Archive
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The £1m driving test fraud
AN EAST Lancashire man has been convicted for his part in a £1million driving test scam where he sat tests for unqualified motorists. The conspiracy saw a driving instructor and his friends charging learner drivers up to £1,000 each to get licences
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Simmons waits on ECB decision
LANCASHIRE Cricket Club chairman Jack Simmons is waiting with baited breath to discover whether he will be the new ECB chairman of cricket. Sources claimed that Simmons, who played for the county in a first-class career that spanned 20 years, had been
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Caution for nurse who had sex with patient
A NURSE had sex with a vulnerable patient hours after he asked her for a date in the middle of a medical appointment Robert Seeley, 51, slept with the woman despite knowing she was trying to get over the end of a violent marriage, the Nursing and Midwifery
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Hawks look to end Dundee run
Blackburn Hawks head over the border again tomorrow night for a Northern League showdown with high-flying Dundee Stars. The Stars have won their last three games and will provide a stern test for the Hawks, who are looking to bounce back after suffering
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Care homes to be run by private company
NHS care homes for vulnerable disabled people are to be run by a private company after a report revealed "disturbing and systematic" abusive practices by staff. But care workers have slammed the decision of the East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, saying
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Stanley striker Mullin signs new deal
Stanley striker Paul Mullin has officially put pen to paper on a deal that keeps the club's record appearance holder at Stanley until the summer of 2010. The 33-year-old turned down a possible move to rivals Shrewsbury Town to sign a new two-year deal
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Poison-target councillor speaks of trauma
A COUNCILLOR targeted by terrorists who sent him poison through the post said he was struggling to overcome the traumatic experience. Blackburn with Darwen Councillor John Wright said he and his family had been through a "terrible time" after the caustic
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Our man and the munching machine
AN unusual spectator sport has brought crowds flocking to Blackburn town centre. An industrial 'munching machine' is demolishing Lord Square, with onlookers in Church Street using their mobile phones to record the eyesore being reduced to rubble.
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Drugs man spare prison
A MAN who was growing cannabis before he got a suspended jail term has been spared custody. Burnley magistrates told Adam Mitchener, 21, there had been a small amount of drugs, and he had made full admissions. Bench chairman Mary Thomas said: "We are
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Have your say!
Do you have any concerns about village life or issues you would like to raise? If you do, come along to the public session at the next Parish Council meeting on Thursday 6th February at 7pm in the Village Hall.
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Christian Unity
Parishioners took part this week in an ecumenical service at St Mary's, Osbaldeston to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The address was given by Rev. Jim Garrard of St Leonards, Balderstone. Representatives from each of the four churches
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Helpers needed at Old Trafford
VOLUNTEERS are needed to raise funds for a charity which helps disabled children across Lancashire. The Legacy Rainbow House, in Mawdesley near Chorley, a charitable organisation which cares for children, including those in Blackburn, is looking for
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Top Mark
Haslingden St Mary's RC Primary School has been awarded the Sport England "Active Mark" for delivering at least two hours of high quality physical education each week. The school promotes healthy eating, exercise and provides a wide range of sporting
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Reds midfielder joins MK Dons
JOHN Miles has joined League Two leaders MK Dons on loan until the end of the season after a disappointing spell with Accrington Stanley. The midfielder has struggled for form at the Fraser Eagle Stadium following his move from Macclesfield Town last
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Trainee plumber Sally wins top award
PLUMBING apprentice Sally Bartle is celebrating after scooping the accolade Apprentice of the Year' at the Training 2000 awards. The 21-year-old, from Rawtenstall, decided to ditch a more conventional career three years ago after leaving Haslingden High
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Fund-raiser to help homeless
A HARD-WORKING charity fund-raiser has announced that she is to start raising cash for the homeless at her shop. Kathleen Ramsden, 74, who runs a charity shop in Rishton single-handedly, said the High Street store will now donate all proceeds to Nightsafe
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Bin wagon crush death 'accident'
A PENSIONER was killed by a bin wagon as she made her way to the post office to pay her rent for the week. An inquest heard that Jean Eastwood, 65, had been walking in a alleyway to the rear of Norden Court next to Bentley car showroom in Harwood Road
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Crime levels falling - but gun offences up
OVERALL crime is failing but offences involving guns are on the up, according to figures released by Lancashire police. The quarterly crime statistics showed robbery was down seven per cent and violent crime fell by 4.5 per cent. The largest reductions
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Dougherty back in the swing of things
NICK Dougherty stormed towards the top of the Qatar Masters leaderboard today - but insists winning is not a priority as he perfects his swing. The Shaw Hill professional moved to within four shots of leader Johan Edfors after a superb five-under par
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Brave shopper chases robber who punched her
A BRAVE shopper chased a robber after she was punched in the face and had her purse stolen as she returned to her car. Detectives are appealing for witnesses after the incident happened in Tesco car park, Blackburn. The 57-year-old woman had been
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Teenager groped in broad daylight
A TEENAGE girl was groped in daylight as she walked to Nelson and Colne College. Police have appealed for witnesses to the attack on the student at 11:45am on Tuesday January 15 as she walked to her lectures. The attack took place at the junction of
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Chance to speak on plans
THE public are invited to speak at a question time before the Barrowford and Western Parishes Committee. The meeting is at 7pm on Thursday. Items on the agenda will include the erection of a food store, car park and alterations to highways at land off
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Taser woman avoids jail
A WOMAN who was stunned with a taser gun after a three-hour New Year's Day stand-off has avoided jail. Sarah Balmbra, 22, had armed herself with two knives and threatened to stab herself and officers after a cocktail of drink and prescribed medication
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Teachers have lesson in business
TEACHERS ventured from their classrooms to spend time with businesses, including Blackburn Rovers, in a scheme run by Lancashire Education Business Partnership (LEBP). For one day more than 50 staff from a Skelmersdale college joined businesses and organis-ations
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VIDEO: Six Nations preview
Captains and coaches, including former East Lancashire man Brian Ashton, look ahead to this year's RBS Six Nations. The tournament kicks off on Saturday February 2 when Ashton's England side take on Wales at Twickenham.
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'Far too Wet'-Lands
I've been out to the new Carr Mill housing estate and took some photos of the flooding on Greenberfield Lane. The two houses are flooded, the council want these houses to take on the responsibility of the wetlands but as you can see, the wetlands broke
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Bishop slams post office closure moves
THE Bishop of Blackburn has slammed the decision to earmark 24 East Lancashire post offices for closure. The Rt Rev Nicholas Reade believes the post offices should be offered a "lifeline of compassion" in a bid to preserve the "vital work" they do for
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Burglar’s suspended jail term
A CRIMINAL was spared custody for going back to his old ways after he had kept out of trouble since his release from jail. Steven John Rickwood, 33, of Florence Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to burglary when he appeared before Burnley magistrates.
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Lafferty gets Northern Ireland call-up
Kyle Lafferty has been called into the Northern Ireland squad for an international challenge match against Bulgaria next month. The Clarets striker, 20, is currently serving a four-match ban for his sending off against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round
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Neat idea for neighbourhood
A CAMPAIGN to create "neat streets" and tackle anti-social behaviour has been launched. Hyndburn Council, the police and fire service will take to the streets of Church to talk to residents about their concerns. The Neat Streets campaign will also see
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Crackdown on fake IDs launched
OFF-LICENCES are being given new technology to combat fake IDs and tackle anti-social behaviour caused by under age drinking. Pendle off-licensees will be armed with hand-held ultra-violet lights to help detect fraudulent driving licence photo-cards
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Lamp Post removed!
A lamp post, situated on Park road near the junction of windsor rd, has been speedily removed by the council after the high winds of the previous night. the lamp post had begun to up root from its base and was in danger of causing serious damage to passing
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Restaurant's charity boost
Staff at Carlos Restaurant, Colne, have raised £500 for Pendleside Hospice, Reedley. They asked customers to take part in a draw, the prize being a huge panatone cake. Joint owner Lesley Lionti, who has been running the Italian restaurant with Carlos
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Gray transfer completed
Andy Gray's transfer from Burnley to Charlton Athletic has today been finalised. The former Clarets striker initially joined the Addicks on emergency loan to enable him to play in last weekend's Championship game at Watford. And Charlton
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Man remanded over schoolgirl attack
A Frenchman was today remanded in custody charged with the attempted murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl Jessica Knight in a Chorley park. Kristofer Beddar, 21, of Adlington, appeared before Chorley Magistrates' Court accused of stabbing Jessica up to
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Death of elderly woman a mystery
A CORONER recorded an open verdict on the death of an 81-year-old woman found at the foot of the stairs at her Darwen home. The inquest into the death of Mary Taylor heard that the pathologist who carried out a post-mortem examination could not establish
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Artwork on worldwide tour
Keeper of arts Vanessa Mitchell takes a last look at The Bezestein Bazaar of El Khan Khalil, Cairo' by John Frederick Lewis, a famous watercolour from the collections at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery. It is beginning a trip around the world as part
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Maternity services praised in report
EAST Lancashire's hospitals have bucked the national trend and perform well in maternity care, a Healthcare Commission review said. Data from the hospital on its operating practices, as well as women's views on the service they had received, were surveyed
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VIDEO: Poison plot duo jailed for six years
TWO men who sent poisoned vodka through the post to a Blackburn councillor and a journalist have today been jailed for six years. Wayne Cook, 45, and Steven Robinson, 42, both from Greater Manchester, posted a lethal concentration of caustic soda in
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Army 'must learn lessons over prisoner's death'
THE British Army must learn lessons from the death of an Iraqi hotel worker, who died while in the custody of the former Queen's Lancashire Regiment, a report has said. Senior army officer Brigadier Robert Aitken said that he found no evidence of systemic
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Pregnant woman 'attacked'
A MAN who attacked his pregnant partner was said to have knelt on her stomach, hit and abused her, a court was told. Burnley magistrates heard how James Ward, 24, subjected seven-months pregnant Victoria Britton to a prolonged, very frightening and painful
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Sportsman Dinner
Andy Payton will be guest speaker at Rishton Utd's Sportsman Dinner, to be held on the 22nd February at Rishton Cricket club. The event is to help fund the U16's end of season trip abroad Andy Payton played 156 time for Burnley and scored 68 goals
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Flood warning plan for Burnley
A TINY kiosk - measuring only a metre wide - is set to become one of Burnley's first lines of defence against floodings. Following this week's floodings, the Environment Agency are toughening up their flood prevention measures in the town with the proposed
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Welder was found dead in bedroom
A WELDER collapsed after suffering a massive brain haemorrhage at his Blackburn home. An inquest heard that Norman Whalley, 48, was found in the bathroom at his home in St Annes Close. But Mr Whalley was dead on arrival at Royal Blackburn Hospital.
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Thumbs up to youth work
TOP business leaders gave a vote of confidence to youth work in Burnley after touring Hameldon Community College. Bosses including Phillip Green, chief executive of United Utilities, descended on the Byron Street school to talk to 14 and 15 year olds
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Warning after five crashes on M65
POLICE are warning motorists to be more attentive after five separate collisions on the same stretch of motorway. Shortly before 8am on Wednesday there was a three-car shunt on the junction 10 slip- road of the M65 at Padiham. This was followed by three
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Dougherty stages recovery
CHORLEY'S Nick Dougherty made a late recovery to finish the first round of the Qatar Masters on level par. Dougherty, hoping to land a Ryder Cup place this year, had a nightmare start, firing a double-bogey seven on the opening hole in Dohar. He also
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Attack on mum as she held baby
A MAN who attacked his then estranged partner as she held her baby has been spared jail. Burnley magistrates told Daniel Alexander Wood, 38, he had to get to grips with his drinking and the violence that went with it and sent him on a domestic violence
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Duff closing in on Burnley return
BURNLEY defender Michael Duff could be just a month away from a first-team return. It was feared the 6ft 2in stopper would be sidelined for the rest of the season when he suffered multiple knee ligament damage after he had scored in a 1-1 draw with Crystal
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Interview: Denise Black
It's fair to say actress Denise Black has had a varied TV career: she's been a vice-girl in prison, a clubbing mum and has bedded Ricky Tomlinson. We spoke to the woman who is best remembered for being Ken Barlow's bit on the side in Coronation Street
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Interview: Kristina Terentiev
The Ellen Kent Ballet Company is bringing two of the most popular ballets, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, to Manchester Opera House. We spoke to the lead dancer, Russian Kristina Terentiev, who stars with her husband Alexei in both performances.
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Samba: I was close to quitting
AS Chris Samba sat alone in the dark, trapped in a hotel room overlooking Blackburn Rovers' Brockhall training base, he wanted to pack his bags and leave. It was a cold, unforgiving, night in the middle of January, and a violent storm was raging outside
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Interview: Rowetta
Rowetta burst on to the scene as Simon Cowell's favourite in the first ever series of The X Factor, winning over fans with her outspoken opinions and zany antics. Of course, Happy Mondays fans knew her already as the band's backing singer. ONLY
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Interview: Jenna Southworth
TO many young women, still being mistaken for a teenager is not always a well received compliment but for East Lancashire's newest actress on the scene, Jenna Southworth, it has become something of an advantage. Her youthful looks have become her favourite
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Academy principal appointed
THE principal of the new Accrington Academy has been appointed. Andrew Bateman, the current headteacher of Accrington Moorhead Sports College, which the academy will replace. The academy is set to open in the existing Moorhead site in Queen's Road West
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Flintoff to set up academies
Andrew Flintoff is setting out on a search for a future England hero by establishing a series of cricket academies for kids around the country this summer. The 30-year-old England all-rounder has used his time rehabilitating from a persistent ankle problem
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Residents fail in High Court bid to save their homes
TWO residents have failed in a High Court fight to stop their homes being demolished to make way for the Darwen Academy in the Redearth Triangle. Adrian Walker, of Redearth Street, and Thomas Brian, of Sunnybank Street, had asked High Court judge Justice
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Brown to sign extension
BACK-up goalkeeper Jason Brown is on the verge of agreeing a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Blackburn Rovers. The Welsh international, who joined Rovers on a free transfer from Gillingham at the start of last season, has made only one appearance
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Victim is injured in handbag snatch bid
A WOMAN was injured in Burnley after a man attempted to snatch her hand bag. The 51-year-old woman was walking down Yorkshire Street under the Culvert at 5.30pm on Tuesday when she was approached by a male who grabbed her bag and made off. The woman
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Coyle pinning his faith in Ade
OWEN Coyle is looking to top up the competition among his front men. But regardless of whether there are any new additions before their game with Scunthorpe United or not, his mind is set on who gets the nod tomorrow. "Regardless of who we go and sign
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Missing woman appeal
POLICE are concerned for the wellfare of a woman reported missing from her home in Newcastle. Christine Moore, 41, who has family in Blackburn, is said to have been suffering from depression. Police believe she could have travelled to the town to be
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Hospital staff saved my life
I FEEL I have to publicly express my gratitude to the staff that were on duty in the A&E department at Royal Blackburn Hospital on Saturday morning, January 5, 2008. The paramedics, ambulancemen, doctors and nurses who cared for me that day, saved my
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Can we have bus shelter seats
I read the recent article about placing replicas of Darwen Tower in areas of the town. Before this work starts could you please spare a little of this funding for a seat in the Darwen Cemetery bus stop near the market. I wrote about this quite a while
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Government right on nuclear plan
I BELIEVE the Government has shown rare commonsense in its approval of a new generation of nuclear reactors in the UK. Whilst it is hard to praise this Government, I do believe that they should have credit for this decision, even if long overdue. Nuclear
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Break silence over EU accounts
IT comes as no surprise that a North West Euro MP has failed to answer a question about the European Commission's accounts (LT, January 9). The auditors have not approved the accounts for 13 years but my MEP colleagues in the Lib-Dem, Tory and Labour
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The Reverend’s stance shocking but spot on
I WAS surprised and little taken aback with the Saturday sermon by the Rev Kevin Logan in the Telegraph, with his eye for an eye and smite the smiter justice for the killers of Gary Newlove. But I and many others I suspect, totally agree with him. A
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Cabaret
The Rosegrove Railway club are having their monthly Cabaret Star night tonight January 25th starting at 8pm. A top comedian to entertain you plus the fabulous All Stars, be early to get a seat. The charity night at the club last week for the Joshua
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Iraq abuse report published
A report into allegations of abuse of Iraqi detainees by British troops is expected to recommend improvements to military training on the handling of prisoners. Brigadier Robert Aitken, the director of Army personnel strategy, will present the findings
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Trash and Teasure
A Trash and Treasure event is to be held tomorrow, Saturday 26th January at St Augustines Parish Hall Lowerhouse Lane starting at 12.30pm. This is an admission free event, come along and enjoy yourselves, light refreshments will be available.
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There’s just no escape from my dreaded mobile
Having ditched the cigarettes some time ago maybe it is time to do away with the other addiction we have - the mobile phone. For ten years now I have carried this thing around with me. It has been with me through some tough times and in my line of business
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Sparky's going Dutch
BLACKBURN manager Mark Hughes could be ready to go Dutch as he looks to strengthen his squad before next week's transfer deadline. The Rovers boss flew to the Netherlands earlier this week to watch the Eredivisie clash between AZ Alkmaar and NAC Breda
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Coyle refusing to panic
BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle is refusing to press the panic button in his efforts to strengthen the squad before the January transfer window closes. The Clarets have until midnight next Thursday to make permanent additions to their side, while the option
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Waste Site Extension
PLANNING permission has been applied for to extend the waste transfer site at the old Hapton Valley Colliery. The work is to include a concrete crushing operation, access road and levelling of land for a trailer park.
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Ballroom Blitz
COUNCILLOR Alan Ravenscroft, from the Ballroom Management Group, gave an update to councillors on the progress of improvements to the ballroom bar and annex facilities within the Town Hall. Contracts between the ballroom manager and the council have
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Cutting costs to save lives
EAST Lancashire doctors are among the best in the North West for prescribing low-cost life-saving drugs. New figures from the NHS put Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust top in the region and 14th best in the country for prescribing cholestrol busting
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Help I’ve Got A High-Maintenance Wife, Five
Her footballer boyfriend may only play for Peterborough, but wannabe WAG Nicola McLean is so high-maintenance that even David Beckham would need a second job to pay for her lifestyle. The ex-model was the most ridiculous of the four women to feature
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Fallen tree closes road
RUSH hour traffic was disrupted in Barnoldswick this morning after a large tree branch fell across a road. Strong winds caused a tree to split and half, and the top section fell across High Lane in Salterforth. Police were called to the scene shortly
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Puppies rescued from fire
FIVE puppies escaped unharmed after a dog bed smouldered for hours, filling the kitchen they were in with smoke. The dogs' owners had left one of the dog beds on the cooker top before going to bed in Bracken Close, Blackburn, and it is believed the
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Stanley keeper sees light at end of tunnel
ACCRINGTON Stanley goal-keeper Kenny Arthur admits he can now see the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel" as he makes his way back from a broken leg. The former Partick Thistle stopper made his comeback for Stanley's reserves in midweek at Carlisle
