Archive
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Soccer players in crash drama
From the Guide files of Friday, April 27, 1979: MEMBERS of Prestwich Heys were involved in a car crash after their coach was delayed on the motorway. The lads chose to go to the match against Eastwood Hanley by car but two of the vehicles were involved
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It's a family matter: Souness
POLICE today said they were continuing to investigate an alleged assault involving Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness. The 50-year-old turned up at Everton's Goodison Park ground on Saturday sporting a wrist cast and said it was down to a "discussion
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Manhunt launched after pervert escapes
A CONVICTED sex offender is feared to be on the run in Blackburn or Darwen. Police and probation officers in Yorkshire and Lancashire have launched a hunt for the 40-year-old man, said to be a danger to young boys. Craig Preece was last seen in West Yorkshire
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Hospitals' bonus as targets are hit
HEALTH bosses in East Lancashire's hospitals were today celebrating after securing a £100,000 reward. The money is part of a national incentive scheme to increase the number of patients treated within four hours in accident and emergency departments.
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Make new friends, teenager told in court
A BLACKBURN teenager was told to change his circle of friends after admitting "holding" a mobile phone one of his mates had stolen from his aunt. Blackburn magistrates heard that Samuel Paul Phillips had been handed the phone by his friend when he saw
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Jackass: TV not totally to blame
WHILST I feel sorry for the injured boy in the Jackass story on April 19, I wonder how such boys were able to produce a website and use a camcorder to film the footage -- without parents realising what was going on. Questions need to be answered. Who
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Group's songs give me a real buzz...
THE other day my daughter pointed out to me that the Darwen Music Festival was nearly here. It brought back last year's Bad Manners, Gone Beggin', Whitehalls, Jamie Mac and many more acts. Then my daughter said the Buzzcocks were on this year "a bit raunchy
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Referendum is a victory for the people
THE good news that Tony Blair has finally agreed to hold a referendum on the proposed EU Constitution is a remarkable U-turn. Some would say it is a major defeat for the Prime Minister. Those of us who have been campaigning for the money for years consider
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Dad calls for safety fencing
THE FATHER of a Burnley teenager who plunged 20ft into a river today said a waterside path should be fenced off before someone is killed. David Plumb said his 16-year-old son Daniel had a lucky escape when he fell down the embankment into the River Calder
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Drink 'got the better of young burglar'
A HOUSE-BREAKER escaped jail after a judge told him he wanted to knock some sense into him. Burnley Crown Court heard how Craig Parkinson, 19, was terrified of the prospect of jail even though that was the fate usually awaiting raiders. Parkinson was
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Dad calls for safety fencing
THE FATHER of a Burnley teenager who plunged 20ft into a river today said a waterside path should be fenced off before someone is killed. David Plumb said his 16-year-old son Daniel had a lucky escape when he fell down the embankment into the River Calder
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Jury fails to reach 'glassing' verdict
A JURY has failed to reach a verdict in the case of a teenager accused of glassing a former special constable while another man involved in the attack has been jailed. The Burnley Crown Court panel was discharged after several hours of deliberations after
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Fifty jobs to be lost at bleach company
THE workforce at an Accrington's Woodnook Bleaching and Dyeing company is to be halved, it has been announced Up to 50 jobs could be lost at the firm, part of Hilden manufacturing. Bosses say they are being forced to take the drastic measure because of
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50 years ago
IN an attempt to relieve the acute shortage of playing fields in Oswaldtwistle, the council was exploring the possibility of building football pitches on Whiteash tip. And Blackburn plumber-turned-body builder, Alan Robinson, 18, of Taylor Street, was
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25 years ago
THE Blackburn Diocese shock "teeny tipples" report got a mild and bitter reaction from the town's teenagers. For there was a real split in attitudes to the suggestion from a Diocesan working party that legal drinking should start at 17. Some youngsters
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Cleaner cheated £4,000 in benefits
A 48-YEAR-OLD Accrington cleaner claimed thousands of pounds in benefits to pay off her debts. Blackburn magistrates heard Brenda Stewart received £4,271 she was not entitled to over a seven-month period. Stewart, of Sultan Street, pleaded guilty to failing
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Hanged man had history of depression
A POLICE officer who cut down and saved a 23-year-old Accrington man who tried to hang himself in April last year could do nothing to help when the same man hanged himself on New Year's Day. An inquest heard that Martin Cooke, who had a history of depression
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Old school sites to home centres
TWO community centres are to be created in buildings that until last week housed an Accrington school. Spring Hill Primary School has now moved to a new multi-million pound base in Exchange Street, leaving the two sites it has used since Victorian times
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Drive home from club brings ban
A WOMAN who had been drinking in a Whalley nightclub opted to drive home, rather than complete the half mile journey on her crutches, a court was told. Magistrates heard Joanne Marie Grimshaw was stopped shortly after setting off and found to be nearly
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Pupils lobby for council
PUPILS as young as seven are developing a taste for politics thanks to a new school council. St James CE Primary in Greenacre Street, Clitheroe, hopes to hold its first 'session of parliament' in May. And the pupils are warming up with their cries of
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Ternent backing hero Branch
STAN Ternent paid tribute to hero of the hour Graham Branch as Burnley took a huge step towards safety. Branch soothed fraying nerves with the only goal of the game against Derby to take the Clarets to within one point of First Division survival. And
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Branch supplies a fairy-tale finish
GO on, admit it - you've stared at that First Division table until the vital numbers are etched on your retina. And doesn't it make damn good reading? More intriguing than any John Le Carre novel, tighter than a Tarantino script and, hopefully, a fairy
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Reds on the brink
DARWEN are on the brink of promotion after an enthralling 1-1 draw with fellow high-fliers Flixton. Should Ashton Town fail to beat Colne by four clear goals tomorrow night then Steve Wilkes' side will be playing NWCL Division One football next season
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Billy's out of luck
A MIDWEEK win for Bishop Auckland stripped this game of any real significance and an air of anti-climax hung over proceedings in an error-strewn contest. Magpies' skipper Billy McCartney deservedly received the Player of the Year award after the match
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Champs crowned
COLNE'S championship party was spoilt when recent signing Steve Whittaker suffered a broken leg 20 minutes from the end of this derby against Great Harwood, which ended with honours even for the second time in a week. The Reds got off to a great start
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Rain wrecks victory chance
ATHERTON CC got the new cricket season underway, and with the arrivals of new professional Lee Childs from Australia and Neil Bannister making a return to his hometown club after over a decade away, the club has high expectations of challenging for major
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Girls give bad boys a run for their mummy
BOYS run rather than walk, and shout rather than talk; but you know where you are with them. So I was told by a mother of three daughters and two sons (born in that order) as we discussed the various merits - and otherwise - of boys and girls. Most of
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Go-ahead for ex-slipper mill site homes
COUNCILLORS have given unanimous backing to a project to build 15 homes and an office on the site of a former slipper works in Rawtenstall. B and E Boys will develop the Higher Mill site, off Millgate, after the council's development control committee
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Rescue team invites walkers on trek
ROSSENDALE and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team is urging hikers to get involved in a charity walk. The 45-mile Rossendale Way in a Day will let walkers take in the views as they trek around the Rossendale Valley and is an important date on the mountain rescue
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Beaten Boro squeeze home
Radcliffe Boro 1 Burscough 2: RADCLIFFE Borough squeezed into the Unibond League Premier Division play-offs despite losing their final match. Substitute Andrew Hyland's last-minute winner for Burscough looked as though it might have denied Kevin Glendon's
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Double tonic for Centurions
TWO of Leigh Centurions' long-term casualties are hitting the comeback trail. Willie Swann and Richard Marshall should soon be back in first team contention, strengthening Darren Abram's squad following the retirement of popular prop Dave Bradbury. Swann's
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Riders turn up heat
HUNDREDS of motorcycle enthusiasts loosened their leathers at the 25th Hoghton Tower races on the hottest weekend of the year so far. The historic course, which uses an eight-mile section of the tower's main driveway, was lined with bikes old and new.
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'Internet grooming' man held by police
A LONDON man is thought to have been travelling to East Lancashire to groom girls for sex after meeting them on the Internet. The 33-year-old from Leyton, North East London, was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police in the early hours of Saturday
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Bank worker had 'hand in the till'
A THIEF with 24 previous convictions for dishonesty - including stealing from his employer - landed a job in a bank. Blackburn magistrates heard that the HSBC, in Church Street, also did not know, until after he had been caught with his "hand in the till
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Travel-sick Stanley fail again
ACCRINGTON Stanley failed to end the season on a winning note despite twice coming from behind against Exeter City at St James's Park. Andy Procter and Steve Flitcroft both struck to claw their side back into the match, but they were eventually sunk with
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Park win Division Two title
SEDGLEY Park clinched the National league Division Two title with a 50-35 victory at Rugby on Saturday. Full details later
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Tune in to Chich, the radio rector
A RADCLIFFE rector will take to the airwaves this week to present a show about the tenth anniversary of the South African elections. Rev Chich Hewitt, the area dean and team rector of Radcliffe, is a white South African, born in Johannesburg. He came
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EVENTS taking place in East Lancashire on Tuesday, April 27, 2004
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Fashion Show by Foxy Lady, Westholme Theatre, Meins Road, Blackburn, 7.30pm. In aid of Local and International Charities. Blackburn Home Organ and Keyboard Club, St Stephen's
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Halting the yobs before they start
IT hasn't been an easy task for police to crack down on the sort of football violence that has shamed us at home and abroad so much in the past. First, forces throughout the country had to pool intelligence and set up databanks of information so that
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I fear MPs are hiding in ivory towers
PARLIAMENT is back this week and the big topic among MPs has been their own safety. There is a new and fairly ugly glass screen in the House of Commons Chamber, separating the public gallery from the honourable members on the green benches below. It's
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Appeal over hospital linen taken
AN APPEAL for patients to return items of linen taken home from East Lancashire's hospitals has fallen on deaf ears. Earlier this month it was revealed that bedsheets, blankets and nighties taken home after hospital stays were costing £80,000 to replace
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Structure plan backed
A SCHEME to conserve and develop Lancashire over the next 10 years has received backing from an independent panel of experts. The Replacement Joint Structure Plan sets out the location and amount of land for development to meet the county's future needs
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Heartache woman's appeal over lost necklace
A WOMAN is appealing for people who might have found her bag after she left it on a bus. The black shoulder bag, with zip compartments, contained a necklace of particular sentimental value to the owner, Sharon Hough, of Feniscowles. The gold necklace,
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Blackburn one of UK's top 50 for languages
BLACKBURN college has been identified by Her Majesty's Inspectorate as ranking in the top 50 colleges in the country for high achievement rates of bilingual students. In the Ofsted survey to find examples of best practice, called Raising Achievement in
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Demon bowler returns
PRESTWICH Cricket Club's title ambitions have been boosted -- before a ball has even been bowled. The Heys team have been strengthened by the return of Chris Humphreys. He won the league averages in 2002, taking 74 wickets at an average of 10.92. He was
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Cricket: New look Unsworth
THERE'S a new look to Central Lancashire League Unsworth Cricket Club although popular South African professional Robbie MacQueen is still the paid man at the club. This year he has brought to the club overseas amateur J.P. Hean, also from Natal, a left-hand
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Football: Heys settle for second best
NEW MILLS 0 PRESTWICH HEYS 3 Air Miles Manchester League Premier Division WITH the destination of the championship decided last Saturday, when Royton Town beat Wilmslow, Heys were playing for second place on Tuesday night at New Mills, while Leigh Athletic
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Pensioners' votes count
WHEN is a pensioner not a pensioner? When they are under 70 and not eligible for extra benefits e.g. free TV licence. This blatant discrimination against pensioners is disgusting, as is the state pension some pensioners are expected to live off. Every
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Hunt ban a Labour obsession
A PERSISTENT and vociferous minority within the Labour party is suggesting that it might once again be a good idea to concentrate on banning hunting, despite the fact that less than two per cent of the public agree. The government should reflect carefully
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Wedding wrecked
LESLEY-ANN APPLETON'S wedding was cancelled - by order of a court following an alleged assault by her husband-to-be. Her plans to marry long-term partner Mark Monk were scuppered when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates on the eve of their wedding
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Hero keeper can't save Leigh RMI
Barnet 2 Leigh RMI 1 by Martyn Hindley LEIGH RMI have goalkeeper Ian Martin to thank for preventing a trouncing on the final day of the Conference season at Barnet. Martin produced a number of wondrous saves to deny the play-off chasing Bees at Underhill
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Souness hails saviour
A JUBILANT Graeme Souness hailed Jonathan Stead as the saviour of Blackburn Rovers' season after his latest match-winning goal all but secured the club's Premiership status. Stead, a bargain £1 million signing from Huddersfield in January, took his impressive
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Stead a head of the rest
WHO needs Wayne Rooney when you've got a lethal predator like Jonathan Stead? Right now, Graeme Souness wouldn't swap his former Huddersfield striker for all the tea in China. And who could blame him as Blackburn Rovers' hero of the hour worked his famous
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Youths' actions anger pensioners
RESIDENTS, the police and youth service locked horns over problems with young people on the Hillock estate in Whitefield. A group, mainly elderly residents claimed they had been harassed by local youths. One man claimed teenagers had thrown a half brick
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Council election names deadline
BURNLEY Borough Council is accepting nominations from people intending to stand in the forthcoming local elections. The elections held on June 10 will see 15 seats in the borough contested as well as the parishes of Ightenhill and Worsthorne with Hurstwood
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56% of residents back a one-tier authority
MORE than half the people in Burnley are in favour of a single-tier of local government, according to a new report. Figures published by research company MORI for the Boundary Committee for England show 56 per cent of those questioned supported the formation
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Cash crisis church repairs begin
A RENOVATION project to restore part of Burnley's oldest church is going ahead despite a funding crisis. Work is currently taking place to replace the tower pinnacles and parapet of St Peter's Church, in Church Street. The £50,000 project, due to be completed
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Shakers held by gallant Rovers
Bury 0 Bristol Rovers 0: DON'T be fooled by the scoreline -- this was no sterile end-of-season encounter to send the fans home yawning. Despite the sunshine and their comfortable mid-table placing, the Shakers did more than enough to take three points
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'First Class' centre opens
A NEW centre to help some of the most disadvantaged children in Pendle get the best possible start in life opens its doors for the first time today. First Class Child Care Whitefield will offer free nursery education to pre-school children in Nelson five
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10 years ago
YOUNGSTERS were given a taste of the past when time travellers visited their school. Members of the living history society stopped off from the 17th Century to act out scenes from the civil war for pupils at Ryddings County High School. The Roundheads
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Puzzle of man's brutal beating
POLICE were today investigating an assault which has left a man critically ill in hospital with head injuries. The attack is believed to have taken place in the early hours of this morning. The man was found covered in blood in Water Street, Accrington
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College boss in praise for student handouts
THE principal of Accrington and Rossendale College today gave her support to a Government initiative to pay students to go into post-16 education . And Nancy Cookson urged the 60 per cent of pupils she predicts to be eligible for Education Maintenance
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Fifty jobs to be lost at bleach company
THE workforce at an Accrington's Woodnook Bleaching and Dyeing company is to be halved, it has been announced Up to 50 jobs could be lost at the firm, part of Hilden manufacturing. Bosses say they are being forced to take the drastic measure because of
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Boxer broke ex-partner's cheek in attack
A PROFESSIONAL boxer who wanted his estranged partner to go back to him ended up smashing her cheek instead. Burnley Crown Court heard Colin McCash, 26, punched his former girlfriend of two and a half years Karen Bottomley, inflicting a fracture when
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Charity to celebrate 40th year
THE Cystic Fibrosis Trust is planning to celebrate its 40th anniversary in East Lancashire. The Ruby Ball will take place on Friday, June 18, at The Clarion Hotel, in Foxfields, Langho. An auction featuring jewellery, perfume, beauty products, football
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'Please rethink your plans for post offices'
RIBBLE VALLEY Council bosses have come out against plans to shut two of Clitheroe's three post offices. Chief executive David Morris has been instructed by council leader Chris Holtom to write to Royal Mail calling for a re-think on the plans. As the
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Dairy eviction 'will threaten our future'
LANCASHIRE County Council was today accused of threatening the future of dozens of Ribble Valley farmers after it insisted it would push ahead with plans to evict a dairy from its land. The National Farmers Union said that 'dozens' of milk-producing farms
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We're safe now, says hero Branch
GOAL hero Graham Branch feels Burnley have finally achieved their aim of First Division survival. Branch struck for the second time in five days to earn a priceless win against Derby and lift the Clarets to within one point of assured safety. But with
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Champions Read are showing strength
READ have got out of the blocks quickly and head the Veka Ribblesdale League table after two victories in their two outings. The reigning champions, who are seeking a hat-trick of titles, raced to a 109-run success at Whalley. Having set 169, they bowled
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Buggie bags for Rams
RAMSBOTTOM did their bit to boost Clitheroe's title hopes by holding challengers Mossley to a draw. Vince Overson's side twice came back from behind to snatch a point at Seel Park. Former Clitheroe star Lee Buggie was the first on the scoresheet for the
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One to forget for Felgate
LESS than 48 hours after lifting the North West Counties League Challenge Trophy, Bacup struggled to get 11 fit players to start this game. The home side took the lead on 10 minutes with a goal Dave Felgate will want to forget. Sean Cryer and Lee Kershaw
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Dale end as they began
ROSSENDALE'S season ended as it began, a poor game away from home between two decidedly average teams. Dale have gone through three managers and the best part of 50 players since the opening day defeat at Farsley. But, despite an improvement over the
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Blues make title race go down to the wire
THE outcome of the North West Counties League will go to the final game of the season after the Blues suffered a disappointing home defeat. With second placed Mossley being held to a draw, Clitheroe need just a point from their final game of the season
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We're safe now, says hero Branch
GOAL hero Graham Branch feels Burnley have finally achieved their aim of First Division survival. Branch struck for the second time in five days to earn a priceless win against Derby and lift the Clarets to within one point of assured safety. But with
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Souness hails saviour
A JUBILANT Graeme Souness hailed Jonathan Stead as the saviour of Blackburn Rovers' season after his latest match-winning goal all but secured the club's Premiership status. Stead, a bargain £1 million signing from Huddersfield in January, took his impressive
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Sex fiend jailed for nine years
A CHILD sex fiend convicted of 'grooming' a girl for sex has been jailed for nine years. Control freak Graham Walsh, 34, of Melita Street, Darwen was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today after being being found guilty of one count of rape and eight
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Appeal aims to cheer up patients
A DARWEN care centre is planning a new wave of fundraising - in a bid to make enough money to pay for entertainers for its patients! Arrangements for a summer fair are already under way. And bosses at the Birch Hall Care Centre are hoping the local community
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Calendar girls strip for charity cash
A TEAM of clog cobbers have shed their inhibitions - and their clothes - for charity. The Clog Cobbing Club has pulled a Calendar Girls-style stunt to raise cash. The girls, who all take part in the annual World Clog Cobbing Championships held at the
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Groups invited on CAR's drive for unity
ROSSENDALE community, voluntary and faith groups are being invited to join Community Action in Rossendale (CAR). The organisation was established to unite groups so that they could share ideas and resources. Through the Mary Hindle Resource Centre, in
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Mother and son injured in crash
A WOMAN and her five-year-old son are in hospital with serious injuries after the the car they were travelling in crashed into a wall near Crawshawbooth. Francoise Clegg suffered serious head injuries in the accident discovered by a passing female motorist
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Joanne is a real inspiration
A TEENAGER with cerebral palsy is to receive an award in recognition of the outstanding bravery she has shown in the face of adversity. Joanne Linskey, 16, a pupil at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, will receive the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial
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Call for probe into counter closures
A RAMSBOTTOM councillor is calling for an investigation to be carried out into the way the Post Office conducts its consultations before counters are closed. Coun Barry Theckston is to complain to the post office watchdog after it was announced another
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Crashes make it a busy day for 999 crews
EMERGENCY services were faced with four road traffic accidents in five hours yesterday. A motorcyclist suffered serious ankle injuries and was taken to Bolton Royal Infirmary after colliding with a Landrover Discovery in Belmont Road, Belmont, at 4.15pm
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DIY store cashier stole to pay debt
A 22-year-old cashier at a Blackburn DIY store stole £4,000 from his employers as he struggled to cope with credit card debt. Blackburn magistrates heard that Eadnam Mirza Hussain set up an elaborate chain of fictitious sales and bogus returns so he could
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Soccer police's snatch of day
POLICE are taking 18 suspected football hooligans to court as part of a new crackdown to keep troublemakers away from the Euro 2004 championships. The action is part of a move by senior police chiefs to keep troublemakers away from this summer's prestigious
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Jack celebrates 25 years as MP
JACK Straw could yet make it into 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister, his friend and colleague Gerald Kaufman claimed as the Foreign Secretary celebrated 25 years as MP for Blackburn. The veteran Manchester Parliamentarian was the main speaker at the
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Lawyers on pits claims blacklist
TWO East Lancashire solicitors' firms have been named on a blacklist issued by the Government over miners' compensation claims. But one of the Blackburn and Burnley-based companies said they should never have been put on the list in the first place because
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'Teen prank' probe in mill inferno
POLICE are calling on local residents to help piece together what caused 20ft flames to rip through Blackburn business units on Saturday night. Hundreds of people saw Rockfield Mill, in Rockfields Street, go up in smoke at 8.30pm as 40 firefighters battled
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It's the story of our season
A GAME to sum up the whole season - that was Craig Brown's reaction after watching his side surrender a 2-0 home lead against Cardiff. Some good football, plenty of chances on goal, but defensives lapses which cost Preston dear - all part of the mix for
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Fantastic four win a top place
EAST Lancashire pupils are being told to fight the pressures of cultural barriers and peers if they want to get on. Four students have led the way by being picked for the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth - the latest initiative to push young
