Every dog has its day – and now one Pendle pooch is in the spotlight.

Lily the Dalmatian is today’s Burnley Express star pet with her paw-inspiring vocal talents.

Three-year-old Lily loves to sing along to the telephone ring tones at her Newchurch-in-Pendle home.

Is your pet a star? Whether you have a posing pooch a crafty cat or a handsome horse, send us a photo or short video of your pet for the website.

Don’t forget to include some details about your pet and send your stories to sally.dahmke@jpress.co.uk

Police investigating two indecent exposures in Colne have released images of a man they want to trace.

The first incident happened on Thursday September 12th at around 9-30pm when a woman was approached by a man at the top of Exchange Street. The offender touched the woman’s arm before exposing himself.

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

The images show a white man wearing black tracksuit clothing, although this appears white or silver in the images. These show him at the junction of Chapel Street and Albert Road.

Detective Sergeant Phil Pilkington from Pennine CID said, “I would appeal to anyone who recognises the man pictured on the CCTV images to get in touch with us. I would also 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.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Colne Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There is plenty of “lights, camera and action” in Colne today as a new television advert for an insurance company is filmed on the high street.

The Colne Times went along to the scene following a social media frenzy to talk to the people behind the cameras.

And while the company remained tight-lipped about their identity and the content of the advert, they did reveal they were using Darwen-based White Noise Production Company to film the shoot.

One staff member said: “We are shooting an advert for a new life insurance brand. It’s going very well, and we have been surprised at how busy it’s been.”

The crew are expected to be finished by the end of the day, having been on set since the early hours.

The advert will be released on some satellite and terrestrial channels at the end of October.

For more information see Leader Times Newspapers.

Proposals to erect a 225kw wind turbine at Piked Edge Farm, in Skipton Old Road, have been submitted to Pendle Council.

If approved the turbine would have a height of 30m, and a maximum tip height of 45m.

The row over health care is rarely far from the headlines in 2013 ... but in October 2008 it was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Led by Coun. Gordon Birtwistle, the then leader of Burnley Council and now Burnley’s MP, the 15-mile hit out at the loss of “blue light” accident and emergency facilities in the town.

A Pendle vet has been elected as president of the British Veterinary Association for 2013/2014.

Robin Hargreaves, a director with Stanley House Vets, was elected into office at the BVA’s annual Members’ Day in Cardiff.

Mr Hargreaves was born and raised on a hill farm in the Yorkshire Dales and attended the local grammar school.

He qualified in 1985 and joined a two-vet mixed practice in Shropshire before moving on to a spell at a small animal practice in Leeds and finally settling in Colne.

He played rugby union for Liverpool University Vet School, Liverpool RUFC and Lancashire B and coached mini and junior rugby at Wharfedale RUFC for 14 years.

He has been married to Lorna for 25 years and says the pair are “occasional late-adoption cyclists”

In his inaugural speech as President, Mr Hargreaves said: “I feel hugely proud and very privileged to stand here at the beginning of my term as president – an office with such a proud tradition.

“I hope to bring my experience of developing trust amongst a very diverse clientele in my day job as a practitioner to the relationships we have with colleagues, government and other stakeholders.”

Stanley House Vets has practices in Colne, Nelson, Barnoldswick and Burnley and has four co-directors and a staff of 50.

Earby’s annual Saluki walk has proved popular once more as almost 40 dogs with owners from across the UK joined in with the charity event.

David Hartley, who is Chairman of the Northern Saluki Club, runs the event from St Peter’s Church in Earby and this year a total of £420 was raised for the Saluki Welfare Fund.

Prizes were handed out in the morning for categories including the best six legs (dog and owner), prettiest bitch and most handsome dog, before a quiz and raffle, a talk and the usual five mile walk taking in Kelbrook, Salterforth and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and then the return to Earby for a fish and chip supper.

Mr Hartley said: “We had a good day. Salukis are very beautiful dogs, loyal and affectionate, but you have to be calm and patient with them.

“I’m the Chairman of the Saluki Club which is more for showing them, but I do house them until we can find a new home for them, which can be for all sorts of reasons such as an owner who has died or a marriage break up.”

Despite only being 21, talented Stacey Hyatt from Colne has managed to successfully launch her own business.

The former Colne Park High School student has now officially opened the doors to Stacey’s Scissors – after being given a helping hand by The Start Up Loans Company.

The Venables Avenue resident is enjoying her new venture in Colne’s indoor market, forming friendships with clients, and offering services usually only available in bigger cities.

She developed a passion for hairdressing from a young age, and always dreamt of setting up her own firm. So when she heard about start up loans from the local council and through Hyndburn Enterprise, Stacey could not wait to get started.

Her mum and former business owner Lisa Hyatt, who has been offering guidance and support, said: “There is no doubt that Stacey is exceptionally gifted in what she does, as well as very dedicated.

“Recently, she was qualified in three hair extension courses, which provide her with extremely important skills. As of yet, Stacey isn’t sure what the future holds, but it certainly looks very promising.”

The Start Up Loans Company has recently celebrated its one year anniversary of helping young people achieve their business aspirations. It has committed more than £42 million to applicants aged 18-30 in the past year.

And having now gone through the process herself, Stacey is now able to share her knowledge with other family members.

Her mum added: “Stacey is even helping out the family who also want to get into hairdressing. Her niece is studying hairdressing at college, and she has given her a placement so she can get some experience.”

The family would also like to thank Coun. Neil Butterworth who provided support in the opening of the salon, which also sells a wide range of beauty and hair products.

The M65 was shut again last night due to a police incident involving a Nelson woman on a pedestrian bridge.

It is believed that the woman went missing at around 6pm, and was sighted at the bridge at Barrowford over Junction 13 of the M65 at 8-30pm.

Police have confirmed that negotiations took place, and the motorway was reopened at 10-09pm.

Drivers stuck in traffic last night took to Twitter to express their concern, with one writing: “Oh dear, police car blocking off the entrance to the M65 hope it ain’t as serious as that makes you think [sic]”.

Another wrote: “M65 closed at Nelson. Police at the bottom of Reedyford Road bridge to Barrowford.”

A lorry and a bus were involved in a Burnley road crash last night.

The accident happened along Colne Road near Duke Bar at 8-10pm on Wednesday.

The Mainline single-decker bus was in collision with the Home Bargains lorry along the road.

Windows on the bus were smashed and the side of the vehicle was also damaged.

Nobody was injured in the incident.

The road was cleared by police around 30 minutes later.

A local resident who rushed to the scene after his children saw the incident said both drivers were in shock. He said the road was cleared in around 20 minutes.

Photo and video by Syed Manzoor Hussain

It was drama on the dancefloor in the latest Strictly Come Dancing - with Natalie Gumede unable to take part in Saturday’s live show after collapsing twice in studio rehearsals.

Her future on the BBC programme was once again put in jeopardy and there were fears that she would be unable to take to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom floor on Saturday evening.

But now, after plenty of rest and medical check-ups the Burnley-born actress has been declared ready to “keep dancing” with her professional partner Artem Chigvintsev.

Talking to presenter Zoe Ball on It Takes Two on Monday night, the former Coronation Street villain said: “I had band call early in the morning and we were going through the dance. I had felt weak all week - I think it was just exhaustion - and basically my body just gave way.

“After trying again in dress rehearsal I realised I wasn’t fit to dance, and unfortunately I collapsed again.

“I’m feeling much better and I am so grateful to everybody for all their support.”

This is the second time that concerns have been raised over Natalie, after she fell over while practising the quickstep last month. She had suffered a back injury, but managed to pull through in time for the Saturday show.

A self-confessed Strictly fan herself, Natalie was due to be jiving to Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” over the weekend - and had put in hours of practice throughout the course of the week.

Speaking on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday, dance partner Artem said: “I’m just really upset for Natalie. She was really looking forward to performing this dance. She put so many hours in and it looked really incredible.”

Since her Strictly scare Natalie, who appeared in the first episode of BBC One series “Moving On” on Monday, has cleared up national reports that stated she had been suffering from panic attacks.

Writing on Twitter, the former Chippendale School of Dance student, who bagged herself the first 10s of the series for her Hallowe’en Vienesse Waltz, said: “Thrilled to say I’ve been declared fit to dance this Saturday! Bring on Blackpool! @bbcstrictly I have rested well and I’m feeling... fantastic. Was never suffering from panic attacks or anxiety as some sources state, just exhaustion after a long few weeks following... having an epidural.”

Many of her fans also took to the social networking site to show their support, with one writing: “glad you are better missed you last week you can win girl keep going [sic].”

Despite not performing in the latest show, Natalie remains the favourite to take home the glitterball trophy, according to independent odds comparison site easyodds.com

Hairy Biker Dave Myers was the latest contestant to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.

Approximately 80 new jobs could be created if major plans to transform the Glen Mills site are given the green light.

Last month we reported that proposals are set to be submitted to Pendle Council to turn the North Valley Road plot into a Lidl, Marston’s pub and small industrial units.

Now a Lidl spokesman has confirmed that the plans, which include 131 car parking spaces, could provide a real boost to the local economy – opening up a number of full and part time employment opportunities.

They also added that an open day held for residents this month “was well attended” and that the vast majority of people showed support to the combined proposal.

In a flyer distributed to 1,000 homes, it states: “Our proposals will transform the derelict site into a modern, attractive development.

“This will not only bring Lidl’s popular range of quality products at discount prices, but also Marston’s value for money food and drink offers – the combined proposals will offer significant new employment opportunities to the Colne area.”

Among those welcoming the new plans are Leader of Pendle Council, Coun Joe Cooney and local historian Geoff Crambie.

Coun Cooney said: “Glen Mills is a site I’ve been working to get back into use for a couple of years so I’m happy we might finally have a use for it.”

Mr Crambie told the Colne Times how the Glen Mills site has now been derelict for at least five years, having opened as a mill in 1906.

He is happy to see that it could be developed, but is keen that the building’s Edwardian datestone is preserved.

The Colne Times columnnist said: “It will be sad to see the building demolished, but it has been left so long now that it looks like a bomb site.

“Something has to be done, as the other side of North Valley has been completely revived.

“It will be another feather in the cap for Bonnie Colne – the town has really turned around because of businesses, large and small.”

More details on the full proposal will be reported when a valid application is submitted to Pendle Council.

Following Mr Crambie’s request, a Lidl spokesman confirmed that they will be looking at preserving the datestone if plans go ahead.

After months of stewing and planning, a real treat of an event has been cooked up for this weekend.

Run by local trader Ashley Sutcliffe and organiser of Whalley Farmers’ Market Charles Bolton, Colne Food Festival will take place at the Muni tomorrow between 10am and 4pm.

The delectable day will see around 50 local traders showcasing a variety of foods and crafts. And if successful, it will become an annual event on Pendle’s social calendar.

Ashley, who runs Live Like The Boy, in Shackleton Hall, said: “We are thrilled with how the preparation has gone.

“The really heartening thing is how everybody we have spoken to is just as excited as we are.

“We were initially looking at having it at Shackleton Hall, with around 10 tables, so it has turned out a bit different.”

Among those running a stand at the free festival, which includes cookery demonstrations, will be staff from Pendle Council’s waste management department.

They will be talking to visitors about the need to “Love Food Hate Waste”, in the hope it will help reduce the amount of useable food that goes to landfill.

Waste and recycling co-ordinator Carole Taylor said: “We will be talking to foodies to offer advice on storing food correctly, judging portion sizes and using up leftovers.”

And Coun. John David, who represents recycling and waste in Pendle, added: “As well as the environmental impact, throwing away food has financial consequences.

“The latest figures from WRAP suggest that the average family throw away the equivalent of six meals a week.

“If they just got better at managing what’s in their fridge and kitchen cupboards, they could save around £60 a month.”

Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com and www.colnefoodfestival.co.uk for more information.

Pendle star Natalie Gumede will be hopefully following in the footsteps of students at her old high school when she performs in Blackpool tonight.

Colne Park High School students Amber Brunton (14) and Harry Eyre (15) have already seen success in the seaside resort – having recently been crowned the top Under 16 couple in the country in their age range.

Competing in the highly prestigious Classical Sequence Dance Festival at the Winter Gardens in October, they were awarded first place in three major events – Junior Boy/Girl Under 16 Championships, Junior Modern Sequence 3 Dance Open Championship, and Junior Classical Sequence 4 Dance Open Championship – winning all their 11 dances outright.

Amber, who is in Year 10, and Head Boy Harry, who is in Year 11, have been dancing together for the last six years.

Amber, who also danced for three years prior to pairing up with Harry, was inspired by the gorgeous gowns and glamour, while Harry simply wanted to try something different.

The dancing duo, who dedicate up to four hours a week training at Nelson’s Sanderson Dance Studios, are huge fans of Strictly Come Dancing – showing a particular interest this year with Colne’s Natalie taking part.

Amber, who used to live on the same street as Natalie, said: “I love watching Strictly Come Dancing but it makes me cross if they get it wrong!”

Amber and Harry’s next big challenge is the British Championships in April 2014.

Our front page story last week – the court case of Gavin Whalley – has provoked strong reaction from all sides.

Mr Whalley admitted an offence of begging in a public place and was fined – a fairly commonplace event in magistrates’ courts throughout the country... and throughout history.

What made this case unusual was the revelation the police are seeking a Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (CRASBO) to prevent Mr Whalley begging again, or entering the Ribble Valley.

This led his solicitor – who said he would oppose the CRASBO – to suggest: “It would appear the police perception is that people in the Ribble Valley are too posh to have tramps”.

We used part of that statement – made in defence of Mr Whalley – in our headline, as a quote and in speech marks.

Judging by some comments we’ve received, some readers believe we are out to persecute Mr Whalley.

We are not. Nor are we saying this area does not want him.

That was his own solicitor suggesting the police might have the view a “tramp” is not welcome in the relatively affluent Ribble Valley.

He could be implying Mr Whalley would be more readily tolerated in other places where homelessness is a more obvious problem, or it could just have been a throwaway courtroom remark.

Whatever the case, it has set the proverbial cat among the pigeons.

Many sprang to Mr Whalley’s defence, saying he has never harmed anyone, is never aggressive and always “pleasant” and “polite”. But breaking the law politely is still breaking the law, and Mr Whalley did plead guilty.

He made the mistake of asking for charity from an off-duty police officer. Some have suggested the officer was overzealous in arresting him, that a warning would have sufficed. But are we really suggesting our police officers should discriminately turn a blind eye to offences committed under their noses?

Perhaps it is the pursuit of a CRASBO which some think heavyhanded, but Mr Whalley does have previous convictions for begging. If a CRASBO is granted then further begging would put him in breach of it – a more serious offence than the begging itself.

Some argue we should not have printed the article at all, let alone on the front page, given the distress caused to Mr Whalley and his family.

Let’s be clear on this – newspapers and other media do print and broadcast court cases. Justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done.

Whether or not you think this was justice is a decision for you, but would you rather it happened without you knowing? And yes, regrettably there is inevitable distress to those involved and those connected to them, but again, is that a reason to keep things concealed?

One thing is clear; Mr Whalley was a talking point in Clitheroe long before his court case appeared on our front page, which is another reason why it did. And it seems the issues raised by that case will continue to generate fierce debate.

A year after Dr Mohammad Ikram Malik MBE died in hospital following a road accident in Nelson, many tributes in memory of him have been made.

They included a memorial ceremony at his mosque’s Silverman Hall in Nelson. Scores of people attended - around 50 men and 70 women.

And Building Bridges Pendle – which Dr Malik was chairman of – paid tribute to him at its annual meeting. Members of the organisation miss him a great deal.

Dr Malik was a GP in Nelson for decades and was still working when he had the accident. He was going from his surgery at Yarnspinners Health Centre to his place of worship – Ghausia Mosque on Pendle Street – when he was crossing the road on foot and was in collision with a car.

He suffered head injuries, had brain operations at the Royal Preston Hospital, but sadly died there. Thousands of people attended his funeral just over a year ago.

Dr Malik had been involved in many organisations locally, regionally and nationally and as well as being a highly respected doctor, he made major contributions to the community here in Pendle.

So lots of people have thought about him a year after he was lost forever. His family, including his wife Dr Mrs Raisa Malik, are greatly disappointed by their loss of him but are pleased many people are remembering him.

Rauf Bashir, manager at Building Bridges, said: “Lots of people have expressed their thoughts about him after a year has gone. He is greatly missed. He was involved in many things and very influential.”

And Mr Peter Dewhurst, who took over as chairman at Building Bridges, said: “We do miss him greatly. He did make a major contribution to bringing the community of Pendle together.”

An open verdict has been recorded at the inquest of a woman who died in Nelson in August.

East Lancashire Coroners’ Court heard that Renata Kaorkoziene (36) was found dead by her family at their home in Roland Avenue, Nelson, on August 5th.

Pathologist Dr Abdul Al-Dawoud concluded that there was nothing physically wrong with Mrs Kaorkoziene’s body. He put the cause of death as hanging and said an alcohol level twice that of the legal UK drink drive limit was found in her system.

The court heard the family moved to the UK from Lithuania and while husband Mindaugas Korkozas has managed to get a job, Mrs Kaorkoziene had not, despite wanting to.

The court heard Mr Korkozas had left the house to go to the supermarket with his eldest son after the couple had a minor argument. They returned a short time later with the couple’s two other younger children to find her dead.

Speaking through a translator, her husband Mindaugas Korkozas said there was “no explanation” for her death. There was no note or telephone message left.

Coroner Mr Richard Taylor said there was no definitive evidence pointing at suicide or accidental death.

Police officers who have recovered stolen property following a warrant at a Bacup house are trying to reunite the items with their rightful owners.

As a result of intelligence received, the warrant was carried out at the address on October 25th following a spate of burglaries in the Barnoldswick area.

A 30-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of burglary and the investigation is ongoing.

The two arrested are on bail until December 13th while that police investigation continues.

PC April Butcher said: “There was a huge amount of goods recovered as a result of the warrant which we think have been stolen during a number of burglaries of both homes and shops in the Barnoldswick area.

“So far, four local shops have been reunited with their goods but we would like to return the rest of the items to their rightful owners.

“If anyone recognises the descriptions or the pictures of the items, and thinks the items may belong to them, they can contact me by calling 101.”

The items we have are:

Seven pairs of Oakley sunglasses;

UGG Items (two hats, one pair of gloves, ladies boots - size eight);

Miss Cole Fast Glamour Gift Set;

Body Shop zip fastening make-up bag;

Leather dog collars (seven brown and four black);

Pair of ladies “Quiz” shoes in coral - size eight;

Pink canvas shopping bag;

Black ethernet cable;

Zippo lighter – pirate design;

Zippo lighter – red hearts design;

Zippo lighter – football design;

Zippo lighter in larger box - pink playboy bunny design;

Zippo lighter in larger box - two in plain silver;

Zippo lighter with cat design;

Lumix digital camera;

Zippo lighter with American flag design;

Leopard print ladies jumper.

People with information can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Two builders who admitted intimidating an 82-year-old Colne widow into having low-quality building work carried out were sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on Wednesday following a prosecution by Lancashire County Council Trading Standards.

The court heard how the men were asked to repair a short length of cement on a one-storey kitchen extension, but harassed the householder, who is registered blind, into having work carried out on the upstairs bedroom window at her home in Colne.

In total she paid £1,450 cash to the two men. When she realised she had been conned she contacted trading standards, who arranged for a surveyor to check the work, then tracked down the workmen.

Stuart Leeming, of Dickson Street, Colne, and Christopher Peter Nolan of addresses at Carry Lane, Colne, and Hallam Road, Nelson, both admitted falsely claiming a vertical jamb would come out and fall through the kitchen roof if work was not carried out.

Leeming also admitted an aggressive practice when he demanded the immediate payment of cash, while Nolan admitted falsely claiming to be an architectural surveyor of 30 years’ standing, when he had no surveying qualifications at all.

The court heard how the high price charged was justified by the men with the claim an Acrow Prop had been used to remove the jamb on the upstairs window, when a survey showed this had not happened.

Each defendant was sentenced to 240 hours unpaid community work, while Leeming was also sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. Both were ordered to pay compensation to the victim, with total costs of £1,200 to Lancashire County Council for bringing the prosecution.

Nolan was trading as C&P Property Maintenance, and Leeming was trading as BS Roofing and Guttering at the time of the offences.

County Coun. Janice Hanson, cabinet member for public protection, said: “It was impossible for this lady to check the workmen’s claims.

“At one point she had four or five men in the back yard of her terraced house and felt she had no choice but to pay in cash, as demanded. Fortunately she is a strong-minded and determined individual, and an excellent witness to the events, and the council would like to thank her for standing up to protect others.

“We are receiving a lot of calls about overcharged and unnecessary building and roofing work throughout Lancashire at the moment. This case highlights you should never deal with workmen who cold call, and always obtain a full quote in writing before work starts.

“We hope this prosecution and others like it will raise awareness of the dangers of rogue traders and dealing with doorstep callers.”

Anyone needing advice or wanting to report rogue traders or uninvited doorstep callers to Trading Standards can do so via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06.

Anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of any distraction burglar or rogue trader should ring Lancashire Constabulary on 0845 1 25 35 45, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Residents are advised not to deal with cold calling builders and roofers and should instead ask for recommendations from family and friends or source one from Lancashire County Council’s Safe Trader Scheme. This scheme provides details of traders who have signed up to a code of conduct and can be contacted via the website www.traderregister.org.uk or by calling 0303 333 1111.

When I was a lad, I loved playing with my electric train set. It was an oval of grey plastic Tri-ang track, with a passing loop, screwed to a plywood trestle table in our otherwise unused front room.

I loved making that second-hand 0-6-0 “Jinty” tank locomotive whizz round the track pulling its NCB coal wagon, a BP oil tank truck, a white fish van and a guard’s van.

But that wasn’t enough. I wanted more. I saved up my pocket money and soon had enough to buy a set of points and track for a tiny goods siding. Then I swopped four Dinky toy cars for a three-wheel Scammell Scarab articulated lorry to haul the goods away.

Eventually, I saved enough cash for a 2-6-2 passenger tank engine and a couple of carriages in the “blood and custard” livery of maroon and cream.

Then I made a small Airfix station where my little passenger train could stop.

Yes, playing with trains can become addictive, and I fear that’s what we’re in danger of doing with HS2. And instead of the 50 bob my train set cost my mum and dad, we’re in danger of splashing out £50 billion on a line that won’t provide any benefits until 2026 – if you believe that opening date.

There is an alternative; the former Great Central line – connecting Manchester with London via Sheffield and Rugby – that was axed by Dr Beeching in 1966.

Much of the abandoned structure is still in place, and experts say it could be rebuilt for a fraction of HS2 – around £6 billion. It wouldn’t be as fast as HS2, but it would provide vital extra north-south capacity much sooner and would annoy the green shire MPs a lot less.

Some critics say this wouldn’t work; too much of the line has been built over, the existing line into London Marylebone would be overcrowded, there would still be “Nimby” objections, and so on.

But with so much money at stake, surely it’s worth making a serious investigation into this route.

And if the Great Central lives again, just think what we could do with the money saved.

We could replace those awful four-wheel Pacer bus-on-rails units that still bump, rattle and screech along the network.

We could reopen the 11.5-mile missing link between Colne and Skipton, that should never have closed in the first place.

We could have weekday trains running through Clitheroe to Hellifield, maybe even stopping at Chatburn and Gisburn again. All aboard?