Tony McCoy believes Binocular's withdrawal from the Stan James Champion Hurdle has "taken the gloss off" this year's renewal. The defending champion was declared a non-runner on Sunday after it emerged an allergy medication had failed to clear his
CRUMBLING flags in Colne's precinct are finally set to be replaced - and taxpayers and supermarket giant Sainsbury's will be footing the bill. Paving stones in the Market Street shopping centre, laid in 2008, failed to survive their first winter
Pakistan secured their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe, but captain Shahid Afridi is already looking ahead to topping Group A. Pakistan face Australia in a top-of-the-table clash next Saturday, and despite
A CRICKET club has been left counting the cost after thieves smashed their way into the changing rooms and ripped a TV off the wall. Raiders hurled a brick through a large double-glazed window before climbing into the main pavilion at Padiham Cricket
Hurricane Fly bids to lay a ghost to rest after finally making an elusive first trip to Cheltenham to contest Tuesday's Stan James Champion Hurdle. The French import has always been held in the highest regard by Irish champion Willie Mullins, but injury
Pakistan secured their World Cup quarter-final berth with a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in a rain-affected Group A clash at Kandy. Two rain interruptions during Zimbabwe's batting meant Pakistan were chasing a revised target of 162 in 38 overs
A DOME built on the roof of a mosque is set to be awarded retrospective planning permission. The fibreglass structure, on a former care home off Didsbury Street, Blackburn, had not been authorised by planners when it was built. Planning permission
PENDLE Council’s website has been rated one of the best in the region by the national society of IT managers. The council’s website was inspected during November and December last year by the independent group. Paul Hussey, policy unit manager for
I enjoyed telling my two the facts of life, though I could have done without the disgust that dawned on six-year-old daughter’s face, starring as she then was, in her drama-queen diva stage. Realising how daddy and mummy produced her was way
Rawtenstall Market has a resident artist. John Corcoran, 71, from Nelson, spends his Thursdays and Saturdays at the market, creating colourful paintings. He has been holding exhibitions of his work since 1970. Some of his work has sold for
AN expanding IT firm is going back to school by launching a website for the education sector. Clayton-le-Moors-based Cleverboxes has designed its online portal edu.cleverboxes.com to offer ‘unbeatable value on all the latest content and products’. It
DARWEN Academy has received more than £18,000 to run a two-year foreign exchange programme. The foreign languages department has arranged for 30 pupils to visit schools in France, Finland and Spain over the next 12 months. Teachers hope cultural links
A polytunnel stolen from charity fundraiser Caitlin Jones is to be replaced. Caitlin, 15, of Somerset Avenue, Darwen, was left heartbroken after the equipment in an allotment near her home was stolen overnight last month. It was the last thing her
THE owner of a hostel which was the scene of a fatal fire has been fined for breaching safety regulations. Preston Crown Court heard that the Devonshire Hotel, Bridge Street, Blackburn, had not had an appropriate fire evacaution procedure on
Blackburn Rovers Ladies maintained their excellent record in the Lancashire FA Women’s Challenge Cup, claiming the trophy for the seventh time in the last eight seasons with a thumping 6-2 final victory over Preston. Rovers didn’t have it all their
THE number of people living in Burnley is still dropping, an official report has said. Thousands of residents have moved out of the borough over the past decade despite millions of pounds of investment. The town’s MP said people were coming back and
A WOMAN who ‘glassed’ a former Hollyoaks actress from Blackburn and left her blinded in one eye has today been found not guilty of wounding with intent. Sarah Harding, 21, from Nelson Street, Horwich, near Bolton, broke down in tears when the
FLAMES leapt from a row of terraces this afternoon after a fire spread through the roof space of several homes. Residents in Lynwood Road, Revidge, claimed children playing in an upstairs bedroom started the fire at 2.10pm. But firefighters
Well that wasn’t meant to happen was it? Some would say it was very typical of Burnley, get the fans believing we had turned a corner and then go and “throw one in”. Saturday’s game with Millwall really was a bad day at the office, especially
BEGINNING with the obligatory Shine On You Crazy Diamond, The Australian Pink Floyd Show proved yet again why they are widely lauded as the ‘best tribute band in the world’. Their attention to detail is phenomenal and they have taken the music of
HYNDBURN councillors remain in line for a 3.6 per cent rise in their expenses. A request to reject proposals for the rise was not taken up at Hyndburn’s full council last week. The independent body responsible for setting Hyndburn’s rate has recommended
CHANGES to Great Harwood’s Tesco store have been approved by planners. The supermarket giant requested Hyndburn Council to approve a raft of improvements, which have now been given the go-ahead. Planners approved a number of changes including extra
Just short of two decades ago, Rovers clinched promotion to the Premier League and have since spent all but two seasons in England’s top flight. Now as they battle the drop, we complete a three-day series on the club’s last 20 years by speaking to
DOZENS of youngters from across East Lancashire took part in the two-day Burnley Festival of Speech, Music and Drama. The festival, which includes prizes for poetry, prose, acting and public speaking, took place on Friday and Saturday at Thomas Whitham
FIRE crews were called to rescue a teenager who ‘lost his bottle’ after jumping onto a roof in Blackburn. The 13-year-old ended up on top of the former County Court building, Victoria Street, after jumping from the roof of the shopping centre car park
A BLACKBURN businessman who hit financial problems ended up receiving stolen Land Rover vehicles. Preston Crown Court was told that Lee Hall initially turned a blind eye to what others were doing. But he then got involved when he realised what money
A 42-year-old Darwen man dialled random telephone numbers and subjected females to sexually explicit calls and text messages. Blackburn magistrates heard some of the call recipients were deeply distressed by the nature of the calls from Adrian John Briggs
AN EAST Lancs man completed a gruelling triathlon in near 100 degree temperatures despite being a self-confessed ‘novice’. Neil Ashworth, 44, had to take swimming lessons and admitted he had barely ridden a bike since childhood before starting his last
A MAN who kicked and punched a teenager in the head in a pub beer garden has been jailed for four years. Scott Dagg, 28, of Yates Fold, Blackburn, jumped on his 19-year-old victim at Bar Ibiza, around 4.15pm on September 10. He had approached the
BLACKBURN Rovers Disabled Supporters Club will hold its annual awards evening at Ewood Park on April 18. The club provides a forum for disabled supporters and runs minibus travel for fans to every Rovers away game. More than 100 group members, players
BURNLEY defender Richard Eckersley has joined League Two side Bury on loan. Eckersley previously has a loan spell with Bradford and will now stay at Bury until the end of the regular season on May 7. He has featured just once for the Clarets
Ireland captain William Porterfield has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council after publicly criticising umpire Asoka de Silva's handling of a video review during his side's 44-run defeat against West Indies. Porterfield pleaded guilty
Shakib Al Hasan praised his Bangladesh players for holding their nerve in the crunch game against Holland and winning it by six wickets in Chittagong. Bangladesh stay in contention for the quarter-final place with the victory and are currently fourth
Imrul Kayes scored an unbeaten half-century as Bangladesh crushed Holland by six wickets in their World Cup Group B match in Chittagong. Opener Kayes scored 73 off 113 balls to complete Bangladesh's domination of the match after their bowlers bundled
Northern Viewpoints is an exhibition of work by photographer Graham Dean at Sunnyhurst Woods visitor centre from March 12 to May 8. From Darwen to Durham and from Liverpool to the Lakes, the exhibition captures some of the wide variety of cityscapes
A MELLOR company director who assaulted his neighbour and two workmen because he was upset at the noise they were making has been made subject to a suspended prison sentence. Blackburn magistrates heard the men were removing a fireplace and started work
THE chief executive of Lancashire County Council wrote a stinging letter to Whitehall chiefs complaining about funding, it has emerged. Phil Halsall was in charge of resources in January when he said the funding settlement was ‘particularly
To add some sparkle to your day, Freixenet is hosting the Freixenet VIPs (Very Impromptu Parties) - a dance master class with Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the stylish Suede in Manchester. Newsquest Northwest
THE teenage nephew of a fallen East Lancashire soldier is to follow his footsteps into the army. Jack Lancaster, 17, from Earby, has just joined the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and will be training in Harrogate for the next 12 months. His uncle, 25
UPBEAT and focused Barnoldswick Town made light of teeming rain and turned on the style to thrash hapless Alsager at a soaking but gleeful Silentnight Stadium on Saturday. The nap happy locals shot up into third spot in the Vodkat League Premier Division
After their 4-0 victory over Silsden in midweek, Colne netted another four goals thanks to an impressive hat-trick by striker Danny Boyle. Boyle put the Reds ahead but the Manchester side rocked Holt House by going into a 2-1 lead, which they held until
Goal shy Ramsbottom United saw their Vodkat League Premier Division championship hopes dented badly as they failed to score for the second week running and were held to a 0-0 Riverside draw by local rivals Bacup Borough. But Bacup were left to count
JASON Roberts insists Blackburn Rovers are “100 per cent united” in their battle to beat the drop as they prepare for the tightest relegation scrap in Premier League history. After a tough week for the club that has seen manager Steve Kean’
In an end to end game at the Arbories, Atherton LR completed a Vodkat League Premier Division double over Padiham as they recorded a 3-1 win. The visitors made a strong start and went ahead through Carl Beamish. But the Storks drew level on 19 minutes
ROSSENDALE United boss Chris Brookes has set his sights on lifting the Stags out of the Vodkat League Premier Division drop zone after his men beat Stone Dominoes in Staffordshire. Rossy were well worth their win as Mark Baguley and Steve Burke were
ROBERT Turner was on target as Clitheroe drew their Evo-Stik League First Division North trip over the Pennines to Ossett Albion. Turner put the Blues in front before James Riordan levelled.
Former Rovers’ starlet Steve Foster was a hit on his debut for promotion-chasing Chorley, setting up the opening goal and adding an eye-catching second as the Magpies recorded an emphatic victory to reclaim second spot behind runaway leaders Chester.
CLARKE Carlisle insists a shock home defeat to Millwall hasn’t dented their top six ambitions. Instead the Clarets captain described Saturday’s 3-0 loss as a “kick up the backside” and has vowed to get back into the winning habit against
PEOPLE being killed or seriously injured on Lancashire’s roads is at its lowest in 30 years. Despite high profile incidents including the hit and run death of Freda Holt and Thursday’s double fatal smash in Marsden Road, Burnley, which killed
A TEAM of tough paratroopers have started a campaign to bring home a kitten they’ve adopted at their base in Afghanistan. Paratrooper Liam Greenhalgh, 21, from Shadsworth, Blackburn, has joined his 12-strong unit in attempting to raise £5,000
THE FA Cup semi-finals have taken shape with a Manchester derby and Bolton v Stoke. They should be two decent games - but I just hope that Wembley stadium is empty. To take the semi-finals to the national stadium in London is just crazy
FOUR landmark building projects in East Lancashire have been shortlisted for architectural awards. The new ‘eco’ railway station at Accrington is up for the sustainability prize at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' North West Awards 2011
A CONTRACT designed to save Lancashire Police hundreds of thousands of pounds on interpreters has been ripped up. The force only struck a joint deal, alongside three other North West constabularies, with interpreter agency Applied Language Solutions
ONE of the worst things about getting older is the effort involved in getting a decent night’s sleep. I used to have no problem nodding off, and once I did, I’d sleep like a log — I’ve never understood why people say sleep like a baby, in my
CHORLEY boxer Michael Jennings would have no qualms about fighting friend Craig Watson as he bids to regain the British welterweight title for the first time in five years. Jennings suffered disappointment last week as he had to pull out of
AS cuts start to bite, the Countryside Alliance has written to all local authorities urging them to ensure that the unique needs of rural areas will not fall victim. Our message is clear: engage with local people and respond to what they need.
PROFIT calling! Wanting to build many, many, homes not just in Lancashire but all over England’s green and pleasant countryside. Profit said, who cares if the UK population is growing by over 200,000 each year; that building on England’s valuable
The bus-only signs outside Accrington Town Hall are ignored. Trying to cross the bus strip into the pedestrian zone, I gave way to a Shoe Zone truck, a Royal Mail van and a private car – three drivers who ignored the signs and probably do so time
POLICE consistently tell us they have made major strides in recent years in tackling the so-called ‘low level’ crime that can really have an impact on people. Performance ratings have put the force as one of the best for handling reports of yobbish behaviour
I am writing regarding a recent letter regarding the relocation of the waterwheel from Turton Tower to a site on Bury Road, Edgworth. The writer wrote that the cost was going to be £100,000. What on earth did this person think we were moving – the
BURNLEY boss Eddie Howe has demanded home improvements from his side ahead of tomorrow’s Turf Moor visit of Coventry City. The Clarets’ top six charge was scuppered by Millwall, who became the first side to win at Turf Moor in 2011.
DELICACIES from ostrich meat to locally-brewed ale were on offer at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel yesterday. The 700-year-old Clayton-le-Moors hotel hosted a food and drink festival, with 36 stalls selling a range of local produce. Matthew Williamson, the
Welcome to The Ashes Series 2010/2011 - Complete Collection, the definitive Complete Collectors Edition Box Set. Containing official highlights of England’s comprehensive 3-1 triumph over Australia at last year’s Ashes, this seven-disc DVD
What better way to enjoy Blackburn Rovers versus Blackpool, than by winning this fantastic competition? One lucky winner and their guest will receive two tickets to the match on March 19, plus a three-course lunch with free drinks courtesy of the
Put the spring back in your step with a BingoHollywood.com spa break. To Celebrate St Patrick’s Day and the arrival of spring, BingoHollywood.com is giving away a luxurious spa package for two to Cork. With Hollywood A-listers such as Sarah
Global, multi-million selling recording artist Charlie Landsborough releases his eagerly anticipated album Love, In A Song on March 21, 2011. Love, In A Song features recordings of all time classics such as I Only Have Eyes For You, Miss You Nights
Lancashire have decided to name one of the ends at the revamped Old Trafford the Statham End in tribute to legendary quick Brian Statham. The Red Rose have rotated the square at the famous ground.
Shaun Wright-Phillips says he and the rest of his MANCHESTER CITY team-mates will be ready for arch rivals MANCHESTER UNITED in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. CRYSTAL PALACE manager Dougie Freedman has introduced twice-weekly yoga sessions to the
JOHN Coleman has insisted that his Accrington Stanley side should not be too downhearted despite a 3-1 defeat in their crucial six pointer at Gillingham on Saturday. Stanley had taken 13 points from their previous five games and Coleman
BLACKPOOL manager Ian Holloway has insisted that Saturday’s trip to Ewood Park is not a ‘must win’ fixture – but he still spent a weekend break in Scotland preparing for the game by watching DVDs of Blackburn Rovers. Rovers, who were not in action at
A SHOP boss who claimed to be the victim of three violent knife-point attacks has been arrested on suspicion of making them all up. Tracy Frankcom, 40, from Darwen, told police she had been attacked by the same man at her music shop, in a car
Ireland captain William Porterfield has told his players to "leave everything on the pitch" against South Africa on Tuesday. After the elation of their victory over England, defeat to the West Indies in their fourth World Cup match meant Ireland's
Grand National-winning jockey Robbie Power believes Oscars Well represents his best chance of success in the Cheltenham Festival. Power, who took the Aintree marathon on Silver Birch in 2007, is looking to the Jessica Harrington-trained gelding to
The managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Hugh Morris, says he has had no conversations with Andrew Strauss amid talk that he is set to stand down as one-day captain at the end of the World Cup. Some reports this morning suggested
Paul Collingwood has too much on his mind trying to help England through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup to worry about how long his own international career may continue. The 34-year-old is only three matches away from becoming the first Englishman
LANCASHIRE Police are slashing the number of crimes requiring an immediate response by 35,000 under plans to make £42million cuts. Chiefs believe they can attend around eight per cent fewer incidents without hitting the detection of crime and
The breaking news on Sunday morning that reigning champion Binocular will not contest Tuesday's Stan James Champion Hurdle led to plenty of reaction from bookmakers. Paddy Power were the first firm to refund all antepost bets on Nicky Henderson's charge
