AN ENGINEER was battered by a drunken yob for being Welsh, a court heard. Victim Christopher Taylor was left so traumatised by the beating, at the hands of 20-year-old James Phethean, that he moved away from East Lancashire to his native Wales, Burnley
A GRAVEYARD which is due to be dug up to make way for a new £4million road could contain up to 3,000 bodies. Council bosses have been accused of "grossly under-estimating" the number of people buried in St Peter's Cemetery, Blackburn. And relatives
COUNCILLORS are seeking hospital "horror stories" to build a dossier on the controversial shake-up of services. Liberal Democrats from across East Lancashire hope to use the information to force a Healthcare Commission investig-ation into the Meeting
FORTY parents attended a meeting last night called after an attack by armed intruders at a school. The event allowed parents of children who attend Hameldon Community College the chance to raise concerns with head Gill Broom, as well as police and council
RESIDENTS are being urged to recycle their Christmas cards through the annual Woodland Trust scheme. This year people in East Lancashire can take their Christmas cards to WH Smith, Tesco, Marks and Spencer and TK Maxx stores across the county any time
MEDICAL watchdogs will ask a High Court judge for permission to keep a Rossendale doctor under supervision. Dr Sydney Farrow, who worked at Whitworth Medical Centre, has been under General Medical Council Restrictions for nearly three years. The doctor
A NEW campaign urging people to have a smoke alarm fitted on every floor of their house is set to get underway. Lancashire Fire and Rescue is backing the government's 'Push Your Button! Not Your Luck' campaign by offering free home visits to residents
FRIENDS of a pensioner with Royal household connections have spoken of their shock and devastation after she was killed in a car smash Elizabeth Jephson, 79, died when her Rover 25 and a Mercedes collided head-on on the A671 Accrington Road, Whalley.
SINCE 2003 seven police officers have been shot or stabbed to death while on duty across the country. On New Year's Eve Lancashire Police's dog handler Katie Johnson was blasted with 12 pellets in the thigh after a violent pub raid in Bamber Bridge
A TIMETABLE has been drawn up for talks on how a primary school places crisis can be averted in Nelson. Education chiefs have warned the number of places for children starting school in the Pendle town could run out within the next two years. Now county
HASLINGDEN including Edenfield & Helmshore Neighbourhood Forum takes place on Monday, January 14 at Haslingden High School. An open surgery session at 6.30pm will give residents a chance question ward councillors. The meeting starts at 7pm and top of
POLICE are calling for teenagers to volunteer for a cadet course. The course, from March to December, is designed to give an insight into the police service and organisations that work in partnership with the force. It is for teenagers aged 16 to 19
A WOMAN who handled coins stolen from an elderly woman's home was brought to justice with the help of her family. Suspicions were aroused when relatives realised that the foreign coins Angela Johnstone had were linked to a raid at the address of an
THIS is the look of loneliness which highlights the suffering caused by abandoning animals over Christmas. Five-week old Urchin, a terrier cross, is just one of the animals taken to East Lancashire animal shelters over the festive period. Three
A SHOP chain has submitted fresh plans for a store in Pendle. Booths' proposal for a store on the site of Park Mill and the former Pendle Brook House care home, off Gisburn Road, Barrowford, were rejected last January. But bosses have submitted new
THE RIBBLE Valley has one of the lowest teenage pregnancy rates in the country, figures show. The news comes after Department of Health statistics revealed that more than 20 girls between 13 and 15 become pregnant every day in the UK. However in the
A WORKER travelled to Barcelona and back in a day so a brave youngster could have a special Christmas present from a football superstar. Joshua Ford, nine, of Lisbon Drive, Burnley, who had to have his legs amputated after contracting a rare form of
AN IT firm has won a major deal to supply soft-ware for a luxury home accessories retailer. K3 Business Technology Group, based at Linden Business Centre, Linden Road, Colne, has agreed a £1.3million multi-channel' contract with The White Company. Multi-channel
THE details of two Burnley suspects who have gone missing after failing to appear in court have been put on Lancashire police's 'most wanted' website. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Adam Ryder and Jacqueline Anne Nicholson, but police have
NELSON is the most affordable town for first-time buyers in the UK, according to a survey by a leading estate agent. An average home in the Pendle town was selling for £108,230, research by the Halifax Bank discovered. Last year the same distinction
ONE in ten people who drive for work have admitted falling asleep at the wheel in the past year. The shocking figure comes from road safety charity Brake and Green Flag Of drivers who don't drive for work, 4 per cent have fallen asleep in the past
POLICE who arrested a man after an alleged hit-and-run are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. The 25-year-old from Darwen, has been bailed until the end of the month after being questioned about the incident, in the early hours
AN IT firm has won a major deal to supply soft-ware for a luxury home accessories retailer. K3 Business Technology Group, based at Linden Business Centre, Linden Road, Colne, has agreed a £1.3million multi-channel' contract with The White Company. Multi-channel
A drug user caught street dealing, in the latest phase of a police operation, has been jailed for two years and eight months. John Hutchinson sold heroin to an undercover officer on the streets of Blackburn. It was all done as a way of feeding his own
AN East Lancashire town's market is set to remain in the town hall after a two-month trial. Fears had grown over the future of Padiham Market after it was decided that the permanent market off Burnley Road would be turned into a car park. The decision
PATIENTS are being urged to report healthcare workers who do not follow guidelines to help prevent the spread of potentially fatal superbugs. Kath Roberts, nurse in charge of reducing infection for Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust, works throughout
I know this sounds ridiculous but its true. Someone has taken Santa's house from the Christmas light display on Station Road, Foulridge, which had been there for the last 40 days. The house was a cover for the electric plugs and to be inkeeping with
MUSLIMS returning from the Hajj pilgrimage are being urged to take action if they have been the victim of rogue tour operators. A charity has expressed "grave concern" about the increasing problem of exploitation of the pilgrims to Mecca by rogue and
BRENDAN Flood has revealed that Burnley are in the market for a tough-guy enforcer as the Clarets bid to get their wavering season back on track. The club's operational director insists manager Owen Coyle will be provided sufficient resources to bring
A POLICE officer who was shot after challenging armed robbers has vowed to return to work as soon as possible. PC Katie Johnson, 29, needed surgery to remove 12 shotgun pellets from her left thigh after being shot while responding to a 999 call at a
Finishers in Todmorden Harriers' festive road race were treated to a Hot Toddy afterwards in the White Hart Hotel. The Hot Toddy 5.8-mile Road Race starts and finishes in the town centre, but in between follows a hilly town and country circuit. Damien
Chorley athlete Vicky Gill may have had to settle for second behind Helen Clitheroe at the Ribble Valley 10K, but she did manage one victory over the Christmas break at the Boxing Day 10K Road Race around Worden Park, Leyland. Only nine men were ahead
NEW Year; same old Brad Friedel. For the second time in four days, Blackburn Rovers' 'Mr Dependable' came to his side's rescue with another penalty save that laid the foundations for this hard-fought victory at ice-station Ewood Park. Having denied Derby's
BURNLEY'S operational director Brendan Flood insists that the club won't sell their best players - including wanted striker Kyle Lafferty - unless plans were afoot to replace them with better quality. Speculation has re-surfaced that Scottish giants
JUNIOR and senior medics from across the Burnley area are celebrating their contribution to making the borough a safer place. More than 20 dedicated recruits, from badger rank, aged five to 10, to adult level, shared the honours at the St John Ambulance
Pendle Council has launched a "Don't Juggle With Your Health" campaign encouraging people to alternate their drinks between alcoholic and non-alcoholic on a night out. Toasting the launch, at the Crown Hotel, Albert Road, Colne, are (from left) licensee
TORIES have been urged to ditch Pendle MEP Sajjad Karim when they draw up their shortlist for the European elections. Former solicitor Mr Karim's defection from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives, at the end of November, sparked a bitter war
THE story behind Burnley's war memorial is traced by local historian Steve Chapples. The First World War claimed nearly a million British lives, including 3,000 Burnley Pals, among them 39 sailors who drowned when the "Royal Edward" sank in 1915.
AS we usher in 2008, we turn the clock back to 1967 and remember the celebrations of a new year 41 years ago. There are many ways of celebrating and bringing in another year, but only the hardy choose to start it by plunging into the chilly waters of
The Mayor of Padiham, Coun Maureen Whittaker, and Padiham councillors would like to wish all the resdients of the town a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Padiham Town Council will hold its first meeting of 2008 on Monday January 7 at 7pm in the Ballroom Annex. The meeting is open to the public.
Padiham Sports Club is to presnt an exhibition of sporting memorabilia including photographs, medal and trophies on Sunday January 27. The event will take place in the Town Hall ballroom to mark 60 years of sport at the Arbories Memorial Ground.
BARROWFORD biker Dominic Barlow is hoping to follow in the tyre tracks of Burnley racing legend Neil Hodgson. The 25-year-old has only been racing for little over six months, but he has already turned heads with several top performances. And he admitted
THE owner of a volunteer cat rescue service has thanked everyone who has made a donation over the festive period. Late last year Maureen Savage, of Moggies Cat Rescue based in Stansfield Street, Darwen, appealed to people for donations of cat or kitten
BULGARIAN striker Valeri Domovchiyski has reportedly been given leave to go on trial at Blackburn Rovers. Sources in the country say 21-year-old Domovchiyski, who plays for Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia, will spend a week with Rovers.
ACCRINGTON Stanley have secured the services of Sean Webb until the end of the season. And manager John Coleman has extended Billy Dennehy's loan spell from Sunderland for a further month. Coleman said: "Sean and Billy have done well since they've been
ROBBIE Savage's future is still in the air after Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes confirmed last night that Sunderland have still to meet his asking price. The former Welsh international, who was left out of Hughes' squad as Rovers beat the Black
THE Ribble Valley Ten Kilometre race has always been a 'must do' event for East Lancashire's road racers, often as much for social as competitive reasons. Under the recent stewardship of Blackburn Harriers, it has retained the relaxed post-Christmas
JOHN Stone and co-driver Lee Carter got their 2008 rally season off to a flying start with victory on last weekend's Specsavers Christmas Stages. The rally, based at the Croft Race Track near Darlington, attracted a capacity 90 car entry providing Stone
A BIG thank you to people who assisted me recently after I collapsed outside Morrisons. Two nurses rang for paramedics and first aiders came from Morrisons. Nursing staff and X-ray department reassured me there were no serious problems. Though I don't
AS secretary of the Pakistan Youth League I am shocked and angered by the death of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. Her death has been an attack on world democracy and a huge loss not only to Pakistan but to the world. She was one of the few
AFTER many years of second rate Christmas television I didn't think the TV companies could stoop so low. I was wrong! The fare on offer this Christmas was awful. It's a poor do when you have to dig into the past to the seventies and eighties when Christmas
I AM writing to share a concern I have regarding the dangers of being too quick to marginalise religious festivals such as Christmas. It seems to a lot of people no longer participate seriously in these festivals because Christianity has, in many minds
THE year is 1947, when lads and lasses from East Lancashire often hot-footed it to Blackpool for dancing and fun. This photograph shows a quartet of girls from Blackburn, taken in the resort that summer. We only know one of them Lillian Martindale,
Anyone wishing to receive minutes of Parish Council meetings should email the Parish clerk. carole_galbraithuk@yahoo.co.uk
Improvement works to the Methodist graveyard are to take place during 2008. The aim is to make grass cutting easier and more economical, and also to ensure that all memorial stones comply with health and safety regulations. Several letters of concern
The Hapton Methodist choir are to present an "Old Time Music Hall" on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th January. Admission £3.00 adults, £1.50 children. A family friendly show. Tickets from choir members.
ACCRINGTON Stanley were still in negotiations with Swansea City last night about the possible return of Ian Craney to the Fraser Eagle Stadium. Craney was expected to tie up a move back to Stanley yesterday and manager John Coleman is confident the midfielder
The Mayor of Padiham, Councillor Maureen Whittaker and Padiham Councillors, would like to wish a very happy and prosperous New Year to all the residents of the town.
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes was pleased with last night's result - if not the performance. A poor match was memorable only for two second half penalties. Brad Friedel saved the first from Sunderland's Dean Whitehead. Then four minutes later
On Sunday 27 January from 11.00am - 4.00pm, Padiham Sports Club is to present an exhibition of sporting memorabilia including photographs, medals, trophies etc. The event will take place in the Town Hall Ballroom to mark 60 years of sport at the Arbories
TWO men are continuing to be questioned over the attempted murder of a police officer during an armed robbery near Preston. PC Katie Johnson, 29, a dog handler with Lancashire Police, suffered 12 pellet wounds to her leg as she tried to foil a raid at
THIS is the story of a Blackburn lad, who served in two world wars, went to live in America and became an award-winning crime writer. One of his stories appeared in an Alfred Hitchcock magazine of mystery tales in 1970. Patrick O'Keeffe, who spent his
TWO women have been sexually assaulted in separate incidents in the early hours of New Year's Day. The first assault happened on the Flat Iron Car Park in Market Walk, Chorley, and the second a short time later on Steely Lane by the Horse Bit shop.
A FORMER Darwen teacher has been awarded an OBE for services to education. Prof Geoff Southworth, who worked at St James CE Primary School, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to education. Prof Southworth, 60, was a teacher for 16 years
MOTORISTS are being warned to prepare for difficult driving conditions as snow and freezing temperatures are forecast for Lancashire. The Met Office said that there is expected to be widespread snowfall today that will spread northwards across England
AN ELDERLY motorist died after her vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with another car. The 79-year-old woman, from Clitheroe, died at the scene of the accident in Whalley, following the crash at 5.30pm yesterday. The woman had been travelling
A SUPER-FIT dad has praised two people who saved his life after he suffered a massive heart attack while out running. Aaron Hargreaves, 29, collapsed during hill training with Blackburn Harriers two days before Christmas. He stopped breathing and had
