10 years ago

TWO market stall traders fled to Spain owing Blackburn with Darwen Council thousands of pounds in unpaid rent.

Council finance bosses were forced to write off almost £17,500 in rent and unpaid bills after the traders disappeared without a trace.

Council Leader Don Heatlie-Jackson said it was a lesson in not allowing market rent owing to reach "dangerous" levels.

25 years ago

A COACHLOAD of shivering football fans stranded on the motorway were rescued by a group of East Lancashire Mormons.

Members of the Church of the Latter Day Saints from Blackburn, Burnley, Nelson and Rossendale rescued the freezing Preston North End fans after rival supporters smashed their coach windows.

The fans reached Birmingham holding blankets over the broken windows, but became too cold to go on before being offered a lift home.

50 years ago

THE Blackburn public voted two to one in favour of cinemas being opened on Sundays.

A total of 21,389 people voted for the opening against 11,679 who opposed it.

But before the cinemas could be opened the plans had to be approved by the Home Secretary, House of Commons and House of Lords.

A large crowd cheered at the announcement at the public halls.