Nature

Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, near Rufford

Planning and development

Concerns about new cafe and play area plan at popular nature reserve

A sparrowhawk. Image: Brian Cooper

A sparrowhawk. Image: Brian Cooper

Local government

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Sparrowhawks and owls favourite tree roosts saved by councillors

Phil Riley, Councillor Asjad Mahmood, and Chris McKee helped plant an orchard in Barrowford earlier this year

Phil Riley, Councillor Asjad Mahmood, and Chris McKee helped plant an orchard in Barrowford earlier this year

Local government

Council invites community to create orchards with leftover funds

The Queen's Park Allotments in Blackburn

The Queen's Park Allotments in Blackburn

Clubs and societies

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Allotments to be transferred to community groups by council

Cross Hill Quarry grassland damaged by mountain bikers

Cross Hill Quarry grassland damaged by mountain bikers

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Nature reserve under threat after being severely damaged by mountain bikers

Fen Raft Spider. Giant spiders the size of a human hand

Fen Raft Spider. Giant spiders the size of a human hand

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Spiders the 'size of your hand' reach record-high population

Stargazers across the country have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, several times already in 2024.

Stargazers across the country have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, several times already in 2024.

Met Office reveals when and where Northern Lights 'may be visible' this weekend

Elon Musk's Starlink was spotted over Foulridge

Elon Musk's Starlink was spotted over Foulridge

Residents stunned to see Elon Musk's Starlink - with another chance to see it TONIGHT

Lancashire Wildlife Trust is continuing its efforts as part of its biggest ever fundraising appeal, Step Up for Wildlife

Lancashire Wildlife Trust is continuing its efforts as part of its biggest ever fundraising appeal, Step Up for Wildlife

Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Wildlife Trust appeal to save newts and their habitats in Lancashire

The moonrise over Pendle Hill, taken from the Singing Ringing Tree above Burnley

The moonrise over Pendle Hill, taken from the Singing Ringing Tree above Burnley

Stunning photo shows supermoon over Pendle Hill

Aaron Kershaw worked with Civic Pride Rossendale to create floral and felt displays

Aaron Kershaw worked with Civic Pride Rossendale to create floral and felt displays

Britain in Bloom

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'Amazing' flower displays helped by high school student

Oswaldtwistle Mills is planning to develop the space further

Oswaldtwistle Mills is planning to develop the space further

Outdoor area at Oswaldtwistle Mills to become community hub

Aldi is calling on children in Lancashire to design a poster to encourage people to recycle

Aldi is calling on children in Lancashire to design a poster to encourage people to recycle

Aldi launches children's competition with £250 voucher up for grabs

The Ridge Avenue, Burnley, site

The Ridge Avenue, Burnley, site

Green fields between two tips set for new housing estate

Helius the missing Hen Harrier

Helius the missing Hen Harrier

Illegal killing fears after rare bird of prey's GPS tracker goes dark

A hoopoe bird has been spotted in Foulridge

A hoopoe bird has been spotted in Foulridge

Birdwatchers flock to reservoir after 'striking and rare' bird spotted

The 'world's deadliest chick' favourite food has been revealed in the Cotswolds

The 'world's deadliest chick' favourite food has been revealed in the Cotswolds

World's deadliest chick filmed eating its favourite food in Birdland

Saba Iftilchar and Cllr Shaun Turner looking at apples in the Barrowford orchard

Saba Iftilchar and Cllr Shaun Turner looking at apples in the Barrowford orchard

Local government

How you can apply for free fruit trees from a thriving East Lancs community orchard

Plane lace bugs have been known to bite people causing a mild rash.

Plane lace bugs have been known to bite people causing a mild rash.

Biting bug spotted in the UK for first time in 18 years sparks 'serious concern'

Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) has been described as a

Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) has been described as a

'Once-in-a-lifetime' comet to be visible in UK skies this month - see when

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Quiet corner of East Lancashire among best places for getting away from tech to relax

The landscape at Winter Hill was left charred following the fire

The landscape at Winter Hill was left charred following the fire

Winter Hill peatland struggling to recover six years on from wildfire

Des the Duck in the classroom with pupils at St Anne's and St Joseph's

Des the Duck in the classroom with pupils at St Anne's and St Joseph's

School pupils go quackers after adopting Des the Duck

Tracey Harwood found this spider in her Great Harwood home

Tracey Harwood found this spider in her Great Harwood home

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Facebook users horrified after woman finds ‘7.5cm long’ spider in home

The Harvest Moon will be visible in the night sky this week, seeing the full moon seem bigger and brighter.

The Harvest Moon will be visible in the night sky this week, seeing the full moon seem bigger and brighter.

This week is your only chance to see a bigger and brighter Full Moon

The event promises activities that can involve everyone, from grandparents to toddlers

The event promises activities that can involve everyone, from grandparents to toddlers

Lancashire wildlife hub to host 'Witches' Wetland' event this half-term

Are Adders, Grass Snakes and Smooth Snakes protected in England, Scotland and Wales?

Are Adders, Grass Snakes and Smooth Snakes protected in England, Scotland and Wales?

Are snakes classed as a protected species in the UK? Everything you need to know

Northern Lights to be visible in UK skies this week - see when and where

Northern Lights to be visible in UK skies this week - see when and where

Northern Lights

Northern Lights to be visible in UK skies this week - see when and where

The site in Oswaldtwistle Image: Proffitts

The site in Oswaldtwistle Image: Proffitts

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Scheme to tackle climate change and boost nature under way

Plans for a hedgehog rehabilitation centre have been submitted

Plans for a hedgehog rehabilitation centre have been submitted

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Plans lodged for new purpose-built hedgehog rehab centre in Lancashire

Can conkers deter moths? Here's how you can use conkers to keep moths away from your home

Can conkers deter moths? Here's how you can use conkers to keep moths away from your home

Can conkers keep moths away from your home?

This is everything you need to know about spider mating season, and some handy tips to keep the eight-legged creepy crawlies at bay

This is everything you need to know about spider mating season, and some handy tips to keep the eight-legged creepy crawlies at bay

Thousands of mating spiders are about to invade UK homes - how to keep them out

Kristen Jackson awoke to quite a surprise

Kristen Jackson awoke to quite a surprise

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'Ewe won't believe it!' - Homeowner describes moment she found sheep on her roof

A blue moon will be visible in the UK tonight

A blue moon will be visible in the UK tonight

When and how to see the seasonal blue moon that will be visible in UK skies tonight

There are three snakes native to the UK including the venomous adder.

There are three snakes native to the UK including the venomous adder.

How to tell the difference between adders, grass snakes and smooth snakes?

Swimming provides the elephants numerous health benefits including reduced impact on joints and muscles, improved circulation, enhanced cardiovascular fitness and increased flexibility.

Swimming provides the elephants numerous health benefits including reduced impact on joints and muscles, improved circulation, enhanced cardiovascular fitness and increased flexibility.

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Watch as pregnant elephants enjoy 'aqua-natal' swimming at Blackpool Zoo

Did you see the Northern Lights over the weekend? Don't worry if not because they are back again this week.

Did you see the Northern Lights over the weekend? Don't worry if not because they are back again this week.

Northern Lights

Northern Lights to be visible in UK skies again this week - see when and where

The Perseid meteor shower will be visible in the sky tonight - look out for it in Lancashire

The Perseid meteor shower will be visible in the sky tonight - look out for it in Lancashire

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Best spots to see the Perseids meteor shower in Lancashire tonight

The new wetland created by Holden Beck to support wildlife

The new wetland created by Holden Beck to support wildlife

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New 1 million litre wetland supporting endangered species completed

Check the seals around your doors and windows for ants

Check the seals around your doors and windows for ants

How to find where ants are coming from in the house - 5 things you need to do

New community woodland taking shape on land near Billington

New community woodland taking shape on land near Billington

Woodland Trust's new community project gets underway

Pictures as RHS Britain in Bloom judges decend on Rawtenstall

Pictures as RHS Britain in Bloom judges decend on Rawtenstall

Local government

Pictures as judges 'left in tears' at town's bid to be named ‘most beautiful’

Ribble Valley Mayor Cllr Louise Edge with the Redwood tree she planted at her Clayton-le-Dael farm

Ribble Valley Mayor Cllr Louise Edge with the Redwood tree she planted at her Clayton-le-Dael farm

Ribble Valley Redwood tree planting to battle climate change

Leighton Moss is one of the UK's top 10 bird havens, according to a list by Countryfile

Leighton Moss is one of the UK's top 10 bird havens, according to a list by Countryfile

'Secretive reedland' in Lancashire among the UK's best bird havens

Viaduct, the picturesque river-side par 3 eighth is one of Pleasington's signature holes

Viaduct, the picturesque river-side par 3 eighth is one of Pleasington's signature holes

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Major change and £1m investment herald new era at Pleasington Golf Club

The aurora borealis is linked to Earth's magnetic field

The aurora borealis is linked to Earth's magnetic field

Northern Lights could be visible in the UK again this week

Green Flag presentation at Memorial Park, Great Harwood

Green Flag presentation at Memorial Park, Great Harwood

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East Lancs' ‘most beautiful parks’ revealed after receiving Green Flag Awards

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Samlesbury

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Samlesbury

Village fete coming to Lancs beauty spot for a full weekend

The Water Street, Great Harwood, Oak Tree

The Water Street, Great Harwood, Oak Tree

Much loved tree once climbed by councillor officially protected

The Water Street, Great Harwood Oak tree

The Water Street, Great Harwood Oak tree

Local government

Township's 'significant' oak tree set for special protection

The Wildlife Trust says part of the wildflower meadow at Cross Hill Quarry near Clitheroe has been dug up for mountain bike jumps

The Wildlife Trust says part of the wildflower meadow at Cross Hill Quarry near Clitheroe has been dug up for mountain bike jumps

Wildlife trust calls on public to help protect meadow dug up for bike jumps

Wildfires can damage land and habitats

Wildfires can damage land and habitats

What is a wildfire? How you can check for travel advice before going on holiday

A hazel dormouse

A hazel dormouse

Animal Conservation

Tiny dormice coming to Lancashire woodland to save species from extinction

The community-minded volunteers who took part in the Big Balsam Bash

The community-minded volunteers who took part in the Big Balsam Bash

Braving the rain to tackle unwelcome species to improve a notable Bolton beauty spot