Archive
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Blackburn parents 'did not injure' their baby, court hears
THE parents accused of covering up the injuries of their baby, which later died, are not 'clever and conniving', a court has heard. In a closing speech to the jury, defence counsel Suzanne Goddard QC, said the actions of Nafisa and Mohammed
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The Roses: Lancs held up by Pyrah-technics
Richard Pyrah produced Headingley heroics worthy of Ian Botham as he batted Yorkshire back into their Roses clash with Lancashire in the County Championship. Exactly 30 years on from England’s Botham-inspired epic Ashes victory in Leeds, Pyrah performed
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Mugger attacked man with learning difficulties in Blackburn
DETECTIVES are searching for a mugger who punched a man with learning disabilities in the face. The 44-year-old victim was approached in Blackburn at 10pm in Montague Street close to the Ugo store, formerly known as Netto. He was approached by a
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Benjani leaves Blackburn Rovers
BENJANI has left Blackburn Rovers after failing to agree new terms with the club. The Zimbabwean striker had expected to sign a one-year deal with Rovers but has quit after being unhappy with the terms he was offered. He does not yet
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Read captain: We are all ready for Ribblesdale League title run-in
READ skipper Warren Eastham is relishing the Ribblesdale League run-in and reckons the race for the championship could go right down to the wire. Eastham’s men are in second spot behind Barnoldswick and sit just three points above Baxenden in a three-horse
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464 Accrington to Rochdale evening bus service saved
EVENING services on the 464 bus route between Accrington and Rochdale have been saved until at least March 2012. Lancashire County Council decided to withdraw funding for the service, which runs through Whitworth, Bacup, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall,
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Lancashire motorway lorry fire causing tailbacks
A LORRY on fire on the hard shoulder of the M61 is causing major rush-hour delays tonight. Two of the three lanes of the southbound carriageway of the motorway are shut as it leaves the M6 at junction 30. The Highways Agency is reporting queues
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Generation game for East Lancashire family
GIRL power is going strong in one East Lancashire family after little Macie Lee’s arrival made it five female generations. Macie Lee Doyle, who was born on June 24, was taken by her mother Leanne Waddington, 24, of Lindisfarne Avenue, Blackburn, to
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Review: Palmers Tally Ho!
From a long-established family brewery in Bridport, Dorset, this is a quality dark ale. Lots of flavour with the emphasis on fruit and nuts, and yet not too heavy or cloying on the palate.
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Review: Asda Extra Special Primitivo 2007
Asda Extra Special Primitivo 2007, £7.21, Asda Primitivo is Italy’s much underrated red grape. It’s rich and plummy with a touch of spice and a reasonable 13.5 per cent alcohol for such a chunky wine. This one comes from the southern
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Review: Moramari Fiano 2010
Fiano goes back to Roman times. It’s delightfully dry with citrus, especially grapefruit and lemon along with a slight taste of honey. Considering recent budget rises, its a real bargain too.
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Vigilance call for East Lancashire hospital staff following deaths in Stockport
EAST Lancashire hospital staff have been told to be ‘extra vigilant’ following a series of suspicious deaths at a Greater Manchester hospital. Five people have died at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport since July 7, where saline solution
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Haslingden pool spending could switch to Valley Centre
PROTESTERS greeted councillors arriving for a meeting in Rossendale amid fears that plans to build a new swimming pool in Haslingden are about to be scrapped. Plans for a new £3.2m pool at the sports centre have been put on hold by the
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Recipe: Slow cooked lamb shoulder
EAST Lancashire chef Nigel Haworth is serving up a divine treat for Easter with a new selection of recipe cards at Booths stores across the county. The new recipes – which are all available free in store and online – are designed to be enjoyed
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Rethink bid on Child Support Agency urged by East Lancs MP
ROSSENDALE and Darwen's MP has called for a change to the Child Support Agency. Jake Berry told a Commons debate: “People in Rossendale and Darwen who deal with the CSA tell me that they find that the CSA’s approach creates trouble in what
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Accrington patient sets clothes on fire
A MENTALLY ill man in his twenties set his clothes alight in a specialist care home in Fife Street, Accrington, at 3.40pm yesterday. Staff at the centre put out the fire and the man was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with superficial burns to his
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Man charged after Blackburn shop assistant stabbing
A MAN has been charged in connection with an incident at an off-licence in which a shop assistant was stabbed. A bottle of wine was stolen from the shop in Parkinson Street, Mill Hill, on Wednesday, July 13, at 6pm when a cashier was stabbed in the
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Recipe: Lobster salad
Stanley House Hotel has unveiled the newest addition in its multi-million pound development with the opening of a new restaurant, Grill on the Hill. The grill-led menu brings together a mix of British favourites and French classics. The restaurant
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Anti-social behaviour slashed in Ramsbottom
YOB behaviour dropped dramatically in Ramsbottom and Tottington in a month, police figures show. From April to May, reported incidents of anti-social behaviour were down by 63 per cent in Tottington and 41 per cent in Ramsbottom. However, the number
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Nothing half-baked about Ramsbottom man's festival business
GETTING “oven ready” to roll is Ramsbottom man Josh Fleming who is to hit the UK’s outdoor events circuit with his new business. He and friend Nick Stuart will travel the country along with their portable Spud of the Earth marquee and oven. They
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Recipe: Jersey Royals
THEY’RE one of the prime products of the English springtime, and Jersey Royals are flying off the shelves. Here are two tasty recipes. Honey-roasted Jersey Royals with yoghurt and mint shoulder of lamb Serves six 1 x 2.5kg shoulder of lamb
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Recipe: Tofu and Chestnut Risotto
YOU don’t need to be a veggie to enjoy National Vegetarian Week. So from May 23-29 it’s the perfect time to try out some meat free dishes. If you’re looking for some vegetarian inspiration get your copy of the Vegetarian Society’s brand new Going
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Blackburn Rovers blog: Rocky ride an understatement for Kean
TALK about a baptism of fire. Steve Kean has experienced more in his first seven months of management than many bosses would have had to deal with in a career. Supporters unrest, conflicting stories from his bosses, constant speculation about his future
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Recipe: Turkey, melon and grapefruit salad
SUMMER has arrived which means it’s officially salad season. But that doesn’t mean your mealtimes have to be boring. You can add all sorts of ingredients into a salad to spice them up a bit. Here we bring out the British turkey, often
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Recipe: Very strawberry cheesecake cupcake
What started out as a childhood hobby for former NHS worker Melinda Foster, from Rawtenstall is now an award-winning business. Her bakery, Fantasy Cupcakes, was crowned winner of the gold heart award at the Fine Food Awards 2011 at Nigel Haworth
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Recipe: Coq Au Vin
LANCASHIRE born chef Simon Hopkinson will be sharing his culinary talents with the nation from next week. The Bury-born food writer and restaurateur is fronting a new TV cookery show, The Good Cook, on BBC One. He walked away from his
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Review: The Thyme & Plaice, Coppull, Chorley
Address: 37 Wigan Lane, Coppull, Chorley, PR7 4BN. Phone number: 01257 480 287. The Bolton News review by Kat Dibbits from July 21, 2011. ORDINARILY I would avoid a restaurant with a pun in the name like a lobster in a French bistro
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Recipe: BBQ Hake
LANCASHIRE chef Andrew Nutter is one of the new bread of celebrity cooks to hit the culinary circuit. The former Lancashire chef of the year, who runs Nutters Restaurant in Rochdale, has shared his latest summer recipe to give you barbecue
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Review: The Halle's Die Walkure @ Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
IT is two years since the Halle and Sir Mark Elder gave an incandescent concert performance of Gotterdammerung, the final opera of Wagner’s mighty Ring cycle. Last weekend, as part of the Manchester International Festival, they turned their
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Review: Panorama, BBC1
The “Hacking-gate” scandal just goes from bad to worse as more and more sordid details emerge, further sullying politicians, journalists and the police alike. It’s in crises like this that Panorama comes into its own. Unfairly derided for supposedly
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Review: 24 Hours in A&E, Channel 4
THERE are lots of good real-life programmes on at the moment about hospitals, such as Hospital Sydney and A&E, but by far the best, if that’s the right word, is 24 Hours in A&E. This shows life and death and all the attendant dramas at the medical coal-face
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Colne Blues Festival looks for support to win national title
THERE’S a little over one week left to vote for the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in the 2011 British Blues Awards. The event in Colne has been nominated in the British Blues Festival category and organisers, Pendle Leisure Trust, need your
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What's on: The Wanted
THEIR latest single shot to number one in the singles charts and now The Wanted have announced they will head out on a tour including a gig in Manchester on February 17 and Liverpool on February 24. The five-piece group, including Bolton
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Four-car crash causes delays in Blackburn
FOUR cars were involved in a smash this morning. Police said only one of the drivers was injured in the accident in Bolton Road, Blackburn, around 11.55am. A stationary Toyota Corolla, a Rover 75, a silver MG and a 4x4 vehicle were involved
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Burnley FC blog: Nightmare coach trip such a norm
THE fundamentals of pre-season are about establishing fitness, formation and form, but the start of Burnley’s tour of the south west offered the players another reminder of what lies in store for them from August 6 onwards. Hours on the team bus. The
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Rogue callers have struck 150 times
MORE than 150 incidents of rogue cold callers targeting vulnerable Lancashire residents have been reported so far this year. Lancashire County Council Trading Standards said that in many cases work carried out has been substandard and overcharged.
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Goodfellow helps team to award in Cheshire
A TRIO of North Lancashire Road Club clinched the team award in the National Veterans 50 mile Championship held on Cheshire roads on a nasty wet weekend. Based on performance against age, Blackburn’s Rod Goodfellow was best of the three with
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Cyclists across Burnley and Padiham get £250k upgrade
AROUND £215,000 could be spent on upgrading cycling facilities across Burnley and Padiham. Councillors on Burnley’s Executive Committee are likely to give plans the green light next week. The investment will be spent on several different
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Urgent repairs to unsafe wall in Todmorden
URGENT repairs are being carried out by council engineers after efforts to trace the owners of unsafe wall drew a blank. Contractors have been deployed by Calderdale Council to shore up a retaining wall near Copperas House Terrace in Walsden, near Todmorden
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Barnoldswick weaver visits mill after 50 years
A FORMER weaver was spinning with excitement after being treated to an access all areas tour of the mill where she learned her trade. Rita Holz, formerly Broxholme, started work at Bancroft Mill, Barnoldswick, towards the end of the Second World War
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What's on: Bluetones
BRITPOP luminaries Bluetones play Blackburn on July 22, Manchester on September 10 and Liverpool on September 15 on their farewell tour. We spoke to lead singer Mark Morriss about the band’s decision to call it a day. USUALLY when a band
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Darwen Tower to be repaired by October
Darwen Tower’s new dome is set to be finished by October, despite an earlier announcement work would not begin until then. Councillors say they are relieved the repairs will be made before the first anniversary of the fibre-glass structure
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Billington to make GB debut in Estonia
Karl Billington has only run 10,000 metres on the track once in his career, and that was only last month, but the Blackburn Harrier produced a performance that has catapulted him into the Great Britain Team for the European Junior Championships. Today
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Blackburn Harriers duo en route to London 2012
They may be aged 19 and 20 respectively, but Holly Bleasdale and Sophie Hitchon are arguably already East Lancashire’s biggest athletics stars since Dave Lewis was in his pomp nearly a generation ago. While Lewis never reached the Olympics
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Blackburn Rovers reserves lose at Bamber Bridge
BLACKBURN Rovers reserves lost their second pre-season friendly of the summer on Tuesday night, going down 2-1 at Bamber Bridge. Matt Jones nodded home for the hosts on 37 minutes. Reece Hands equalised from the penalty spot, but Brig scored the winner
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Accrington mosque branded serious fire risk
FIRE chiefs have branded an Accrington mosque a 'serious fire risk' after a man was found sleeping in the building during an arson attack. The Faizane Madina Mosque was targeted in an arson spree across the Spring Hill area on Wednesday last
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50 years since East Lancs express collided on track
THIS week marks the 50th anniversary of a major train crash which claimed the lives of two passengers from East Lancashire and injured scores more. The accident happened at Singleton Bank, Weeton, on the Sunday morning of July 16, 1961, when the 8.50am
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£250m on Libya mission, and not a lot achieved
I TRUST that readers will recall my column some months ago when I questioned the wisdom of our compliance with UN resolution 1973. Paraphrasing, this was to allow us to send a few squadrons of fighters to enforce a no-fly zone in Libya to protect
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Is this a swan-way street in Blackburn?
A pair of swans and their six cygnets brought traffic to a halt as they waddled across Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn. It made a difference from the usual rush-hour hold-ups, and even brought a smile to drivers’ faces. The picture was
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Hyndburn police officer spots drugs in car
AN EAGLE-eyed police officer discovered £1,000 of suspected amphetamine after stopping a car in Accrington. The officer stopped the car, a black Renault Clio in Abbey Street on the morning of Friday, July 8, and found four ounces of the drug
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Homes planned at William Blythe’s site in Hapton
A COUNTRY park and nearly 300 new homes could be on the horizon for the site of a former chemical plant. Town hall chiefs no longer want to market the old William Blythe works, off Manchester Road, Hapton, as an employment site. They
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Victim's knife claim in East Lancashire rape plot case
ONE of two girls said to have been raped in a sex plot was angry after the alleged attacks whilst the other was subdued, a jury heard. She was described as agitated by a man who knows her. The girl was clutching a knife with both hands
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Burnley boss Howe could turn to O'Grady
BURNLEY Boss Eddie Howe could be turning his attention to Rochdale's Chris O'Grady in his search for a new striker following Chris Iwelumo's sale to Watford this week. The 6ft 3ins targetman has been linked with a move to Turf Moor, after the
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Burnley housing chiefs call in ‘bounty hunters’
‘BOUNTY hunters’ are chasing down absentee landlords in Burnley who let their properties become rundown eyesores. Since Burnley Council began using the services of FinderMonkey, a specialist people-finding company, the number of prosecutions
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Count blessings for this market
How lucky we are in Blackburn to have such a busy, vibrant and above all, clean market with pleasant service. Some people see the past through rose-coloured glasses. S Forrest (via text).
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Celebrating our nation’s heritage
Heritage Open Days this year are from September 8 to 11 to celebrate England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. From October they will
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Barnett ready to commit future to Accrington Stanley
CHARLIE Barnett is expected to commit his future to Accrington Stanley today – as boss John Coleman now steps up efforts to boost his side’s firepower. Coleman expects the central midfielder to sign a new deal at the Crown Ground today but knows he
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'Special measures' Pendle school begins recovery
A PENDLE primary school is well on its way to pulling itself out of special measures following its latest inspection. Earby Springhead Primary, led by headteacher Dawn Liversidge, has been found to be making ‘good’ progress by education watchdog
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Do we need two town halls?
Please ask the Blackburn with Darwen Council taxpayers, why do we need two town halls for such a small town? B Brindle, Blackburn.
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Speed fines toll is a big concern
THE sheer volume of cash being generated by speed cameras in East Lancashire is bound to shock most motorists. When it’s a ‘fair cop’ most motorists caught speeding will hold their hands up. But to hear that our two most prolific gatsos are raising
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Lottery cash secures future for East Lancashire charities
A CHARITY which supports carers has seen its future secured after it won a £434,000 grant from the lottery. Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service Limited will spend the cash on a series of projects to support the hundreds of people who are unpaid
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21 drain covers stolen across Blackburn and Darwen
TWENTY ONE drain covers valued at £10,000 have been stolen in a series of thefts across Blackburn and Darwen. Police said the incidents have taken place throughout the last two weeks. And a bearded man using a Ford Transit van is being
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Lancashire badgers spared TB cull
THOUSANDS of badgers will be shot to control bovine TB across England – but they have been spared in Lancashire. The government announced the cull after the disease is believed to have been responsible for the slaughter of 25,000 cattle a
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Blackburn Rovers running out of time for Pavone
BLACKBURN Rovers are running out of time to finalise the signing of Argentine striker Pavone, with several Premier League rivals now also chasing his signature. The former Real Betis wants to move to Ewood Park but, as the deal continues to
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Community spirit is well alive here
Is there less community spirit around than there was? That’s hard to measure in any scientific way, but I’d say that local action, volunteering to help others, is alive in East Lancashire and doing well. Take two brilliant examples which Blackburn
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Clitheroe hoax caller cost Lancashire fire service almost £1,800
A 17-YEAR-OLD hoax caller who twice claimed people were trapped in a burning house has been caught. The malicious calls made by the youth from Clitheroe cost the Lancashire fire service almost £1,800 after it deployed firefighters to the scene of
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Blackburn businesses affected by power cuts
EIGHTEEN properties in Blackburn town centre are being affected by power cuts due to a faulty underground cable. The electricity fault in Darwen Street is causing problems for pubs and takeaways and has led to temporary closures of businesses
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Family who named baby after Burnley squad donate to the club
A COUPLE who named their new son after 14 members of the Burnley squad are donating his earnings to help nurture the next generation of Clarets stars. Fanatics Stephen and Amanda Preston hit the headlines earlier this year when they decided
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‘Naive’ Burnley drugs grower jailed for two years
A ‘NAIVE’ man, said to have been persuaded to set up two cannabis farms, growing drugs with a potential street value of more than £41,000, is behind bars for two years. Burnley Crown Court heard how Carl Watson, 38, had been found growing 166 plants
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Blackburn thief sold £6,500 diamond cross for £230
A 20-YEAR-OLD man who stole a £6,500 diamond encrusted Cartier cross belonging to his dad’s partner sold it to a jeweller for just £230. Blackburn magistrates heard the buyer told Daniel Rowe he would only pay the value of the gold claiming the 382
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Bartley ready for scrap for Burnley place
BURNLEY midfielder Marvin Bartley says any new arrivals must be prepared to fight for their place as the competition to start the new season hots up. The Clarets have so far added only one new face to the squad this summer, with defender Ben
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Having a ball: Blackburn boy aims to break elastic band world record
A BLACKBURN teenager hopes to bounce into the record books with his attempt to create the world’s biggest elastic band ball. In the past two weeks, 15-year-old Andrew Page has managed to create a ball of 20,000 bands measuring three feet in
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200 jobs to go as Burnley's McBride factory set to close
MCBRIDE is planning to close its Burnley site with the loss of 200 jobs, it has been announced. Management at the firm, which makes and distributes household cleaning products, said the Windermere Avenue factory was likely to shut in March
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Lancashire's most prolific fixed speed cameras revealed
MORE than 25,000 tickets were issued in 2010 from fixed speed cameras in Lancashire, according to new figures released yesterday. The fixed camera on the A59 Longsight Road near Abbot Brow, Osbaldeston, caught out 2,569 motorists in 2010 –
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Hunt for driver in Haslingden death crash investigation
THE driver of a black hatchback is being hunted as part of an investigation into a fatal crash in Haslingden in May. Aftab Azram, 43, from Rochdale was killed following the collision around 10.30pm on Friday, May 27, in Grane Road outside the
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Darwen Aldridge Academy 'is the beacon for education’
DARWEN Aldridge Community Academy has been held up as a beacon of success in a new national report about the future of education. Rod Aldridge, chairman of the Aldridge Foundation which sponsors DACA, has issued a 19-page document on his beliefs
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Croft and Smith hand Lancashire Roses edge
HALF centuries from Steven Croft and Tom Smith gave Lancashire the edge after they had been put in to bat on the first day of the County Championship Roses clash at Headingley. Lancashire overcame difficult conditions early on to finish on 304 for seven
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20 animals stolen from Samlesbury Hall 'pets farm'
MORE THAN 20 small animals have been stolen from the grounds of a historic hall. The most recent incident on Sunday morning saw four rabbits taken from Samlesbury Hall, leaving staff ‘devastated’. One of the animals was a mother rabbit
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Blackburn Rovers offer Hoilett formal deal
BLACKBURN Rovers have now made a formal offer to Canadian starlet Junior Hoilett as the club make every attempt to secure his long term Ewood Park future. Hoilett’s current Rovers deal expires next summer and, with a host of Premier League
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Burnley speed camera rakes in £107,000
A BURNLEY speed camera has netted £107,000 – and it’s the second most prolific in Lancashire. The camera flashed 1,901 drivers who broke the 30mph limit along Rossendale Road in the past 12 months. At £65 a fine, this generated £50,000
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Shrine to Great Harwood teenager wrecked by vandals
SICK vandals have set fire to a shrine dedicated to the memory of a Great Harwood teenager. Floral tributes, photos, mementos and hundreds of messages had been left at the spot where Jake Boswell died three months ago. But yobs have ruined the
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East Lancs bad drivers targeted
THE top 10 worst motorists in every area of East Lancashire will be watched by police and warned about their driving standards. Police are stepping up enforcement of new 20mph restrictions, which will be rolled out in every residential area by 2014.