This week’s column brings a rare 50-year-old picture of a 17th Century building that has today, sadly, gone forever.

Yes, captured here in the summer of 1963, is the splendid Swinden Hall, which had proudly stood by the Nelson and Colne boundary for centuries.

This historic photo is from the archive of Margaret Foster, whose family had the nearby Long Swinden Farm for many years.

Margaret has a most special claim to fame. For back in the year 1956, while at Primet School, she and her classmate Roger Cookson became the very first secondary school pupils in Lancashire to take GCE exams.

Margaret was highly delighted to gain eight passes in these inaugural GCE exams for non-grammar school pupils.

As for Swinden Hall, by the time this picture was taken its days were numbered, the last occupants being Harold and Harriet Birtwistle. Along with the Foster family home, Long Swinden Farm was bulldozed to the ground.

In the year 1951, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government issued a list of local buildings that were of architectural and historic interest and should be preserved.

Here are a few names on the list: Cloth Hall, Alkincoates Hall, Emmott Hall, Swinden Hall – all now gone forever, with only photos and memories remaining.

I was honoured to take part in a service of rededication and remembrance that saw the award of the Honorary Freedom of Barnoldswick to the 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

The service saw the names of 46 war heroes added to the town’s war memorial and serving soldiers given the freedom of the town.

The memorial also now pays tribute to the 12 from Barnoldswick who lost their lives when the HMHS Rohilla sank off Whitby in October, 1914.

I felt privileged to be one of those to lay a wreath at the war memorial, alongside Lt Col Iain Hallam, Commanding Officer of the Yorkshire Regiment, Mayor of Pendle Coun. Smith Benson and Barnoldswick Town Council chairman Coun. Ken Hartley.

All those involved in arranging the event should feel very proud of the fitting and moving event the organised.

It was a great occasion and follows the rededication of Earby war memorial in Sough Park in June, funded by the Commonwealth War Graves Trust.

I was also in attendance in 2009 when the new Nelson war memorial was unveiled inscribed with the names of all those from the town who have given their lives for the country.

These efforts bode well ahead of next year when we mark 100 years since the First World War.

To mark the centenary, the Heritage Lottery has made available a fund for community projects to help us all learn more about the war.

We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by so many of our soldiers, including most recently Lance Corporal Jordan Bancroft and Lance Corporal Michael Foley.

The rededication of our war memorials gives us all a chance to allow our thoughts to be with those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

A return to her home town is on the cards for Burnley’s international footballer Rachel Brown-Finnis.

Rachel, who is goalkeeper for England and Everton Ladies, has been appointed mentor and executive speaker at Burnley’s football business college, UCFB.

The 33-year-old, who was born and brought up in Burnley but now lives in Liverpool, said: “I want to dispel the myths surrounding women’s football and want to inspire young women in football. I didn’t have a female sports idol when I was growing up but I hope that I can act as a role model for the new generation of female professionals, both on and off the pitch.

“The people of Burnley have always been supportive in absolutely everything I have done. I have a really close affinity with the area and always will. It means so much to me to be back working here.”

Rachel, who was part of Team GB for last year’s Olympics and was called up for this summer’s Euros, has been playing football since she was seven and loves all aspects of sport.

After leaving St Christopher’s High School in Accrington and studying A-levels in PE, human biology and Spanish at Nelson and Colne College, Rachel continued her education in sports science in America.

She said that her move to the USA was partly due to the indifferent attitude which she felt England had towards women’s football – something she is now keen to address through her work at UCFB.

Rachel’s role will be aimed at inspiring all students, with special focus on inspiring young women to achieve in the football industry. She will also use her contacts in the sports industry to help students secure sought-after placements.

Two women have been “left shaken” following separate incidents of indecent exposure in Colne.

The first incident happened on Thursday, September 12th at around 9-30pm, when a man exposed himself at the top of Exchange Street. He is described as being 5ft. 6in. tall with a slim build. He was wearing a black hooded top, plain white T-shirt and trainers.

The second incident took place on Saturday, September 14th, in Albert Road, close to the Bargain Booze shop. A man approached a woman and exposed himself to her before following her towards Skipton Building Society.

The man is described as being white, aged in his 40s and around 5ft. 6in. tall with a large build and bald. He was wearing black tracksuit clothing.

Det. Sgt Phil Pilkington from Pennine CID said: “I would appeal to anyone who was in either area at the time and who may have witnessed any suspicious activity to come forward and contact the police.

“Although the two victims were not physically hurt they have clearly been left shaken following their ordeal. We need to find the men responsible and bring them to justice.”

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Lancashire Police is facing its “greatest challenge and most radical changes in over 30 years” in order to make £73m of savings, senior policing figures have warned.

The scale of the financial challenge facing Lancashire has today been outlined by police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw and chief constable Steve Finnigan.

As a result of the government’s austerity measures, there will be a loss of 165 police officers and 275 police staff - meaning predicted police reductions from 2009 to 2017/18 are in the region of 700 police officers and 550 police staff.

Mr Finnigan said: “We have navigated through the challenge well so far and have identified nearly £40m and not broken the business and to find this money we have had to take very difficult decisions.

“What has been really important throughout this review is that we minimise the impact on frontline and visible policing but with nearly 700 police officers fewer, we cannot leave those areas untouched.

“We are facing our greatest challenge and most radical changes in over 30 years and yet we want to reassure all our communities that, despite these cuts, we will continue to deliver the high quality policing services that this Constabulary is known for.”

The force says management costs will be reduced significantly and work is ongoing to re-prioritise where resources will be based and what they are expected to do.

Both Mr Grunshaw and Mr Finnigan said that if the government was to ask for further savings on top of the £73m, then this would be extremely difficult to find.

Mr Grunshaw said: “We have already saved £40m and this latest raft of changes in operational and support services will take the savings to just over £60m which still leaves a gap of around £13m to be found – anything beyond this will be extremely difficult to find.

“It is really important that people in Lancashire have a clear understanding of what the police have to do to balance the budget.”

These changes will be implemented on a sequenced basis between 2014 and 2017/18 with the new force ‘footprint’ being in place by April 2014.

For more see next week’s Burnley Express and Leader Times Newspapers.

Barnoldswick Brass Band has good reason to blow its own trumpets – and all other instruments for that matter – following its success after entering a competition for the first time in a number of years.

The band, led by musical director Keith Richmond, took part in the Hardraw Scar Entertainment Contest, a contest open for bands of all grades which has been held annually for 150 years.

And members were delighted to be awarded fourth prize overall and an impressive trophy for overall Band Performance in the fourth and unclassified section. This is awarded for content, quality of playing and interpretation of the music.

Spokesman David Leach said: “Credit is due to the commitment of players and the musical director alike and confirms the steady improvement of the band over recent years”.

With a view to the future success of the band, any proficient players wishing to join will be welcomed while free tuition and instruments are available for both young and not so young musical beginners.

Rehearsals are held at Barnoldswick Civic Hall on Monday and Thursday at 7-30pm.

A wanted man may have been in the Nelson, Colne and Brierfield areas, police have warned today.

Ian Ashworth, previously of Commercial Road in Blackburn, was arrested on August 10th and charged with two offences of burglary at St Wulstans RC Church, after two charity collection boxes were stolen on August 4th.

Ashworth was on court bail but left court before being sentenced and is now wanted by police.

He is also wanted for questioning in connection with two burglaries in Nelson, and is described as being around 5ft. 7in. tall, slim build with blue eyes.

Det. Insp. Vinny De Curtis from Burnley Police said, “We are working closely with colleagues across East Lancashire in a bid to try and track down Ian Ashworth.

“We believe he has been in the Nelson, Colne and Brierfield areas and would appeal to people who may have seen him to come forward and contact us.

“We would also appeal directly to Mr Ashworth and ask him to hand himself in.”

Contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Here’s my tribute to a renowned Colner of great substance and stature, the late Wilfred Micah Spencer.

Wilfred was born in Colne at his family home, 46 Castle Road, on June 1st, 1918 (by an amazing coincidence, I was born exactly 25 years later in Colne on June 1st, 1943).

From an early age he took a very keen interest in Colne’s long and notable history.

During the Second World War, Wilfred served in the British army and in this week’s picture we can see a smiling Wilfred on Army duty in India in 1941, catching up on his home-town news, as he reads the latest issue of “The Colne Times”.

After the war, on August 24th, 1948, Wilfred was, at just 30, installed as the Colne Borough Librarian at a salary of £420 per annum.

His love of the town’s local history saw him build and indeed nurture “The Colne Collection”, which his eminent predecessor (Miss) Evelyn M. Jowett had commenced on her appointment in 1945. Wilfred, during his decade as our librarian, became a much-loved figure, whose help was invaluable to anybody wishing to know the history of Colne.

Wilfred sadly died aged 56 in January 1975, leaving his dear wife Helen and five children at their family home in Keighley Road.

Wilfred Spencer was a hero to me at the age of 10 and he is still a hero to me at the age of 70.

His name is forever inscribed on the Colne Hall of Fame.

This week’s column features a photo from a contemporary school-pal of mine of almost 60 years ago.

David Barker, then living in Barrowford (now in Burnley) was at Primet Secondary School from 1952 to 1956 and here we can see him in the mighty Primet School football team of 1955.

This was a superbly talented side of skilled players who didn’t lose a match for two years.

Their names still live on today in the annals of the school.

Here they are, firstly back row – left to right – David Barker himself, an imposing goalkeeper who made a save equal to Gordon Banks in a match versus Park to keep the team’s undefeated record intact.

Next along is the renowned footballer David Walker who would go on to play for Burnley and Southampton during the era of legendary players. Following on is Gordon Cookson, then Morris Hartley, Roger Smith, Derek Estill, Bernard Goff and at the far right is sports master Eric Procter.

Now the front row – left to right – Jimmy Wild, a great all-rounder who also found fame at just 17, winning the Lancashire League Cricket Double with Colne CCin 1959. Next on is John Henry, then captain John Bottomley, Brian Chatterton, Jack Crabtree and Howard Warren.

Sadly, quite a few of these faces from the past have today passed on, but their abilities on the field all those years ago live on in the 21st Century.

The London Olympics and Paralympics last summer proved to be the greatest Games of all time, with the whole country caught up in Olympic fever.

We watched and celebrated every medal won – including that by Pendle’s own Stephen Burke in the cycling, five local residents carried the Olympic Torch and others volunteered in London.

But one year on, apart from the golden postbox in Albert Road, Colne, what is the legacy of the games for Pendle?

Our area has seen significant investment in sports facilities from Pendle Council, with £2m. invested in three new sports pavilions across the borough.

The first to open was at Bull Holme, Barrowford. It was officially opened late last year, followed by the unveiling of brand new facilities at Holt House, Colne, and Edge End, Nelson.

These three new pavilions follow the new facilities at Victory Park, Barnoldswick, in 2008.

We have seen new sports clubs launched, like the KBR Jujitsu Club at the Youth Zone in Nelson, which I was delighted to open late last year.

Some £50,000 was secured from Sport England for the Seedhill Athletics Track and will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark.

A number of our local sports clubs have also secured substantial new funding, including Colne and Nelson RUFC, Belvedere and Calder Vale Sports Club at Reedley, Pendle Forest Sports Club and the Burwain Sailing Club RYA Training Centre at Foulridge.

Another significant boost, coming shortly after the Colne Cycling Grand Prix and the “Ride with Brad” event in Barnoldswick, was the funding secured for a new Steven Burke Sports Hub. In total £308,000 will be invested in a cycling track and improved facilities at Swinden playing fields, giving a massive boost to cycling in the borough.

Along with a raft of positive surveys showing increased participation rates in sport and increased numbers of volunteers, it would seem that perhaps the Olympics will live up to their motto and “inspire a generation”.

We pretend not to be that bothered, but in reality, as September approaches there is not one of us veterans who does not check their morning mail to see if the tour notes (and invitation ... and demand for money) for our annual cycling trip have arrived.

There was a time when we would receive the notes in plenty of time but, due to a combination of work pressures and idleness, in recent years they have been received only a week before we are due to leave.

Feigning disinterest but in truth keeping a sharp lookout for the postie, for over two weeks I have been keenly awaiting their arrival.

Obviously there is the normal excited sense of anticipation before any holiday, but with the tour notes there is also a sense of anxiety. As ladishness and enthusiasm for the products of local craft brewers feature quite prominently on our outings you worry that some indiscretion from past tours might have been caught on film only to appear in print in the notes.

So when the notes eventually arrived the first thing I did was check my profile for the expected traditional tirade of abuse and general character assassination.

Thankfully, I got away with words detailing the effect the ravages of time are having on my body and a resume of my training, or rather lack of training, and how I am likely to fair on this year’s tour.

We are somewhat depleted this year. One of the lads only comes every second year excusing himself on the dubious basis that living as he does in Australia it is a long way to come ‘just to sit on a bike’. What a lightweight! Another pathetically cites the loss of use in one leg as an excuse while a third has sadly died.

Nevertheless, that still leaves six of us, all getting older, fatter and (with the exception of Johnnie) increasingly unfit. I find we spend as much time comparing blood pressure treatments, joint problems and listing our favourite surgical operations as we do talking about girls, football, rugby, music, politics and the economy.

In fact, the more I think about it, we must look a right shower. A bunch of ageing blokes, looking appalling in wholly inappropriate figure hugging lycra, fueled on chips, hops and barley, and usually seen pushing their bikes up the steep bits, or eating toasted teacakes and drinking tea by the pint.

With the disappointing human resources at his disposal, the age profile of the peleton and a near total lack of preparation, Paul has at last recognised we are not the men we once were, and has opted for a tour of the Scottish borders next week, a land steeped in history, and apparently characterised by genteel tearooms, nice pubs and crucially gently rolling contours.

He has driven the proposed routes in his Jag and says they are easy. I remain sceptical and so I’m already checking the map for short-cut ... just in case.

I have had many meetings and constituent appointments in recent weeks.

I was delighted to visit Burnley Golf Club for a launch and celebration of being awarded £50,000 funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund to build an all-purpose tuition centre on their practice ground, with tuition bays and an indoor studio area, using technical teaching aids.

This facility will allow for all-year-round tuition and help bring young people off the streets. These facilities will enable them to encourage people to learn, practice and engage with the wonderful sport of golf. The club already has a good junior section and this will help to expand it. I must highlight the wonderful work of Joyce Green and her team at the club.

I was also at a Pubmeet in Molly Rigby’s, Padiham, sponsored by St Leonard’s Church. It was great with lots of interesting discussion and questions and three hours passed before we knew it.

I spoke at an important event in London held by my colleague, Lynne Featherstone. The apprenticeships event at Haringey Civic Centre was attended by many organisations and attracted many young people keen to find out about the hundreds of apprenticeship opportunities on offer. It was great to be there to meet these young people.

I am also delighted that, in our own town, there are a record number of apprentices – 1,170 started an apprenticeship in 2011/2012, a record 280 more than any previous year. This is incredible news and shows Burnley is moving in the right direction.

There was also the sod cutting at Manchester Road Railway station. This is the first step in the major investment and direct train link to Manchester through the Todmorden Curve. This was one of my first challenges when getting elected and I was delighted to be able to achieve this and be there as it is being delivered. It is wonderful for our town and will accommodate the increased traffic to Manchester.

I was then straight to a meeting with MEP Chris Davies. We went to engineering company BCW who have seen amazing growth over the past three years. They are a fantastic company going in a right direction. They are expanding and taking on a major unit on the Michelin site.

Later I met Barry Kilby to discuss the prostate scanner appeal and a major fund-raiser at Burnley FC later in the year. I am grateful to Barry for all his help. Keeping up the momentum of raising funds for the new scanner is vital.

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A recent week started with an interesting business meeting at Barclays. I discussed various issues with them, including apprenticeships. It was great to meet staff and hear about everything going on at this branch.

On Tuesday I toured of the new UTC. It really is an absolutely brilliant facility. There were lots of new students and parents there and it was great to see the place buzzing. I told the Press this was the best £10m. the Government has spent in Burnley since I was elected MP. I must say a huge congratulations to Barnfield Construction who have done a wonderful job. The UTC will be an incredible asset for our town and I hope many students achieve their ambitions in engineering here.

On the Wednesday I visited Bentley Motors Ltd in Crewe in my role as Government Apprenticeship Ambassador. This company manufacture some of the finest cars in the world, currently around 10,000 a year, and it was a privilege to meet some of the staff and apprentices who are receiving first class training which will equip them with the skills for the future. I had a 30-minute test drive of one of their cars. Needless to say, I was extremely careful and watched my speed!

On Thursday I went to Velocity Composites, a new company to Burnley involved in the aerospace industry, working at the leading edge of technology, including 3D printing. Three young men started this business six years ago and have recently moved into a huge new unit.

I met with Lloyds Bank about their social responsibility programmes and work with community groups. They asked if I knew of any organisations that fitted their profile and passed on one or two names. However, if there are voluntary organisations looking for help then I encourage you to contact the manager.

I visited the Reel Cinema, Burnley. It had been many many years since I had been there – they still had projectors and reels of film! Today, the nine screens run digitally and there are no people operating the projectors. The programme is done on a computer and runs for a week automatically.

I was astonished at the technology and it was good to hear the cinema is hoping to spend £200,000 on refurbishment before Christmas. On Friday I visited Fort Vale Engineering again in my role as Government Apprenticeship Ambassador. I met a group of young people whose in the process of training to be highly skilled engineers.

On Friday evening a concert at Burnley Miners’ Club raised more than £600 for my Scanner Appeal. Thanks to Mick and Karen and members for their efforts.

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A disused Colne mill has been knocked down after years of causing concern to councillors, police and residents.

Oak Mill, in Skipton Road, had fallen into disrepair with broken windows and damaged frames, overgrown foliage and damaged stonework to the side and rear of the building.

It had become recognised locally as a “danger” and an “eyesore”, and an application for its demolition was accepted by Pendle Council in March.

Colne town councillor Jim Kerrigan, who has been campaigning about the former Earby Light Engineers base for three years, said: “It wasn’t just an eyesore. It was a danger to the public.

“Windows were smashed and glass fell on the pavement where people walk and on to the roadway.

“In addition, Skipton Road is one of the main roads in and out of Colne, and the impression give to people from out of town was dreadful.

“The buildings have served an important purpose for around a hundred years, making things and providing jobs, but they had reached the end of their useful life.”

Coun. Neil Butterworth added: “Me and Smith Benson have worked hard to makes sure that this eyesore is dealt with, and I’m pleased to see action has been taken.

“I’ll keep up the pressure to make sure proposals are brought forward to redevelop this area”.

And Coun. Ann Kerrigan added how she would like to see the house redeveloped for housing in the future.

Coun. Kerrigan had previously expressed her views on the site, stating: “So far as I am concerned, as a ward councillor it concerns me that this building is a dreadful blight on Skipton Road.

“I feel really sorry for the local residents who have to look at it every day when they look out of their windows.”

It may have been wet and miserable at the weekend, but walkers were not going to let their spirits be dampened during a Colne charity event.

A total of 45 people turned out to take part in the town’s first “Autumn Stroll”, which had been organised by The Rotary Club of Colne Noyna and the Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

Participants began their walk at Holt House,before then taking in five-miles of the surrounding countryside on their circular route.

Fund-raising co-ordinator at Rosemere Cancer Foundation Dan Hill said: “Before we had even started most people were already soaked, but everyone came very well prepared with full waterproofs, brollies and wellies.

“Everyone completed the five-mile walk starting and finishing at Colne FC, who were very hospitable providing shelter, refreshments and towels to dry off with at the end.

“Well done to everyone who took part and braved the day with big smiles on their faces, a big thank you to the Rotary Club of Colne Noyna for organising and marshalling the route. After this inaugural event we look forward to next years stroll and hope it will be bigger and better.”

Among those taking part in the event, which included refreshments by the Alma Inn, was Elaine Waine – who was helped by the Rosemere Cancer Foundation during her own battle with breast cancer.

The 50-year-old, from Foulridge, was given the devastating diagnosis in 2008. But after various treatments at the Rosemere Cancer Centre, in Preston, she is set to be discharged at the end of the year.

She said: “Had I not checked my breasts, and reacted accordingly I would certainly not be doing a sponsored walk for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.”

The success of the “Autumn Stroll” was also highlighted on Twitter, with one user writing: “My sister & nephew walked 5 miles today in very wet weather on behalf of @RosemereCF in memory of my dad. So proud of them both.”

And Rosemary Cancer Foundation tweeted: “Inaugural Autumn Stroll completed in partnership with Colne Noyna @rotary, what a day, well done to the 45people who braved the elements!”

All funds raised will go to Rosemere Cancer Foundation to support local people and their families in the fight against cancer. The total raised is yet to be confirmed.

Memories spanning 100 years were shared at Colne Golf Club’s first ex-Captain’s Day.

The event, which included a golf competition and three-course meal, was attended by 21 ex-captains and was hailed a huge success by 18th President Tony Ingram .

And now due to its popularity, it is set to become an annual addition to the golf club’s calendar.

2009 captain Mr Ingram, who helped organise the event with George Bradbury, said: “It was good, everybody enjoyed it.

“A lot of people made the effort to get there, which was fabulous.

“People had photographs out, showing what had gone on over the past 100 years.

“George had wanted to do it for a lot of years, and with me being President now we decided to get it organised.”

Competition winners from the ex-Captain’s day were as follows:

• 1st: Ray Sharpe

• 2nd: John Burgoyne

• 3rd: Peter Wilson

• Nearest pin: Tony Ingram

A Nelson woman who refused to leave her bedroom for more than 20 years and would not even see her own sisters, due to an extreme form of agoraphobia, hanged herself days after moving to her new home.

Miss Amanda Regan (45) was found hanged in her flat in Portland Street, Barrowford, on May 20th.

She had moved there following the death of her mother who had cared for her at their home in Halifax Road, Nelson.

An inquest at Burnley Coroner’s Court heard how Miss Regan did not receive psychiatric help for her condition which extended to her refusing to see her own sisters for over two decades.

One of those sisters, Mrs Deborah Bell, told the hearing: “I didn’t have a relationship with my sister until May last year when our mother became ill. Our dad had died a few years before that.

“My sister’s condition ruined their lives – they couldn’t even have carers in the house when they were terminally ill. They refused to get help for Amanda and tried to care for her themselves.

“Amanda was also convinced for years that she was seriously ill physically with infections, but this was never the case. I didn’t see her face from when she was 23 until a few months before her death. She had a deep-seated psychological problem which was obvious to everyone who knew her.”

The inquest heard how, many years ago, Miss Regan had been diagnosed with an immature personality disorder but no psychological treatment was ever given.

But when Miss Regan’s mother died in January this year, the house in Halifax Road was put up for sale and her sisters sought help from the community mental health team. Her care co-ordinator, Miss Rifa Ahmed, told the inquest how she had been working to address Miss Regan’s social phobia and low self-esteem, and she had been making “good progress.”

She said: “Three people were involved in her care and we saw her throughout the week. She had started to leave the house and come shopping with us, which was a massive step forward. I was aware she had harmed herself previously and had threatened to hang herself but she told me she had no intention of doing so.”

The inquest heard Miss Regan had written letters to her sisters in which she talked of having serious infections.

She also wrote: “I really have been living a terrible lie. I’ve lied to all the people who have been trying to help me.”

Recording a narrative conclusion, East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor said: “Not seeing anyone apart from her parents for more than 20 years is quite incredible. Her parents must have been resigned to her condition and felt it was their duty to care for her. However, they made no plans for the future after they were gone. That was the tragedy.”

The highly-anticipated £2.5m. revamp of Burnley’s Prairie playing fields is moving closer.

Plans detailing the transformation of the Windermere Avenue site have been submitted to Burnley Borough Council with work expected to start before Christmas.

The proposals for the Prairie Sports Village, which in April received £350,000 of lottery funding from Sport England, include a floodlit 3G football pitch and a 24-bay golf driving range.

The development would also see the existing pavilion demolished and replaced by a more modern complex housing changing rooms, a gym, a multi-use studio, a golf pro shop and a practice range.

The application submitted to the council states: “The project is to provide a new multi-function sports pavilion that will be fit for purpose; not only in accommodating changing rooms for the football pitches but also providing a comprehensive facility for users of the different sports on offer at the Prairie Sports Village.

“The project will support an increased range of sports. Club and sports development is a priority feature of the scheme.”

The new synthetic pitch will be available for general hire and will also used by Burnley Football Club’s community programme to develop women and girls’ football, disabled football, and advanced training for young players. It will also be used for rugby and American football training sessions.

Paul Foster, the council’s leisure development manager, said: “It feels good to have got to this stage. The area has been crying out for something like this for years and it’s in a high profile area which is good.

“We’re hoping to start work on the pitch in mid-December and hopefully, if everything goes to plan, that will be finished by April next year. Then, all being well, work on the second phase of the development will start around that time. We’re hoping that the entire project will be finished by December, 2014.”

A bogus taxi driver who sexually assaulted a Padiham woman who got into his car has been jailed.

Tassawar Shah (29), of Hartley Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty shortly before his trial was due to begin at Burnley Crown Court. He was jailed for nine months and three weeks for the assault on the 32-year-old mum.

The court was told that the woman got into what she believed to be a taxi after leaving Lava and Ignite nightclub in Burnley to return home.

The journey was under way when she asked him how much the fare would be, and he admitted to not being a taxi driver. He missed the turn for her address but, instead of turning around he drove down a back street where he assaulted the woman. He only stopped when she agreed to give him her phone number, which he rang 12 times that night.

Shah (pictured) will be released from prison within weeks as time will be taken off for the 262 days he has spent on tagged curfew. He will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years and has to pay a £100 surcharge.

Prince Charles is well-known for his strong ties with Burnley and his passionate interest in the town.

Over the years he has pais several visits, including this one in 2008, during which he visited the Lancashire Digital Centre in Bancroft Road, which we captured on video.

On the day-long visit in February 2008 he was met at Burnley Manchester Road Train Station by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, and taken to Burnley Town Hall where crowds welcomed him and Burnley Air Cadets formed a guard of honour.

The Prince was then met by Burnley Council’s then leader, Gordon Birtwistle, chief executive Steve Rumbelow and mayor Peter McCann in advance of a private meeting to discuss the regeneration of Burnley.

Later in the day, the Prince visited the Lancashire Digital Technology Centre where he opened a new workshop at engineering firm BCW.

He met members of the Muslim community involved in the Mosaic programme, as well as business leaders involved with the Prince of Wales’ Seeing is Believing scheme and popped into Burnley Youth Theatre where young people on the Prince’s Trust’s Acting Up Programme displayed their acting skills.

In his busy schedule, the Prince also managed to explore the Burnley SPACE youth bus and saw the Weavers’ Triangle from a narrowboat on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.