Archive
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Optimistic omen for town's future
THE future of Blackburn's rambling magistrates court building and empty police station is vitally important to the centre of the town. And as it remained on the market unsold, the future looked gloomy for a cash-strapped council which would otherwise
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Schools plan a waste of money
I STRONGLY believe Building Schools for the Future is an utter waste of taxpayers' money. Since the Labour government has been in office it has ploughed hundreds of thousands of pounds into improving the building structure of our Burnley schools -- what
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Road rage victim's 40-yard ordeal
A MOTORIST drove into a man and knocked him on to his bonnet during a road rage incident, a court heard. The windscreen was smashed in the impact and the victim was carried along for 40 yards before he managed to roll off the bonnet. The driver, Philip
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More fans on race charge
THREE more Blackburn football fans have been arrested and charged with racially abusing Dwight Yorke during a football match at Ewood last month. Police spent almost three weeks looking at CCTV footage and Sky videos of the game to identify the men who
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'Greed' motive for killing
A MAN accused of killing his mother-in-law and cutting up her body was motivated by greed, a court has heard. Summing up at the trial of Muhammed Arshad, 37, at Preston Crown Court, the prosecutor, David Turner, said the defendant had killed Zainab Begum
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Hilltop mercy team's dream
A MOUNTAIN rescue team has today moved a step closer to securing its dream of a high-tech operations base thanks to a generous building contractor. Pat Kiernan, managing director of Kiernan Construction Ltd, acted after hearing the Bowland Pennine Mountain
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Jewell won't give up on Blake
WIGAN are refusing to give up their chase for Burnley striker Robbie Blake. The Clarets have already turned down two six-figure bids from the Latics for their influential captain and 11-goal top scorer, who remains locked in talks over a new Turf Moor
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Jewell won't give up on Blake
WIGAN are refusing to give up their chase for Burnley striker Robbie Blake. The Clarets have already turned down two six-figure bids from the Latics for their influential captain and 11-goal top scorer, who remains locked in talks over a new Turf Moor
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Church needs help to celebrate centenary
PARISHIONERS at St James Church, Edgworth, are hoping to create a lasting tribute to mark their centenary celebrations and are appealing for help to do it. Members of the church want to create three altar-kneelers featuring a Celtic cross and the church's
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Waste site u-turn
BOSSES at Lancashire County Council have revealed they are to search for alternative ways of providing a waste treatment site in Rossendale after fierce objections from residents. A site at Waterbarn, Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, had been identified by
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More fans on race charge
THREE more Blackburn football fans have been arrested and charged with racially abusing Dwight Yorke during a football match at Ewood last month. Police spent almost three weeks looking at CCTV footage and Sky videos of the game to identify the men who
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Old police station earmarked for high-class development
BLACKBURN's old police station could be transformed into a high-class hotel or luxury apartments after being snapped up by a property developer. And new jobs could be created after a deal was sealed to give control of the grade II listed building to Rossendale-based
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Bullies targeted in text messages
PUPILS at a Tyldesley school are reporting bullying via text messages to teachers. The scheme was set up at St Mary's RC High School after staff realised students were reluctant to talk face-to-face. The school has also trained some pupils as mentors
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We want action - not words
I WAS disappointed to hear the Tory general election candidate for Darwen commenting on Labour policy. First, he's trying to convince us that life was better when the Conservatives were in power -- an argument few would agree with. But worse, he obviously
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A MAN who made threats against a court witness has been jailed for nine months.
Christopher Dootson, aged 22, of Mere Avenue, Leigh, threatened a man in a nightclub toilets. He was jailed after Recorder Vincent Fraser, told him: "Witnesses must not be subjected to threats, particularly of physical violence." Dootson was found guilty
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Last gasp RMI draw comfort
LEIGH RMI 1, SCARBOROUGH 1: An injury-time goal by Gary Williams' earned bottom club Leigh RMI a point at home to high-flying Scarborough and prevented an 11th-straight Conference loss. Williams converted an Andrew Roscoe cross for his third goal of the
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Cardiff assistant fires warning to Rovers
CARDIFF City assistant manager Terry Burton believes Blackburn Rovers could be the victims of an FA Cup upset when the two sides meet at Ninian Park next month. Sunday's third round draw paired the two clubs together in an intriguing tie and Cup fever
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Board to back Hughes
BLACKBURN Rovers chief executive John Williams today said the board will do everything in their power to provide Mark Hughes with money to spend in the transfer window. Rovers boss Hughes has indicated he wants to freshen up his squad by bringing in a
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Shopper spat at in row over taxi at store
A MAN who spat at and terrorised a shopper in a row over taxis outside Nelson's Morrison's store could be facing jail. Asif Akhtar, 26, racially abused his victim and left her scared to go back into the town centre. Akhtar, of Manchester Road, Nelson,
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Santa float itinerary
LEIGH Rotary Club's Christmas float will be out and about in December. Dates and venues are as follows: December 8 - Westleigh; 9 - Higher Folds; 13 - Chapel Street; 14 - Pennington south; 15 - Pennington north; 16 - Lowton; 20 - Nel Pane Lane; 21 town
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Drugs sale 'like a sweet shop'
A CLUB-GOER has told a jury he sold drugs at an East Lancashire nightspot and that young people queued up to buy them "like it was a sweet shop". Philip Moss told a Preston Crown Court trial that he sold illegal substances on eight of his visits to Monroes
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Shoplifter arrested days after release from jail
A PROLIFIC shoplifter faces a lengthy jail term after breaching an anti-social behaviour order just days after being released from prison. Magistrates heard Michael Aspin - previously banned from Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley town centres - was made
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Police hunt for teenage attacker
DETECTIVES today vowed to catch a teenage attacker who left a man with two dislocated shoulders in a brutal assault. Keith Killaway, of Milton Street, Clayton-le-Moors, was so badly injured he spent two nights in hospital and needed surgery after the
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Soap star Julie in grand gesture
SOAP star Julie Hesmondhalgh today insisted the homeless deserved a good Christmas - and vowed to raise £1,000 a week to help them. Julie, patron of Accrington-based charity Maundy Relief, said she was ecstatic as the charity which helps the poor and
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Injury crisis plagues Pool
BLACKPOOL'S injury woes are going from bad to worse as they prepare to enter what promises to be a busy December programme. Big striker John Murphy remains a major doubt ahead of Port Vale's FA Cup visit on Saturday, while the likes of Rob Clare, Gareth
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Youri future in doubt
YOURI Djorkaeff's future at Blackburn Rovers was today shrouded in mystery after it emerged that French minnows Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien are keen on signing him. Djorkaeff's contract with Rovers runs out at the end of the month and SSG are reportedly
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Boro bounce back to winning ways
RADCLIFFE BORO 3, GATESHEAD: Stephen Hill's 35-yard contender for goal-of-the-season put Boro on course for what at half-time looked like an unlikely win, and helped propel the club up two places in the league standings to eleventh. "After the game I
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Ex-addict stole cash with mum's cheques
A THIEF who stole his mother's cheque book to draw £4,000 in cash from a building society has been jailed. Burnley magistrates heard ex-drug addict Mark Bowers, 30, was already serving two years and nine months behind bars for wounding and affray. It
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'Fireball' father's anguish
A DESPERATE father died after turning himself into a human fireball because he could not see his children, an inquest heard. Dad-of-two David Guest doused himself with petrol and set himself on fire in the front garden of his estranged wife's house in
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Straw in pledge after £150m snub
FOREIGN Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw has pledged to find out when the borough will get more money to improve secondary schools after the Government snubbed a £150million plea for help. Councillors at Blackburn with Darwen Council have been left
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Preece gives Reds lesson in finishing
ACCRINGTON Stanley were given a ruthless lesson in the art of finishing by veteran goal-poacher Andy Preece as Carlisle kept up the pressure on Conference leaders Barnet. The former Blackpool and Bury striker might be past his best these days but he still
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Why I want my money back
SO David Chaytor is considering giving back us back his parliamentary expenses if we believe he has not given value for money. Well . . . As a papermaker who now commutes 90 miles a day to stay in his chosen profession; As a motorist forced to endure
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Tenants lose home for not paying rent
BURY Council has evicted its first introductory council tenants because they failed to pay their rent. Action was taken when the tenants, from the Huntley Fold estate, ran up large rent arrears less than a year after their tenancy started, culminating
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RMI crash to another late strike
Brave Leigh gave runaway leaders Barnet the fright of their lives, only to be left broken-hearted by another last-minute defeat. Lee Roache's last-gasp winner completed Barnet's fightback after Leigh's Karl Rose and Gareth Stoker had turned the game on
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EVENTS in East Lancashire on Thursday, December 9
BLACKBURN An Evening of Clairvoyance with Clive Daniels and Voytek, Blackburn Spiritualist Church, St Peter Street, 7pm-8.30pm. Donations of £2 at the door. Introduction to Meditation, Blackburn Central Library, Town Hall Street, 7pm-9pm. "A Meaningful
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Drag hunting is the answer
IN response to Ron Freethy, Nature Watch feature (LET, December 1) the issue of the hunt without the fox is easily resolved with the setting up of drag hunts. Horses, hounds and hunters can still exercise. Farmers have the right to shoot the fox which
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Site not suitable for waste plant
MAY we thank you on behalf of the Branch and the Hyndburn District Group of CPRE for your efforts in bringing the Huncoat development proposals to the attention of your readers. We should mention that Hyndburn District Group was formed recently, based
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Council bid to axe tax bailiffs
BURNLEY Council wants to replace bailiffs with prize draws as part of a far-reaching review of council tax collection in the borough. Civic leaders believe they can persuade tax payers to pay up promptly without the need for collectors hammering on residents
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Youri future in doubt
YOURI Djorkaeff's future at Blackburn Rovers was today shrouded in mystery after it emerged that French minnows Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien are keen on signing him. Djorkaeff's contract with Rovers runs out at the end of the month and SSG are reportedly
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Why Hughes must spend very wisely
AFTER Saturday's result and performance against Tottenham, Mark Hughes must be counting down the days to the transfer window opening. Talk about a reality check after some vastly improved performances under the new manager in recent weeks. January was
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Drink driver abusive to police
A DRINK-DRIVER told police it was no big deal and not criminal - but a judge disagreed with him. Paul Thompson, of Barry Street, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £300, ordered to pay £50 costs and banned from driving for two
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Residents sign up for speed guns
SEVEN residents in Briercliffe have been trained to use hand-held speed guns. The town is one of three areas in the county chosen to pilot Lancashire Police's Community Roadwatch Scheme. After concerns over road safety raised to PC Ian Thompson and Police
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Council bid to axe tax bailiffs
BURNLEY Council wants to replace bailiffs with prize draws as part of a far-reaching review of council tax collection in the borough. Civic leaders believe they can persuade tax payers to pay up promptly without the need for collectors hammering on residents
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10-man Shakers settle for a point
BURY 2, WYCOMBE 2: Despite taking the lead twice against Wycombe at Gigg Lane, Shakers had to settle for a point after being reduced to 10 men when Colin Woodthorpe was sent off for two bookable offences Shakers went ahead after seven minutes when Dave
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Shopping centre's new entrance opens following delays
THE new entrance to Pendle Rise shopping centre in Nelson has finally been unveiled following months of delays. Traders and councillors have been calling for developers Barnfield Construction to finish the work, which was due for completion in the summer
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Park morons on wrecking spree
VANDALS have destroyed a tribute to a respected council worker by smashing up two memorial benches in a "sickening" attack at Barrowford Park. They caused £2,600 worth of damage, including digging up a bowling green, during a night of vandalism on Sunday
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Bikers plan Christmas toy run
WALMERSLEY Motorbike Club is holding a Christmas toy run to Pendlebury and Booth Hall childrens hospitals. This is the second year the club will be holding the event, and members of the club plan to ride to the hospitals at noon on December 19. Other
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Pair terrified after woman burgles home
A COUPLE have been left terrified after a female burglar broke into their Colne home and demanded cash. Police in Pendle today described the crime as 'callous' and are appealing for help to trace the woman responsible for the burglary in Dickson Street
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Villagers fear for postal service
VILLAGERS left without a local Post Office in the run-up to Christmas fear they might never get a proper postal service. Sabden Post Office closed on November 3. A month on, the village is still without a replacement. Elderly villagers, many of them without
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'We're winning dog dirt battle'
DOG wardens in Ribble Valley have stepped up their battle against dog fouling. They have started nabbing people who allow their pet to mess in public and issuing them with £50 fines. Ribble Valley Borough Council launched a zero-tolerance campaign against
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Parker hat trick earns Pool a vital three points
Keigan Parker's first senior hat trick helped Blackpool to an important 4-0 win over fellow strugglers Torquay. Scott Taylor opened the scoring on 20 minutes before Parker's strikes on 67, 86 and 90 minutes. The result means the Seasiders leapfrogged
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Seasiders handed away tie
Blackpool were rewarded for their hard fought victory over Port Vale, in the FA Cup Second Round, with a trip to Leicester on January 8th. Scott Taylor scored the only goal of the game, at Bloomfield Road, 15 minutes from time to ensure that Blackpool
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Ternent has the right credentials for Gills
SATURDAY, April 9, 2005; The day Stan Ternent will hope that revenge is a dish best served cold. Ternent has been itching to get back into management ever since Burnley chairman Barry Kilby dropped the bombshell news last May that he was not renewing
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A dream date for Graham
GRAHAM Branch is still pinching himself after Burnley were handed a dream FA Cup clash with boyhood heroes Liverpool. The buzz is still reverberating around Turf Moor after the Clarets were paired with the Premiership giants for next month's third round
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Leaving Clarets broke my heart -- Ternent
STAN Ternent has admitted he was "devastated" after being sacked by Burnley last summer. The former Clarets chief is back in business after being appointed the new Gillingham manager yesterday. And Ternent admitted he has only just come to terms with
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Rams rally fails to net point
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 2, MAINE ROAD 3: The Rams crashed back down to earth after consecutive victories with a disappointing defeat against Maine Road. However, the victory for the visitors will come as a great relief as they almost contrived to throw away
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Disabled Kirsty killed by bug
A 15-YEAR-OLD girl, severely disabled by a metabolic disorder, died on the same day she was sent home from hospital. But an inquest heard the infection that killed Kirsty Buckley would have taken hold rapidly and been overwhelming in effect. Kirsty, who
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MP backs protesters over children's home plan
DARWEN MP Janet Anderson has backed a campaign to stop a children's home opening in Blackburn Road. Mrs Anderson has written to council regeneration chief Adam Scott expressing concern about the application for a home for four teenagers. It follows a
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Council leader quits and launches probe
ROSSENDALE Council leader Peter Steen has finally stepped down from his position following 24 hours of confusion. An internal inquiry is set to be launched by Conservative Coun Steen after his group released a statement announcing his resignation before
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Santa float itinerary
LEIGH Rotary Club's Christmas float will be out and about in December. Dates and venues are as follows: December 3 - Warrington Road; December 6 - The Avenue/Holden Road; 7 - Firs Lane; 8 - Westleigh; 9 - Higher Folds; 13 - Chapel Street; 14 - Pennington
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Security alert at top meeting
REPRESENTATIVES from East Lancashire travelled to Manchester to enjoy an evening with Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf last night. President Musharraf made a 90-minute speech to an audience of 1,500 local leaders and members of the business community
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Coleman: We were robbed
FURIOUS Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman claimed his side were controversially robbed of a point during a dramatic finale to last night's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Carlisle United. Coleman blew his top after a linesman deemed that Jonathon Smith's
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Park fight back like cornered Tigers
COVENTRY 18, SEDGLEY PARK 19: Sedgley Park boosted their survival hopes by becoming the first team this season to come away from Coventry's Butts Arena with victory. In a hard fought game, Sedgley's determination and spirit overcame the home team, who
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they told him where to stick it
IT is sometimes difficult not to smile when a bad plan takes a plunge, but when a plan as bad as John Prescott's idea for regional government skids off course, laughing out loud becomes irresistible. New Labour thought they had the north east referendum
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Sorry, you're wrong again
WELCOME back, Bernard Slingsby (Letters, November 16). Sorry to say, however, that he has got it wrong again. If he returns to my earlier letter concerning Jim Eagle, he will see that I was merely pointing out that I and my colleagues had subjected ourselves
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Dirty bank notes risk infection
RECENTLY, two events have been drawn to my attention. The first is the present danger from the superbug MRSA, especially in respect of people in a weak state in hospital or in homes for the elderly. A few days ago, I visited an old friend in one of these
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I won't change my mind
DESPITE all my letters about the EU, Derek Boden (Letters, November 30) seems unable to understand. Whether he disagrees with my description of the EU or not is not the point. One thing with which he can not disagree is that however undemocratic the Westminster
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Smoking: It's children we must protect
THE ban on smoking, with one of the main targets being restaurants and pubs where food is served, will undoubtedly make the air cleaner and healthier for non-smokers. However, as these places are mostly frequented by adults, they will be the ones who
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Multi-million pound boost for police
GREATER Manchester Police (GMP) is to receive an extra £19.4 million to tackle crime. The cash boost for 2005-06 is part of a national £12 billion settlement for law and order announced by the Government. Total funding for GMP is £412.6 million, an increase
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Parker hat trick earns Pool a vital three points
Keigan Parker's first senior hat trick helped Blackpool to an important 4-0 win over fellow strugglers Torquay. Scott Taylor opened the scoring on 20 minutes before Parker's strikes on 67, 86 and 90 minutes. The result means the Seasiders leapfrogged
