm. "Me and My Girl," Public Hall, Regent Street, Haslingden, 7.30pm. Accrington
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Eyesores block a brighter future
IT is beyond dispute that much good work has been done to improve Blackburn town centre. The extent of its regeneration projects, both completed and in progress, is impressive -- Darwen Street Bridge, the Townsmoor retail park, the new Audley retail and
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Young player awards
TWO of the Shakers young players were also among the trophies on the night with David Borley picking up the Young Player of the Year award while Dave Nugent was voted Most Promising Youngster.
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Beer served with your World Cup breakfast
BEER could be served up with breakfast at pubs across the borough during this summer's World Cup, following a legal ruling to extend opening hours for football fans. A High Court ruling concluded that morning games screened from Japan and South Korea
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Medal glory for Morton
BARBARA Morton has won two medals at the World Masters Swimming Championships in New Zealand. The Darwen Masters Swimming Club member won medals in the 100m backstroke and the 50m breaststroke in the 65-69 age group in the finals held in Christchurch
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Whistle Blower with Neil Yates
FOLLOWING Michael's expose of me in last week's Touchline there is clearly a need for me to come clean. I must confess. Yes, it's true. Whilst at college I experimented. Although it was occasionally enjoyable I found it rarely relaxing. But yes, I admit
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South side shimmer under the floodlights
THE South triumphed over the North as Darwen Leisure Centre played host to the borough's first junior floodlit cricket competition. Played at under 13s and under 15s, two teams were selected from cricket clubs in the area to compete in the inaugural event
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Motorist followed drink-driver
A PUBLIC-SPIRITED motorist followed a drunken driver home because he was worried about how erratically the car was being driven, a court heard. David Thomas phoned police and told them how badly motor mechanic Roy Edwards was driving. Police finally confronted
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Burglar said he was a policeman
A HAPLESS burglar chose the wrong cover story when he claimed to be a police officer, because the Leigh house he had broken into belonged to a policeman. Michael Unsworth was disturbed by the home-owners returning and quickly explained why he was inside
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College is one of the best
BURY'S Holy Cross College has been named among the top 20 colleges in the country in its latest Ofsted report. In 2001, the average point score for each student was 20, compared to a national average of 17.8, and a local average of 16.2. This means the
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On top of the world!
BLIND Bury College student Atif Umer has been selected to go on a "Journey of a Lifetime". Atif (21) of Manchester Road, Bury, was chosen from 125 other candidates nationwide to get one of just 24 places by the Journey of a Lifetime Trust. The charity
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Firm helps Vietnam to a first
AN Edenfield-based company is helping Vietnam harness its "green" credentials. And AF-QPS Ltd is also helping the country achieve its waste paper recycling targets with the installation of Vietnam's first de-inking plant. Ten staff from the Bury Road-based
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Beer served with your World Cup breakfast
BEER could be served up with breakfast at pubs across the borough during this summer's World Cup, following a legal ruling to extend opening hours for football fans. A High Court ruling concluded that morning games screened from Japan and South Korea
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Murray rues the missed chances
RESERVE team boss Alan Murray was left to rue a host of missed chances as Rovers' second string completed their league programme with a hard-fought point against Everton last night. Needing a win to boost their hopes of a top-five finish, the home side
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Gillespie happy to wing in...
FORMER Newcastle favourite Keith Gillespie knows all about the unique magic of the Champions League after taking on the cream of Europe with the Magpies in the Nineties. And the 27-year-old winger admits he would love to see his old club make a triumphant
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Talk of the Toon!
WHEN England striker Andy Cole finally bows out of professional football, he will look back on his time at Newcastle United as arguably the happiest period of his career. During three goal-laden seasons in the North East, he scored a staggering 68 goals
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Tributes as Betsy dies at the age of 103
ONE of East Lancashire's oldest residents has died at the age of 103. Elizabeth Thomas, who was known as Betsy, died in Lane Head House in Briercliffe Road, Burnley, on Saturday. Pauline O'Neil, a career at the home, today paid tribute to her, saying:
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'Copvan' brings police to the people
POLICE in Burnley have released the dates and locations of a mobile caravan tour, launched as part of its bid to get closer to the community. The mobile police surgeries are being held in a specially adapted caravan on loan from Whitford's Caravan Centre
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Renewal policy will continue
PENDLE'S seven most deprived wards will be the target of a new Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, aimed at securing continued government funding for regeneration of the area. As part of the government's 'A New Commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal,' local
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£1 million bid for a top class museum
BURY is bidding for £1 million to transform the town's art gallery and museum into a first-class heritage centre. If successful, the ambitious Lottery bid will create a new museum and archive centre on the lower ground floor of the Moss Street building
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Five years ago
PLANS to demolish a block of flats and rehouse elderly residents was granted. Anchor Trust was to go ahead with proposals for the rebuilding of Pembroke Court in Darwen.
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Warning over park sex pest
POLICE have issued a warning to parents after a man exposed himself to children in a popular play area. The man, said to be in his late 30s, is believed to be a regular visitor to Wilson's playing fields in Clayton-le-Moors and committed a sexual act
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'Jumble' tricksters steal cash
TWO women conned their way into the home of an elderly lady and stole £50 after telling her they were collecting jumble. They struck at the woman's home near Whalley Road in Billington. The first woman was white, in her 40s, 5ft, with brown shoulder-length
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MP warns on budget fall-out
RIBBLE Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans has claimed that chancellor Gordon Brown's budget increase in National Insurance could carry a sting in the tail. He has written to the Chief Executives of Lancashire County, Preston City and Ribble Valley Borough Councils
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Youth players hope for new deals
THE first team's season ended in huge disappointment at Turf Moor on Sunday but there is still a lot to sort out on the youth side for the Clarets. Youth team manager Terry Pashley admitted: "We have got decisions to make about players at first, second
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West's new deal
OUT of contract Dean West is ready to put pen to paper on a new deal in an attempt to help Burnley go one better next season, having missed the play-offs by just one goal this time around. The super consistent right back picked up 11 out of 15 player
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West is best, say Clarets fans
DEAN West and Arthur Gnohere were the big winners at Burnley Football Club's annual Player of the Year presentation evening. Just 24 hours after the Clarets suffered Turf Moor heartache, missing out on a place in the play-offs by just one goal, the ground
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Worsley Cup
THE Transco Lancashire League is still searching for a sponsor for this year's Worsley Cup competition. Any individual or company interested in sponsoring the competition should contact the league's honourary treasurer Ken Smalley (01282 428439).
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Keedy's cool helps Lancs win
ICE COOL Gary Keedy gave Lancashire the perfect start to the season in an Old Trafford thriller yesterday. They seemed to have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by losing three wickets for six runs on the brink of their highest fourth innings total
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Happy Swan song
LANDLORD Gary Morgan and his wife Anne have taken over running the Black Swan in Todmorden town centre. It is the second pint-pulling year for the couple who jumped at the chance when the business was offered to them. Gary said: "The original gentleman
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Sports and music mean a Royal time
A NEW sports and music bar is set to strike into action at Waterfoot's Royal Hotel. Joint owners Maria and Paul Stannard have been given the all-clear by magistrates to develop the old nightclub area. The aim is to create a new sports area with snooker
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Big names for top job
NORTH End have refused to deny rumours that Kenny Dalglish and Craig Brown are among the candidates for the manager's job. Yesterday, Preston announced they had a shortlist of five candidates for the post, vacated by David Moyes when he quit for Everton
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It's Newby at the double
THERE was double delight for Shakers striker Jon Newby when he took the top two prizes at the Bury FC Player of the Year awards night at the club's Social Club on Monday night. Reward for some superb displays throughout a troubled campaign earned 'Newbs
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Loving couples by the score
THEY may have all gone through it before, but for 20 Darwen couples retaking their wedding vows was an emotional experience which hardly left a dry eye in the house. The old adage that everyone cries at weddings came true for almost everyone in the congregation
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Raiders use gun threat in robbery
DETECTIVES are hunting two men who walked into an off licence acting as customers before they told counter staff they had a "shooter" and demanded money. Staff at the Cheers off licence in Bacup were forced to hand over around £400 to the men at around
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Killer inconsolable, PC reveals in court
A FORMER escort girl who hacked her East Lancashire businessman boyfriend to death was "inconsolable" with grief in the days following the incident, a court heard . At one point a police officer suggested that Jan Charlton should take out her frustration
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School run vandals' mean £5,000 a month bill
A BUS firm boss today claimed vandals on school services were costing him £5,000 a month in repairs to his fleet. Edgar Oldham, managing director of Rossendale Transport, spoke out after headteachers called for police to ride on school buses after an
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Two on petrol bomb charge
A MAN has appeared before Blackburn magistrates facing charges including throwing a petrol bomb at a house in Scotland Bank Terrace. Karl Parkinson, 20, of Brookway, Blackburn, and a 17-year-old youth are charged with burglary with intent to inflict grievous
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Shack attack
A RUNDOWN block of shops which has become a town centre eyesore is to be pulled down after council bosses agreed a deal to bring in a major clothes store. The re-development of land off Salford is one of three being lined up for Blackburn, which could
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Police appeal over Good Samaritan attack
POLICE in Prestwich are appealing for help after a Good Samaritan was seriously assaulted when he tried to help a woman at the Metrolink Station on Saturday night. The 39-year-old local man saw two men harassing a lone woman in the car park at Prestwich
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Police scheme needs support
THE presence and visibility of police officers in the community is a powerful force in the fight against crime. And this is recognised by the strength of public demand for more bobbies on the beat. For not only is their presence a potent deterrent to
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Preece: Retained list this week
SHAKERS boss Andy Preece is expected to reveal his retained list this week after meeting with the directors and administrators regarding his budget for next season.
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Ex-Shakers star Ron is found dead
A FORMER Shakers player and father-of-three has been found dead. Ron Phillips, who ran an off-licence in Walkden with his wife Patricia, previously played for Bolton Wanderers from 1966 until 1975. The left-winger, who was born in Worsley, collected a
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Touchline Tales with Trevor Hanson
ABOUT 12 months ago, I criticised Hyndburn Borough Council for the state of the pitches and facilities at the area's sports grounds. Last Saturday, I played a football match at Kings George Playing fields in Accrington. I have to say the new pavilion
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Mixed success for Roe Lee bowlers
ROE Lee Mixed Bowling Club were just one of the teams honoured at Audley Indoor Bowling League (Sports Council) annual presentation awards. For Roe Lee picked up their Division Three championship at the presentation held at Audley Sports Centre -- where
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Title success for Witton's hot shots
WITTON Albion clinched the Division Two championship thanks to wonder goals from Brett Duxbury and Lee Oliver. The in-form strikers grabbed two first half goals to claim the title against the only other side could have pipped them for top spot. Duxbury
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Downhill Dan dares on the slopes to win title
DAN WYATT led Pendle Ski Club to success in the culmination of the Winter Ski League after he was named overall under 19s champion. Pendle completed a one-two-three in the age group with Wyatt coming in ahead of team-mates David Ryding and Tom Kenny in
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OAP targeted in scam
CONMEN stole £60 from an 84-year-old woman after bluffing their way into her home. The men called at the pensioner's house in Cannon Street, Radcliffe, and told her they needed to check the radiators. But once inside, they searched the property before
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It could be you!
SMALL screen hopeful Jemma Gofton is hoping that her luck will be in when judges pick a new face to help present the National Lottery TV show. Jemma (30), of Tottington, is one 12 finalists competing to replace Camelot's current drawmaster, John Willan
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Anger over abused kids' home bid
ANGRY residents today vowed to fight plans to change an old people's home into a unit for abused children. Neighbours living close to Deansford Residential Home for the Elderly, Dean Road, Helmshore, spoke out at a public meeting held to discuss a planning
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Shack attack
A RUNDOWN block of shops which has become a town centre eyesore is to be pulled down after council bosses agreed a deal to bring in a major clothes store. The re-development of land off Salford is one of three being lined up for Blackburn, which could
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£285,000 to end "scrap yard" image
PLANS to transform the "scrap yard" image of Bury's Pimhole area have received a £285,000 boost. The cash is part of a £1.7 million windfall to kickstart regeneration and environmental projects across the borough. Pimhole has the largest concentration
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Higgy out for season
VERSATILE midfielder Craig Hignett has been ruled out for the rest of the season after he went into hospital today for an operation on his troublesome Achilles. Hignett had agreed to postpone the op until Rovers secured their Premiership safety. But,
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Awaiting news on strikers
ROVERS boss Graeme Souness is sweating on the availability of strikers Matt Jansen and Yordi ahead of the game against Newcastle. Jansen has lost a stone in weight as a result of the stomach bug which ruled him out of England duty last week and he only
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Winged wonders!
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness believes the days of playing with two out-and-out wingers could soon become a thing of the past. But for tonight at least, Ewood can expect a veritable feast of attacking wing-play as Rovers and Newcastle prepare to go head-to-head
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Show your mettle says Souness
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today called on his players to show they have the mettle to stay up as they prepare for the visit of Newcastle tonight. Rovers need one more win from their remaining four games to effectively guarantee their Premiership survival
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Shearer calls for truce
FORMER Ewood legend Alan Shearer today called for a truce in his feud with Blackburn supporters ahead of tonight's clash between Rovers and Newcastle at Ewood. Former England captain Shearer used to be a huge legend amongst Rovers fans after scoring the
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On the march
CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the people of Lancashire to join them on a march in Preston to save the county's threatened care homes. Proposals put forward by the county council's social services department could see 35 of the 48 council-run residential
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Burglar fell from loft
A BURGLAR was so intent on searching the property from top to bottom he fell through the loft ceiling. Burnley Crown Court heard James Devers, 20, was so drunk he started fisticuffs with the police and then gave a bizarre and "wholly improbable" explanation
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Mental health sufferers remember Queen Mother
PEOPLE being helped to reintegrate into society after mental health problems have raised £250 for the Royal British Legion through a tribute to the Queen Mother. Clients at the Into Work unit at Burnley General Hospital, which aims to boost the confidence
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Pledge to patients on NHS funding boost
HEALTH bosses in East Lancashire have welcomed Chancellor Gordon Brown's Budget announcement of massive funding for the NHS and have promised it will benefit local patients. Mr Brown pledged spending on the NHS would increase from £64.5 billion this year
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Campaigner unveils new protest plan
A LEADING campaigner in the fight to save 35 Lancashire County Council care homes from closure today unveiled his next plan of attack and said: "It doesn't end with the march." Burnley's Mayor-elect Coun Gordon Birtwistle, who led more than 600 people
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Tickets rush for Proms' final night
UNION Jacks will be waved at Pendle Hippodrome Theatre in Colne on Saturday, May 11, when the Pendle Youth Orchestra holds its Last Night of the Proms. Tickets are selling fast and organisers are urging people to buy early to avoid disappointment. The
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Good memories of a cruel season
FOOTBALL, notoriously, can be a cruel game. And it's an argument that won't be lost on the Burnley faithful, after the Clarets dropped out of the top six (for only the fourth day this season) by the thinnest of margins. "One goal" muttered a disappointed
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Singing like a Canary
APOLOGIES if I seem a little excitable this week. I woke up on Monday morning singing like a Canary and can't understand why. Maybe it was because of the away performance we've been crying out for all season. I suspect the moment Andrew Cole's header
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Students building on success
STUDENTS from Accrington and Rossendale College enjoyed sweeping success in a regional competition aimed at building their skills. Two of the construction students took top places in the North-West Skillbuild contest -- beating off competition from the
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Council meets to discuss alcohol control
A SCHEME to stop alcohol being drunk in the streets of Accrington town centre is expected to come into effect from May 24. Hyndburn Borough Council were meeting this evening to recommend the area be designated alcohol free in a bid to reduce the number
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Dream garden must go
A GREEN-FINGERED couple have lost their appeal to save the £15,000 dream garden they spent 12 years creating on green belt land. Today Hyndburn Borough Council's head of planning Brendan Lyons said this is an unfortunate case but that Frank and Rosemary
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Thieves strike at caravan park
POLICE are investigating a number of thefts from caravans at a site in Rimington. Thieves targeted a mobile home at Rimington Caravan Park in Cross Hill Lane and stole a TV, video recorder, music centre, two pool cues and a kettle. A TV, radio cassette
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Family still in hospital after blast
A COUPLE and their young son are beginning their fourth week in hospital following a gas explosion at their home on Easter Monday. The blast in Standen Road, Clitheroe, killed Andrew Marsden, aged nine, after a week-long battle for life at Booth Hall
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Clarets pay for the winter blues
FOR half the season Burnley played like champs as the hope was of promotion to the Premier League and not just play-offs. Sadly from Christmas Day onwards they played like chumps, winning only six of 21 matches as they were swallowed up by the chasing
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Battle of the DJs
A BATTLE of the DJs is in full rhythm at The Bridge Inn, Church Street, Accrington, with a chance of a permanent residency up for grabs. East Lancashire hopefuls have been turning the tables since the beginning of April to find the best DJ of the year
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Cheers from the Chancellor
THERE was good news from the Chancellor's budget last week for East Lancashire micro-breweries as wine and beer prices were frozen for the second consecutive year. And a pint of ale brewed by one of the 400 UK micro-breweries should cost up to 14p less
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Dogs spark kitchen fire
AN alert neighbour saved a Bury family from potential tragedy following a fire started by their dogs! The Rollinson family were lucky that Mr Glenn Davenport was still awake at 1.30am on Saturday (April 20). He spotted smoke coming from the kitchen next
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Please sir, it's virtual history
INSTEAD of studying history, pupils at 15 local schools could help make it. They have been invited to take part in what looks set to be the biggest innovative information technology project to take place in Britain. Regional education chiefs have unveiled
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West's new deal
OUT of contract Dean West is ready to put pen to paper on a new deal in an attempt to help Burnley go one better next season, having missed the play-offs by just one goal this time around. The super consistent right back picked up 11 out of 15 player
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Shearer calls for truce
FORMER Ewood legend Alan Shearer today called for a truce in his feud with Blackburn supporters ahead of tonight's clash between Rovers and Newcastle at Ewood. Former England captain Shearer used to be a huge legend amongst Rovers fans after scoring the
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My Thai alternative is hard to stomach!
ON the extremely rare occasions when my husband and I eat out - less frequently than the World Cup and that's the truth - we are at loggerheads even before we set out. He wants Thai, Chinese, or Cantonese possibly Indian. I go along with it because I
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Toilet death man named
THE body of a man found collapsed in a toilet cubicle in Darwen on Saturday has been identified. Simon Hitchin, 29, was found just before 2pm at social service-run temporary accommodation known as the Model Lodge in Police Street, and is believed to have
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Houses burglary warning
POLICE are warning residents of Turton and Belmont to be vigilant after two burglaries. Early on Friday, two men were disturbed breaking into a home in Vale Street, Turton. They fled the house and were seen to drive off in a F-reg burgundy car, possibly
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Running is labour of love
A MAN is running a 10k road race for the heart screening charity set up in memory of his nephew who died during a gym workout. Brian Taylor, 52, of the Garden Village, Darwen, is participating in the Blackpool Road Race on Sunday May 12 and hopes to raise
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U-turn saves mum losing sight in eye
A WOMAN who appealed to health bosses to save the sight in one of her eyes is celebrating after a U-turn made money available for urgent treatment. Linda Atkinson, of The Sidings, Darwen, feared going blind in her right eye after the Blackburn with Darwen
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Woman attacked in pub toilets
A 21-YEAR-OLD woman was attacked in the ladies toilets by a gang of women. Police investigating the incident at the Queen's Arms in Bank Street, Rawtenstall, said the victim was helping another woman who was drunk when she was assaulted and robbed. The
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Police hail taxis' safety
CABS in Rossendale have come up trumps in a survey of vehicles passing their MOT the first time. Taxis in Rossendale achieved an overall pass rate of 85 per cent with the national average being just 65 per cent. This comes after police carried out spot
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Water way to move house!
A YOUNG company director who became fed up of life in the fast lane has given up his land legs in favour of a canal boat. Daniel Donnelly, 27, originally set up home in a traditional house in Richmond Avenue, Haslingden, when he was 19. But when he failed
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Anger over abused kids' home bid
ANGRY residents today vowed to fight plans to change an old people's home into a unit for abused children. Neighbours living close to Deansford Residential Home for the Elderly, Dean Road, Helmshore, spoke out at a public meeting held to discuss a planning
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Staff celebrate one hundred years of banking
VICTORIAN values returned to the Royal Bank of Scotland on Friday when staff donned period costume to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Blackburn branch. Customers were invited for refreshments and to view a special display of a century of banking
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Hughes happy despite defeat
A GOAL just after half-time sank bottom-of-the-table Great Harwood but manager John Hughes admitted that it was the first game he had enjoyed since taking over as manager. "I enjoyed it," said Hughes who took over from Denis Underwood last month. "For
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Darwen keen to end Bacup jinx
IT IS a revenge mission as Darwen boss Steve Wilkes goes head to head with his big rival, Bacup manager Brent Peters at West View tonight. There is no love lost between the two gaffers but Peters has got the upper hand in the two games played so far.
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PNE have five on wish-list
PRESTON North End today announced that they have short-listed five candidates for the vacant manager's job. Kelham O'Hanlon, who has been caretaker manager since the departure of David Moyes has been one of those candidates. Interviews will take place
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A win, but still feeling blue
THE maths were very simple. Preston had to win and hope Burnley and Norwich lose. So, given that North End realistically could only influence one of the above results, it seemed logical that the team would go out on the pitch, put on their best display
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Two jailed for £6m raid
TWO men from Bury - one a former policeman - were today jailed for a total of 28 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to rob at Minshull Street Crown Court. Former policeman Graham Huckerby, aged 42, from Prestwich, and James Power, aged 60, from
