Archive
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Time to rid us of ferocious dogs
A FEW hundred years ago, anyone going for a walk in a forest or woodland in Europe ran a genuine risk of being attacked by wild animals. Wild boar and even bears could seriously damage your health if you were unarmed and could not protect yourself. Now
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HEALTH: Ambulances to pioneer system
A PIONEERING electronic recording system will soon be carried by all ambulances in East Lancashire. The UK's first electronic Patient Report Form system was introduced by Lancashire Ambulance Service in March 2002 when it was piloted in the Blackpool
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Deadline move in vote review
A PUBLIC consultation into postal voting for this year's European and local elections has been extended. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister committee has set up the consultation to find out what people thought of postal voting and how it could affect
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Worry for farmers in plan for payments shake-up
DAIRY farmers in the North West are concerned about the future of their businesses following the Government's announcement regarding the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), farming union chiefs have claimed. The announcement that payments
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Countryside access
INFORMATION to help landowners and managers in the North West to manage the new public access rights to open country and registered common land has been published by the Countryside Agency. The new rights, which will generally allow the public to walk
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Special nights boost for cancer charities
THE BOSS of an East Lancashire lap dancing bar is hoping to raise £4,000 for two cancer charities. The Velvet Lounge, in Duke Street, Blackburn has already hosted a fundraising ladies' night and will hold a 'men only' event tomorrow. Both evenings feature
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Not a dentist to be found
WHAT a problem we have with dentists -- or lack of them. I attempted to contact one in Blackburn who would treat NHS patients. This was impossible. After telephoning at least 27 dentists to treat my partner, I discovered none were able to take any new
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Rape case adjourned
A MAN, aged 43, accused of raping and falsely imprisoning a woman at Atherton, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for the first time on Monday. Geoffrey Jones, of Milton Close, is alleged to have committed the offences on February 17. Jones was remanded
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Arson fears in garage blaze
ARSONISTS are being blamed for setting fire to a derelict garage in Carlyle Street, Bury. The concrete building, with a wooden roof, was targeted on Saturday afternoon (Feb 21). Two crews fought the fire and were at the scene for about 45 minutes. Officers
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Guard 'hit with axe' in bank raid
MASKED robbers attacked a security guard during a raid on a Blackburn town centre bank today. Eyewitnesses said the robbery took place as a security van pulled up outside the HSBC in Church Street, just before 11.30am. It is believed one of the security
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Rare comics lost in family home blaze
AN Unsworth family lost many of their possessions after fire ravaged their home at the weekend. Anthony and Dorothy Stanley, and their son, Alastair, fled from their blazing home in Sunny Bank Road in the early hours of Saturday (Feb 21). The fire, which
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Jemal thwarts title chasing Reds
JEMAL Johnson's third minute strike earned Blackburn Rovers reserves a deserved 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Chester City's Deva Stadium last night. Matt Jansen returned from the head injury which caused him to miss last week's second string fixture
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Cliviger column
THE Table Top Sale held at St John's on Saturday morning was well attended, and has raised in the region of £200 for the church funds and Lychgate Appeal. The stall run by Cliviger guides contributed £83.56 to the appeal fund. NO reply has yet been received
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Residents slam car tax clampdown
A TEENAGER who refused to give a breath test after being stopped by police in the early hours was today awaiting sentence. Burnley magistrates heard how Philip Palmer, 19, turned violent, tried to hit an officer and ended up being CS gassed. Palmer, of
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Breath test refusal teenager awaiting sentence
A TEENAGER who refused to give a breath test after being stopped by police in the early hours was today awaiting sentence. Burnley magistrates heard how Philip Palmer, 19, turned violent, tried to hit an officer and ended up being CS gassed. Palmer, of
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Jamie's taking the tall ships challenge
A BURNLEY man is taking to the high seas in a tall ship to raise money for charity. Jamie Dickinson works as a fund-raiser for the Mission to Seafarers, an Anglican Church society that supports seafarers in 300 ports worldwide, and has volunteered to
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Bell tolls for clock tower to mark end of an era
FOR generations they have stood close to the centre of Burnley, pointing to the town's industrial past. But now the demolition of the two prominent mill buildings is almost complete. Earlier this year, bulldozers moved in to start knocking down the famous
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Daly departs but Challinor stays on
JON Daly has been recalled from his loan spell at Bury ahead of Tuesday night's home game against Third Division strugglers Southend United. Daly has returned to Stockport County to help Sammy McIlroy's side fight the drop from Division Two. But the striker's
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Council leader's rap for Labour
PENDLE'S council leader launched a scathing attack on the Government last night, as he announced a smaller-than-expected hike in council tax. Councillor Alan Davies blamed the need for a 5.33 per cent rise in the borough on a shortfall in funding from
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Man rapped as 'roads danger'
A DRUNKEN teenager who took his father's car for a spin after a night on the town was slammed as a danger to the public by magistrates. The Burnley bench had been told how apprentice plumber William Rayson, 19, was two and a half times the limit when
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10 years ago
APPALLING weather caused East Lancashire to drift to a chaotic standstill. Villages were cut off, hundreds of motorists stranded and transport services decimated as blizzards swept across the county. And council bosses pledged £4 million to the major
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50 years ago
THE general nutritionist standard of children in rural areas was better than in urban areas, commented Dr R.C. Webster, divisional medical officer, in a report on the school health service presented at a meeting in Whalley. Dr Webster also called attention
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Lynx off the rails in Trains Cup
DESPITE a much improved performance, Chorley Lynx suffered their heaviest defeat in the Arriva Trains Cup against last season's runners-up in the race for Super League. Tries from Paul Rowley, David Alstead, Andy Isherwood (2) and Mike Callan, all converetd
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Time to stand up and be counted
ALL FANS of 'car crash' television really must buy a season ticket for Ewood Park to get their fix in future. I say this because Rovers' ability to commit football's version of hari-kari would put the most depressed lemming to shame. Yet again Rovers
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Appeal over missing 'killer' tablets
A LOST packet of tablets that are potentially fatal have sparked a police appeal for their return. The packet of 40 dihydrocodeine tablets were lost in the Barnes Square area of Clayton-le-Moors yesterday morning. The prescription tablets were lost by
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Alert over bogus protection racket
A GREAT Harwood businessman has warned others to be aware of a scam run by a fictional data protection register. Philip Crompton, who owns Rumbletums Sandwich shop, in Westwell Street, received the letter saying he must complete forms and pay £135 or
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'RoboCop' fan's warning
ACCRINGTON'S new police inspector today issued crooks with a warning -- after revealing he was a fan of the zero tolerance officer nicknamed RoboCop. Ray Mallon, the former no-nonsense head of CID in Middlesbrough, introduced New York-style policing to
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Boy, 15, robbed of bicycle and mobile phone
A 15-YEAR-OLD boy was robbed of his bicycle and mobile phone in Whitefield. He was riding along Stanley Road between 9pm and 9.30pm last Thursday when he was approached by four older youths. They threatened him and ordered him to hand over his bike and
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Don't feed the Goat!
STAN Ternent has warned his Burnley back line to keep Shaun Goater on a tight leash tonight. The striker nicknamed 'The Goat' has gobbled up 12 goals in his last 10 meetings with the Clarets, notably with two Turf Moor hat-tricks while on Manchester City's
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We're in for a tough time
GLEN Little reckons life could be about to get tough for Burnley. The Clarets winger returns to Reading tonight hoping Stan Ternent's men can extend this year's unbeaten league record. And as a testing few weeks loom, with the weekend trip to Millwall
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Thompson to step up recovery
BLACKBURN midfielder David Thompson has been given the all-clear to step up his comeback plans following a flying visit to America. The former Liverpool star went to the States for a consultation with top US surgeon Richard Steadman, the man who performed
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Record skydives simply Thai-riffic!
SKYDIVER Gordon Hodgkinson is on cloud nine after helping break two world records. Gordon has just returned from a trip to Thailand, where he took part in a mass parachute jump to celebrate Queen Sirikit of Thailand's 72nd birthday. The 33-year-old joined
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Recycling starting
HOMES in parts of Rossendale are to be targeted as part of a council's drive to boost recycling figures right across the borough. Bury Council is launching a spring campaign involving 28,000 homes, including properties in Ramsbottom, in a new phase of
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Council pledges to fight on for library
THE leader of Calderdale's Social Democrat Party, Coun Michael Taylor, has pledged to fight for the reopening of Todmorden Library on Thursday afternoons. But Coun Taylor, who lives at Owlers Walk, Todmorden, and is a councillor for Calder Valley, warns
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Councillor battles to save post office
THE Post Office today confirmed it is considering the closure of another Rossendale counter as part of a national plan to shut down 9,000 bases. And mail bosses revealed they are to review a total of 13 post offices in Bury North and Bury South as part
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Borough hopes of Rioch deal fading fast
RADCLIFFE Borough manager Kevin Glendon's attempts to complete the loan signing of Shrewsbury centre-half Gregor Rioch appear to have failed. Glendon had been hoping to bring in the former Hull, Macclesfield and Northwich midfielder, the son of former
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Ex-prison worker suspended
A FORMER prison psychologist has been suspended by the British Psychological Society after being convicted of housing benefit fraud. Matthew William Fowler, 27, of Merlin Close, Heapey, Chorley, was convicted at Preston Crown Court in June 2003 and dismissed
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Triplets are vote winners
EAST Lancashire Conservatives will be raising a glass to a Blackburn councillor who has recently added to the party's numbers. Derek Hardman, who represents the Livesey with Pleasington ward, and his wife Colette are celebrating the birth of triplets.
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Misery for pensioner in roof repairs wait
A 70-YEAR-OLD woman whose kitchen roof collapsed four weeks ago said she is still waiting for Twin Valley to arrange for it to be fixed. Agnes Foy, of Peel Close, said she can see her roof rafters through the hole and the wind is blowing into her bungalow
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Migrant restriction 'premature' - MEP
AN East Lancashire Euro-MP today condemned as 'premature' Government plans to restrict the movement of migrant workers when 10 new countries join the EU in May Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies says the measures are a knee jerk reaction to a non-existent
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Brawling player spared ice ban
A TEENAGE hockey player convicted of assaulting a rival during a match at Blackburn Arena will not be further punished, it has been revealed. The disciplinary board of the English Ice Hockey Association today confirmed that they will not be taking any
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Lords defeat sinks postal votes plan
COMPULSORY postal voting at this year's local council elections has been put on hold after a Government defeat in the House of Lords. Last night's objections could mean the Government scheme, aimed at increasing voter turnout, is not ready in time for
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Doubting voices on 'civic pride' drive
AN INITIATIVE has been launched in Blackburn and Darwen aimed at uniting people and fostering a sense of civic pride. The council, the police, Blackburn Diocese and the Lancashire Council of Mosques say their Belonging campaign can lead people to reject
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Regiments "snubbed" in TV series
THE heroic actions of the Lancashire Fusiliers in saving many lives at Dunkirk have been overlooked in a three-part TV documentary, according to a leading war expert. Author Hugh Sebag-Montefiore said that soldiers who fought in the Lancashire Fusiliers
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Wednesday, February 25, 2004
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Life Drawing Class, Mid-Pennine Gallery, Yorke Street, Burnley, 7pm-9pm. Queen's Park and Audley Youth Information Project, 200 Audley Range, Blackburn. All welcome.
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HEALTH: Doctor's notes with Dr Kerr
THE 1998 Lancet paper which sparked off public concern about the MMR jab, is etched in my mind. Not that I have a particular interest in the controversy, though I am alarmed about the effect on vaccination rates. It's just that I had to review the paper
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MARGO: The best laid plans...
HAVE you ever had the feeling that events are conspiring against you? Because I've got that feeling at the moment. I flew out of Delhi last Thursday to Colombo in Sri Lanka just for a little bit of a break, a day or two 'off the record' so to speak. Bill
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Fire chief to target 'danger' homes
FIRE prevention remains a top priority for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, who will visit over 20,000 vulnerable households in the coming year. Peter Holland, chief fire officer, announced his intention to visit 27,000 homes in the region. He said: "The Authority
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'Wanted man' duped police to avoid rap
A 57-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man gave false details to a police officer who stopped him for a routine check - because he knew he was wanted in Durham for offences committed four years earlier, a court was told. Brian Walton, of Shakespeare Way, Blackburn,
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Ex Rover's £250,000 damages
FORMER Blackburn Rovers midfielder Matty Holmes has been awarded a quarter of a million pounds in damages after a tackle which "shattered" his left leg. Mr Holmes, now 34, was playing for Charlton Athletic in February 1998 when he was tackled by Wolverhampton
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Caught-by-camera driver a soft touch
I READ with interest your article on speed traps (LET, February 18). I had the misfortune, a few weeks ago, to be caught on camera on Whitebirk Drive, Blackburn, travelling at 35mph. For the offence I was fined £60 and had my (clean) licence endorsed
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Goths simply add a touch of colour
DESPITE recent publicity, I consider that Blackburn Goths have always been orderly and sociable and blend well in our diverse community. The Goths at times, when in large gatherings, like all young people, indulge in boisterous activity, but none, I am
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What's in a name? An awful lot
I NOTICED in your paper (LET February 16) another reference to a South East Lancashire unitary authority in the context of Rossendale Council agreeing to the creation, in the event of a vote supporting regional government in the North West, of an authority
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Police hunt for drain trickster
A CONMAN tricked his way into the home of an 80-year-old woman and ransacked her rooms. The man told the pensioner he was clearing the drains before talking his way into the house in Hope Street, Ramsbottom, just before 2.30pm on Friday (Feb 20). He went
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Cavity cat lives on
SYLVESTER is living proof that curiosity does not always kill the cat. But the prying moggie certainly used up at least one of his lives when he survived seven weeks trapped in a wall cavity. His owners, who live in Higher Summerseat, had almost given
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Ring saves man's hand from dog attack
A MAN who was mauled by a dog during a terrifying three-minute attack today claimed his hand was saved by a treasured ring. The attack took place in Rishton while Terry O'Toole was walking with his partner, her 10-year-old son and their own dog. He underwent
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Redmond red card baffles boss
Aldershot 2 Leigh RMI 0 by David Magilton: LEIGH manager Phil Starbuck says he cannot believe the dreadful luck that seems to dog his relegation-threatened side. RMI have been on the end of a series of poor refereeing decisions that have cost them valuable
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Academy stars seek final spot
BLACKBURN Rovers' Academy starlets can book a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup tonight when they take on Gillingham at Morecambe's Christie Park. Rob Kelly's young guns will start the fifth round tie as red hot favourites having thrashed
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Thompson to step up recovery
BLACKBURN midfielder David Thompson has been given the all-clear to step up his comeback plans following a flying visit to America. The former Liverpool star went to the States for a consultation with top US surgeon Richard Steadman, the man who performed
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Caught thief in lock-up attack on 'pal'
AN ex-convict who attacked his partner in crime left him with an injured eye and blurred vision. Burnley magistrates heard how Leon Cragg, 29, hit his accomplice in the face in a detention room at Burnley Police Station. He later hit him several more
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TV showdown for wind farm debate
EAST Lancashire campaigners for and against wind farms are to go head-to-head on a BBC television show. Cliviger parish councillor, David Morgan, is outspoken in his support of finding a greener way of providing electricity and believes the village's
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'Drugs cocktail' driver to appeal
A MAN who got behind the wheel after a "cocktail of drugs" is to take his case to the Crown Court. Rayaz Mohammed, 37, had earlier been found guilty by Burnley magistrates of driving while unfit through drugs but is to appeal against the conviction. He
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Girl gang terror for elderly
POLICE today revealed they are hunting a gang of teenage girls who are preying on vulnerable elderly men and robbing them in their homes - then threatening their victims with false sex allegations to stop them reporting the crimes. The girls, aged 15
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Students pick up awards
ACCRINGTON and Rossendale College gas engineering students have been awarded with training certificates Presentations took place at the Crown Hotel, Colne, with representatives of the Nelson, Colne and District Master Plumbers' Association. The students
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Drink driver caught on way to work
A DRINK driver caught out on the way to work had slept the night in his car, Burnley magistrates heard. Michael Witowski, 24, had been out the night before and was almost twice the limit when stopped by police just before 6am. The defendant, of Park Road
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Candles warning after blaze
FIRE chiefs warned today of the dangers of leaving burning candles unattended after a mum and toddler narrowly escaped death in a house fire. Fire crews were called to Fern Street in Colne at about 11.30pm yesterday after a blaze broke out in the upstairs
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Good to see Glen running the show
"WE never do things simply" said Stan Ternent, following Saturday's much-needed 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town. You can say that again. But for the width of a post and a fortuitous deflection in the 89th minute, the Clarets would have been two points and
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25 years ago
A CLITHEROE climber and his partner escaped death in the snow after being hurled 500ft down a mountain by an avalanche. Chartered surveyor Michael Parkinson, of Twiston Millhouse, and Colin Grimes were 3000ft up a gulley in the Cairngorms when the snow
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Fund-raising pair aim high
TWO Oswaldtwistle women are set to visit the Great Wall of China to help a cancer charity. Joanne Clegg and Emma Dixon have to raise £3,000 each for the Cancer Research organisation, in order to take part in a 10-day adventure along the famous wall. Joanne
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Karrimor jobs go as firm is sold
TWENTY jobs have been lost at specialist outdoor equipment supplier Karrimor after the company went into receivership. The troubled company, which has equipped world record Polar expeditions and ascents up Everest, was sold within hours. But a third of
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We're in for a tough time
GLEN Little reckons life could be about to get tough for Burnley. The Clarets winger returns to Reading tonight hoping Stan Ternent's men can extend this year's unbeaten league record. And as a testing few weeks loom, with the weekend trip to Millwall
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PAYTON: Welcome back, Glen!
Saturday was like watching the Little of old as he ran Ipswich ragged. I'm sure he would admit this season has not been his best and we have had to wait a long time for the kind of performance we witnessed at the weekend. He was simply untouchable, but
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Blues host derby
DARWEN will need to rid themselves of their derby hoodoo if they want to continue their good league run. The Reds, who are unbeaten in the league so far in 2004, travel to take on Nelson tonight - the last side to claim maximum points from them. Darwen
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Rams look for repeat
RAMSBOTTOM manager Vince Overson is hoping his side's improved discipline will aid their push up the North West Counties Division One table. The Riverside chief welcomed Saturday's 2-1 win, and performance, at home to Atherton Collieries. And he is in
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Magpies seek home comforts
CHORLEY will be seeking some home comforts tonight when they take on Gateshead in UniBond Division One. After seven consecutive home games in 2004, the Magpies crashed 4-1 in their first away game of the year at Prescot Cables on Saturday. And manager
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Marion's sworn to secrecy
A WOMAN from Darwen is keeping tight-lipped over the outcome of a television DIY show in which she has appeared. Marion Cimen, 45, appealed to the makers of BBC1's 'DIY SOS' for help with her bathroom. Last week she had to sit and watch herself on prime-time
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New hope for 'lost' bridleways
THE first of Darwen's 'lost' bridleways could soon be rediscovered. For years, the east of the town has been short on bridleways after they were reclassified by Lancashire County Council as footpaths, despite there being hundreds of horses in the area
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Woman was found banging her head on ground
A WOMAN was found by police banging her head on the ground as people "stood round in amazement," a court heard. Burnley magistrates were told how jobless Susan Riley, 21, then "wobbled down the road" and started banging her head on the ground again. Riley
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Celebrity make-up artists to drop in for visit
A MAKE-UP technician to the stars will be making a one-stop visit to Rossendale to give people a permanent makeover. Louise Walsh, who has made-up people live on Channel Four's hit reality show The Salon will be offering the service for one day in April
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4 hurt as motorbikes and car collide
FOUR people were injured in a crash involving two motorcycles and a car on Sunday night. All four were taken to Wigan Royal Infirmary after the collision in Manchester Road, Leigh, at 5.45 pm. One person suffered a broken wrist. The others escaped with
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Beauty tips from make-up artist to stars
A MAKE-UP technician to the stars will be making a one-stop visit to Rossendale to give people a permanent makeover. Louise Walsh, who has made-up people live on Channel Four's hit reality show The Salon, will be offering the service for one day in April
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'I'm a prisoner in my home'
AN 86-year-old war veteran today said he had lost trust in people after being attacked in his home by a robber. John Stevens, of the Bank Top area, spoke out after Craig Southworth, of Sandon Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to pushing him over and stealing
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Guard 'hit with axe' in bank raid
MASKED robbers attacked a security guard during a raid on a Blackburn town centre bank today. Eyewitnesses said the robbery took place as a security van pulled up outside the HSBC in Church Street, just before 11.30am. It is believed one of the security
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Ring saves man's hand from dog attack
A MAN who was mauled by a dog during a terrifying three-minute attack today claimed his hand was saved by a treasured ring. The attack took place in Rishton while Terry O'Toole was walking with his partner, her 10-year-old son and their own dog. He underwent
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Lack of goals is a big concern
Preston boss Craig Brown has admitted he is growing worried by the lack of goals scored by his two regular front men Ricardo Fuller and Richard Cresswell. Richard Cresswell has not scored in 23 league games, while Fuller has not found the back of the
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Bad day at the office
EVERYONE'S allowed a bad day at the office - but two on the bounce has left North End's faithful fearing their side haven't got what it takes to grab a place in the play-offs. A late winner from Tim Cahill after Preston had scrapped to get back on level
