Archive

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At last, British soccer's kicking out the racists

BACK in 1989 I was a wee teenager with a pimple on my chin and no GCSEs to my name. At Ewood Park in late May, the legendary Howard Gayle, already having scored two, stepped up to take a penalty for Blackburn Rovers as they faced Crystal Palace in the

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Let wardens nab ice cream cheats

IT'S not difficult to understand the anger and frustration of ice cream van operators about the 50 per cent increase in licences they face next year. Blackburn with Darwen Council wants to increase charges from £600 to £900 a year for vans from each of

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Nursery raises cash for deaf toddler

STAFF and parents at the nursery attended by deaf toddler Ellie McAnish have raised £250 for her in a raffle. Beechwood Day Nursery, Roman Road, Blackburn, sold tickets to youngsters' parents and staff to win a luxury hamper. The appeal was started after

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Is drag hunting not good enough for killers?

NOW that fox-hunting has been made illegal there is an outcry about people's livelihoods being destroyed as well as horses and hounds having to be killed. Why is "drag hunting" never discussed? There could still be the thrill of the ride with the hounds

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Get tough with litterbugs

I CAN'T believe the remarks of C Duckett (LET, November 12), who says there are no rats. Well C Duckett there are, I have seen them for myself in my area, a very large dead one I collected and saved to show my local councillor. I have also seen live ones

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Council honoured war dead

I WRITE regarding the letter which appeared in letters page on November 18 entitled "Shameful Turnout" regarding the small number of people at the Corporation Park War Memorial at 11am on November 11 to mark Remembrance Day. It may well be correct that

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Memorial blocked

OLD soldiers need to find another new home for the giant stone they hoped to use as a second war memorial. They have been told by Wigan Council they will have to pursue a listed building application for an additional monument in the Church Street Memorial

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Cafe ownber battles with water firm

A POPULAR Bury cafe could be forced to close because of a serious water supply problem which has hit its toilet, washing and heating facilities. A reduction in water pressure at The Rock Cafe means that cisterns can only be flushed every 20 minutes. And

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Leigh give fans their say on home fixtures

LEIGH Centurions are still undecided on what will be their designated day for home games in their debut Super League season. With matches spread over an entire weekend of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, clubs can opt for a preferred day whenever they are

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Hughes calls for improvement

MARK Hughes has urged his players to tighten up defensively as Blackburn Rovers go in search of their first away win of the season at Fulham tomorrow. Rovers have leaked more goals than any other team in the Premiership this season and their defensive

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Cole stands in Rovers way

The Simon Garner column IN A week that's been dominated by stories of Dwight Yorke's stormy return to Ewood Park, it's Andy Cole who now stands in the way of Blackburn Rovers' second win of the season. And you can bet your bottom dollar the former Manchester

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Cole: Why I walked away

ANDY Cole today admitted he took the decision to quit Blackburn Rovers in the summer because he could no longer work for Graeme Souness. Speaking exclusively to the Evening Telegraph, Cole has confessed he was the one who instigated a free transfer to

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Soap stars shine at switch-on

PRESTON was lit up in a lights fantastic last night (Wednesday) as a host of stars of the small screen joined the city's mayor at the Flag Market for the annual switch-on. The city's main shopping streets are now a dazzling parade of glittering delights

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Hunt for violent robbers

A BANK in Leyland has been raided by armed robbers for teh second time in 18 months. Police are now hunting the men who robbed the Lloyds TSB branch, Chapel Brow, escaping with "a substantial" amount of cash. They are believed to have gone on to the M6

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'I'll be watching you' judge tells burglar spared jail

A JUDGE has given a middle-aged career criminal a chance to put it all behind him - but warned him :"I will keep my eye on you." Judge Peter Openshaw had been told drug addict and habitual burglar Brian Furlong, 41, was now motivated to change after almost

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Would-be MP backs moves to weed out smoking

BURNLEY'S would-be next MP Kitty Ussher has made a national stand for the health of people living in the town. Writing in her column for 'The Guardian' on-line she welcomed proposals in the Government's white paper to ban smoking in public places where

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Mum jailed over profits of crime

A MOTHER-of-seven from East Lancashire who hit the headlines for living in what was reputedly Britain's poshest council house has been jailed for six months for money laundering. Janis Gabriel, 49, was convicted last month of two counts of possessing

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'Dental schools vital to fill gap'

THE head of a group formed to get a better deal for East Lancashire patients today called for more dental schools to be opened to combat the area's chronic dentistry crisis. Derek Holmes, chairman of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust's

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Shakers bid to de-rail swans

BURY travel to Swansea City on Saturday on a mission to stop the Vetch Field juggernaut. The Swans, second in the Coca Cola League Two table, are on a terrific eight-game winning sequence at home and there's no time like now to bring it to an end. But

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Hundreds have say on 'vision'

MORE than 600 people have turned out to have their say on a vital plan setting out how Nelson and its neighbourhoods should shape up over the next 15 years. Their ideas on how Pendle Council and its partners should tackle problems such as poor housing

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Reviews of the latest sounds

U2: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (Island) U2 are back after a near five-year absence and it's like they were never away. Bono saving Africa aside, the boys have picked up from where they left off with All That You Can't Leave Behind in 2000 by offering

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Curtain set to rise on festival

COLNE will become the music, speech and drama capital of the North over the next two weekends for the popular Luther Greenwood Memorial Festival. Competitors from all over the North West will compete in the festival, which will be held in venues across

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Firm fined after roof fall drama

AN abattoir in Colne has been fined £15,000 after a plumber fell through the roof. Reedley magistrates heard Neerock Ltd, Whitewall Industrial Estate, which is part of Morrison's, had not carried out a risk assessment before sending Paul Needham up to

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The Puppy Love that never ended

Four decades ago four young men appeared on TV in what was meant to be a one-off shot at the big time - but The Osmonds are still going strong. JEMMA DOBSON spoke to Merrill Osmond about how he has coped with a lifetime in the spotlight. . . MERRILL Osmond

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Appeal to catch would-be handbag snatcher

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a teenager attempted to snatch a woman's handbag in Rishton. The woman was loading the boot of her Mercedes sports car in a car park adjacent to the doctors' surgery, in Spring Street, when she felt someone try

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Re-dedication of treasured war memorial

A MARBLE war memorial which had to be moved after the Accrington church it had stood in for more than 80 years was earmarked for demolition has been re-dedicated in its new home. The memorial, made of Italian marble, commemorates service people who died

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Murder trial told of yard clean-up

A PIZZA delivery boy employed by the Accrington takeaway boss accused of murdering his mother-in-law was ordered to scrub the back yard of the takeaway on the night of her disappearance, a court heard. Irfan Ahmed, who worked at the Millennium takeaway

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Teenager hurt in road accident

A 14 year-old boy suffered a head injury and four broken toes in a Monday night road accident. Police are now seeking the woman driver of a red Vauxhall car involved in the incident who stopped then left the scene when an ambulance arrived. The accident

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Residents demand action on teen gang

ANGRY residents in an isolated pit village want to weed out a handful of youngsters who are threatening their tranquillity. Former schoolteacher Malcolm Berry has suffered at their hands to the tune of several thousand pounds in a series of incidents

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Novelist's memory kept alive

THE James Hilton Society is keeping the memory of Leigh's famous novelist and scriptwriter alive 50 years after his death. The author, who was born in obscurity in Wilkinson Street, Leigh, in 1900, died of liver cancer on December 20 1954 in Long Beach

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Man bit boys on face, court told

A 20 YEAR-OLD man attacked two teenage boys in a park and bit them on the face, it has been claimed. Terence Taylor, of Hope Carr Lane, Leigh allegedly went to Lilford Park after his girlfriend rang him to say her sister was being bullied there. He angrily

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Bogus callers strike again

HOUSEHOLDERS are warned to be wary after a series of thefts by men posing as water company representatives. The first struck at about 2.30pm last Friday a man called at a house on Princes Avenue at Blackmoor. After telling the 89-year-old man who lives

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Doctor on fraud charges

A DOCTOR has been accused of obtaining almost £400 by deception by charging for medical examinations of patients in his care. Dr Laurence Sherman (46) worked at Greyland Medical Centre in Bury Old Road, Prestwich, until he was suspended by Bury Primary

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Stopped driver swigged vodka

A COMPANY director was more than four times the legal drink drive limit when he was found in his car. But Blackburn magistrates heard that Geoffrey Lawrence Pye had drunk half a bottle of vodka after stopping the car and that had massively increased the

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Kevan: Wise is on way to the top

BURNLEY assistant manager, Dave Kevan, believes Dennis Wise is on the road to becoming a top manager. He said: "Dennis is doing very well there and he has already built up a very good team and squad. "He had a tremendous playing career and he has certainly

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Clarets have developed a winning attitude

The Andy Lochhead column THE Championship is a very tight division this season and the Clarets are beginning to put together a promising run. Steve Cotterill has got a great foundation and, despite Burnley not having great resources, they have now ground

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Scared we will learn EU truth

WE can all be quite certain that the EU is an economic disaster. Why? Because of the Governments refusal to carry out a totally independent cost-benefit analysis of the whole EU shambles. The only conclusion we can draw from the sidelines is that europhiles

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Planning an upset

GREAT Harwood Town are preparing to have their say in the title race. The Robins, rooted to the bottom of the North West Counties First Division and hampered by a four-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, take on leaders St Helens Town tomorrow

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Mullen's in reserve gear

STEVE Mullen is hoping to launch a reserve side at Darwen. With a regular squad of more than 18 players and a host of youngsters eager to join, the manager has decided to set up a second string for next season. "It's a shame we don't have a reserve side

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Egan relies on young ones

DEREK Egan is relying on youthful enthusiasm to prevent his side slipping into the doldrums. Although Ramsbottom's manager is suffering his first wobble in form since taking over in the summer, he's confident his inexperienced squad will straighten itself

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Daniel back to boost Storks' ammo

SHARP shooter Daniel Stubberfield is ready to rectify Padiham's goalscoring crisis. The striker, who left the Arbories for North West Counties Division One neighbours Ramsbottom, has returned to the Storks on loan after failing to nail down a regular

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Dale and managerless Clitheroe both look to bounce back

IT'S time to look to the future. That's the message from Clitheroe caretaker manager Martin Eatough. The Blues were rocked by the shock resignation of player-boss Lee Sculpher last week after over three years in charge, leading to defeats at Gresley last

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New boss wants defensive ace to stay

GEOFF Lutley was given an early lesson as to the problems he faces trying to turn ailing Leigh RMI around. It was a baptism of fire for the new manager, who only took the reins last week, after Phil Starbuck resigned. Lutley was thrown in at the deep

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This panto is for everyone!

DARWEN'S Christmas pantomime will this year feature special shows for sight and hearing-impaired people. 'The Night Before Christmas' will be presented by Darwen Library Theatre, with George Critchley for PMA Productions. It starts on December 10 and

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'Frank's work led to school success'

PUPILS and staff, past and present, along with parents and governors joined to celebrate the silver jubilee of a Rossendale school. Woodhey High, Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, held its awards evening last night. Headteacher Martin Braidley said much of

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Prized principal tells of partnership dream

THE best headteacher in England is working with colleagues in Rossendale to improve provision for young people in the Valley. Iain Hulland, head of Alder Grange Community and Technology School, Rawtenstall, revealed the move to parents, staff and pupils

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Former headteacher returns for prizegiving

THE FORMER headteacher of Parrenthorn High School was guest-of-honour at the school's annual prize-giving night. Mr Arthur Francis, who retired last Easter after 16 years, was praised for influencing the lives of thousands of children, including those

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Think about your access for disabled

AS a wheelchair user I am writing in response to a letter published in the Citizen on Thursday, November 18, from Mrs Angela Norris, about her problems touring round town with her scooter. As a wheelchair user myself I can sympathise with Mrs Norris as

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Child porn man jailed

A BLACKBURN worker with a "secret addiction" to child porn has been jailed for six months after police found almost 2,000 obscene images. Lee Wilcock, 33, downloaded pictures from the Internet on to his home computer. The defendant was partly relieved

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Soccer ace's mum admits benefits fraud

THE mother of Blackburn Rovers striker Paul Gallagher has been prosecuted for benefit fraud. Blackburn magistrates heard that Ann Bowman, mother of the Scottish international, received more than £4,000 in benefits she was not entitled to while working

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'You can't park there'

MOTORISTS are being warned to stop leaving their cars on a private road alongside a Blackburn shoe trader - or face being clamped. Drivers have been leaving their vehicles in Hart Street, which runs alongside the Tommy Ball's store, all day. But the road

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High school joins the fold

A PRESTWICH high school celebrated a landmark agreement with Bury Council last week. The former Manchester Jewish Grammar School, in Charlton Avenue, launched a new name and was welcomed into Bury local education authority's family of schools for the

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We'll get tougher: Minister

TRANSPORT Secretary Alistair Darling today pledged to toughen laws on uninsured drivers in memory of tragic 12-year-old Amy Houston. Mr Darling made his pledge as Amy's father, Accrington man Paul Houston revealed he had written to Tony Blair in a bid

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New regiment will bear county name

THE Queen's Lancashire Regiment will retain its county identity after months of campaigning by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. A senior military official confirmed today that the word "Lancashire" will be kept in any new, merged North West regiment.

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Cold war: 'Stop rogue ice cream sellers invasion'

ROGUE ice cream vendors are flocking to two East Lancashire towns and robbing licensed firms of business because regulations aren't being enforced by council chiefs, it was claimed today. Bosses at one of the two firms licensed to send ice cream vans

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Mullin eager to get back on the goal trail

PAUL Mullin has vowed to rediscover his potent goalscoring form. Despite going seven league and cup games without a goal, the frustrated Accrington Stanley striker is still among the Nationwide Conference top scorers. But he knows his barren spell has

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A question of balance

TWO in and more to come -- but some will have to go to balance the books. That's the verdict coming out of Preston North End this week as Whites manager Billy Davies continues to cast his net in the hunt for new players. Striker Patrick Agyemang was joined

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School's cutting edge approach to learning

IN the fast-paced world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) a local high school is at the cutting edge. Lowton Community Sports College has become the first school in Wigan borough and just one of 217 in the country to receive a coveted

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Lowercroft is top of the primary form

A BURY headteacher has earned the praise of colleagues after her primary school topped a national league table. Lowercroft Primary was ranked first in a comparison of state schools published this week by the Sunday Times. The Ashington Drive school earned

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Natalie death - driver cleared

A MAN has been cleared of causing the death of a Radcliffe teenager by dangerous driving. The jury at Bolton Crown Court took two hours to return a verdict of not guilty to clear Paul Madeley, aged 31, of Grindrod Street, Radcliffe. Natalie Danielle Pickwick

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EVENTS in East Lancashire on Saturday, November 27.

BURNLEY Christmas Fair, St John the Evangelist, Worsthorne, 11am-3pm. Santa's Grotto. Claire Rowe (cello) Concert, St Peter's Church, Church Street, Burnley, 11am. Pretend Girlfriend with Ad Nauseum, Asimov, Counteract and Re:Verb, Keirby Park Hotel,

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'The voice of the Russian revolution'

A POWERFUL and fascinating new play portraying the turbulent life of poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, the 'voice of the Russian revolution', comes to the Marsden Theatre, Worden Park, Leyland, on Saturday, November 27, at 7.30pm. A Cloud in Trousers, by Steve

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Inquest hears of man's falls

AN inquest has opened after a 77-year-old man died in hospital following a fall at home. The coroner heard how Alan Seed, of Ferrier Court, Blackburn, was admitted to Blackburn Royal Infirmary on October 27 and released, but returned later with sickness

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High-tech glimpse of future

TOWN leaders have looked into the future - thanks to a high-tech tool based on a bestselling computer game. Senior officials from Blackburn with Darwen Council, police and health services, as well as business and the voluntary and community sector, took

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Blackburn 'trailing' in grimmest town vote

IT looks like Blackburn will avoid being named the grimmest town in the North West after falling behind in an online poll. Entrepreneurial magazine En slammed the town last month, naming it among the top ten grimmest in the region. It set up an internet

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Thanks for charity support

ON behalf of Blackburn Christadelphians I would like to thank everyone who came to support our charity fundraiser on November 20. We raised £500 and this will be forwarded to our Meal-a-Day fund which helps those in the Third World to live independent

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Thanks to knights of road

I MUST thank the two knights in shining armour who came to my assistance at lunch time on November 12. As I turned the corner from Shear Brow on to St James's Road, Blackburn, I lowered gear (as I always do), when a white lorry came far too close behind

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Rail service needs upgrade

I HAVE travelled frequently between Keighley and Lancashire since August. It has not been easy as I am happy not to own a car but disappointed at the circuitous, slow nature of public transport. A combination of trains, buses and lifts from a colleague

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Criminals should pay for police time

REGARDING the article on the funding crisis facing Lancashire Constabulary (LET, November 22) the enforcement of law and order is currently a burning issue in this country. David Blunkett is proposing a whole new raft of legislation to combat crime and

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Big hit for Little Britain

CULT COMEDY comes to Blackpool as Little Britain's UK tour visits the Opera House next month. The BAFTA award-winning creation, peopled by such characters as Daffyd 'the only gay in the village' Thomas, Emily Howard and Vicky Pollard, visits on December

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Certainly no comedy, definitely a hit

BLACKPOOL'S Grand Theatre chalked up yet another opera hit with a one-night performance of Verdi's magnificent tragedy, Aida, last Wednesday. The four act tale of love and death was certainly no comedy, but the forever touring Chisinau National Opera

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Derek is the life and soul of this Grand show...

WHEREVER Derek Acorah ventures, his fans will follow. A three night engagement at Blackpool,s Grand Theatre was a sell-out well in advance of this leading medium's appearance. Ever the showman, the blonde-haired Liverpudlian and his spirit guide Sam,

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Dad dies while playing football

FRIENDS have paid an emotional tribute to a popular young East Lancashire dad who died suddenly while playing football. Paul Ellis, 32, was training with his local league side Prairie United on Wednesday night when he collapsed. He is believed to have

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Cold war: 'Stop rogue ice cream sellers invasion'

ROGUE ice cream vendors are flocking to two East Lancashire towns and robbing licensed firms of business because regulations aren't being enforced by council chiefs, it was claimed today. Bosses at one of the two firms licensed to send ice cream vans

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England's Ewood dates

ENGLAND today revealed they will play two of their three group games at Ewood Park during next summer's European Women's Championships, writes DARREN BENTLEY. As revealed in yesterday's later editions, FA officials have already confirmed that the final

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Blackburn is the focal point

EWOOD Park will be the focal point of England Women's attempts to win next summer's European Championships. The largest female sporting event ever staged in this country was formally unveiled in Blackburn yesterday. Over 50 countries will be taking live

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It's not the end if you have HIV

"LOTS of people think you get HIV by sleeping around or taking drugs but I got it from my partner who had been two timing me." Those are the words of a 55-year-old woman, who wishes only to be known as Amy, who is living with the life-threatening virus

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Big break beckons

BUDDING actors, this could be your big break... Student scriptwriters and film directors are on the lookout for talented performers to star in a number of short films. The second year media practice students from the University of Central Lancashire are

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Postal workers strike over pay

STAFF at a Royal Mail delivery office in Preston went on strike on Wednesday (November 24), leaving thousands of households without mail. More than 150 staff were expected to have stayed away from work at the Christian Road office, Preston, over a pay

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Strike threat from axed staff

UNION bosses have refused to rule out the possibility of industrial action after it was announced this week that the Ofsted office in Preston is to close with the loss of 62 jobs. Workers at the Office of Standards in Education (Ofsted) were told on Tuesday

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Sir Tom pays tribute to Elsie

SIR Tom Finney paid tribute to his wife Elsie who died last week after a four year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Lady Finney, 81, died on Friday at a private nursing home with her husband by her side. She leaves two children Brian and Barbara and four

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Hunt for violent robbers

A BANK in Leyland has been raided by armed robbers for the second time in 18 months. Police are now hunting the men who robbed the Lloyds TSB branch, Chapel Brow, escaping with "a substantial" amount of cash. They are believed to have gone on to the M6

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Clampdown on tax evaders

THIRTY-ONE road tax cheats have been clamped this week as a result of a crackdown by police, Burnley Council and the DVLA. The "intelligence-led" operation to target tax evaders began on Monday and will finish today but police are warning that they'll

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Prison possible for water polo player

A WATER polo player is facing a possible jail term after seriously injuring an opponent and putting him in hospital. "Angry" Christopher Brooks, 37, strode across the shallow end of Gannow Baths, Burnley, and "whacked" rival Burnley player John Williamson

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Pudsey in life-saving campaign

A CAMPAIGN to help cut the number of children injured on Burnley's roads is to be kicked off this weekend with the help of Pudsey Bear. The Children in Need mascot will be lending his support to road safety when he visits Asda's Burnley store tomorrow

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Dad dies while playing football

FRIENDS have paid an emotional tribute to a popular young East Lancashire dad who died suddenly while playing football. Paul Ellis, 32, was training with his local league side Prairie United on Wednesday night when he collapsed. He is believed to have

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Star Tony's in fine voice for Clarets cash

LEGENDARY crooner Tony Christie - whose song Is This The Way To Amarillo has been revived by comedian Peter Kay - is set to perform a one-off concert in Burnley in aid of the Clarets. The singer, whose most popular hit is also an anthem at Turf Moor,

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Teen has the 'worst record in the country'

A TEENAGER has been jailed for a year after the area's top judge said he must have "the worst record in England," for somebody his age. Prolific offender Stephen Rawcliffe, 18, who has almost 70 criminal convictions, had twice raided Pettys estate agents

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Whites so unlucky

PNE were desperately unlucky to lose despite having 90 per cent of the play. They had started brightly, with plenty of movement and passing in midfield. Louise Cafferkey was unlucky with a free kick on 10 minutes which forced a good save from the United

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Boxing - Hat-trick of wins

LARCHES and Savick boxers enjoyed a hat-trick of wins at a boxing tournament at the Woolston Leisure Centre held by Bridgefoot Police Amateur Boxing Club. In a schoolboy contest 11-year-old Jordan Killeen (Larches), in only his third contest as an amateur

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Heroes pull off Tiger feat

PRESTON pulled off the Hockey Association Cup shock of the fifth round to beat Barford Tigers of the National League in a 4-3 thriller on Sunday. Preston opened the scoring with hat-trick hero Phil Bowman converting from close range following a terrific

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Rugby union - Hoppers cling on to narrow victory

A SCRAPPY game disrupted by an over-fussy referee, and a tense finish made up for a lack of quality rugby with a succession of unforced errors from both sides. Vale started the stronger and camped out in Hoppers 22 but spurned two early penalty opportunities

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A Unique night with Christine

CELEBRITY wife Christine Hamilton was the guest of honour at a dinner for female entrepreneurs from across East Lancashire. The wife of ex-Tory MP Neil Hamilton addressed the inaugural Women in Business dinner at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors

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Stolen champ found in field

A CHAMPION dog stolen in Cornwall has been found 350 miles away in Chorley and reunited with its owner by an Oswaldtwistle kennels. Tally the English Pointer, who is a British Champion Gundog and British Field Champion, was snatched from owner Carol Martin's

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Drunken arsonist jailed

A DRUNKEN young dad who started a £10,000 house blaze which threatened the lives of a pensioner and a mother and her children has been jailed for nine months. Burnley Crown Court heard how Daniel Ainsworth, 23, who broke into the premises, did not know

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Santa puts himself out for hire...

A GOOD Santa is up for hire and ready to spread Christmas joy to families at home from December 1. Atherton Cllr Mark Aldred will once again don the red costume to support Wigan Infirmary's Special Care Baby Unit - the Mayor Cllr John Hilton's charity

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Carla-Jayne is our Young Citizen

SHE'S only seven years old by Carla-Jayne Acton is a giant among charity fund-raisers. Now Carla-Jayne's efforts in raising £2000 in just six months have earned her the title of Leigh Journal Young Citizen of the Year. Carla-Jayne, of North Avenue, Leigh

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Carpet firm goes for bigger plant

BURY-based Cormar Carpets has completed a £3.2 million investment designed to keep the company at the cutting edge of customer needs. A new, five-metre wide backing plant and oven have been installed at the firm's Brookhouse Mill site in Greenmount to

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O'Connor wants to stay

JAMES O'Connor has revealed he would jump at the chance of a permanent move to Burnley after hinting at an extended loan spell. The West Bromwich Albion midfielder's initial month at Turf Moor runs out after tomorrow's home clash with Millwall. However

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O'Connor adds midfield drive

NAME: James O'Connor. Specialist subject: The M6, junctions 13 to 29. The dumbing down of Mastermind might not have reached such farcical proportions yet, but if Burnley's latest loan signing was dumped into the famous black leather seat it's a fair bet

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Police plea after man is bundled in front of car

A PRESTWICH man is still recovering in hospital after being deliberately pushed into the path of a car by two thugs following a night out. The 34-year-old victim sustained head wounds and a severe cut above his eye after he was struck by the vehicle in

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Squires swoop

CHORLEY have snapped up Jamie Squires from Bamber Bridge. The experienced former Preston central defender, who can also operate in midfield, has been brought in by boss John Hughes to boost his side's experience. The Magpies manager is also hoping to

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Peters learns consequences of star signings

IT makes no difference that Bacup are challenging for a place in the League Challenge Cup third round tomorrow, because every game is like a cup final for manager Brent Peters. The ambitious Bacup boss has pulled off some amazing transfer coups in the

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Colne are finally fit and they know it

NIGEL Coates thinks his Colne side are finally reaching the peak of their powers after a "horrendous" start to the season. The Reds are on an unbeaten run of eight games as they prepare to kick off a trio of games against three of the lowest placed clubs

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Smoking - pubs wait for D-day

PUBS in Bury are adopting a 'wait-and-see' approach to government plans which could see 90 per cent of bars smoke-free within the next four years. The White Paper, which is set to ban smoking in all restaurants, pubs and bars preparing and serving food

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Do you know the horror slasher?

THE emotional scars suffered by teenager Tara Jeffries following a horrific nightclub 'glassing' may heal in time. But the physical scars, which bear the hallmarks of the brutal attack, could remain with her for ever. And the 17-year-old's anger is compounded

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O'Connor wants to stay

JAMES O'Connor has revealed he would jump at the chance of a permanent move to Burnley after hinting at an extended loan spell. The West Bromwich Albion midfielder's initial month at Turf Moor runs out after tomorrow's home clash with Millwall. However

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Cole: Why I walked away

ANDY Cole today admitted he took the decision to quit Blackburn Rovers in the summer because he could no longer work for Graeme Souness. Speaking exclusively to the Evening Telegraph, Cole has confessed he was the one who instigated a free transfer to

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'Fame can wait - let's give Band Aid a chance'

CAROLINE INNES speaks to emerging boy-band D-Rail about ambition, future pop stardom and the decision to postpone the release of their first single. . . IT HAS been six months in the making, the lyrics have been written, the clothes and hair have been

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Scouts' festive card service

SCOUTS and rangers from Darwen hope to save local people time and money by delivering Christmas cards for them. The Christmas post service will be carried out by Darwen District Explorer Scout Unit and Cellar Dweller Ranger Guide Unit and their parents

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Ofsted praise for school

A NEW extension will put Belmont Primary School among the leaders in local IT education, it is claimed. Headteacher Chris Hoddle announced the work was due to be completed within the next few weeks. He was also cheered by an encouraging Ofsted report.

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Mayor to switch on festive lights

THE Mayor of Rossendale, Coun June Forshaw, will switch on Rawtenstall's Christmas lights next week. The event, which is now in its second year, will be held on Thursday, December 2, at 5.30pm in Bank Street, next to the Valley Centre. Coun Forshaw said

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On-line tonic for patients

PATIENTS at a Rossendale surgery will not be left hanging on the telephone after it became the first in East Lancashire to get a new on-line booking system. Waterfoot Health Centre has signed up to a national scheme which allows patients to access their

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Helping those who served us

I AM the local contact for the War Research Society run mainly by retired and serving police officers and ex-servicemen as a charitable hobby. It was founded many years ago and supports a number of charities including the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

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Sinking homes to come down

MORE than 20 houses look set to be demolished after the land around them began to sink as soon as they were finished. Owners of the homes in Finney Park Drive, Larches, say they have been told they will be compensated for their properties, which cost

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Super service

A COUNCIL leader today praised staff at her authority's pioneering children's service after they scooped one of the most sought-after public sector awards. Blackburn with Darwen Council's Early Years Excellence Service is the only one of its kind in the

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Medics join battle to stamp out bullying

CASUALTY doctors today said they were 'worried' by the number of children admitting to them that their injuries were being caused by bullies. They are now liaising with the headteachers of pupils who end up in Blackburn Royal Infirmary's Accident and

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Nursery terror over lurking 'armed' man

ARMED police were among a full-scale emergency response team activated when a man was seen outside a Blackburn children's centre "armed" with two guns Blackburn magistrates heard that children at a nursery at Shadsworth Centre were shepherded to the rear

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£7m clash over who'll copper up

LANCASHIRE police could be forced to make £7million worth of savings due to a budget shortfall. Crime Reporter IAN SINGLETON tells of the fierce battle to avoid cutbacks. . . LADIES and gentlemen: Let's get ready to rumble! In the red corner we have two

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This could teat our family apart

THE NEWS that Bury's Labour council is to slash funding to the Re:d Centre was devastating news to our family. Our 11-year-old son was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in 1999. Despite the fact that at that time our family was almost torn apart