An investigation is under way after a caravan was wrecked by a blaze, and Nelson Fire Station is advising that deliberate fires like that can result in people dying.

The incident happened around 2-30am on Saturday in Cravendale Avenue, Nelson.

Watch Manager Roy Edwards from Nelson Fire Station said: “Two crews from Nelson worked for almost an hour to extinguish the caravan that was set alight on a private driveway. On arrival, the flames were already reaching the roof of the nearby house. We managed to stop the fire spreading to the house.

“Due to the time of day of this incident, if neighbours had not seen the fire, the fire would have spread into the house with the potential to cause injury to the residents.”

Mr Edwards added: “The fire was started deliberately and an investigation into who started the fire is ongoing.”

And he stressed the dangers of incidents like this. He said: “Deliberate fires can cost lives. They also put a strain on fire service resources that may be required elsewhere.

“If you suspect any deliberate fires, call Crime-stoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Former Corrie villain Natalie Gumede will be swopping the cobbles for glamour and glitz as she waltzes her way onto the next series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The popular Pendle actress is set to begin her ballroom battle at the end of the month, going head to head with 14 other famous faces, including singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Countdown’s Rachel Riley.

A self-confessed Strictly fanatic herself, the former Park High School student has previously admitted her love for the show in interviews and via her Twitter account.

And in an exclusive BBC interview, the 29-year-old shared her knowledge further by dubbing Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley as one of her favourite contestants of all times, and choosing eccentric personality Bruno Tonioli as the judge she would most like to be stuck in a lift with.

She said: “One of my favourite Strictly contestants has to be Lisa Riley. Last year she brought such energy to the show, and fully embraced every part of it.

“If I was to be stuck in a lift with any judge I think it would have to be Bruno. I think he would get me through the hour of despair with great humour.”

The star, who in 1996 won the Howard Rigg Leader-Times Stage Young Performer award, also admitted who she wants to guide her through her Strictly journey, stating: “I’d love to be partnered with Brendan Cole. I know he’s a hard taskmaster but I like a challenge.”

Taking to Twitter following the announcement, the actress could barely contain her excitement, posting a series of tweets including: “SQUEALS! @bbcstrictly #scd #strictly2013” and “RUNS AROUND ROOM! @bbcstrictly #scd #strictly2013”.

She was also supported by a number of well-wishers on her social networking site, who sent messages such as: “Get ready with the ‘Kirsty’ look in your Tango and Paso!! I am SO excited!!! :)” and “So it’s true all the very very best I’ll be voting for you x”.

Natalie, who chooses Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” as the song guaranteed to get her dancing, entered the world of showbiz at a young age.

Having graduated from the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in 2003, the talent won the role of China in BBC Three’s Ideal just one year later.

In 2011 she shot to fame, landing the role of Tyrone Dobb’s abusive lover Kirsty Soames in Coronation Street. The star left the world of Weatherfield in April, and this year scooped three gongs at the British Soap Awards.

See her begin her fight for the coveted glitterball trophy in the Strictly Come Dancing launch show on BBC One tomorrow at 6-50pm.

Football is a fast-moving game both on and off the field. Just a couple of weeks ago Clarets fans were approching the coming season with a sense of impending doom with the departure of top scorer Charlie Austin.

Fans bemoaned a lack of ambition at the club and many predicted a season down in the doldrums of a relegation dogfight. Okay, it is only early days yet, but a glance at the league table sees Sean Dyche’s Claret and Blue Army (minus Charlie Austin) sitting pretty in third spot.

Credit where credit is due, Dyche has put his faith in what he had and it is paying off!

A proud dance teacher has shared her joy after learning that former pupil Natalie Gumede will be gracing screens up and down the country in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Soap star Natalie (29), who appeared in shows at the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre and the Muni, was taught by Susan Thorp since she was four-years-old.

She was trained in various dance disciplines, including ballet and modern jazz, during her time at the Chippendale School of Dance, in Colne, and was said to have excelled with her tap abilities. She left the school in her early teens, before going to train at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in 2003.

Susan, known professionally by her maiden name Susan Chippendale, is delighted with the progress Natalie has made – but is quick to reassure the public that she is nothing like her former Coronation Street character Kirsty Soames.

The teacher, who retired six years ago, said: “I am very pleased – she has done very well.

“She got the part in Coronation Street, which isn’t anything like her at all – she must be a good actress. People would say ‘She’s horrible’ and I would say ‘No she’s not, she’s lovely’.

“I still see quite a few people who Natalie danced with, and they are very pleased with how she’s done.”

See Natalie begin her fight for the coveted glitterball trophy in the Strictly Come Dancing launch show on BBC One on Saturday at 6-50pm.

A talented opera singer and musical theatre performer has shared her experiences of filming a debut music video in Pendle.

Burnley College student Megan Ingham (18) staged her first original single “Cry Don’t Cry” at the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre, in Colne.

The historic venue neatly tied in with her classical sound, and was chosen by producer Stephen D Reid due to its “beautiful” nature.

Megan, a former St Christopher’s CE High School student, said: “I wanted to keep a classic feel to the video. The single is classical with a drum and bass feel to make it more accessible to everybody.

“This is the first video I have done – it was good, hard work. We had to do it again and again from different angles.

“I love it. We used shots of Marilyn Monroe, as that is what the story of the song is about. When Marilyn was in the spotlight she looked so happy with life, but behind the scenes it was a different story and she was putting on a front.”

And Stephen, who has had a top 40 hit this year with “One in a Million” by Re-Connected, added: “Megan has an amazing voice. I love working with different styles, and this has been a great opportunity to develop new areas of writing, especially with the extended mix exploring the full extent of her talent.”

Megan, who is signed by label Doc Redeye Music, has been performing since the age of 13 – taking on a number of roles in productions such as “Evita” and “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”.

The soprano will soon be taking to the stage in “The Witches of Eastwick” at the Burnley Mechanics, and is currently working on her next single, which will be based around Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”.

Her ambitions, once she has completed her BTEC in Performing Arts, are to attend drama school in London and bag herself a role in a West End production.

To watch Megan’s new single visit www.pendletoday.co.uk

Historian and author Geoff Crambie is set to take residents on a trip down memory lane as he prepares to host a lecture at Colne Library for the first time in 25 years.

The Leader Times columnist will be at the Market Street site on Tuesday, September 10th, between 7 and 9-30pm.

The event, entitled “Cornucopia of Colners”, will reflect on stories, photographs, and the lives of 80 of Colne’s biggest and most memorable characters. These include Titanic bandmaster Wallace Hartley and former librarian and historian Wilfred Spencer.

Previously entitled “Colne’s Who’s Who”, the event has been renamed by Geoff to mark the milestone since his last local library lecture. Some 75% of the passport-sized photographs and memories, which include 10 Pendle mayors, have been obtained firsthand.

Geoff now has over 12,000 images in his photograph collection and is currently working on his 10th book. He said: “It will be a nostalgic, evocative evening.”

“Cornucopia of Colners” is priced at £1, and tickets for the lecture are available from the library.

Pendle Constituency Labour Party has drawn up a shortlist of five from which its candidate will be chosen to fight the seat at the 2015 General Election.

The five were chosen from six would-be candidates who met local party officials in Nelson on Sunday.

Party members in Pendle will now vote at the Silverman Hall, Nelson, on Sunday, September 15th, to choose the candidate who they want to fight sitting Conservative MP Andrew Stephenson at the next election.

The five are:

Lesley Delves, the only woman on the list.

She lives in Southport and works for Liverpool City Council as a Visitor Economy Officer in the regeneration sector promoting culture and tourism.

She stood as a candidate in the local elections in Southport in 2012, running the most visible and successful campaign in the town’s Labour Party’s history and coming second against a sitting councillor of 40 years. She has been a member of Unison for 14 years.

Colne man Malcolm Birks, an architect who lives in Carry Lane.

He was born and bred locally and has helped to build new schools close by as part of the last Labour government’s investment in education.

He says Labour’s candidate will need the ability, energy and broad-ranging appeal to convince people across Pendle to vote Labour.

Experienced East Lancashire campaigner Marcus Johnstone, who has served for more than 30 years as a district and county councillor.

He is a former journalist who covered local events in Pendle for nine years and then retrained as a teacher before starting a new career as a lecturer at Nelson and Colne College. He has also worked as a regeneration officer for a regionally-based housing organisation.

He lives in Burnley and is currently a member of both Burnley and Lancashire County Councils.

Pendle Constituency Labour Party president Azhar Ali.

Born and brought up in Pendle and currently living in Brierfield, he has been actively involved in community work across Pendle for over 25 years.

He is a former leader of Pendle Council and is currently the County Councillor for Nelson South and Cabinet Member for Health and Well-being.

Salford city councillor Jim King.

He has put forward a 10-point plan designed to guarantee for every young person of a job and or training/apprenticeships paid for by a bankers’ “bonus tax”, renationalising the NHS by repealing “Lansley’s Law”, ensuring every child achieves good GCSE grades by sharing “best practice” from high achieving schools through more co-operation and less competition and introducing financial transfer and land value taxes.

A teenager who was sexually assaulted in the early hours of Sunday morning “demonstrated incredible bravery in fighting her attacker off”, police have said.

The 16-year-old was followed by a man believed to be in his late 20s, when she was walking from Oak Street onto Vincent Street at around 1-40am. She had been on a night out with friends.

The man, described as being white, of slim build and with facial stubble, is said to have briefly spoken to the girl, before sexually touching her over her clothing. The girl fought back, striking her attacker, before running home and alerting the police.

Now detectives are urging anybody with more information to step forward – adding that the man was around 5ft. 9 in. and was wearing grey joggers, a grey hooded jumper, and a blue and white thin waterproof jacket.

Det. Sgt Charlie Haynes from Pennine CID said: “Attacks of this nature are extremely serious and we are in the process of examining CCTV from the area and forensic evidence in our efforts to identify this man. I would also like to remind women to be vigilant and extra careful when going home after a night out.”

Call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police were studying CCTV footage from the Pendle Rise Shopping Centre in Nelson as we went to press in a bid to identify two people responsible for the theft of a purse from a pensioner.

The purse was in a bag which the 84-year-old female victim had left on a bench where she had been sitting in the centre, visiting the Farmfoods store before realising she had left her bag behind.

On her return, she found the purse, which contained money, bank cards, a bus pass and sentimental items. had gone.

Anyone with information on the theft can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Burnley man who harassed a mother and her two daughters for 17 years must undergo a psychiatric report before he is sentenced at court.

Graeme Hannigan (43) of Brownhill Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty on August 13th at Burnley Magistrates’ Court to stalking Anne Brierley and Lisa Wilkinson by “persistently monitoring their internet usage, publishing statements regarding their moment via the internet, and watching or spying on their activities.”

Magistrates heard how in 1996 Hannigan had “become obsessed” with Anne Brierley’s daughter Carrie-Ann Birbeck, who now lives in Australia, when she worked at a cinema in Brierfield.

Hannigan had sent her sexually explicit and threatening letters for which he was convicted at Burnley Crown Court.

But when she emigrated to Australia in 2011 he infiltrated her Facebook profile and attempted to “add” her sister Lisa Wilkinson as a friend.

Miss Alex Mann (prosecuting) said: “The defendant is a complete stranger to this family.

“Anne Brierley has said that he actively stalked her and her daughters and was frightened of him.

“She is disturbed by the lengths he may go to and terrified where it might end up.”

The court heard how Hannigan “had acquired a vast amount of detail” on Mrs Birbeck’s life in Australia and had even contacted her workplace to say she was an illegal immigrant.

Miss Mann added: “Lisa Wilkinson found his Facebook profile extremely disturbing and discovered four posts about her family on there.”

Mr Daniel Fraser (defending) said: “My client suffers from Aarskog-Scott syndrome, which may affect his cognitive thinking.

However, he is not actively going out and following this family around.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for a psychiatric report to be prepared.

Hannigan was released on conditional bail to return to court on October 29th.

Children returning to hundreds of Lancashire schools this week will have safer journeys thanks to new 20mph speed limits and flashing signs warning drivers to slow down.

Lancashire County Council has so far installed new lower limits, which operate only at the start and end of the day, outside 152 schools as part of its programme to introduce 20mph as the normal limit in residential areas and near schools.

The part-time 20mph limits are being brought in at more than 200 schools which are on roads outside main residential areas already covered by 20mph limits. The remainder are awaiting construction or at the public consultation stage and expected to be completed in the coming months.

County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Pedestrians and cyclists are at particular risk if they’re hit by a car and seven times more likely to die if the collision is at 30mph rather than 20mph.

“Some schools already had measures to encourage slower speeds and alert drivers to the school, but with the new signs and part-time limits we now have a consistent approach across the county for all schools where the main entrance is on a road with a limit higher than 20mph.

“We’re fortunate that hard work to reduce road casualties continues to see deaths and injuries in Lancashire fall year on year, but we’re keen to do more to reduce injuries to children which are historically higher in Lancashire than other areas.”

Lancashire County Council has been working with schools where the new temporary 20mph limits have already begun operating to encourage parents and the wider local community to support the change. Pupils at many schools have made posters and banners to display to drivers passing the school.

Lancashire Constabulary has also supported schools to raise awareness of and enforce 20mph limits by carrying out operations in which pupils or local people help police to monitor traffic and talk to any speeding drivers about the effect their behaviour has on those who live or go to school in the area.

More information on 20mph speed limits outside of schools and in main residential areas can be found at {http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/20mph|www.lancashire.gov.uk/20mph}

This year’s GreenRock Concert has been hailed “a mini Glastonbury” by a chief organiser.

Coun. Dorothy Lord is delighted with the success of the Colne Town Council event, after it attracted approximately 400 music lovers to the town’s Millenium Green on Saturday.

Now in its third year, the family-friendly day included a schedule of bumper acts, including Drum Machine and Draks Drum, as well as plenty of refreshments.

It also included a visit from Brian Jackson, from Friends of the Earth, who spent time handing out stickers promoting the importance of saving bees.

Coun. Lord, who chairs Colne Town Council, said: “It went very very well – we probably doubled the figures from last year.

“It was a proper family day, with people coming with rucksacks, tables and chairs, and gazebos.

“There is a massive come down after the Blues Festival. There are lots of people in the town, and so much is going on, then suddenly it’s all gone. It is good that we are able to do this the week after, as it’s a little bit extra.”

And Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson added: “I really enjoyed attending the Green Rock Festival and pay tribute to Colne Town Council for organising the event. It was great to hear so many local musicians and there was a great family atmosphere at the event.”

Coun. Lord would also like to praise everybody who attended the GreenRock for their tidiness when leaving the site.

She said: “We gave everybody a bin bag to put rubbish in when they arrived.

“We finished at about 7-15pm and at 7-30pm PC Mark Walker came down and said you wouldn’t believe anybody had been here.

“I would like to thank everybody for that – that was brilliant.”

A young mum on a suspended sentence for child cruelty put her family’s future in jeopardy by going on a shoplifting spree.

Leanne Case put perfume and clothes she wanted for her holidays in a pushchair when she and her younger sister raided New Look and Boots in Blackburn.

Case (22), of Macleod Street, Nelson, appeared at Burnley Crown Court for being in breach of her 16-week suspended prison term and for the two thefts.

Mr Martin Hackett (defending) said a pre-sentence report from the probation service made uncomfortable reading, suggesting she did not take the court appearance seriously.

However, he said, she said she was remorseful and was fearful for the future.

“I’m making a plea for mercy to give her another chance, at 22, to get her life back on track,” he said.

Recorder Mr Andrew Thomas said Case deserved to be punished for her selfish offences. He extended the suspended sentence by six months until November next year, and gave her two extra weeks at the end of it for the shoplifting offences.

He told her: “You should be ashamed of yourself. If you commit any further offences, it is highly likely that it will be implemented. Please do not be so stupid next time.”

A doting mother has dug out her running shoes in a bid to give something back to a society close to her heart.

Liz Allison (49), from Ightenhill, Burnley, will be taking part in the world’s biggest half marathon, the Great North Run, on September 15th.

Her aim is to raise as much money and awareness as possible for the National Autistic Society, after her son Kieron (20), was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.

The mother-of-four, who has worked at Sainsbury’s, in Colne, for the past three years, said: “I knew nothing about autism at all before having Kieron. It is quite frightening at first, because you don’t know what it is, and you don’t know what to expect.

“The National Autistic Society are always on the end of the phone, if I ever have any queries.”

Liz, who used to work at Burnley’s Shop Direct before its closure in 2010, has not run properly since her school days. However, having seen her husband complete the 13.1-mile route over the past four years, she decided it was the right time to step up to the challenge.

She prepared for the event by completing the Great Manchester 10K in May this year, and is being well supported by her family, friends and colleagues. She now hopes to raise £500 for her efforts.

She added: “I am a bit nervous and apprehensive, but I am looking forward to it.”

And David Boorman, head of Supporter fund-raising for The National Autistic Society, added: “Autism is often described as a ‘hidden’ condition, but it’s a lot more common than most of us might think, affecting more than one in 100 people in the UK.

“Without the amazing fund-raising efforts of inspirational people like Liz, we wouldn’t be able to continue our vital work supporting people affected by the disability and helping them to lead the life they choose.

“We can’t wait to cheer Liz and the rest of our Great North Run team to success on the day!”

To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/Elizabeth-Allison

They were the first group to graduate from a new Colne nursery in July 2006.

And now the owner of Toddle In Nursery has shared her pride as her little “tykes” take their next big step to high school.

To mark the occasion, Jessica Webber organised for her original class to meet up at a photo shoot at Create Studios, in Albert Road.

The experience, she said, was an emotional one, and a fantastic way to make the transition between schools easier for the eight students.

Seven members of the group will be starting at Park High School, in Colne, on Monday, having been at various local primary schools in Pendle and Burnley. Five will be in the same form.

Miss Webber, who opened the North Valley Road site in January 2005, said: “It was lovely – really emotional though. I can’t believe how time flies.

“They were all a bit nervous to start with, but by the end of the session they were chatting to each other.

“You don’t really realise you are such a big part of their lives.

“You see them every day, and know everything that is going on in their lives, and then they go and you never see them again. It was nice to revisit the children, with their parents as well.”

The reunited group consists of twins Megan and Emma Reeder, Mia Barras, Jorge Hiscox, Kern Etherington, Kimberley Flannery, Jack Holt and Megan Davies. Lauren Singleton was also in the original group, but has now moved out of the area.

Two brothers hit a paramedic called to help a woman at a drunken party, a court was told.

Samuel Richmond (20), of Tavistock Street, Nelson, and Reece Richmond (19), of Wilfred Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to ambulanceman Gary Stacey when they appeared before Burnley Crown Court.

Recorder Andrew Thomas jailed both brothers for 30 months, but suspended imprisonment on Samuel Richmond because he had a shorter criminal record.

The court was told Mr Stacey and his colleague Sarah Walsh were called to a house party in Hollins Road, Nelson, to attend a woman who was being sick. When they arrived, they found a one year old child on the sofa in the middle of the party and an eight-year-old in bed.

Mr Stacey was assaulted after he asked the party goers to leave so he could treat the woman and get the children cared for. When the group refused to leave he told them he would call the police.

Reece told him: “Why have you said that? He (Samuel) is going to kick off.

Prosecutor Mr Raymond Bennett said Mr Stacey then pointed at Reece and told him to go. “Reece said don’t point at me, and then he stood up and punched Mr Stacey,” said Mr Bennett. “Samuel did the same and struck him in the face. Reece then struck him again, knocking him backwards and breaking his glasses when they were knocked off.”

Mr Julian Goode, defending Samuel Richmond, said his client had been shocked by his own behaviour and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Mr Recorder Andrew Thomas suspended the jail term for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work with probation supervision.

Mr Martin Hackett, for Reece Richmond, said he accepted that courts had a duty to protect public servants doing their jobs and knew he would be going to jail. His immediate reaction on being charged with the assault had been to say that he was sorry.

Hi everyone! How’s your summer been? We’ve been having a wonderful holidays spending time together, helping Charlotte unwind and relax before that wonderful brain of hers goes back to school to start Year 4!

This is going to be a challenging year for her as the work naturally gets more complex but she now has her statement of special educational needs and visual impairment support so I’m sure she’ll thrive in true Charlotte style!

You may remember that earlier this year, Leader Times Newspapers ran a story about the Pendle Stroke Group which was under threat of closure after more than 40 years supporting stroke survivors and their families.

Well myself and best friend Lindsay have taken over the running of the group and we are pleased to say that the group will officially re-open on Thursday from 11am-1pm at Trawden Community Centre and we would love to see some of you there.

We will be shaking things up a little and opening the group up to new members as well as family members and carers.

Our aim is to create a community in which stroke survivors, carers and family members can come together to offer support to and gain support from each other.

In my experience, a stroke can be a very lonely experience but it doesn’t need to be that way.

The first meeting is a get together to meet us, have some cake and a cuppa and see what we can offer.

Over the coming months we will be hosting a range of activities, guest speakers and services.

A fly tipper from Nelson has been sent to jail for dumping rubbish in Chorley.

Ryan Clough received a three-month sentence when he appeared at Chorley Magistrates’ Court.

Clough (26), from Highfield Crescent, was caught on CCTV tipping several sheets of corrugated roofing down the side of a garage in Whittle-le-Woods and trying to conceal it with leaves.

Coun. Adrian Lowe, who oversees environmental issues at Chorley Council, said: “I hope the severity of the sentence will make people think twice about dumping rubbish and ensure that people dispose of it properly rather than risk a jail sentence.”

Clough was sentenced to 90 days immediate custody after the homeowner’s CCTV camera caught him dumping the rubbish down the side of his garage near Chorley Old Road.

Previously, magistrates had heard that while pretending to work on the engine of a car they had used to carry the rubbish, two men were seen waiting until nobody was passing before removing the corrugated roofing, which often contains asbestos, from the roof rack and dumping it at the side of the garage.

One of the men then noticed the camera and concealed the sheets with leaves.

The sentence was reduced by one third to 60 days in recognition that the defendant pleaded guilty to the offence at the first available opportunity.

But the magistrates noted that Clough was devious in his actions by attempting to cover his tracks.

The court also ordered that Clough must pay the council’s costs of £1,414 in full within 30 days of his release from custody.

Coun. Lowe added: “I would like this case to be an example that the council take incidents of fly-tipping extremely seriously as they cause a detrimental effect on the appearance and cleanliness of our borough.”

A serial speeder from Clitheroe has made the top 10 for drivers with the most active endorsements on their licence.

The man was caught eight times in just two months, according to a new report by the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

With an additional offence for using a mobile phone at the wheel, the man clocked a staggering 29 points before he was suspended from driving.

The example was one of a number used today by the IAM to illustrate how slow the totting up process can be before bans are imposed.

“It’s really disappointing to see this issue has not yet been resolved,” said IAM chief executive Simon Best. “Drivers must expect 12 points means a ban or the whole system falls into disrepute.”

The country’s worst offender was a woman with 42 points for failing to disclose the identity of the driver of her car on seven separate occasions in as many months last year. Close behind was a man from Warrington who was caught driving without insurance six times in less than two weeks earlier this year, accumulating 36 points. And a Southend man bagged 30 points for 10 speeding offences in 18 months.

“DVLA and courts are upgrading their computer systems to ensure offence information is shared more efficiently,” said Simon Best.

“When drivers with 10 speeding offences are getting away with holding a licence, these improvements cannot come quickly enough.”

All of Burnley will be rooting for locally-born actress Natalie Gumede when she steps out to take part in the BBC’s flagship show “Strictly Come Dancing” tomorrow evening.

The show has captured the public’s imagination and it’s great to have a bit of local interest as well.

Looking ahead, I wonder if one day we might see our very own Jimmy Anderson sporting a sequined shirt and taking to the floor? Or how about television presenter Tony Livesey donning the Lycra in a bid to further Burnley’s cause?

Then there’s Alastair Campbell who is known for his ability to spin!