I had intended to go away for a couple of days, but events conspired to make it necessary for a rethink. Even on the morning there were matters demanding attention that necessitated a late start, but better late than never, our planned trip over to the North York Moors was once more put on hold and a day in the Dales looked like being a more realistic option.

In recent weeks we’ve squeezed in a walk in Ribblesdale around the Settle/Stainforth area, in Nidderdale near Pateley Bridge, and visited perhaps the most beautiful dale, Wharfedale, walking along the river bank between Bolton Abbey and Grassington. All have their different charms, and Wharfedale really does take some beating, having scenic grandeur, pretty villages, lots of good place to eat and drink and it is but a short drive away.

I appreciate the gentler, lush meadows of lower Wharfedale and I realise that further up dale there is a grittier feel, and superb access across the old drove road of Mastiles Lane to Malham Moor. Kilnsey Crag always draws the eye and the little roads up Park Rash or over Fleet Moss are always uplifting.

Though the most beautiful, Wharfedale is not, however my favourite dale. Driving out of Hawes northwards, the road starts to steepen steadily into a sustained climb that quickly takes you out of Wensleydale’s green pastures into the austere high moors, a land of sheep and grouse, with the road marked by “snow pole” waymarkers, more characteristic of the north Pennines.

Crossing the plateau a new land beckons. As you pass the “Buttertubs” which give this pass it’s name, suddenly glorious remote Swaledale comes into view. This is much more a land that time forgot. There is a sense of isolation here where the troubles of the world and the hustle and bustle of life seem a million miles away.

The dale bottom is characterised by small hay meadows, rich in wild flowers in the early summer, neat gritty villages where often generations of the same family have lived since the beginning of time. Names such as Clarkson, Alderson and…Calvert jostle for space in the little churchyards. When I arrive in Muker I feel I am coming home.

The author James Herriot was based in Thirsk away in the flatlands to the east but it is the feel of Swaledale that inspired him and about which he wrote in his books. It is also where many of the scenes from the television ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ were filmed.

After a walk up dale to Keld to see the waterfalls, I dragged Wifey into the excellent Farmers Arms in Muker for a welcome pint and a bite to eat. In England it doesn’t get much more remote than this. The rest of the world seems far, far away. Pausing briefly at the front door I was greeted with “Aren’t you that bloke who writes in the paper?” Swaledale, a world away but really right on our doorstep.

On the last week of recess before Parliament began, I went with my family for a week’s holiday to CenterParcs.

It was a great place to go to have fun, but I ended up only being there for two days due to coming back to Burnley for an event and then was straight to London after Parliament was recalled over the issue of Syria. I was able to fit many fun activities into a short space of time and thoroughly enjoyed the time with my family.

As a town we had some of the best news that Burnley is officially the ‘Most Enterprising Area in the UK’ in 2013.

The accolade, awarded through the Government Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, recognises and celebrates the range of business, enterprise and economic development work that has reshaped Burnley’s reputation.

The Burnley Bondholders scheme sets Burnley apart from the rest of Britain, an initiative that brings together over 100 local firms that work together to promote Burnley as a place for business.

This award citation says Burnley is said to be the area that best demonstrates improving economic prospects and encourages enterprise by best practice in supporting a stronger, more dynamic enterprise culture; exhibiting pioneering examples of enterprise activity throughout their area; and providing role models to inspire other areas to be more enterprising; a huge testament to the dedication and quality of the companies involved.

The fantastic innovative spirit of companies is the very reason we are heading in the right direction.

I really am delighted with this news and it was great to go to the impressive Burnley College Campus in Princess Way to celebrate this.

There were lots of familiar faces there which included business leaders, politicians and the media. I am proud of what our town has achieved so far and look forward to it continuing in the right direction in future.

As many of you are no doubt aware, Parliament was recalled to vote on the issue of Syria. I voted no on this issue with my main reason that there simply was not enough information. I am concerned that once we press the go button, how do we press the stop button and it is for this reason I voted the way I did. I remain unconvinced that intervention would help diplomatic relations or ensure long term stability. It is my position that unless we have full approval from the UN, Britain should not get involved.

Moving to positive news on apprenticeships, it is wonderful that lots of apprenticeships are happening in our town and the apprenticeships numbers have doubled in the last year.

I hope this continues and I will do all I can to help raise these numbers as the Government Apprenticeship Ambassador.

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I recently began my week with meetings in Westminster; first with INEOS, the biggest chemical manufacturer in the country. We discussed their future plans to train young people and fill current skills gaps in the industry.

I then had an update from two colleagues at the National Apprenticeship Service, who were happy with the progress we have made on apprenticeships. We discussed ways we could continue to promote apprenticeships on a national scale.

I have been contacted by a number of constituents keen to “get Britain cycling”. As a former triathlete, I am very eager to see nationwide commitment to cycling. I was pleased to attend the debate and listen to the Government’s announcement to improve cycling in the UK.

On the Wednesday I met Cuadrilla to talk about fracking in Lancashire. They have discovered shale oil 2km thick underground which will provide enough gas for the UK for the next 50 years.

In the afternoon I met with MAI apprentice of the year for the North West Bradley Hodgeson and BAE systems technical apprentice Andy Fowler. I introduced them to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who addressed a room full of employers and apprentices and held a question-and-answer session with them.

The day was topped off with a visit to Family Mosaic, a housing association in South London. They have led by example helping people into apprenticeships and running back-to-work schemes to help those who need a confidence boost or support to find jobs in the area.

On my return to Burnley, I was pleased to visit Towneley Golf Club, which has received £45,000 from Sport England to develop parts of the course; namely a new practice putting green and practice driving range. They hope this will attract more young people to the sport.

Thursday evening was a highlight for me as Burnley College hosted the Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards event. Apprentices working in various industries were presented with awards and it was heart-warming to see them at the beginning of their careers as I have fond memories from when I started out as an apprentice.

Friday was my birthday and a busy one at that! I started the day with an employer apprenticeship event run by Burnley Council. I then met the Chief Executive, Steve Rumbelow, to discuss major events in Burnley such as delivering growth and prosperity. In the afternoon I had my appointment surgeries as usual and a birthday lunch with the lovely constituency staff who work really hard to support me in my work.

Finally, I was interviewed by local media about the wonderful award Burnley recently received, Most Enterprising Area 2013. It was really satisfying talking about issues which three years ago had been deemed unachievable.

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The dead, it would appear, are no longer allowed to rest in peace – because someone else can’t be bothered to do an honest day’s work.

The news last week that stone flags from the tops of seven grave vaults in Haggate Baptist Church graveyard is truly appaling.

And it just goes to prove that some people will go to extraordinary lengths to avoid actually getting a proper job.

Whoever is responsible for this callous act is clearly not lazy – York stone flags really do take some shifting.

But they are evil, dishonest and despicable with absolutely no thought for the feelings of the families of those interred.

I feel nothing but sympathy for those families and I cannot begin to imagine the feelings of shock, horror and utter dismay they must be going through.

But I am sure that this is not the first time this has happened in Haggate.

And it must be heart-breaking for my friend and Church Deacon Michael Eccles and others involved in the everyday life of that church.

They are left picking up the pieces of a soul-less, heartless act perpetrated by people with little, or absolutely no right to be classed as part of a civilised society.

My own father’s church was subject to a couple of burglaries and other thefts that left him with no choice but to lock the church doors. It was an act of surrender to the crooks in our society and a bitter pill for him to swallow.

Other churches and chapels have suffered graveyard vandalism in recent times.

All of which is a horrible admission of the fact that huge chunks of our society have absolutely no respect for the church and what it stands for.

Desecration for the sake of a few minutes of fun can only be the product of a warped mind.

But stealing the flags off the top of vaults in a graveyard?

How low can people go in their pursuit of a fast buck that beats the taxman?

I hope that those involved feel the full force of the courts and don’t get away with a slap on the wrists.

To make sure that happens, you must tell the police if you know anything about this latest theft.

A community group offering support to stroke victims and their families has been officially relaunched by caring best friends.

Earlier this year, we revealed that Pendle Stroke Group was under threat of closure, after four decades of service in the community. But following a Leader Times appeal, Leila Neve (32), of Oak Street, and Lindsay Anderson (37), of Millbrook Court, decided to step up to the challenge and take over from Dorothy Pollard and Kathleen Barr.

A successful event was held at Trawden Community Centre on Thursday, and was well attended by familiar and new faces.

Leader Times columnist Leila said: “It was lovely. We had a good mix of existing members and new people so that was good.

“It was really nice to see Andrew Stephenson there. He has been really supportive.”

Both Leila and Lindsay were inspired to take over Pendle Stroke Group, following their own experiences with Leila’s daughter Charlotte (8). The youngster last year suffered a rare brain haemorrhage and a series of strokes, and has since had to learn to walk and talk again.

Leila added: “It was never a question that we weren’t going to do something – we wouldn’t have let that happen.

“What has happened to Charlotte is something that has totally changed our lives.”

And Lindsay said: “Charlotte is my number one inspiration. That little girl is why we are doing everything, and we will do everything we can.

“We were welcomed with such a great heart from everybody. The group is really needed, and I am honoured that we have taken the group over.”

As well as meeting with members on a regular basis, the pair are also hopeful of offering a support network to carers.

They will be continuing to run activities, including poetry and craft days, and are keen to organise day trips and bring in specialists, in areas including occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

The relaunched Pendle Stroke Group will have meetings every fortnight, on a Thursday. There is no age limit, and anybody is welcome to attend.

For more information email leilaneve1@sky.com or visit Leila’s Twitter at @LeilaNeve

Despite being thrown into a world of red carpets, glamour and celebrities, Natalie Gumede has not forgotten her Northern roots.

That is according to her friend and fellow Pendle actor Muzz Khan – who is backing the former Coronation Street star and Pendle performer on her latest Strictly Come Dancing venture.

The actor, who has recently finished shooting BBC Films’ “Happy Toys”, initially met Natalie when she was a customer in his former workplace, Colne’s Kwik Save. He would also see the Burnley-born actress passing his old house, in Railway Street, when she was visiting her grandad.

But it was only when he moved to London to be a student at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art that the pair became more acquainted. They now remain in contact via Twitter.

Muzz (32) said: “Natalie still has her Northern roots. It won’t just be me rooting for her, but the whole of Nelson, Colne and Burnley. She’s still a lovely girl and not like her character on Corrie.

“I’m delighted that Natalie’s doing Strictly. I think she’s in with a shout.”

As well as following similar career paths since their time in Pendle, Natalie and Muzz also have another achievement in common – a Leader Times Stage award.

Natalie scooped the Young Performer award in 1996, while former Royal Shakespeare Company actor Muzz won the Thomas Todhunter Comedy award in 2001.

Since leaving East Lancashire, Natalie went on to study at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in 2003. She shot to fame in 2011, when she was cast as Coronation Street villain Kirsty Soames, and this year bagged three gongs at the British Soap Awards.

Now, the 29-year-old star is revelling in the glamour and glitter of Strictly Come Dancing, having been paired with former winner and Strictly professional Artem Chigvintsev.

But despite being the bookies’ early favourite and regardless of her experience at Colne’s Chippendale School of Dance, the performer is still convinced that she has a lot of hours and hard work to go.

Talking in a BBC clip following her first stint in the rehearsal room, Natalie said: “At the end of my first day training my mind is full to bursting with details that I will never remember and it’s really made me realise how far we all have to go and how much work is going to go into this journey, which is going to be long and exciting.

“Artem is literally having to place my feet, my knees, my hips, my shoulders, my arms, my hands, and it’s kind of all in this really weird position, which you’re not expecting and it’s all a bit ugly ducking. I’ve got a long way before I become a swan.”

And taking to Twitter following the arduous session, the budding ballroom dancer added: “LOVED my 1st day in the studio with @artemchigvintse - I’ve got a LOT to learn and unlearn. Dinner tonight will be scrambled brain #scd2013.”

In their first training video together, Artem and Natalie also show signs of a blossoming friendship – giggling and joking, while also working meticulously on the choreography.

Natalie said: “I would say Artem is very warm, he’s very encouraging and he’s very methodical.”

And Artem, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 with actress Kara Tointon, said: “I have to say when Natalie arrived I was really really excited, because I was waiting for this moment for a couple of days.”

Viewers will next see Natalie on the weekend of September 27th and 28th when the pairs, including Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole, and Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev, perform their first dance in front of the judges.

Pickwick Night is a major date in the calendar in Whalley and this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Over the years, we’ve captured the fun night on video and in photos.

In 2007, reporter Faiza Afzaal braved the rain to help film the festivities which are usually attended by around 5,000 people.

This year’s anniversary event is on Thursday, December 5th, 2013 from 6pm until 9pm

A 60-year-old Colne man was found hanged in Nelson yesterday.

The incident happened in Walverden Crescent at approximately 1-20pm.

Police confirmed the man was found by relatives.

Officers attended the scene, but it is said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Details of the death are being passed to the East Lancashire coroner.

The standard in this year’s Colne Writers’ Circle competition was “the best yet”, according to local historian and judge Geoff Crambie.

The annual event was held at Primet Bridge Community Centre on Saturday, and was well-attended by members and primary school children.

Mr Crambie, who judged the “Short Story” category, said: “The standard was incredible. I have been marking the competition for 20 years, and it is the best I have ever known.”

For the full report and details of winners see Leader Times newspapers on Friday.

The annual two-day open heritage weekend held by Earby Local History Society has been deemed to be an outstanding success.

Events on both Saturday and Sunday drew good crowds of villagers and visitors who were all keen to learn more about the village’s rich past as historical artefacts were put on show to the public.

On Saturday, the society, which was founded by six villagers in 1995 and now has around 130 members, opened its archives in New Road Community Centre and launched its latest book “The Clatter of Clogs in Earby’s Mills”, a 100-page work by society vice-chairman Stephanie Carter which looks back to the days when the cotton industry was the principal employer in the town.

There was also an exhibition held on both days at the Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum, where what was billed as the largest collection of Dales mining relics in the world was on display.

On Sunday, the Katherine Bruce Glasier Memorial Youth Hostel – named after the leading socialist who lived in the town for nearly 30 years – opened its doors to allow people to tour the building and its grounds.

And the White Lion Inn held a 1940s and Second World War day which saw memorabilia from wartime Earby put on display and a vintage craft fair along with an afternoon tea with scones and cupcakes held.

Entertainment from the period was provided by Jane Francis and Kiki DeVille, who sang a wide variety of wartime songs and jazz classics. A number of those attending added to the flavour of the occasion by dressing in period costume and military uniforms.

Society spokesman Wendy Faulkner said the weekend had gone very well. Nearly 50 copies of Stephanie’s book were sold on the day.

Policing in Burnley could be stretched to the limit as county chiefs face up to the daunting prospect of £73m. in cuts and a loss of more than a thousand personnel.

The measures include losing 165 police officers and 275 police staff posts, taking the eventual predicted losses since 2009 to 1,250 people.

Lancashire’s two most senior policing figures outlined the huge financial challenge and admitted that any further Government cutbacks would be difficult to address.

In some of the most radical changes ever to policing nationwide, Burnley’s police force will come under a new Eastern Division as officers are cut and forces merged.

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw and Chief Constable Steve Finnigan must find £73m. over the next four years as a result of the Government’s austerity measures. They agree that if the Government was to ask for further savings then this would be extremely difficult to find.

Mr Grunshaw said: “We have already saved £40m. and these latest changes will take the savings to just over £60m. which still leaves a gap of around £13m. to be found.”

Mr Grunshaw said he wanted to be “honest, open and transparent” about the decisions they needed to make and asked residents for “patience during this transitional period”.

The changes in operational and support services have identified £20m. in savings which will come from a wholesale restructure of the force, which involves reducing the number of territorial divisions from six to three.

Mr Finnigan said: “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.”

Mr Grunshaw added: “I want to reassure Lancashire people that to keep them safe, especially the most vulnerable, remains our priority.

“I would like to ask for residents’ patience during the implementation of these changes and pay tribute to officers and staff for the way they have continued to deliver high standards with fewer resources in these difficult times.”

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Apparently, a third of people who hold a driving licence risk being fined under new regulations which came into force recently.

Good, if it stops the one-in-three lunatics on the road from getting up to their usual antics.

Middle-lane hoggers, tail-gaters, cutter-uppers, wrong-laners et al are all now in danger of picking up on-the-spot fines of up to £100.

We’ve all come across all of these so-called drivers, wondering how they ever passed a driving test in the first place.

And now they are all to be dealt with along with other miscreants like mobile-users, seatbelt-ignorers and horn-sounders who face stiffer penalties than they did in the past.

Before penning these words, I tried to decide which of the driving traits targeted in the new regulations is the worst.

Some are simply annoying, while others are downright dangerous.

We all know people using handheld mobile phones while driving are not likely to have full control of the vehicle they are in charge of – but that does not stop us seeing people doing it every time we take to the highways.

Tail-gaters are equally as dangerous and when, having entered the day from the wrong side of the bed, it happens to me on the way to work I often wish for a special button on the dashboard which released oil or marbles into the carriageway directly behind me. Perhaps the boy-racer or white van man behind me might back off a bit after a dose of that sort of on-the-spot punishment.

Middle-lane hoggers on the motorway are not always dangerous, other than the impact they have on other motorists’ collective blood pressure.

And those who drive in the wrong lane to then, all of a sudden, cut you up to get to the right one are either truly selfish or incredibly myopic.

But any way you want to look at it, some on-the-spot justice, including in some cases fixed penalty points, might just start to make a difference.

I can think of two or three FaceAche groups who will take great umbrage at this column.

But what they forget is that every single one of them admits to being a law-breaker by virtue of their disdain for any sort of road traffic legislation.

Action is set to be taken on Colne residential roads following extensive campaign work.

Concerns have been raised by residents and councillors about drivers speeding down North Valley estate for the past two years.

The route, which includes Birtwistle Avenue, had been named Colne’s “rat run”, and there have been fears over children’s safety. Reports had been made of vehicles travelling at speeds of up to 50mph.

But now Lancashire County Council has agreed to consider various traffic calming measures, following a meeting with local councillors.

Coun. Tweedie said: “Our meeting followed public consultations about the Birtwistle Avenue rat run problem, including two residents’ meetings at the North Valley Community Centre.”

County Coun. Dorothy Lord said: “Proposals included the possible involvement of the community speed watch team, redesigning the speed bumps and traffic calming measures in addition to the ones already in place.”

And Alan Capstick, highways manager for Pendle, added: “Our engineers will design and cost a number of options and present them for discussion at a future meeting.”

My colleague Chris Boden, along, with just about every other Clarets fan on the planet, was left fuming by the events of the big derby day at Turf Moor.

On this occasion it was not so much that supporters of the jesters from the town down the road can carry on bleating about the fact that we have not beat them since the year Mrs Thatcher came to power.

It was also not about Burnley’s inability to hold on to the lead that matters more than just about any other in world football ... if you suffer from the same sort of East Lancashire Football Myopia that has afflicted me for more than four decades.

No, on this occasion it was all about Lee Williamson and his red card in stoppage time.

It was a straight red. No more, no less.

The current intepretations of the laws of the game sent the substitute off to a standing ovation from those fans dressed in shirts that make them look like extras from a film about life in a northern circus.

Williamson actually touched Danny Ings more often than the ball in his 105 seconds on the pitch.

He accepted the inevitable red card, wasted a few precious moments in his departure and trudged off the pitch.

His punishment? No place on the bench for the game against Leicester City on Tuesday night.

And that makes me believe, as I always have, that Chris Boden was right to query if the punishment fits the crime.

A professional foul of this nature needs a sterner punishment.

In the days of Jimmy Mullen’s Claret and Blue Army, we enjoyed an unforgetttable night at Anfield in the FA Cup.

With time drifting away Neil Ruddock trashed Liam Robinson and denied the Burnley striker a run on goal.

Job done.

Now you could argue that Liam, a thoroughly likeable player with a massive heart and a never-ending desire to run through brick walls while chasing the Claret and Blue cause, might not have scored against England international keeper David James.

But it would have been nice for him to have had the chance and a free kick 30-odd yards out, and Ruddock sitting out some games against someone else, were nothing like the reward the ever-alert Robinson deserved for latching on to a poor back pass from Rob Jones.

The derby date at Turf Moor was a completely different set of circumstances.

Ings turned Williamson and had him done for pace.

Williamson obviously has a liking for the Burnley striker judging by the quality of the cuddle he gave him.

Given the chance, Ings would have relished the run at goal and would at least have made Blackburn keeper Jake Kean do some work.

But he was denied that chance in a way that is as clear a bending of the rules as you could possibly see.

Williamson “took one for the team”, of that there is no doubt.

But, I’ll say it again, the punishment just did not fit the crime.

And something needs to be done about it.

Otherwise, every manager might as well keep one of his substitutions up his sleeve, have a bit part player on the bench and then, in stoppage time, send them out with instructions to do whatever they must to stop the opposition from ramming home their advantage.

But what could be done?

There have been several suggestions and they are all, a bit like a penalty shoot out, flawed in one way or another.

I have considered them all and have a few favourites.

Firstly, why not just take a leaf out of rugby’s book. There a referee who can see too many spoiling tactics preventing an attacking side from scoring is empowered to award a penalty try and a conversion attempt from under the posts.

That seven-point swing can be huge in rugby union. And that is why you probably don’t see it too often.

A penalty goal awarded in such circumstances might drive statiticians mad and do lttle for end-of-season DVD sales, but it might put a stop to events like we all endured just 10 days ago.

Or you could mimic another sport and offer the attacking team the equivalent of international one-day cricket’s free hit.

In this situation, a free kick would be awarded wherever the offence took place and the fouled player, or a team-mate, could then have a shot at an open goal.

Again, it might be a suitable deterrent and let attacking players stand a better chance of doing what they are paid to do - attack goal.

You could also simply take play straight to the penalty spot, which itself should be enough to stop the professional foul being used.

Or you could, and I think this is my favourite, take a lead out of the “Gladiators” book.

No, I’m not talking about settling the issue with either “Pugilsticks” or “Hanging Tough”.

But what I am suggesting is that the referee despatch the defending goalkeeper to the corner flag and have the attacking player at the scene of the crime.

The attacker would get a five-second start to bear down on goal, after which the goalkeeper could leg it towards the otherwise empty net and try to stop his opponent scoring.

Roughly transposed to the other Saturday it would go something lihe this and the referee would say: “Danny, lovely boy, you will go on my first whistle. Goalie, whoever you may be, you will go on my second whistle.”

I don’t know about you, but I know who I would be backing on those particular circumstances.

A major debate is taking place over plans to charge people in Pendle for taking away their bulky waste, emptying their green bins full of garden rubbish and getting them to pay for new wheelie bins.

For years, Pendle Council officers have suggested the borough could get more money by billing people when binmen collect their big rubbish items like ovens, fridges, beds and settees. But councillors have consistently turned it down.

Pendle is one of the few councils that don’t charge for it. In Burnley you pay £10.60 and in Blackburn £20. It’s free in Hyndburn.

And for people with green bins it is suggested a charge of £25 a year.

At last Thursday’s Pendle Council Executive meeting the issues were raised by a member of the public, Mr Jimmy Trigg, who spoke against the green bin charges and having to pay for new bins.

He said: “I think it is wrong to introduce a £25 charge for green bins. We are now in a grey period. I think it is a wrong time to introduce this charge.”

He was also concerned about £10 bulk charges and said: “I think it would encourage more fly-tipping.”

He questioned whether bins were owned by the council and said: “If it remains the property of the borough you can’t blame people who have them stolen. I think the council should take the responsibility for the safety of bins.”

And he said: “I don’t think the charge should be made for the collection of waste.”

Coun. Tony Greaves congratulated Mr Trigg on raising “some very important points.”

On the bulky charge he said: “We have resisted it for many years as we thought it was something the council should do for free.”

He was not happy with the £25 green bin charge. “I would suggest a lot of it will be chucked over a hedge into a field,” he said. “I think it is going to cause difficulty.”

And in relation to charges on bulky goods he said: “They will go in backyards of empty houses, spare land, playgrounds and, where its near the edge of the country, people will dump it over a farm gate. If people have to get a new wheelie bin they will go and nick one from the next street. It’s going to cause huge numbers of neighbour disputes.”

It was decided the decision would be made at tomorrow night’s full council meeting.

Pendle Council’s dog warden team is celebrating picking up their fifth successive RSPCA Gold Footprint award.

This national award recognises organisations that have gone above and beyond their basic service requirements to provide higher standards of care for dogs they collect as well as the educational programmes they run.

Coun. Joe Cooney, Leader of Pendle Council, said: “This award is the RSPCA’s seal of approval for how we care for dogs in Pendle and encourage responsible animal ownership.

“As such, it’s a great accolade for our dog wardens.

“What’s clear from winning this award for the fifth year running is that the service is still being delivered to a very high standard in Pendle and our dog warden team is among the very best in the country.

“Well done to Kat and Ian, and to Laura who is currently on maternity leave.”

Lenny Rolles, Senior Parliamentary Advisor with the RSPCA, said: “It is very good to see Pendle Council has maintained a commitment to animal welfare by providing a good standard of care for stray dogs in spite of tough financial pressures on local authorities.”

Dog warden Katrina Bullas said: “It means a lot to us to win this RSPCA award. Getting it for five years in a row is an achievement we’re incredibly proud of.

“And we certainly don’t rest on our laurels. Each year we continue striving to improve our standards making sure that the dogs that come into our care are well looked after.”

The dog wardens also promote responsible dog ownership through their contact with dog owners at microchipping events and attendance at dog training clubs.

They also do a lot of work with schoolchildren, attending assemblies and running workshops to teach them how to care for a dog.

Dog warden Ian Cockcroft said: “In Pendle we strive to promote responsible dog ownership through education and encouragement. However there are some occasions when formal intervention is needed, and the Gold Footprints award recognises the work we do in order to ensure the welfare of all dogs we deal with.”

For more information about the work of the wardens, go to www.pendle.gov.uk or call 661763.

The lights will go up on the glittering Grand Final of Burnley’s Search for a Star on Sunday, October 20th.

Organised by East Lancashire Newspapers in association with Charter Walk shopping centre, the Lounge at Turf Moor will see 14 acts sing, dance and entertain as the Search for a Star talent show reaches its climax.

Judges are entertainers Amanda Claire-Jones and Alex Taylor, Burnley Express editor Chris Daggett and Chris Gribbon from Charter Walk. The finalists are acoustic guitarists and singers Danny Smith, Jodie Woods, Matt Whatley and Beth Ferguson; singers Jessica Woods, Rhiain Thornton, Christine Hurford and Kayleigh Bannatyne; keyboard and singers Alexandria Pollard and Paige Bithell, dancer Molly Stephenson; comedians and impressionists George Bury and Ben Maguire; and dancers James Waterworth and Wilson Ratcliffe and Fused Dance Troop. Troop.

Tickets are £6 and £4 concessions on sale at 01772 554547.

Doors open at 7pm and the show starts 7-30 pm.

Pupils at five Pendle schools should be warm and dry in coming winters – thanks to a programme of repair work costing more than £400,000 announced by Lancashire County Council.

County Coun. Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, signed off the programme of work during the summer holidays.

Almost 40 primary and secondary schools around the county have returned from the break to find good news waiting for them in terms of much-needed repairs of their buildings.

Those in Pendle which are included in the programme are Primet Primary School, Colne (renewal of heating pipework, £225,000), West Street Community Primary School, Colne (replacement of heating pipework, £54,000) Gisburn Road Community Primary School, Barnoldswick (replacement of boilers, £22,500), Park High School, Colne (removal of soffits, £18,000) and Pendle View Primary School, Colne (replacement of roof coverings, £135,000).

County Coun. Tomlinson said: “It’s good to be able to channel money towards making schools warm and watertight – after all, these are basic things schools need to provide a good environment in which pupils can learn.

“I’m sure some of these schools will be delighted that they don’t have to nurse their ageing boiler through another winter!

“These upgrades make schools warmer, greener, and less likely to have to close in severe weather when the old boiler packs in.”

A church is set to run a free club to help people get back into work – starting on Friday.

Members of St John with St Philip Church in Nelson and the Inghamite Church in Fence wanted to help equip their local community to find employment in tough economic times so underwent specialised training from UK charity Christians Against Poverty.

And now they are offering a free eight-week course to boost the job-hunting process for unemployed people by equipping them with the tools, skills and confidence to find work.

Job Club Manager Tammie Beckett, who will be leading the course, said: “With more people facing long-term employment, there is a real need for a personal service which provides practical and emotional support for people to find work again. CAP Job Clubs is designed to do just this.”

The course will cover topics such as identifying strengths, CV writing and interview techniques.

A few extra sessions will be added as necessary.

The course will begin with refreshments and end with a light lunch, all free.

Tammie said: “We hope that we can help people to gain the confidence and skills they need to find employment, particularly for those who may have been out of work for a long period of time.”

The club will run for around 10 weeks weekly from Friday at 10am at St John’s Church Centre, Barkerhouse Road, Nelson.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision in Blacko.

The incident took place at around 3pm yesterday on Gisburn Road between the A59 and the Moorcock Inn and involved a motorcyclist and a BMW 3 series.

The rider of the bike has received serious injuries and was airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital.

The road was closed to allow police to carry out an examination of the scene.

The male driver of the BMW was uninjured.

Sergeant James Power from the Road Policing Unit said, “If you witnessed the incident then I would urge you to come forward and contact the police.

“An investigation is under way to try and establish what has happened. The family of the motorcyclist have been informed and we have specially trained officers supporting them.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Samlesbury Road Policing Unit on 101.