http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/ Top stories for Accrington Observer http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1123592_probe_at_school_as_swine_flu_strikes A HYNDBURN schoolboy is the first person in East Lancashire to contract swine flu. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1123592_probe_at_school_as_swine_flu_strikes Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124175_councillor_offers_to_pay_back_expenses HYNDBURN opposition leader Councillor Graham Jones has admitted he is prepared to hand back planning committee allowances he claimed after missing nearly half of last year’s meetings. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124175_councillor_offers_to_pay_back_expenses Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124176_musician_to_play_in_fathers_memory A ROYAL College of Music scholar is dedicating his viola performance with the Blackburn Symphony Orchestra to the memory of his late father. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124176_musician_to_play_in_fathers_memory Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124177_town_marks_pals_anniversary IT HAS been 93 years since the famous Accrington Pals Regiment first took to the battlefield. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124177_town_marks_pals_anniversary Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/football/accrington_stanley/s/1124122_whalley_linked_with_chester CHESTER City could make an announcement next week about the possibility of ex-Stanley chairman Eric Whalley linking up with the Blue Square Premier club. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/football/accrington_stanley/s/1124122_whalley_linked_with_chester Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124121_bash_still_on_for_hattrick TOP side Baxenden have lost the chance to claim a quartet of trophies this season - but skipper Ian Austin is not complaining. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124121_bash_still_on_for_hattrick Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124120_allout_attack_needed_for_ashes IAN AUSTIN is hoping Andy Flintoff will go for all-out attack when the Ashes start on July 8. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124120_allout_attack_needed_for_ashes Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124119_luke_glad_hes_finally_here LUKE Woodcock has finally arrived at Church - and steps into the biggest weekend of their season. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124119_luke_glad_hes_finally_here Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124118_rishton_on_the_mark RISHTON are hoping to snap up the services of Southern Australian Mark Cosgrove for the rest of the season. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124118_rishton_on_the_mark Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/football/accrington_stanley/s/1124117_the_reds_are_back ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman is ready to put the boot in after the Reds returned to pre-season training on Monday. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/football/accrington_stanley/s/1124117_the_reds_are_back Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/s/1124116_robbies_euro_bid ROBBIE Schofield is the English Under 20 800m champion - and now needs to knock less than half a second off his time to qualify for the European Junior Athletics Championships in Serbia. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/s/1124116_robbies_euro_bid Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/s/1124115_curtis_enjoys_revenge_mission ACCRINGTON kickboxer Jason Curtis got his revenge when reclaiming his British title. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/s/1124115_curtis_enjoys_revenge_mission Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124114_belthorn_old_trafford_date BELTHORN Primary School are Old Trafford bound after winning the Asda Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Schools Year Six Kwik Cricket competition. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/cricket/s/1124114_belthorn_old_trafford_date Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/s/1123905_veteran_athlete_determined_to_keep_ronning RON Hill’s regular fish and chip supper is not exclusively responsible for his longevity. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//sport/s/1123905_veteran_athlete_determined_to_keep_ronning Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124178_dead_man_found_in_flat_after_swiss_tipoff AN EMAIL tip-off from Switzerland led to a former councillor discovering a pensioner lying dead on the floor of his Clayton-le-Moors flat. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124178_dead_man_found_in_flat_after_swiss_tipoff Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124180_masked_bank_raid_featured_on_tv A RECONSTRUCTION of the moments two masked thieves crashed through the roof of a Rishton bank and forced its staff to hand over mounds of cash appeared on BBC 1’s Crimewatch programme this week. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124180_masked_bank_raid_featured_on_tv Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124179_sarahs_proposal_after_10_years__and_62_miles WHEN Sarah Jameson walked the last stretch of a 62-mile hike, she thought it would be her who fell to her knees, not her boyfriend. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124179_sarahs_proposal_after_10_years__and_62_miles Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124181_just_a_third_think_their_council_value_for_money ONLY 36 per cent of people believe their council provides value for money, according to a new survey. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1124181_just_a_third_think_their_council_value_for_money Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1123683_shot_paras_tragic_bad_luck A SOLDIER killed by the Taliban died through `tragic bad luck', an inquest was told. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1123683_shot_paras_tragic_bad_luck Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1123593_we_want_your_moon_landing_memories AS THE 40th anniversary approaches of man's first steps on the moon, we're asking for your memories of that historic moment. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1123593_we_want_your_moon_landing_memories Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122650_little_fighter_defies_the_odds A TERMINALLY ill boy who was not expected to live beyond the age of two is confounding doctors’ predictions as he prepares to attend nursery school. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122650_little_fighter_defies_the_odds Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122648_parents_speak_of_heartbreak_at_losing_bundle_of_joy THE HEARTBROKEN parents of a baby who died aged just 16 days old have spoken about their grief. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122648_parents_speak_of_heartbreak_at_losing_bundle_of_joy Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122647_happy_family_is_torn_apart_by_road_crash AN ACCRINGTON dad-of-three has tragically died after the motorbike he was riding clipped a van on the M66. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122647_happy_family_is_torn_apart_by_road_crash Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122637_brolly_good_time_was_had_by_all THE WET weather did not dampen the spirits of hundreds of visitors who braved the elements to enjoy this year’s Accrington Carnival. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122637_brolly_good_time_was_had_by_all Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122649_meat_the_upper_crust_of_the_premier_league THE PIE’S the limit for Burnley FC as they prepare for their maiden season in the Premier League. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122649_meat_the_upper_crust_of_the_premier_league Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122646_cash_card_scanner_found_at_asda A CASH card scanner designed to help criminals steal thousands of pounds from unsuspecting ATM customers has been found in Asda Accrington. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122646_cash_card_scanner_found_at_asda Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122645_pilgrimage_to_shrine_of_cash_and_the_king A COUNTRY music lover from Great Harwood embarked on a personal pilgrimage to two remarkable shrines to celebrate her 65th birthday. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122645_pilgrimage_to_shrine_of_cash_and_the_king Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122538_tributes_to_biker_klilled_in_mway_smash THE motorcyclist killed in a motorway crash has been named as Kevin Neal Aspinall, aged 35, of Bullough Close, Accrington. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122538_tributes_to_biker_klilled_in_mway_smash Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122289_fatal_crash_sparks_mway_chaos COMMUTERS faced road chaos after a motorcyclist died when his bike collided with a van on the M66. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1122289_fatal_crash_sparks_mway_chaos Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121491_councillor_defends_his_violent_sons TWO sons who helped get their father elected into County Hall have pleaded guilty to knocking out the front teeth of a teenage girl. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121491_councillor_defends_his_violent_sons Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121489_have_faith_in_my_politics_says_kevin WHO says politics and religion don’t mix? Mr Kevin Logan, who retired last summer as the vicar of Christ Church, Accrington, has declared an interest in standing as a candidate for Hyndburn in the next General Election – just days after Hyndburn’s current MP Greg Pope announced his decision to step down for family reasons. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121489_have_faith_in_my_politics_says_kevin Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121487_chilliloving_cook_really_is_hot_stuff_ A HOT-HEADED cook from Great Harwood’s habit of chomping on chillis paid off when she won what organisers claim is the country's first ever chilli eating challenge. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121487_chilliloving_cook_really_is_hot_stuff_ Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121351_revealed_mp_greg_popes_7295_claim_for_house_expenses DETAILS of a claim amounting to £7,295 by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope have been revealed. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121351_revealed_mp_greg_popes_7295_claim_for_house_expenses Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121484_suspended_nurse_to_return_to_work AN ACCRINGTON nurse suspended for two years for letting an asthmatic colleague use an inhaler to prevent an attack wept when she was told she could return to work. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121484_suspended_nurse_to_return_to_work Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121483_tv_to_focus_on_tragic_family A TV DOCUMENTARY will be shown later this year about the murder of the Riaz family who died in a fire at their Accrington home. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1121483_tv_to_focus_on_tragic_family Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//community/obituaries/s/1121481_tribute_to_lorry_driver_killed_in_crush_tragedy THE family of a lorry driver who died after a tragic accident have paid an emotional tribute to "the life and soul of their family". http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//community/obituaries/s/1121481_tribute_to_lorry_driver_killed_in_crush_tragedy Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120328_mp_bows_out HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope will quit at the next General Election, the Observer can reveal. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120328_mp_bows_out Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120326_let_my_jailed_son_come_home_to_die THE mother of a prisoner with inoperable lung cancer is pleading with authorities to release her only son before he dies. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120326_let_my_jailed_son_come_home_to_die Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120325_pipped_at_the_post_beauty_queen_eyes_career_in_singing A BEAUTY queen from Accrington has been pipped to the post in a national beauty competition despite being a firm favourite with the public, but she may have the last laugh with a singing career now on the cards. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120325_pipped_at_the_post_beauty_queen_eyes_career_in_singing Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120323_dance_tutor_says_hollie_critics_are_so_unfair BRITAIN’S Got Talent finalist Hollie Steel’s dance tutor has insisted criticism of her parents and the show’s producers is unjust after accusations they failed to protect the 10-year-old. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120323_dance_tutor_says_hollie_critics_are_so_unfair Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120322_sixth_form_will_bring_alevels_back_to_town ACCRINGTON will soon have a full A-level programme at one of its high schools. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120322_sixth_form_will_bring_alevels_back_to_town Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119273_leader_vows_to_build_bridges DESPITE losing three seats, Labour members from Hyndburn remain defiant. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119273_leader_vows_to_build_bridges Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119433_bnp_wins_north_west_euro_seat FURIOUS scenes greeted the far-right BNP’s European election victory after a night of drama at Manchester town hall. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119433_bnp_wins_north_west_euro_seat Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120321_top_snapper_clicked_with_model_wife ACCRINGTON’S best known photographer and his wife celebrated a picture perfect day when they marked their diamond wedding anniversary on Monday. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1120321_top_snapper_clicked_with_model_wife Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119009_fight_for_survival TODAY is a critical day for Accrington Stanley, as the club’s future rests in the hands of the taxman over a £300,000 debt. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119009_fight_for_survival Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119008_complaints_flood_in HUNDREDS of viewers have complained to TV watchdogs about Britain’s Got Talent – with the majority objecting to Huncoat schoolgirl Hollie Steel being given a second chance in the semi-final. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119008_complaints_flood_in Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119007_mps_regret_over_shopping_spree HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope claimed expenses for a £1,590 shopping spree in John Lewis and £560 for two abstract paintings for his home, it has been revealed. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119007_mps_regret_over_shopping_spree Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119006_police_launch__hunt_for_most_wanted_fugitive POLICE have issued a national TV appeal in a bid to catch a Hyndburn drug dealer who fled the country five years ago. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119006_police_launch__hunt_for_most_wanted_fugitive Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000 http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119004_appeal_win_for_assault_case_nurse A NURSE convicted of attacking a colleage has won an appeal against the ruling. http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk//news/s/1119004_appeal_win_for_assault_case_nurse Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000